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Library Patron's Concerns

Thoughts from a concerned patron.

 

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

Mary Beth January 23, 2013 at 02:04 am
It is easy enough to identify the trustees who are doing damage to the library--just attend a board meeting! Removing these trustees is the difficult part. There does not seem to be a mechanism for removing them unless they engage in criminal activity. The main option we have is voting them out after their term on the board expires (3 years). A lot of damage can be done in this time. We can attend board meetings and let these trustees know how dissatisfied we are with their conduct. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
John January 23, 2013 at 09:52 pm
Many of us cannot attend the meetings given its timing. Can you identify who the trustees are?
Mary Phillips January 25, 2013 at 01:44 am
I attended the Board Meeting this past Wednesday and was surprised to see that Sally Pellegrini was not there. This meeting was rescheduled from the previous Thursday and was listed on the library website. I have no idea why the meeting had to be rescheduled except that I was told there were not enough members to make a quorum. As a current library employee, I was happy to see that there is progress on several important matters at the library. The Board approved funds to bring one of the candidates for directorship from Texas for an interview here at the library. The Board also approved placement of advertisements for business manager, account clerk and community relations positions. The problem with the library boilers was also addressed, and as an employee in a very cold building, I was optimistic about a quick solution to adding more heat for the comfort of staff and patrons. Yes, I heard a number of lively remarks and conversations among Board members, but questions and arguments are often a part of our democratic way of life. It was too bad that Sally couldn’t attend this meeting. I have confidence that all our Board members will be working together in the best interests of the library and the library staff. I’ve been working at the library for almost 25 years and I’m looking forward to all the new employees which will be joining the staff.
Mrs. Mary Phillips
Mary Beth January 25, 2013 at 05:30 am
I am also hopeful that the library will be able to fill the vacant positions with qualified employees, but some trustees are still engaged in a power play which is making the library a hostile workplace. Very few qualified candidates applied for the director's position. Even the interim director didn't want the job. I guess the local potential applicants know about the turmoil on the board and don't want to deal with it. Maybe that's why the board has to bring in a candidate from Texas to interview, which is costing the taxpayers $1500 in travel expenses.
clarkstown January 26, 2013 at 12:06 am
Shame on you Mary! You stated you were SURPRISED not to see Ms. Pellegrini at the rescheduled meeting. You should be appalled by the six that didn't show up at the annual meeting. You have confidence that all the Board members will be working together in the best interests of the library and the library staff. Really Mary! Mr. Ninan has no known experience in administration and why the New York State of Trustees don't step in is mind boggling! Mary, the New City Library Staff Association needs a different vision on the ethical relationship between some of the current board members. Mr. Ninan's total disregard to policy is unethical because it has the potential to harm this library and employees.
Mary Phillips February 4, 2013 at 02:14 am
Dear Clarkstown
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
M.S. April 2, 2013 at 08:48 pm
I'm a little late to the party.
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

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