Sure. All right. So, can we uh get Did everyone get a chance to review the minutes from the December 10th meeting? >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. Any changes that need to be made? >> I didn't see any changes. Did anybody
else see any changes? >> I'm just saying I was here. >> Oh, no. You can still It's okay. >> Teresa is one of my neighbors in my >> um All right. So, can I get a motion to accept the meeting minutes that it's from December 10th? I'll make the
motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Together. >> I'm sorry. >> A and B together. >> A and B. Yes. Okay. Uh Lynn, >> yes. >> Roco, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Teresa, >> I'm staying. >> Uh I am a yes. Gina,
>> yes. >> Frank, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, now we're going to come to personnel. Uh we're going to be accepting the resignation of library assistant tradition
in 19 effective January 8th. >> Is there a reason why >> is there a reason? >> She's resigning. >> Um and and so when we have someone who's resigning who would like to then become a pdeium, we then have to approve them.
So they have to resign one and >> so they just don't want to work on the one thing. the person who got a very nice position somewhere else. Um that was um >> and they still want to be a part of our library. So >> all right. So can I get a motion to
accept the resignation and so >> so we'll do want to do a and b together because he's going to be doing Yeah. We'll do a and together. >> Do together. >> Yeah. >> So we're going to accept his resignation and he's going to go on for deal. >> Thomas moved it. >> Second. >> I'll second. Okay.
>> Roco. >> Yes. Thomas, >> yes. >> Teresa, >> yes. >> I am a yes. Gina, >> yes. >> Frank, >> yes. >> Lynn, >> yes. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Okay. Going to the next here is the approval of an appointment of a facility
manager, Kevin Connor. Annual salary of 76,541.58. Obviously, funding is background check. So, do I get a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. That was Theresa. Oh, sorry.
>> Okay. Um, Thomas, >> yes. >> Teresa, >> yes. >> I am a yes. Gina, >> yes. >> Frank, >> abstain. >> Lynn, >> yes. >> Roco, >> yes. >> Thank you. The 26 individual appointment agreement
between Irene M, the executive assistant, finance, and the uh library uh board of trustees. We can probably do together. >> Okay. >> All right. Can I get a motion? >> I'll make a motion. >> Make a motion.
>> Second. >> Second. >> Teresa? >> Yes. >> I am a yes. Gina, >> yes. >> Frank, >> yes. >> Lynn, >> yes. Rocco, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Ask sure you want this.
>> I just went for it. >> Okay. >> Next is finance uh action on the January 14th 26 bill listing in the amount of $275,6768. Uh and then you want to do a together with the approval of the shared service agreement as well. You can.
>> Okay. >> And does anybody have any questions on any of this? >> Uh, yeah. Yes, I do. Um, I'm just, you know, we have a at this point we have a fund available of $132,000.
Um, of which part of it dedicated already obviously to the uh equipment. So, Part of that's been encumber. >> No, I understand that. >> Okay. >> But even taking incumbrance out is
slowly has a million dollars. So, and uh we are sometimes I wish I had my glasses back. Yeah. So, building maintenance for the
year is estimated to be $250,000. And we've only spent 32. Was there some project we had planned we didn't do? >> Yes. Um and uh those are all things that I've discussed with the board. Our lights, half of them are out. The garden has to get done. High dusting. Um we've
never had any of the ducks dusted. We um are not in a regular cycle for even the power washing and things again. So, we will hopefully this year with the facility manager have a much better understanding of how frequently those
things are getting done and we'll be able to get a beat on what's normal. >> And the second thing is on the accounts that we're getting interest on, they were all listed as four 4% from previous month and now it's only showing two uh
2.5%. Um I can ask our um finance person that was uh we had gone through and gotten all of those interest rates increased and that was satisfactory. I'm not sure. I don't believe anything should have
changed, but I'll check in with her tomorrow. >> On the um shared services agreement, is there just some rationale for generating that? I mean, is it required by law? >> It's not. problem is that without a qualified purchasing agent, you're capped and you
have to go out to bid at a much lower rate. So, in sharing with the township and using their QPA enables us to get stuff done, >> right? >> I'm so excited. >> Process, >> right? >> I think we're up to 53,000 now.
>> Yes. >> 17 almost. All right. So, >> can I make a motion to accept the bill listing and the shared service agreement? >> I'll make the motion.
>> Second. >> Okay. Um, I will vote yes. Gina, >> yes. >> Frank, >> yes. >> Lynn, >> yes. >> Roco, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Teresa, >> yes. >> Thank you. Did I have a question? So, we now need the town council to approve
that as well. Correct. >> Yes. They >> will not have a problem with that. But >> yeah, exactly. Exactly. >> So I did it tomorrow. Go. >> Thank you. All right. Uh do we have any old
business? >> Right. >> No, we get new business. >> All right. On to new business. >> New old business. this form that everybody gets in their pouch and traditionally
each of us was supposed to sign off that we read this the items that I did draw and question. So I'm sure other people have other questions. It's a practice
that hasn't been done in quite a while. I think that we should do >> What are you looking at? >> Was that in our >> Yeah. going. >> Yes. I think Frank, you're referring to the financial documents. >> Yes. This
>> Oh, and you see what's attached. It shows you >> the order said that have been made. >> So on. >> Okay. Well, the auditor said that we didn't need to do that. So Chris can if he would have told us we didn't need to do that.
>> Well, I'm putting it in line. >> Okay. >> We don't need it. Then why are we printing it? >> Next. >> Okay. So, the resolution for ENEX was a reverse auction.
>> What is next? Yeah, I don't know if that'll be >> um Sorry, one second. I just need to if I don't write, I'll forget. Um, okay. So, is everyone aware of the energy auctions where they want you to
not use JCPNL and you go out to bid and then you have a rate that's locked in instead of being volatile and can go all over the place. So, what I've been assured by this person from EMAC is that this is all of our other municipal
partners also use them to do their energy auction. Um, and I, you know, I do apologize. It's not something. So, I spoke to our candidates um, for facility manager about this and some people didn't think it was really, you
know, it generated much savings and things like that. It was the only response that I got. I don't think a lot of people really understand this. It's just like I said going out to >> we do we do it in what we do it for gas. Not so much for electric, but we do it for gas. You take a chance. You sign a
contract. It's based on what the rate you think which it is at the time and then they in the contract it'll say can cap it let's say 1% 2% in the 15 years that I'm in my company once we got burned by that because the rate dropped and we were paying a higher rate so it's a chance that you take because you're
guaranteed a certain dollar now we did that in town with South Jersey electric uh it was electric and uh they gave us the rate by one was low it was like ridiculous like 6.9% is kill or something like that. But it was you
either had to opt in, you couldn't opt out. So you had to actually if you didn't do it, you were automatically opting into it. Um it was great. It lasted I want to say maybe a year or two. The township did it and then it went by the wayside. But I know a lot of
people that get caught up into that and then it's a variable rate and it goes up and up and up. So, you have to be very careful of that. Very fine print in those contracts that say, you know, like this isn't only, you know, this is an initiation fee, so to speak. You have to pay like so much money to get in and
then the rates only good for 90 days and then nobody ever pays attention to it and then people get scammed and it goes crazy. >> And that's where this auction assures that we're locked in for a period of two or three years. And I just the only other comments that I've gotten for you
are from our executive assistant for finance and she said one time when the contract expired the bills went outrageously high with our traditional >> um utility companies and so we want to make sure that we get this done. Um, and then
the other feedback that I got from the person from Emacs was that there's not a very reasonable expectations that um any of our utility prices are going to be dropping anytime soon.
>> So, it was best to lock in. >> Is who does the township use? Do we know? >> Same one. He told me he handles all of I think uh OBMUA and all of those things that Emmex Emac handles all of that is
that purchasing quantum including us and OBMU. >> Yeah. >> We have our own contract. >> Yeah. But uh whoever is negotiating for the township should count what we're using and try
and work their price accordingly on buy. >> Um then you would have to have an agreement for shared services for our utilities to come out for the town to charge for our utilities.
>> Higher buyer should give you a lower rate. Like I said, it's only that it has to be done formally. >> Um that you can't just make that agreement with the municipality. >> Correct. >> Something that we could certainly ask about. I'll put that put that on the new
facility manager task list. There you go. >> All right. So, >> it was an ambulance service the first time. So, >> all right. So, can I get a motion to uh consider that? We're just considering this or you just going to go vote on this?
>> So, I'll I'll they they just need a motion from all of you and I'll go ahead and do the auction and then I'll report back on the rate that we secure. Okay. So, can I make a motion? >> Make a motion to accept it. >> Okay. Lynn. >> Yes.
>> I'm sorry. Who second? >> Yep. Gina, >> yes. >> Frank, >> yes. >> Lynn, yes. Roco, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Teresa, >> yes. >> And I am a yes. Thank you. >> Director's report. >> Um, before I get started with updates,
did anyone have any questions? Um, before we get to questions, so normally what we've been doing is that I give a midmon report, which is really just a bulleted list of the major things we've been working on, and then that forms a part of the director's report. I find it
is really helpful for me because it gives me um a start for the director's report. Um and then that's what goes out to everyone. Did anyone have any questions about anything specific included in it? >> I just had a question and I know you all
heard the presentation about the social worker and I I will be interested to see your job description when that's available. Um, but are we talking about a certified social worker? Are we like an MSW person or we're talking about
person? >> No, we're talking about um a certified social worker. So, um, stop me if anybody else wants to correct it. I'll give you a quick overview. Um, and just so you know, I did send the job description to the attorney. Uh, I
wanted us to get through facility manager because when we do start social worker, I want to make sure that there's time. We're going to have to allocate space if we move forward with it and do that hiring. So, um, that'll be going out to the personnel committee first and then it'll be going to, um, the full
board for next meeting. Um, so long answer, but I think it's necessary. state of New Jersey 2020 I think started a program where they incentivized social workers working in libraries by
asking um that social work students do their internship at public libraries throughout the state and this is going on nationally as well but it was um a focus here and it worked out extremely well. We've got communities where you've got um a lot of homeless people and um a
different demographics and then you've got communities like this where people aren't typically walking to the library. You know, it's a different community, more suburban. And it worked out in all these different communities for different reasons. What we were looking at was that having an internship meant someone was only there for a couple of
months um and the person wasn't fully committed to the library and to that community. So, some libraries in the area have elected to get their own social worker and start this program. And for those who ask, how can you commit library funds to social work?
This person's not providing therapy or things like that. They're connecting residents with the programs that exist. They're they're making sure that they have relationships throughout the county and the state and federally with all of the programs and services that are
available to people. And then if you think about it, we would have one person for 70,000 residents. So in in my opinion, I think that we'll I think that it will be very good and it will also alleviate some of the municipalities
challenges that they're facing and we're going to determine how to work together closely to see um how we're how we're addressing things. I I was just curious because I mean as you know I mean DIY has several you know social worker one social worker two school districts have
social workers at all or bachelor's masters people so I'm curious at at what level we're talking here. >> Yeah I mean we're going to be looking at someone um >> sometimes life coaches call themselves social workers. >> No not here they know.
>> So I I had put it um and and you'll all get this for your discussion. I'm just making suggestions. I'm suggesting that we do um a librarian's salary, not a supervisor's salary. Um and and we're going to see what we get. I have to, you
know, from what I've heard, there's this really great network of um libraries where they're that have social workers that meet regularly and talk to each other and support each other and help each other. And so we're going to have the benefit of that. And we've already
started to ask, was it Rosemary who tried to poach the person who came to speak to us? >> Of course I did. >> Yeah. Yeah. Because um you know, she she was excellent. And you know, it it's something that I am going to be extremely cautious about. I've never um
supervised a social worker before. >> Um and fortunately through this program of the state is they've done a lot of research and documentation, what works, what doesn't work. So fortunately, we're not, you know, recreating the wheel.
We're going to borrow from all of these people. >> And I don't think we talked about what the hours are. Is it going to be a 40hour? >> And and it it would be our normal um 35. Sorry, I'm just making sure we're recording. Um and and that's exactly it.
Um and that's for all of you to decide along with me. I certainly think some evenings and some weekends would be important. Um, yeah, I I think evenings and weekends because we're not focusing on kids. We know that the school districts have
social workers. We know that Dyus is taking care of families. What about our parents with who, you know, who are caregivers of adult children with developmental issues um and making sure that they're supported and getting
things like that. So, you know, those people are going to have different needs. um we're going to be commandeering one of our um small study rooms that are extremely popular because this person's going to need um a place to go to have these conversations with
people. >> Um >> and and like I said, you know, um I'm really pleased with um you know, just quickly mentioning it and talking with the the Office of Emergency Management meeting that I went to. They're excited
to see what the opportunities are and the the town's really understanding that we've got to flesh this out um and make sure that it works for everybody before we start entering, you know, before we start assuming responsibilities for anyone else. >> But, you know, what does it look like? You know, is this person on call 24
hours a day? Not at that. >> Not if that's it. >> It's going to help even our seniors >> that come in. Help everybody. >> Yeah. So, I I And I know OEM really does They need it on time. >> So do I.
>> My ring, my phone rings 24/7. So you know, extended hours are really important, especially in the evenings. And I could tell you that there are not enough hours in the day. My desk goes to somebody. It's at the rotating seat constantly. So >> yeah, >> from every angle. And and if I can just
share um the the real impetus for this is we had someone that the municipality was helping and their circumstances ended very tragically. So that was when you know taking the information. Madawan just got a
part-time social worker. Um so taking that in um and and looking at the circumstance and you know one of the ways that we could honor that person because they were someone who was dear to a lot of us in the town um to make
sure that we were um working to ensure that that didn't happen again. >> Well the need is there. That's for sure. Oh yeah. >> No doubt. And it's and it's on every level. spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, housing, employment, food,
everything, >> right? And it's and it's sad and it's all ages. And it doesn't discriminate. And the thing is always that it can happen to any one of us. Any one of us is one day away from homelessness, sickness, illness, losing your job. And >> and and when people ask, well, you're a
library, the state um gives you that money to be a library. How is this a library service? Well, it's a person connecting people with information, which is at which is what we do, >> right? >> And and that's all that we all can do really because we can't, you know, you
can't um give recommendations of services and stuff other than what's out there for people. So, it's just it's I think this is going to be a really great um thing to add to our services. >> All right. Well, so um any other
questions? I'll move on to updates. Um evaluations, unfortunately with um personal circumstances and things that happened, I'm have to push those up to the end of February. All of our evaluations for the whole building will be completed by the end of February. Um
so I'll make sure that everybody knows. And this year with the addition of our facility manager, I'm um certainly going to be trying to make sure that we have um a semiannual radio instead of an annual radio to make sure that everyone
can reach their goals. Um a conversation for us to have. Our programs are obviously very popular. We libraries know that experiential learning is as important as book learning at this point.
Some of our programs are getting to a place where I'm uncomfortable with the cost per person. So whenever we have a program, I look at return on investment for the library. And some of the things like our idea farm, if we have a coding class, it's going to be more expensive
than a craft. But at some point we need to say, you know, are we okay with being with a a painting craft being $20 a person for that craft if we have the funds? Or do we want to start saying
people, you know, anything over $10 or $15 a person, people need to start paying $10. You know, if you're we have a painting teacher coming in, you've got to pay for your canvas and that kind of thing. So, I'm going to be putting together um my recommendations,
but just so you know, I'm watching that bottom line at all times on those things. Um and yes, the community's really come to expect or I want to hear from all of you. Am I being the Grinch that stole crafting? You know what I
mean? Um because people really enjoy it and they need it right now and they look forward to it and they're coming in through the library. So, am I being shortsighted? So before I take any steps, I'll make sure that there's a special report for all of you on what we're spending in program. >> Does it balance out with some programs
being a lot less and then the ones that are more expensive or >> and and it's by department also? So our children's area, they do most of their programming. So if anything, they're spending money on markers and glue, you
know, and and things like that. But it's the adult programs that um what we're trying to do is to make sure again we've got library live that's going to be all of our performances of every variety. Then we're going to have our our arts and crafts because people love this
community loves crafting which is great. Um and then we're going to have what I call our learning, right? So that's going to be our our lectures and you know the the guy who does the history of scuba diving in New Jersey coming in to talk about that or you know your blood
pressure our health programming our learning programming our library live and then our our our crafting and creative programming we can call it that. So putting it into those tracks um you know the the speakers who come in
are a lot less than a person who's coming in for 20 people to do um to teach the calligraphy. >> Well, is it possible that you know you try it with putting a price on it and see if there's really a drop in how many
people come? >> Sure. >> See how successful it is. >> We can certainly trial it. So, I'll keep that in mind when I I put things together for all of you with just some more detail. Probably not February. That's probably more like March. Um because we do have our our budget draft
to get done also along with um some other things. >> What's the course now? You would say just >> my alarm goes off at anything over $20 a person and it shouldn't be a regular $20 a person. you know, if we have a yoga
class that's, you know, $75 a class for 20 people, that's fine. Um, you know, and it's something that's really popular. And even with something that's more expensive, like the paint and stick type of things, if we're only doing it three times a year, then it's only three
times a year. But if people start asking me to do it every month, >> that does that doesn't work. >> How many people do you allow in that? >> They can only have like 20 people. 20 25 people for these craft programs because the instruction is so intense. So
they're really learning and getting guidance. You know, you're not sitting there doing a paint by numbers by yourself. It, you know, it's really intense with the the learning and what they're doing. So >> So you keep track of the numbers. So if you did implement a fee, you would see
that you know you're losing people because of that. >> Absolutely. We already have um structures in place so that we are every program has its numbers. As a matter of fact, our annual report is due in the in the end at the end of March. So I'm
compiling all of those statistics and all of those numbers. So it's absolutely nothing for us to add a column to see whether we're charging or not and to track attendance. So if you offer free and then the paying then you'll see because people will if
they want to just if they can't afford it they'll take the classes they want to start off with like a $5 you know just a $5 just to see the law said some of the cost >> I mean we did the same thing we did yoga free in my building and it got to the point where we couldn't house the people
who were selling because it was free so then we kicked it up to $10 and then we said no you had to be a member of the community building and it drops off a little bit but not but it was costing me like $2,500. >> Wow. >> Yeah, we don't do that.
>> But but um also, you know, and and I do want to be cognizant of, you know, this is where people come. Introducing money is a very big deal because this is the last place for where people can come and join things and be a part of things. You know, they've already paid their tax dollars, >> right?
>> Doesn't cost them anything. They're not being advertised to none of that. >> Well, but if I think if you promoted it as just covering the cost of the materials, you know, then it's different. People don't mind, >> especially if it's a project that they want to do.
>> Are the programs limited to Oldbridge residents? >> Not all of them. >> Some of them. Our most popular programs are going to be limited to um Oldbridge residents only. >> So, just so you understand that landscape as well, it's important. So
we're in a consortium of I think 42 or maybe it's even more now other libraries. So what people now do is they look at all of the calendars for all of the libraries and this is Middle Sex, some in Monmouth, um Union County, and they go to the you know, the most
popular programs are getting um you know, overwhelmed. Um and we, you know, we regularly have people asking us like our study rooms are for Oldbridge residents only and we regularly have to have arguments with people about that.
So our programs um we can certainly at any point in time limit it to older residents only. >> Okay. Um I want to mention mail email to everyone. So, um, for our our new trustees,
we'd had um your communication is um should there ever be a reason for your communication regarding your duties on the board to be um subpoenaed, your email account would then be not
your own anymore. It becomes part of an investigation. And I know that I'm being extreme, but watching out for all of you is one of my favorite things to do. Um, and I'd spoken with our board attorney and we created for everyone a Gmail account. Not everyone is using it. Most
people are using their regular accounts. I still email your Gmail account um that we created, your your Old Bridge account. So I will be sending you not tomorrow but probably at the beginning of next week an additional email account
that should you choose to use it you can have get that email only just so that your emails are secure and it's not mixed in with your personal things. >> Did I represent that accurately? >> Yes. It's under the open public records act more is accessible in New Jersey
than ever before. And if you have a library account, then if there is an investigation, if there is a legal inquiry, it doesn't cut into your world as deeply as it otherwise would. So if you use your library account for library business, it's a good idea.
>> Yeah. And for some people for, you know, rocker for rosary, they have town accounts, so they don't have to worry about it. So it's really for everybody else. Um we are going to need to close the library, have a delayed opening for um
the replacement of our hot water heater and um DPW is working with us. Some uh demolition has to be done in order for the hot water heater to be put back in. On our training day, it decided to explode. There was Oh, Rose here. There was a flood.
>> Um and we were able to get things handled. But just so you know, you will see at some point I'll um go through things with Gina first to schedule it. We'll pick probably a Friday when there's going to be hopefully a little bit less traffic and we'll have an opening at noon
um for that to get done. >> We have a contract for that. >> We do. Um and I apologize, we don't I didn't have them in the packet and it needs to go. So, something that hasn't been done here is every year going through our list of contractors and
having the board approve them. And, you know, most of our contracts are already written, but just so that you all are aware of of all of those people, I'll make sure that we have that for next month. Um, my apologies. I know I got Irene to send
it to me and then I forgot. Um, library cards. If any of our new trustees do not have their library card or if anybody needs their library card updated, please let us know. We can certainly take care of that for you. Um, and with any of our municipal partners, um, getting people's
library cards done and delivered to them is a courtesy we can certainly afford to our folks who support us. Um, something I was extremely impressed by, um, our circulation department is came up. They decided that they're designing a new
welcome packet for people coming in. So, we'll be working with that. And it reminds me that we also need to get back to our welcome package going out to new residents of old bridge. >> I got that when I moved in 27 years ago. >> Yeah. >> And and I you had both said that you
have a mailing list. >> Yeah. I had Oh, yeah. >> So, so we we're going to get that, but we have not looked at um a budget or anything for our print marketing yet. So, we need to get start doing that. All
right. Um, Zoom. Do we want to continue meeting attendance by Zoom? Um, the municipality. I don't believe anybody else is doing it any longer. >> I have an issue with with Rosemary and I have talked about the central side. You
don't get the full attention of the person on the side. Just my opinion. I understand things happen um bad weather or somebody can't do it if they want to be involved in the meeting then it's it's an exception not a rule that's just
smart I'm not okay we've had meetings where the person is grocery shopping while they're in our meeting right >> that's you know if you join a board it's a commitment and if you can't make the meeting that's understandable but you need to be
>> you need to be present mentally present. >> Are you saying that you wouldn't have a Zoom at all? Because I know come March I'm going to be away but I would be able to zoom. >> If you're going to be away that's fine. I mean that that that's I understand
that. I mean everyone takes a vacation. Um but to me I don't want it to be the person doesn't show up and they're always on Zoom. When a piece of paper moves in the in the in the room you can't hear. It it just happens. Um we
just instituted a Zoom uh for the ladies auxiliary for Cheesecake, but that's because I have members that can't drive at night anymore and I can't pick them all up. So, um we did that for them and people that have moved out of town, but
I think that if you miss a meeting or so, that's okay. But I think you need to be present for this meeting. That's just my opinion. Are we talking about just board members or we're talking about closing the meeting? >> No. If the public wants to come >> record
you still >> and and that's that's something I'm ask I'm genuinely asking all the uh >> I have no problem because we really can't house people if we opened it up to the public. I have no problem doing this. I just prefer not to have to have Zoom be the one that
people default to. >> Right. And there's absolutely no problem with us continuing as we are and revisiting it if it becomes a problem. Um, one thing that I know I've mentioned before, but we do need to work on the town uses YouTube to stream its
meetings. We have Niche Academy. There's no reason for us to do that. YouTube is becoming more invasive. And what we're doing then is we're requiring all of our residents to compromise their privacy in order to view our meetings. So, what I'd
like to do is see us move them to niche academy um and then drive traffic more to our website and people being able to um to look at the meetings that way. It's not that hard. >> Now, aren't we able to because with the township council meetings, it's live streams and also before meetings too,
right? Onto our actual websites and social media. >> But most people actually see the aren't they on YouTube? Well, they do. They save it on YouTube, >> but then you're requiring people. >> You can stream on YouTube. Yeah, >> I am not technology I am technologically
challenged. >> So, one of the things that YouTube is starting to do um is require people to either give a credit card or their personal ID >> um in order to use their accounts um and it for age verification and things like
that. So it's just, you know, it's becoming more invasive. So if we can make that transition to niche, >> it's niche. >> Yeah. And we have, it's called niche academy. >> Niche.
>> They're the ones who also rate school systems all over the country. >> What's that? >> Niche school systems all over the country. >> Yeah. So niche was actually um in put together by the people who used to do library cataloges. actually got to meet them while I was working out in Wyoming.
Um, but it it's done so that personal private information doesn't have to be compromised. >> Okay. >> Y >> and that brings me to the states training videos which are on YouTube. So for our new members, New Jersey State Library has um lots of trustee
information, trustee training um that's available. There's the you belong to the New Jersey Trustee Academy. Um so if you look up the New Jersey State Library, they've got so many wonderful training videos that you can look at. Um I'm not
sure that we met our hours quota last year. >> I did it once. >> You did it once. You absolutely did. You absolutely did. There's a minimum number of hours that the board as a whole needs to complete for training every year.
>> Um, and I'm not sure that we did that last year. >> Each board member? >> No. >> Yeah. And I I think it's like I think it's 23 hours. It's less than 3 hours um a board member. >> It wasn't bad. It actually was very informative. Actually, I learned a lot.
>> It was just a long day that I sat in front of my computer. So that'll be because I know I get the email. >> Um >> when it's a good one, I send it out to all of you to just say cool training coming up >> for trustees. Like there was one on budgeting that um you know I say and
then we can also design our own training as well. >> If people decide that they want to have um you know a fun and festive training day in here one day for a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon, we can do that. So it's it's up to everyone. >> We had to do it for the commissioner.
some sort of certification. So, we have to take classes. >> Yeah. So, um in that vein, you will see a cart with purple binders for everyone. Binders used to be done here. Um and I'm
just going to grab one very quickly just to share with you what we Oh, thank you. to share what >> what um what we've included in here. I know you like my phone. >> So, everyone's going to get this fun and
sassy um binder. Thank you, Linda, for getting all of them done. Um and you're going to have all of your communication for all of your trustees is in here. Um you have the New Jersey Library Trustee Manual. So, that's already printed out for you. The A uh American Library
Association statements, um the freedom to read and um any of the ALA things. We're not bound legally by ALA, but they are our guiding principles. Um, you're going to have personnel manual, contracts, job descriptions, um, all of
our approved policies. Couple of them are are need to be worked on. >> Um, our budget and our organizational chart. So, um, the board had gotten away from this in the last few years, but it's certainly something that we want to update for everyone every year. So, we
went ahead and did that. So everybody's gonna have a nice binder to take with them. >> Oh, I appreciate that. I'm glad this I read your bylaws and I I went online to the state library, but there are some specific questions I have about this
library. >> Yeah. And you know, the other thing is you also have access to I'm sorry I'm not remembering his last name. New Jersey State Library is always available to us. Um, and there's a gentleman named Bob
>> Keith. Thank you. Robert Keith. Yeah. And he is available. Um, you know, whenever we have questions and things like that. If you need to reach out on your own, you can. Um, and if you want me to reach out on on your behalf, I can also do that to make sure that we're
doing what we need to. All right. Last is renovation is finally coming. >> So, the facility manager is going to be here. Just could you imagine this person's walking in and just going to go here.
Um, so we have two things going on. Our first phase of our furniture renovation, which is again our staff room completely going to be redone. Our circ desk is going to be removed. We're getting a brand new one. All of circulation is
getting redone. This idea farm is getting all new furniture, um, cabinetry. It's going to be absolutely stunning. We're gonna have a robotics table, bumpers on it. We can get that going and it even turns into a ping pong table. >> Yeah.
>> So, I'm super excited about it. >> Check it out for us. >> You can you can. So, we're going to get that done. And I want to thank DPW again for always helping us and doing our demolition um for that project, but coordinating all of it. There's a lot of
moving pieces on that. So that should be starting midFebruary. Circulation is going to have to move into the idea farm. We're already working on our internal communication for staff expectations and our external communication for the public to make
sure that everybody is knowledgeable about what's going on. Um, and that project, like I said, is beginning. I asked them to have a pre-construction meeting on Friday afternoon. So, we're we're doing that. The other project is
our bathrooms. Um, I can't wait until they're done. So, we're doing that suite of bathrooms on that side and then we'll do the other once this is done so that we can remain open. So, while we are closed, while those bathrooms are closed, and that's going to be about two months, we are
going to have um three public restrooms for the adults and um one of those is ADA compliant and then we also have a children's restroom. So, that's what we're going to have
during that period when the bathrooms are getting renovated. And so we are going to have we have our Lunar New Year celebration at that time which is going to be probably a pretty big deal if you want to come. The dragon >> goes through the library so that's going
to be impressive. And then our makers day which has been very popular. >> You said you didn't say dragon queen did >> no I did not. >> Oh she said dragon. >> We don't need that right now. >> No no we don't. Um so just well and I'll
finish with that. So everything is is in hand. Our um facility manager joining can cannot come a a day too soon. I'm really really excited and I'm I'm just I'm honestly so excited at having the additional oversight for these projects
and all the projects we have coming. Um I will end on unfortunately an unfortunate note. We did have a near physical altercation um over people with um political tensions in this library and it was two
of our senior patrons. Um and it was um someone listening to someone else's conversation and deciding that they didn't like that person's conversation and physically grabbing their clothing and threatening them.
So this is um unfortunately something >> that we do have to uh be aware of. It is not tolerated here. Uh the person was immediately ejected from the library and
it was extremely unfortunate. But what I've seen more and more on social media is that particularly in these times, libraries are considered everybody's safe place. there where everybody can come, everybody is welcome, every ideology, but we don't need you to um
necessarily divulge your ideology. >> So, um we do have a behavior policy and no one's allowed to make anyone else feel uncomfortable while they're here or prevent them from using the library. So, we take that very um dearly and we will
make sure that everybody stays safe and that our space remains um open and accessible to everyone in their community. >> That's all I've got. Okie dokie. >> All right. So, I'm not going to sign this resolution until we have
>> I think you I think you're supposed to you have to approve us going out to bid. I can't do that without a resolution. >> All right. So, this pen I I don't don't It's dangerous.
>> Where does that go? >> I just tell everybody it's on my desk. They go They go, "If I have to leave something, they should leave it on my chair." >> Thank you. I tell them put it on my chair. Won't sit on it. I promise. Thank you.
>> It's the new thing coming in. >> Every night I put a stack of stuff on my computer and I say I have to have this in the morning. Never. >> Okay. So, I make a motion to close the meeting. >> We did have
a All right. So, buildings and grounds for committee reports. >> Nothing to report. Uh, finance >> 234 >> outreach marketing >> personnel negotiations. >> Just finished that.
>> Those last two >> policy >> nothing to report >> and technology. >> All right. Uh, is there anyone from the public that would like to speak? You have to unmute yourself if you want to speak.
We got Jim and Paul and Sharon. Okay. So, we close that portion of the public comments. >> I just like to make one quick comment. First of all, welcome to all the new trustees. Look forward to working with you. Uh second of all, uh one of our projects that uh Don and I have worked
on um was sending out book kits which were sets of books that went to elementary and middle schools and high school. Um I was in doing an observation the other day where they actually were using one of those books. >> Um it was a graphic novel. Um and it has
uh it's the reception from teachers has been very strong and it's being passed around and we're trying to figure out how everyone can get their hands on it. That's still a little bit of a challenge, but um I'm just want to let everyone know that the money that we spent is going to good use and it is being used in a positive way. And when
Dr. Sasso and Dr. Dr. Hoger found out this was happening. They were very they were extremely happy to hear that. Um, and second of all, I was at the ELA supervisor conference for Middle Sex County last week. I mentioned our relationship with the public library and two supervisors from two different
districts mentioned how amazing our library is. >> And so when other school districts turn around and tell us that we have a great library, I think that is something that I think everyone needs to know. So, Don, keep doing what you're what you're doing. think we have a great situation
here. Um, our relationship with our with the schools is getting stronger as we continue. So, thank you. >> If I can add just to promote um so we had some of our some of our our book kits are in the schools and some of our >> Pardon me.
>> Sorry. So, what are in the books? >> The in the book kits we Sorry. Do you want to >> Well, yeah. So we what we did is we went through and we created um every grade 1 through 12 has two readalong book kits
where you have 30 copies of the same book for the whole class to borrow to go through them. >> Then we also created developing literacy kits for our K to3 and those are just collections of non-fiction and fiction for each grade level. I was a school
librarian for six years so I it's it's a passion of mine. I never let it go. Um, so we have started our educator collection which is they have a dedicated bookshelf. Um, and those other book kits are going to go there. And
we're not limiting only to Oldbridge um teachers. It's got Oldbridge or homeschoolers can come in and borrow those book kits, but it does need to be um from Old Bridge, but they're allowed to just pick up the whole kit, check it out. And then we're also working with
the um Oldbridge Education Association. I'm really excited. We're doing an information literacy workshop on the new information literacy standards um for them. Um and it's really been wonderful for me to make sure that our staff really understands information literacy
and is able to assist teachers, but then we're going to be able to open that for adults and the public to say, are you information literacy literate? this is what's going on for the state of New Jersey. Um, so we're doing that and then so that educators page should be out in
the next week for that collection. They're suggesting or they're donating books to us to put into the teacher collection. So any teacher books you want to make sure we have, tell them send titles, let us know. And then um we're we're people are asking for visits
and those kinds of things. But we've we've got the kids going and then the page is going up where we're going to have an assignment alert for our teachers so that they can let us know fourth grade's doing biographies in April um so that we'll we'll be aware of
that and they'll have um updates for all their resources. So sorry to make that even longer but thank you. >> Lots of stuff going on district and uh in the library right now. >> And does the uh private schools St. Thomas St. Ambrose little wear, right?
They will be they can. Okay. >> So, it's just what we're going to do is just post it on Facebook. You know, anyone who is an educator in in Old Bridge. I mean, we're not going to, you know, if we put out these kits and they fly out the door and there's a line out
in the parking lot to get them. We'll rethink it. Until that happens, you know, we don't defend >> um dusty books. So, let's get everybody out the door and moving. Okay. Um, I just want to say thank you for
nominating me, president. I know we'll be working well with Dawn. Um, and we're both on the same page and doing a lot of things. I appreciate what you do for this library. I've seen the change in the last year. I hear it from the residents, lots of residents, a lot of my neighbors that love coming to this
library. That has never I when I tell you parents tell me all the time, this is where they want to be with their kids. And that makes you feel good. I because of where I what I do. I worked I have a lot of parents that look to do things with their children during the day that can't afford to go to preschool
or anything and they come here. So it's it's this is their mommy and program so to speak. So I I appreciate what you're doing. Um but so just thank you. >> I really appreciate it. And I was so excited on our Winterfest day again. and we had these adults coming in and we
want to be your Friday night spot because people want a place to go where there's no alcohol >> and that it doesn't cost anything. So, are we having trivia? Are we having karaoke? Are we having movies? But we want our adults to feel welcome also. So, I'm I'm so excited about everything
we're going to do. >> Yes. >> All right. So, I will make a motion to adjourn. We >> second. >> All right. All in favor? I >> I Thank you very much. Beautiful.