I am writing about the New City Library’s Board of Trustees meeting that was cancelled January 17 due to a lack of a quorum. I attended as a newly retired employee of the library. This particular meeting was important, as it was the Annual Meeting whereby the previous year’s accomplishments are reviewed; the director submits an annual report and the newly elected trustees are inducted. Instead, seven of the nine installed trustees were not able to attend, three-quarters of the group! The two remaining trustees were there in hopes that some of the absent members would be responsible and attend.
Instead there was an informal discussion of 16 audience members, most of whom were supporters of the library Watch group, the two newly elected trustees and the two trustees.
Had the original meeting occurred I planned to make the following statement:
Having worked in three libraries in my 27+ years as a professional librarian, I have observed the operations of many boards of trustees. Never have I seen a group like the one that currently presides at the New City Library. If this group of elected persons continue their destructive path of operation, there will be a complete breakdown of the library internal organization. The board member(s) who have taken it upon themselves to misuse the office must be identified and removed from this position of public trust.
Sally Pellegrini
Retired Local History/Community Relations Dept Head
New City Library
Mrs. Mary Phillips
I’m sorry if you think I speak for the staff association. I was just expressing my own personal views as someone who has attended most of the Board Meetings. I’m also disappointed that you feel too insecure to sign your reply. I know that you don’t speak for all of Clarkstown, just as I don’t speak for all the staff. Mrs. Phillips
It is possible for the Regents of the State of NY to remove library trustees. NYS Education Law § 226. - (this is not the whole text because of forum limitations) 4. ---->>>> The regents may remove any trustee of a corporation created by them for misconduct, incapacity, neglect of duty, or where it appears to the satisfaction of the regents that the corporation has failed or refuses to carry into effect its educational purposes. A hearing in the proceeding for the removal of such trustees shall be had before the board of regents or a committee thereof and the trustees shall be given at least ten days' notice of the time and place of such hearing. In case of removal the regents may appoint successors to the trustees so removed. The provisions of this section as to removal and filling of vacancies in trustees shall not apply to corporations now or hereafter established and maintained by a religious denomination, order or sect. No person shall be ineligible as a trustee by reason of sex. Maureen Shields former librarian at NWC