Board Minutes
Minutes of the January 22, 2024 Trustees Board Meeting
Vice President called the meeting of the Poland District Public Library to order at 6:30 with the following board members present: Jay Harkins, Shirley Dutcher, Nancy Crisino, Shauna Douglass, Kathleen Fusco and Darlyne Przelski; with treasurer Joanna McKerrow present and guest David Roberts.
Treasurer McKerrow passed out bank statements for review, checks and vouchers to be signed and her monthly report. a. She reported that $250 was donated in memory of Karen Thierry. A thank you will be posted on our Facebook page and website. b. The payroll app was discussed. Darlyne made a motion to move payroll to MidYork: all employees will now be paid by direct deposit. Seconded by Shauna carried all ayes. c. Shauna made a motion to move money to cover this into a new account at M&T to cover all expenses associated with payroll including, but not limited to: wages, taxes, disability, etc. Seconded by nancy carried all ayes
Having volunteers trained to work the circulation desk waas discussed. Kathleen and Shirley offered to be trained. When Anna, Kathleen's daughter and former employee, is free she will train them. This will ensure that we do not have to close on Saturdays because no one is available to work.
Joanna brought up that there are many other things that MidYork can do for us as part of the money we pay every year. She is going to call them and investigate, possibly having someone come to a meeting and explain what they offer.
The Stewart's Grant waas discussed: the deadline is the end of January and we need someone to write the grant. Darlyne offered to pick up the paperwork.
Next meeting will be February 20th, 6:30 at the Library. Meeting adjourned 8:15.
Respectfully submitted,
Darlyne Przelski, Secretary of the Poland District Public Library
February 20, 2024 Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting
Vice President Jay Harkins called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Present were trustees: Jay Harkins, Shirley Dutcher, Nancy Crisino, Kathleen Fusco, Darlyne Przelski, absent Shauna Douglass; also present librarian Paula Johnson and David Roberts.
After a discussion Nancy made a motion to appoint David Roberts to fill the remainder of Jan Joslyn's term second by Shirley carried all ayes, Paula will give him the proper paperwork to fill out so he may be sworn in as a trustee. Welcome to the Board of Trustees David. Jay and Darlyne are up for reelection this year in May.
Vice President Harkins passed out checks and vouchers to sign, bank statements to be reviewed and the monthly report; Treasurer Joanna McKerrow was absent. There was also a discussion on the procedure for the new system of direct deposit for all employees.
"Paula's Notes" for February 2024 were discussed and explained. Hopefully we will continue to get monthly "Paula's Notes". They are very helpful keeping the board abreast of library happenings. Thank you Paula.
The construction grant was discussed. A signed contract is needed, Jay to contact Toff Fenton.
Our Facebook and website were discussed, thanks to Nancy and Kathleen for keeping them up-to -date.The Stewart's grant was discussed. Darlyne with assistance from Nancy, Paula, Jan Joslyn and husbn d Bernie filled it out and submitted it. We will know in March if we are to receive any money and how much.
The date of our next meeting will be decided after checking with Shauna and Joanna.
Meeting adjourned 7:35.
Respectfully submitted,
Darlyne H. Przelski, Secretary Poland District Public Library
Minutes of the March 18, 2024 Trustees Meeting
The regular meeting of the Poland District Public Library was called to order at 6:50. The following trustees were present: Jay Harkins, Shirley Dutcher, Nancy Crisino, Darlyne Przelski, Shauna Douglass, David Roberts and Kathleen Fusco; also present library treasurer, Joanna McKerrow.
Joanna passed around the checks and vouchers to be signed/initialed; her monthly treasurer's report for review and a copy of the annual report for review. She reported that she and Shauna completed the audit for NYS and MidYork. She is currently working with MidYork to resolve the problem with our payroll rejection by MidYork.
There was a lengthy discussion about the library having no policy in place for employee sick leave and/or extended leave. David made the following motion: in the event an employee has a crisis/catastrophic emergency, the board may authorize the continuance of pay/wages and flexibility of scheduling. Seconded by Kathleen, carried all ayes.
Joanna brought up the idea of a Community Closet in the cubbyhole under the stairs; she offered to help clean it out and reorganize. By moving the donated clothes/etc. down stairs it would eliminate the clutter in the entrance and give folks privacy to choose usable items. Shauna moved to start this after construction was completed in the cellar, Jay seconded carried, all ayes.
The construction grant was discussed and explained. Darlyne brought up the idea of taking some some of the money from the Robens' donation to pay for the new windows and later put up a small plaque to acknowledge their generosity. This would free up some money in the grant and assure that more things could be completed. This suggestion was well received and will be implemented.
Nancy passed out a suggestion and rationale for keeping the Libray open every Thursday night until 8PM. This will be discussed at the April meeting. Nancy wanted to give the board time to think about her suggestion.
Next meeting will be April 23, 6:30 PM downstairs in the Library. Meeting adjourned 7:45 PM.
Respectively submitted,
Darlyne H. Przwelski, Secretary, Poland District Public Library
Minutes of the April 21, 2024 Regular Board Meeting
The regular meeting of the Poland District Public Library was called to order at 6:35. Trustees present: Jay Harkins, Shirley Dutcher, Nancy Crisino, Darlyne Przelski, Shaun Douglass, David Roberts and Kathleen Fusco; also present was our treasurer Joanna McKerrow.
Joanna passed around bank statements for review, the Budget to annual sheet and checks and vouchers to be signed/initialed. She was asked about the status of direct deposit of paychecks: still working on it. See explained how Mary Bartlett was paid. Shauna made a motion giving Joanna permission to transfer the minimum money necessary to eliminate maintenance fees on our M&T account, seconded by Kathleen carried all ayes. Shirley made a motion to give Paula $1,500 to restore the book budget: this money would come from the interest received from our cd; seconded by Nancy and carried all ayes.
Kathleen made a motion that the library not accept any petitions from outside groups; seconded by Nancy carried all ayes.
This fall the board would like a representative from Mid York come to a meeting and explain all the services they offer.
The board very much appreciates the efforts of our wonderful volunteers and thank you notes will be sent out.
The difference in pay rates for our summer help was discussed and how to equalize pay. Questions were asked about the NYS passes for state parks: how many? How to make sure that they are returned? And more....
The board decided not to participate in Poland Village Wide Garage sale this year.
Jay brought up the need for an "acting vice president" as he was going to have his knee replaced. Shirley made a motion for Darlyne to act as vice president during Jay's absence, seconded by Nancy and carried all ayes.
Opening Thursday nights 5 - 8 was discussed, the board is in favor of this, but has questions: this will be discussed again next month. Darlyne suggested trying it from September to Christmas and keep track of the number of patrons each Thursday. That way it can be publicized all summer: perhaps at the lawn sale and ice cream social, etc.
Next meeting will be May 21st, 6:30 PM
Meeting adjourned 8:05
Respectfully submitted
Darlyne Prezelski, Secretary
Minutes of the May 21, 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting
The regular monthly meeting of the Poland District Public Library was called to order at 6:30; trustees Shirley Dutcher, Nancy Crisino, David Roberts and Darlyne Przelski were present; also present was Director Paula Johnson; trustee Shauna Douglass arrived later; absent trustees Kathleen Fusco and Jay Harkins, treasurer Joanna McKerrow.
"Paula's Notes" were discussed; overdrive billing was explained; at the recent election Trustee Darlyne Przelski was elected to a 3 year term and Trustee Harkins to a 5 year term; the new construction grant was discussed and explained; Kim Tucker has graciously offered to write the Community Foundation Grant application for the board, if successful the money would be used to "spruce up" the children's area in the original basement. Summer passes to various attractions in the area were discussed and tabled until more information is available. Also discussed: summer hours; Saturdays in June workers; lawn sale this summer during library hours; summer reading program "All Together Now"; a list of all summer entertainers was given out with dates of performances; the ice cream social was discussed, the secretary will contact Kyle Riecker's availability to DJ; the paper towel holder in the new bathroom needs attention; Nancy offered to pick up a new vacuum cleaner, the current one is not working well; David offered to pick up 2 new garbage cans; the new "APP" from Mid York - Nancy & Paula were trained on it's usage; May Hall is continuing story hour; April 30 and May 9.
Treasurer Joanna McKerrow was not present; she left her report, bank statements for review, checks and vouchers to be signed. She was called, she answered questions and explained the status of direct deposit and employees.
Our next meeting will be June 18th, 6:30 in the library. The date of the ice cream social is July 17th, 6:30 -8
Meeting adjourned 8:00
Respectfully submitted,
Darlyne Przelski, Secretary, Poland District Public Library
Minutes of the June 25th Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The regular monthly meeting of the Poland District Public Library was called to order at 6:30. Present were: Jay Harkins, Nancy Crisino, Darlyne Przelski, Shauna Douglass, David Roberts, Kathleen Fusco; also present was librarian Paula Johnson; absent Shirley Dutcher and treasurer Joanna McKerrow.
Checks and vouchers were signed no treasurers report was handed out. The paycheck situation was discussed and the board decided not to implement anything until after the first of the year and MidYork has decided what system they are going to adopt.
The board then discussed "Paula's Notes":
a. the board does not see s need for a charging station at this time,
b. park passes were again discussed and the board decided to wait and see if there was a demand for more passes
c. equalizing pay for the summer aides was discussed and the board decided that it couod not legally do anything
d. the summer reading program was discussed there are lots of prizes for children to win and many raffles
e. the Community Grant was discussed. Mary Hall will be ordering things when she returns from her trip. This grant will enhance the down stairs children's area. Thanks to our grant writer
f. Paula has applied for money from the "Love Your Library Fund" managed by NY State. Last year we qualified and received $166, good luck Paula
g. Mary Hall will continue story times in the summer, too
h. There was a lengthy discussion about displaying handmade crafts/goods that are foe sale in the library. Paula is going to check with other libraries for a form for the crafters to sign.
i. Kathleen gave an update on the butterfly garden. She told us about the many kinds of milkweed and her hopes for the garden. Good luck Kathleen.
j. Paula needs some new brooms; Jay offered to get them for her.
k. Beth Denhoff added a solar reading light rabbit to the front flowerbed. Thanks Beth.
l. Paula mentioned the need for a computer person to come in to answer questions & help with problems was discussed. Folks using the computers are asking Paula MANY questions: some she can answer, all take her away from her librarian work.
Paula passed out new bookmarks with the summer hours and a list, with dates, for all summer entertainers, we are lucky enough to have 8 programs for the children/families this summer.
The ice cream social was discussed: Shirley will get the ice cream from Stewart's, Jay and Darlyne will scoop ice cream, Nancy and Shauna will take down the tables and chairs and clean up, Nancy and Kathleen will sell 50/50 tickets and raffle tickets. The ice cream social will be from 6-8 PM, July 17th with Kyle Riecker as DJ.
Our next meeting will be July 23rd, 6:30 PM downstairs in the library
Meeting adjourned 7:45
Respectfully submitted,
Darlyne Przelski, Sceretary, Poland District Punlic Library