Library Minutes | October 15, 2024
4 Municipal Plaza • Monroe Township, NJ 08831 • (732) 521-5000 • www.monroetwplibrary.org
MINUTES OF THE MONROE TOWNSHIP
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
October 15, 2024
ATTENDING:
Members Staff
Lisa Chen Leah Wagner
Bernadette Yannacci Karen Klapperstuck
Anne Corey
Bob Isaacs Student Representative
Dr. Marilyn Gonyo (virtual) Jannat Zaanoun
Dr. Kelly Roselle (virtual)
The meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Lisa Chen, Vice President of the Library Board of Trustees.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
It was noted that this meeting was in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 MEETING
The minutes from the September 17, 2024, meeting were presented.
Anne Corey asked that the following additional notes be added to the Comments from the Auditor: “In response to questions raised in earlier correspondence and during the meeting, Mr. Stankiewicz clarified that the various bond names in the audit reports (Public Officer Liability and Crime, Faithful Performance Bond, Surety Bond, and Public Employees Blanket Bond) do not represent four different bonds each with $1 million of coverage but are different names for one bond with $1 million of coverage.”
Bob Isaacs moved that the minutes of the September 17, 2024 meeting be approved as amended. Bernadette Yannacci seconded. All in attendance were in favor. The motion passed.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The last Farmers Market of 2024 was on September 26. It was a successful summer with an average of 700 people attending each week. Everyone is looking forward to the Harvest Market which will be on Tuesday, November 26 from 11:00 am-3:00 pm.
In the September Director’s Report, Leah mentioned that the lighting component for the Direct Install program would begin the week of September 23. Unfortunately, when the representative from Willdan Energy Solutions came to inspect the lighting, he reported that the majority of lights to be replaced were LED and did not qualify. A meeting with the inspector and Department of Public Works staff will be scheduled to clarify this issue. The HVAC component is still on schedule and will be completed in the spring.
To celebrate National Friends of the Library week October 20-26 and to celebrate all that the Friends have done for the Monroe Library, Mayor Dalina presented the Friends with a proclamation at the October 7 Council meeting. A copy of the proclamation text is included in the packet. Congratulations to Francine Kitts and the Friends of the Library.
A number of policy revisions, mentioned in Leah’s report, will be discussed later in the meeting.
Library staff met with the Executive Director of LiteracyNJ on October 4 to discuss the Library’s participation in the program. There are currently three tutors that are available to hold small group classes at the Monroe Library. Once dates and times are selected, advertisement of the sessions will begin. All interested students are to contact the LIteracyNJ office to register and will be notified when the classes are to begin.
Tania Schiavone the Library’s Senor Library Administrative Assistant will be on medical leave beginning October 21 to the middle of December.
The Library received its annual State Aid funds. This year the total received was $26,223.00. This will be recorded as income in next month’s financial report.
Leah also mentioned that Lori Olah, the new Township CFO, has sent the remaining information needed to the auditor so the 2023 Audit should be available soon.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Karen Klapperstuck created a new “team” in the Library’s Microsoft365 software for the Board of Trustees. Library staff will maintain this team and email list so that it is always current and includes the designated alternates and representatives to the Board. In the future, this may be a way to distribute the Board packet electronically to be more sustainable.
The Library is excited to introduce Library Chef which offers patrons the chance to enhance kitchen skills with expert-led classes from the comfort of home.
Staff has been working to become more familiar with VEGA Program, the software that we will use to book the study rooms and for an event calendar. The study room portion will be available for patrons to make study room reservations on November 1. The event calendar will be rolled out to the public in January. Staff are creating templates and moving events already scheduled to the new calendar part of the software. While there are significant changes, overall staff are excited about the capabilities of the new program.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Leah Wagner discussed the October financial reports. She noted that everything looks good, with only a few budget lines close to the budgeted amount.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no committee reports.
TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORT
Marilyn Gonyo reported on items from Mayor Dalina.
The Mayor would like the Trustees to be aware of the following upcoming events:
- The Annual Octoberfest to be held at the Community Center on Sunday, October 20 from 12pm to 4pm.
- The Monroe Township Diwali Celebration to be held on Sunday, October 27 from 4pm to 7pm.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Marilyn Gonyo gave the Friends of the Library report:
The Friends have been very busy. Their most exciting experience was receiving a proclamation from the Mayor. On October 7, many of the FOL executive board members gathered to hear Leah read the proclamation and to receive the proclamation from Council President Miriam Cohen. The Friends are so honored and proud to be recognized for their volunteerism. Thank you, Leah, for this special recognition.
The Annual Membership Tea is tomorrow with approximately 80 folks registered to attend. There will be a special musical program and yummy desserts planned for FOL members, for it is thanks to them and their donations and support that make all that the Friends do possible.
The Friends had a presence each week at the Farmer’s Market and via donations for books, raised over $1000. They also will have a presence at the Harvest Market on November 26th and are busy planning our big book sale scheduled for December 13 and 14.
The Friends most recent purchase for the Library is a sublimation printer and mug press which will be a very exciting addition to Studio M.
MONROE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
Kelly Roselle shared that the School Budget presentation was held on September 25 for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. Parent-Teacher Conferences are underway for all grade levels and will be completed by the beginning of November.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Jannat Zaanoun reported on upcoming events. She mentioned that the Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors will be taking the PSAT on October 14 which is also the Senior Sunrise. The Monroe Township History Night is scheduled for October 17. And Haunted High School will take place on October 23.
FOUNDATION
The Foundation met on October 10. While there was not a quorum present, it was a good meeting for planning. The Jewelry Show is scheduled for November 10, and they are currently seeking volunteers for that day. Those in attendance also discussed the next golf outing and the possible funding of an audioloop system.
Leah Wagner asked the Foundation if they would consider taking over the financial responsibility of the gardens on the Library grounds.
The next meeting will be on January 9.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Board of Trustees revisited the Tuition Reimbursement Policy discussed at the September meeting. Leah made a number of suggestions for clarification regarding the word choice of course, class, program and the reference to GPA vs a letter grade of B. The timing of when an employee can apply for reimbursement was also addressed.
Marilyn Gonyo made a motion to accept the revisions to the Tuition Reimbursement Policy as discussed. Bernadette Yannacci seconded the motion. All were in favor
NEW BUSINESS
The revised Study Room Policy was presented to the Board. The Board had discussion about the changes needed to accommodate the new booking platform.
Marilyn Gonyo made a motion to approve the revised Study Room Policy as discussed. Bob Isaacs seconded the motion. All were in favor.
The proposed Library Closing Dates for 2025 were presented.
Marilyn made a motion to approve the Library Closing Dates for 2025. Bernadette Yannacci seconded the motion. All were in favor.
The proposed 2025 Board Meeting Dates were presented. The Board discussed whether to continue taking a hiatus in both July and August.
Lisa Chen moved to approve the list of proposed Board Meeting Dates for 2025 with the addition of a meeting on July 15, 2025. Bernadette Yannacci seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Leah Wagner asked the Board to approve opening the Library at 10:00am on Friday, December 13, 2024, for the Staff Holiday Breakfast.
Bob Isaacs made a motion to approve opening the Library at 10:00 am on Friday, December 13, 2024. Bernadette Yannacci seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Leah informed the Board that Trustee Chris Ryan has reached out to request a leave of absence from the Board while he is working out of the area. He requested leave through January.
Bernadette Yannacci made a motion to approve Chris Ryan’s request for a leave of absence from the Board. Bob Isaacs seconded the motion. All were in favor.
As suggested by Auditor Gerry Stankiewicz, the Board passed a resolution to appoint Jennifer Slavicek as the Library’s QPA (Qualified Purchasing Agent).
Whereas the Monroe Township Public Library contends that it would be beneficial to appoint Jennifer Slavicek as purchasing agent to perform purchasing related services, and
Whereas Jennifer Slavicek does possess a Qualified Purchasing Agent Certification issued by the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services,
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Monroe Township Public Library Board of Trustees does agree to appoint Jennifer Slavicek, certification # Q-2030, as the Qualified Purchasing Agent for the Monroe Township Public Library effective October 15, 2024.
Bob Isaacs made a motion to pass the resolution. Bernadette Yannacci seconded the motion. All were in favor.
ACTION ON BILLS
Anne Corey moved the payment of the October bills with checks #19036- 19065 in the amount of $562,718.16. Bernadette Yannacci seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.
OTHER
Leah Wagner asked the Board members to review the Local Author Collection policy that was included in the Board packet. She asked that questions or comments be sent to her which she would then share with the Policy Committee.
The next meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, Bob Isaacs moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Klapperstuck