Present: Library Director Tracy Wright, Robert Cartolano (President), Rosetta McArdle, Patrick Pilla, James Martin, Astra Tudisco, and Darlene Reda.
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. Minutes from the February 21, 2024 meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved.
President Cartolano, Director Wright, Patrick Pilla, and Darlene Reda attended the WLS Trustee presentation on March 6, 2024 regarding municipal libraries and their relationship with the town. EPL is not a department of the Town. President Cartolano stated that according to the presenter's rubric, EPL is "tightly connected" to the Town. Jonathan Heifetz will be attending the annual PLA conference in April; this year's conference will be held in Ohio.
The bathroom renovations are expected to begin the first week of April and will take about two months to complete. The front entrance will be closed for another month or two. Elevator replacement is expected to be finished by mid-August. Space planner David Vinajmuri, spoke with staff and Maureen Tillman of the Friends regarding ideas and concerns. Director Wright is expecting a report from him by mid-April and hopes to have him attend a board meeting.
Director Wright will be submitting an annual report to WLS. Some 2023 stats: ebook circulation has increased, hard copy book circulation is down a bit. Last year, EPL held 600 programs. Wireless sessions doubled; however, foot traffic remained about the same. Films and one-on-one computer sessions are very popular.
The Library Jazz Band is coming back to kick off the summer reading games. Library card purge resulted in a large loss of a number of cardholders. Various suggestions were offered to encourage renewals and new sign-ups. EPL is hosting a huge solar eclipse party and will distribute glasses to EPL cardholders, Friends, and new sign-ups.
Dylan Ecklond will be hired as a Library Clerk. His goal is to become a librarian. A motion was made to hire Dylan as a Library Clerk effective April 1, 2024 at an annual salary of $46,642. After discussion, the motion was unanimously approved by the board.
National Library Week is April 7-13; EPL will be hosting a program almost every day that week. Friends will be holding a Book Sale April 26-29; collection of books, CDs and DVDs begins April 17.
EPL will close at 1 pm on Good Friday. The library will be closed on Easter and Mother's Day. Director Wright is hoping the new website will be ready by April 1st; EPL is switching from Constant Contact to Springshare.
Building Committee: Front entrance railing will be brought in by crane. Landscaping will be done afterwards. Judith Blau, head of Beautification Committee, volunteered her grandson to help out. Friends are interested in contributing towards landscaping.
Trustee Martin asked if the Friends would contribute money to purchase water fountains for the library rather than use library reserves. Director Wright is going to put together a "wish list" of items for the Friends to consider.
Mango is active! EPL will offer full instructions on using Mango and other new platforms.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:54 pm. Next meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2024.
Respectfully submitted,
Darlene E. Reda