PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
999 OLD COUNTRY ROAD
PLAINVIEW, NY  11803

MINUTES OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING February 18, 2009

CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Joseph Eisner called the meeting to order at 6:45 PM in Meeting Rooms C and D of the Library.  Present were Trustees Marilyn Leibowitz, Stefanie Nelkens and Michael Polansky, Library Director Gretchen Browne, Recording Secretary Ruth Guarnera, residents Carol and Lance Meschkow, and staff members Ann Franchina, Jane Moore and Rose Pinto. Janice Weinman and Linda Prussein attended the meeting for a brief time.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:    Carol Meschkow discussed the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island, a NYS Department of Health Tobacco Program dedicated to reducing tobacco advertising from merchants’ premises.  Ms. Meschkow asked the Library to sign a resolution supporting the program and to consider changing our policy to prevent smoking within at least 15’of the building. Upon motion by Michael Polansky, seconded by Marilyn Leibowitz, Mr. Eisner was authorized to sign the Commitment to Public Health
document.

MINUTES: The Minutes of January 21, 2009 were accepted as written in a motion by Mrs. Leibowitz, seconded by Mrs. Nelkens.

REVENUE & DISBURSEMENTS: Received and filed.

BILLS FOR PAYMENT: The schedules of bills dated 1/22/09 and 1/31/09 were approved in a motion made by Mrs. Leibowitz, seconded by Mr. Polansky

DIRECTOR REPORT: Mrs. Browne discussed the following:
- The external audit conducted by Mr. Coster will be discussed at the February 26th meeting.
- The building appraisal report has been sent to Mr. Ruf of the School District and Mr. Kieffert of Hometown Insurance. Mr. Eisner would like advice from our attorney on how to approach the school board regarding the difference between their appraisal and ours. 
- The Circulation office has been renovated.  Counters will be installed in March.
- The Trustees viewed a preliminary drawing of the new Circulation and Information desks. 
- Mr. Polansky made a motion to authorize the Chairperson to sign the agreement with the Omni Group.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Leibowitz and approved by all Trustees.
- The stone panel damaged in an automobile accident has been repaired.
- Mrs. Browne is meeting with Mr. Ford, an ALIS consultant to establish a time frame for the introduction of RFID to Nassau County libraries.
- Departments have submitted their budget requests; work continues on the Library budget.
- The Trustees discussed Pennysaver ads and agreed to cut the ads from weekly to biweekly in a motion introduced by Mrs. Leibowitz, seconded by Mr. Polansky.  Mrs. Nelkens would like our ads in the beginning of the publication.  Mrs. Browne will contact the Pennysaver
- We are meeting with representatives of several telephone companies regarding a new telephone system.
- Mr. Beaudrie has returned from an extended sick leave.  Mrs. Browne commended Mrs. Nager for her efforts during his absence.  The Trustees requested a letter of appreciation placed in Mrs. Nager’s personnel file.
- Our Internet is being upgraded to fiber optic cable. ALIS will reimburse us for the installation.
- On March 26th there will be a joint meeting of the school and public librarians at our library.
- Cathleen Towey, Director of the Westbury Memorial Library will offer a program aimed at book discussion participants on March 3rd.
- We have added a second museum pass for the Long Island Children’s Museum and now have Tixkeeper, a new online registration program which allows patrons to make their own reservations.
- Library Journal has awarded our library a “five star” rating, based on background information supplied by Ms. Pontillo and Mrs. Browne.
- The Jewish Genealogical Society will meet with Mrs. Browne, Mrs. Silkes and Mrs. Stolove on February 19th to discuss their collection.
- Overdue notices will be sent via email to patrons who wish to use this service.
- NLS is waiting information on State Aid.
- A rally protesting cuts in library aid has been scheduled at the Farmingdale Library.
- The Family Center is working on additions to our website.

The following reports were received and filed:
Library Statistical
Family Center Statistical
Circulation Control
Community Service
Community Service Program
CES/YES
Family Center
Family Center Program
Media Center
Reference                        

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Use of Library Facilities for Meetings - This item can be removed from the agenda.

NEW BUSINESS:  
Personnel & Salary Changes – On a motion by Mr. Polansky, seconded by Mrs. Leibowitz, the personnel & salary changes were approved.
Inventory Removal - Mrs. Leibowitz made a motion to approve the removal; Mr. Polansky seconded, however he noted items should not be removed from the building prior to Board approval.

OTHER BUSINESS: Mrs. Nelkens made a motion to approve submission of the Annual Report to New York State.  Mrs. Leibowitz seconded the motion which was approved by all Trustees.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mrs. Nelkens moved the meeting be adjourned.  Mrs.  Leibowitz seconded. Upon unanimous vote, the meeting ended at 8:55 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Guarnera , Recording Secretary