Library Director's Report - June 8, 2016 


1.	I have received the following information with regard to the
increases to new York State's minimum wage:

"	For workers in New York State outside of New York City, Nassau,
Suffolk and Westchester Counties, the minimum wage will increase to
$9.70 at the end of 2016 then another .70 each year after until reaching
$12.50 on 12/31/2020 - after which it will continue to increase to
$15.00 on an indexed schedule to be set by the Director of Division of
Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor.

2.	The Library has concluded its fine free program. Patrons were not
charged fines for late item returns of Thrall Library materials for the
Months of April and May 2016.  Patrons were charged late fees for items
belonging to other libraries and replacement fees for items that were
lost or damaged.  My original intention was to wave fines only on
audiovisual materials (materials for which we currently charge $1.00 per
day but I was later notified that our Automated Library System does not
have the capacity to apply fines by item type.  

3.	The Library's 2016 Summer Reading program will begin on Thursday,
June 30 2016 and extend through Friday August 5, 2016.  This year's
theme is "On Your Mark, Get Set: READ.  The Library will be hosting a
series of special programs for children of all ages that help to promote
literacy and prevent a "Summer Slide" or decline in literacy skills
school aged children often experience over the school break.  This year
we have also planned a series of entertainment programs for families
that will take place on Thursday afternoon's at 1:00pm.  Pre-
registration will take place in June and promotional newspapers will be
sent out to all of the Elementary and Middle Schools of the Middletown
and Pine Bush School Districts.  The Friends of Middletown Thrall
Library are a contributing sponsor of the Summer Reading Program
promotional newspaper.  The promotional newspapers will be delivered
just prior to the end of school year.    

I have attended the following meetings in May, Friends of Middletown
Thrall Library, RCLS Director's Association, Thrall Staff Meeting, City
of Middletown Business Improvement District, City of Middletown Meeting
regarding the Warming Station at the United Methodist Church,  Promenade
Senior Living Center Local History Presentation with Alyssa Masotto.