New Berlin Library Board Meeting Minutes
September 25, 2024
Present:
George Anderson, President
Darla Smith, Vice President
Donna Wells, Treasurer
Alan Fairbrother, Trustee
Jill Robinson, Trustee
Abigail Magrath, Secretary
Angelica Schmidt, Trustee (arrived at 6:10 PM)
Also Present:
Michelle Priola, Director
George Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Jill Robinson made a motion to approve the July minutes, seconded by George Anderson. Motion carries 6-0.
Treasurer’s Report:
Donna Wells distributed the treasurer’s report and balance sheet. Donna is currently looking into utilizing Quick Books for online payroll. She will let the board know when she has a final estimate. The 990 form was filed and accepted by the federal government.
Director’s Report:
Michelle Priola informed the board she has applied for a grant that, if given, would provide the funds to purchase a board table, chairs, and dividers. This would replace some of the smaller tables on the main level and give groups a place to meet, if needed.
Michelle is writing an article for the New Berlin Gazette about the grant that was awarded to the library to purchase art supplies for the Pathfinder residents. Prior to writing the article, Michelle was granted approval by the CEO of Pathfinder to use their organization’s name. In order to use a photo, Michelle must receive verbal permission from the residents being photographed, then submit the photo to the CEO for final approval.
In order to receive grant money from Walmart, the library must now have a PayPal account. In the past, a PayPal account has not been needed. Since the library currently has a PayPal account, we will use that to accept the grant money.
The library will be hosting two upcoming paint classes. A Bluey paint class for children, which is currently at capacity, and an adult Starry Night class, which is also at capacity. Originally, the Starry Night class was open for 12 participants, but Michelle changed this to allow for 15. There is a waiting list for the adult class. The paint was free from Golden Artist Colors, however, there was a $10 processing fee.
There is currently a Banned Books Week display by the circulation desk. There is a contest going on to guess the banned book that is shredded in a jar. The winner will receive a Nook gift basket.
The New Berlin Library will be participating in the Unadilla Valley Night of Fun on 10/19/24. Halloween coloring contest entries will be available at the event. Patrons can also get a coloring page at the library.
The Art Forum will be sponsoring a pumpkin painting event at the library 10/28/24. There will be snacks at this event.
Downstairs in the library, there is a costume swap available to anyone who would like to take a costume or donate one.
The library will be holding a book sale sometime in the month of November.
The Perkins Summer Concert Series was a success, despite having rainy weather. For the 1st concert, there were 27 attendees. For the 2nd concert, there were 53 attendees. For the 3rd concert, there were 32 attendees. For the 4th event, the Utica Zoomobile, there were 113 attendees.
The library currently has several security cameras that are not working effectively. The cameras are seven years or older. Michelle obtained two estimates for camera repairs. Estimate #1 would replace four cameras for $855.98. Estimate #2 would replace 13 cameras for $2,051.98. The board voted to go with option #2. Jill Robinson made the motion, Angelica Schmidt seconded. The vote passed 7-0.
The week of Thanksgiving (11/25/24-11/30/24) the library floors will be buffed and resealed for a cost of $585. The board approved this proposal. The motion was made by Darla Smith, seconded by George Anderson. Passed 7-0.
The New Berlin Art Forum will be sponsoring a children’s Christmas concert and a Valentine’s Day mid-winter concert. The Valentine’s Day concert will occur on February 12, 2025 and feature an Elvis tribute artist.
The village replaced gutters on the library and village sides of the building and established a gutter cleaning schedule with the contractors (S&S Roofing and Seamless Gutters, Inc), both paid for by the village . The Village Building and Grounds Commissioner stated that the roof on the 1986 addition will need to be replaced within the next 1-2 years.
Library board nominations are coming up from 11/4/24-11/22/24. Elections will be held 12/2/24-12/17/24. Darla Smith and Angelica Schmidt are up for re-election. The library will hold an organizational meeting 12/18/24 to discuss the election results.
Looking at the new budget, Michelle would like to make improvements to the flooring in the circulation room and redo the stage floor to be material that would be more conducive to art classes.
The board entered executive session which was motioned by George Anderson, seconded by Donna Wells. Passed 7-0.
The board exited executive session which was motioned by Angelica Schmidt, seconded by Darla Smith.
George Anderson motioned to close the meeting at 7:02PM, Jill Robinson seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.