New Berlin Library Board Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2025
Present:
George Anderson, President
Jill Robinson, Trustee
Abigail Magrath, Secretary
Donna Wells, Treasurer
Also Present:
Michelle Priola, Director
Absent:
Darla Smith, Vice President
George Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:54 pm.
Jill Robinson made a motion to accept the bills for June-September. George Anderson seconded it. Motion carries 4-0.
George Anderson made a motion to accept the minutes from May. Donna Wells seconded it. Motion carries 4-0.
Treasurer’s Report:
Donna Wells presented the treasurer’s report.
The CD is due 10/6/25. Michelle wrote a letter to release the tax money. We cannot do the solar panels until the tax money is released.
We will need a new bookkeeper beginning in January 2026. The board discussed possible options for acquiring a new bookkeeper.
George Anderson made a motion to approve Sidney Federal Credit Union as an approved bank. Jill Robinson seconded it. Motion carries 4-0.
Director’s Report:
Michelle Priola presented the director’s report.
The summer reading program was a huge success with 102 children participating in the summer reading challenge and 54 children participating in the 2-week art series classes.
Of the four Perkins concerts, two had to be moved inside due to rain. The concert attendance records are as follows: Realtime Dixieland (60 people), Dirt Road Express (22 people), String of Pearls (39 people), and Utica Zoomobile (85 people). The concerts with the lowest attendance were ones that took place in the library due to inclement weather. Next year, Michelle plans to do two events that are more family-centered as those are very well received in the community.
The Art Forum has agreed to fund the Halloween art programs.
The Outreach grant for an art program at Chase Nursing Home begins next month (October). The original grant was for four art classes; however, 4CLS offered more funding which will allow Michelle to teach six classes, alternating every other month. Renee will take photographs of the event; however, we will not be posting photos including the resident’s faces for privacy reasons.
Michelle wrote an LOI for a Community Foundation grant for solar panels. Additionally, a grant was written for next year’s summer art program. No update from NBT regarding our donation request letter.
The used book fundraiser, which is a free-will donation, will run from September 17- October 10.
MaryElle Canuel, building and grounds commissioner, notified Michelle that the roof will be completed in two weeks and library painting should begin next week. Solar panels will be reinstalled the week of October 6, 2025.
Michelle reached out to UVCSD about participating in the Halloween Night of Fun. Her and Renee will have a table set up during the event. It will take place on October 18 from 5-7 PM.
Michelle, Robin Avolio (South New Berlin Library), and Steve Bachman (Head of 4CLS) plan to meet virtually with UVCSD to discuss updates to the library tax and how to put the library on the ballot for next time. The meeting is planned to occur on 9/25/25 but as of 9/24/25, no one from the school has reached out with a time for the meeting. The tax letter was sent on 9/12/25.
The board discussed two new policies- Abandoned Property Policy and Prize Pick-Up Policy. George Anderson made a motion to approve the Abandoned Property Policy. Abby Magrath seconded it. Motion carries 4-0. Jill Robinson made a motion to approve the Prize Pick-Up Policy. George Anderson seconded it. Motion carries 4-0.
George Anderson’s term expires 12/31/25. Nominations will be in November. Elections will be in December.
The meeting concluded at 6:27 PM.