Minutes of Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Highland Public Library
14 Elting Place; Highland, NYÊ 12528

Date: January 27, 2022

Attending: Nancy Hammond; President;Ê Darlene Plavchak, 1st Vice President; Frances Brooks, 2nd Vice President; Eric Norberg; Finance Officer; Laura Finch, Secretary; Jacqueline Burke; Trustee and Julie Dempsey, Library Director

Absent: Melissa Burdash, Trustee

The meeting was called to order at  5:28 p.m.

Eric moved to accept the minutes of the December 2, 2021 meeting.   Fran seconded.  All were in favor


Financial Report:
Jacqui moved as follows: Be it resolved to approve the warrants attached for operating expenses for the months of December, 2021 and January 2022.  Eric seconded. All were in favor.

Fran moved as follows:Ê Be it resolved to accept the November 2021 and December 2021 financial reports as prepared by Rose Woodworth, Accountant.Ê Jacqui seconded.ÊAll were in favor

Agenda Items

DirectorÕs Report:
      Programs: All programs are on hold until cases diminish.  Programs limited to curbside crafting.  Passive crafting (i.e. drop-in) will start.  Seed library (donated by HV Seed Company) is also starting.  Patrons are allowed to take up to 5 packets.  Seeds returned after plants bloom will be accepted.   Julie will speak with Donna and Sam about getting pictures once plants are growing!
      
      COVID Resurgence Update: (see above; pertains to programming)

      BOT Training Update: Mid-Hudson setting up a certificate process with an online program that will also track the progress and hours.  They should be up and running on or about the fall of 2022.
	
      Fishing Rod Loaner Program:  This is run in partnership with NYSDEC.  Some Ulster County libraries run this program through local/county sportsmenÕs programs.  Discussion started about purpose of this program at the HPL.  Julie will also speak to Bob about liability (injury and monetary). JulieÕs husband will be checking gear as per the existing policy recommendations.  With any damages, patrons will be billed.  Discussion ensued about vetting all possible issues (monetary, staff time, licensing, injury liability, storage, cleaning).  Julie will report back in February regarding issues discussed above.  Program would start with 5 rods, housed away from circulating materials.  Picture of rods would be displayed with rules in the Library of Things.

	Budget 2022-2023 Prep Time: Julie will be meeting with Finance committee on Tuesday, and will report back in February. Tax levy limit has been filed with the state.  After review, limit will be approx. $922,260.  Bond payment will be approx. $260,000.  Julie is optimistic that preliminary budget will stay within the target.

	March vacation and possibly work from home NC:  Julie will work from ÔhomeÕ in NC in 2nd week of trip.

Old Business:
	Solar Panel Follow-Up:  EricÕs contact is still interested in audit, and will hopefully get started in February. 
	ChildrenÕs Acoustic Enclosure:  $10,000 has been deposited into our account.  State money will follow later this year.  Library will need 3 bids for the project.  

New Business:
	Display/Art Exhibit Policy Update: Discussion of donations to the library after sale of art work.  In the first look today, board discussed a donation of 10% of proceeds.  Artists generally broker the sale directly with buyers so that library staff does not have to handle those negotiations.  Reception may be held virtually.  Julie is discussing with the teachers a date to display student works.  Policy states that art will be displayed for a month.  With COVID, the dates have been extended to 6-8 weeks, as long as the space is not booked afterwards.  The goal is to have a reception during or at the end of the exhibition. 
	Auditor RFP Review:  Return date of May 2023 is tentative/as yet to be determined by those parties submitting a bid. Board is asked to submit any edits to Nancy and Julie.  Julie will be in touch with Bob about the RFP as written in this monthÕs minutes.

Committees:

Facilities: David will be picking up some (budgeted) hours on Sundays to repair some cracks.

Friends Liaison:  Eric attended meeting on Saturday.  Board and members were in attendance.  Friends are discussing resurrecting the Book Sale, Touch-A-Truck, and other pre-COVID activities. Tentative date for Book Sale/Touch-A-Truck June 4th, 2022.  Julie is waiting to hear from Leslie when donations will be accepted.
 
Trustee Training: none

Personnel:  Genie had her baby, a girl, on Jan 4th (Aliyah).  She is at home taking care of the baby, and Caitlyn has returned.

Other:  none

Public Comment: none

Eric moved to adjourn.ÊFran seconded.Ê The meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Finch, Secretary