MINUTES OF THE MEETING
THRALL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN AND WALLKILL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
May 15, 2014
I. Attendance
Mr. Berkowitz called the roll.
Present
Mrs. Lois Ruckert, President
Ms. Barbara Kay, Treasurer
Mr. Richard C. Bell
Mr. Carl Berkowitz
Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director
Absent
Mrs. Tonia Crown, Vice President (excused)
Ms. Marlena Lange, Secretary (excused)
Mrs. Rosa Boyd (excused)
Visitors
Brad McGovern, Head Custodian
II. Agenda
A. Roll Call G. Treasurer's Report
B. Minutes H. Library Staff Reports
C. Visitor Comments I. Committee Report
D. Correspondence J. Old Business
E. President's Report K. New Business
F. Director's Report L. Adjournment
III. Discussion and Recommendation
A. Mrs. Lois Ruckert, President, opened the meeting at 7:00pm and led the pledge to the flag.
B. Minutes
Mr. Bell moved for adoption of the minutes of the April 9, 2014 meeting.
Ms. Kay seconded.
Ayes: Ruckert, Bell, Berkowitz, Kay - 4
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (05/15/14 - 36)
C. Visitor Comments
No comments.
D. Correspondence
A copy of all correspondence sent to each Board member is attached to the official
minutes.
The Board had an Envisionware demo.
Mr. Pfisterer will send an e-mail to a patron requesting an out-of-state library card from
Thrall Library. Discussion followed.
E. President's Report
Mrs. Ruckert reported that under the Public Comments Policy, it is stated that members of
the public are limited to a maximum of three minutes.
Mrs. Ruckert reported that she has received correspondence which she would like to
discuss in executive session.
Mr. Berkowitz reported that he went to Albany and met with representatives from the
Governor's office about the importance of libraries.
F. Director's Report Con't.
(A copy of the Director's Report sent to each Board member is attached to the official minutes.)
Mr. Pfisterer had a visit from Charles Vandermark, from the Masons. He showed Mr.
Pfisterer the archive book which commemorates a time capsule that was placed at the Old
Erie Station when the cornerstone was laid.
G. Financial Report
Mr. Pfisterer reported on the accounts and balances. (Attached to official minutes)
H. Library Staff Reports
Mr. McGovern reported on Building and Grounds. Discussion was held on the boilers
and on repairing the roof.
I. Committee Reports
Finance Committee: Ms. Kay moved that the regular monthly disbursements for April
2014 in the amount of $105,661.50 having been audited by Rosa Boyd and found to be
correct, be approved.
Mr. Bell seconded.
Ayes: Ruckert, Bell, Berkowitz, Kay - 4
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (05/15/14 - 37)
BUDGET TRANSFER #6
Ms. Kay moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accept the
following budget transfer:
TO: L9010.8802.12.0000.0 Retirement $ 37,269.00
FROM: L9060.8804.12.0000.0 Hlth & Dntl Ins. $ 37,269.00
To cover shortage due to year end accrual
Mr. Berkowitz seconded.
Ayes: Ruckert, Bell, Berkowitz, Kay - 4
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (05/15/14 - 38)
Building & Grounds: Mr. Pfisterer reported on Building & Grounds.
The new computers were installed and the Envisionware software was activated during
the period of May 5-7. The installation went as planned but we encountered a few issues
that RCLS is working with Envisionware to correct. The time management and print
management components of the system are working and patron response to both the new
computers and the Envisionware product have been extremely positive. Once they receive
instruction in the new system, regular card holders are able to access a public computer
without any staff intervention required. Non card holders are able to access the internet
at our public workstations with minimal staff assistance and instruction. The net effect of
the installation will be that significantly less staff time will be required to manage our
public computers which will allow for a higher level of customer service at the reference
desk.
I have had further discussions with RCLS staff regarding the improvement of the
Library's wireless internet signal strength. I have been told that the unique construction
of the building makes it difficult to ensure full building coverage with any system. RCLS
recommends a product called Blue Socket to provide wireless internet access but RCLS
has never installed the system in a building of this size and complexity. It may make
more sense to do a partial installation to improve the signal quality in one area of the
building and then moving on from there.
J. Old Business
No report.
K. New Business
Discussion was held on the Library District By-laws.
Mr. Berkowitz moved that the by-laws be changed in article 3; section 1; that the term
Treasurer be changed to Financial Officer and any other place where that appears. Ms.
Kay seconded.
Ayes: Ruckert, Bell, Berkowitz, Kay - 4
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (05/15/14 - 39)
Mr. Pfisterer asked for volunteers for the Budget Committee. Mr. Berkowitz volunteered.
Anyone else interested call the Director.
The Board discussed the correspondence from the two unions requesting to meet jointly
with representatives of the Board.
Mr. Berkowitz moved to go into executive session at 8:35pm to discuss personnel matters.
Ms. Kay seconded.
Ayes: Ruckert, Bell, Berkowitz, Kay - 4
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (05/15/14 - 40)
The Board returned from executive session at 9:01pm.
L. Adjournment
Mr. Berkowitz moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:01pm. Mr. Bell seconded.
Ayes: Ruckert, Bell, Berkowitz, Kay - 4
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (05/15/15 - 41)
Respectfully submitted,
Richard C. Bell
TABLE OF MOTIONS
(01/08/14 - 1) Accepted slate of officers
(01/08/14 - 2) Designated Middletown Times Herald Record as official newspaper
(01/08/14 - 3) Designated the Orange County Trust Company as official bank
(01/08/14 - 4) Designated Stifel-Nicholas as Investment Firm
(01/08/14 - 5) Appointed Robert Isseks as Library District's Attorney
(01/08/14 - 6) Adjournment
(01/08/14 - 7) Approval of 12/11/13 minutes
(01/08/14 - 8) Approved President, Treasurer & Library Director as signatories to Orange
County Trust Bank
(01/08/14 - 9) Amended #8 motion to include R. Boyd as trustee signatory
(01/08/14 - 10) Adjournment
(02/12/14 - 11) Approval of 1/8/14 re-organizational minutes
(02/12/14 - 12) Approval of 1/8/14 regular minutes
(02/12/14 - 13) Approved BUDGET AMENDMENT #10 (12/31/13); monthly
disbursements for 12/13; BUDGET AMENDMENT #1 (2/12/14);
monthly disbursements for 1/14
(02/12/14 - 14) Executive session
(02/12/14 - 15) Returned from executive session
(02/12/14 - 16) Approved to follow through discussion in executive session
(02/12/14 - 17) Adjournment
(03/12/14 - 18) Approval of 2/24/14 minutes
(03/12/14 - 19) Approved monthly disbursements for 2/14; BUDGET TRANSFER #5 (12/31/13)
(03/12/14 - 20) Approved BUDGET AMENDMENT #2 (3/12/14)
(03/12/14 - 21) Accepted NYS Annual Report for 2013
(03/12/14 - 22) Adopted revision to smoking policy
(03/12/14 - 23) Adopted Children's Room Use Policy
(03/12/14 - 24) Executive session
(03/12/14 - 25) Adjournment
(03/27/14 - 26) Executive session
(03/27/14 - 27) Proceed what was discussed in executive session
(03/27/14 - 28) Adjournment
(04/09/14 - 29) Executive session
(04/09/14 - 30) Approved procedures as discussed in executive session
(04/09/14 - 31) Approved reg. mtg. minutes 3/12/14 & spec. mtg. minutes 3/27/14
(04/09/14 - 32) Approved BUDGET AMENDMENT #3
(04/09/14 - 33) Approved monthly disbursements for March 2014; BUDGET TRANSFER
#1
(04/09/14 - 34) Approved 2014 election timetable
(04/09/14 - 35) Adjournment
(05/15/14 - 36) Approval of 4/9/14 minutes
(05/15/14 - 37) Approved monthly disbursement for April 2014
(05/15/14 - 38) Approved BUDGET TRANSFER #6
(05/15/14 - 39) Resolution that term Treasurer be changed to Financial Officer
(05/15/14 - 40) Executive session
(05/15/14 - 41) Adjournment