1. CALL TO ORDER

President Joan Graff called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. in the Bernards Township Library Lower Level Conference Room.

2. SUNSHINE LAW REMINDER

In accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Law of 1975, notice of the meeting was posted on the bulletin board in the Reception Hall of the Municipal Building, Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge and the Bernards Township Library Public Notices bulletin board; was mailed to The Bernardsville News, Bernardsville; was filed with the Township Clerk; and was posted on both the Township’s website and the Library’s website.

3. ROLL CALL

Present: Lois Bloom, Joan Graff, Wilma Harner, Rima Khalil, Mary Jane McNally, Tim Opremcak, Tracy Redling, Marie Schelfaut

Absent: John Malay

Also Present: Anne Meany

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no members of the public.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION 08-32 was made by Rima Khalil and seconded by Lois Bloom to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2008 meeting as written. The motion carried unanimously.

6. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

· Ms Graff appointed Mary Jane McNally, Tracy Redling and Marie Schelfaut to the Nominating Committee for Board officers. The committee will present a suggested slate of officers at the January meeting.

· MOTION 08-33 was made by Lois Bloom and seconded by Wilma Harner to adopt the following resolution in compliance with the “Public Contracts Law and Regulations” confirming contractual relationships with Baker & Taylor, Inc.; Thomson Gale Group; and Recorded Books, Inc. for the purchase of books and other library materials for more than $29,000 in 2009. The motion passed unanimously.

· MOTION 08-34 was made by Joan Graff and seconded by Rima Khalil to adopt the proposed 2009 calendar of Board meeting dates with the amendment of the December meeting to December 16, 2009. The motion passed unanimously as amended.

7. DIRECTOR’S REPORT

· Ms Meany has been meeting with Township Administrator Bruce McArthur to formulate the 2009 Budget. There will be approximately $500,000 left over from the 2008 budget.

· Ms Meany displayed the reusable tote bags that the Friends of the Bernards Township Library are selling for $2.

· Local authors of A Glove of Their Own did a presentation at the library and donated a copy of their book.

· There was an informative article about the Library’s purchase of the Gale Virtual Reference Library in Vicinity.

· Ms Meany thanked the Board for her annual evaluation which was complimentary of her leadership and service to the Library.

· Ms Meany distributed copies of the brochure that the Circulation Department compiled to promote basic Library information.

· The Library staff completed 30 evaluations according to the Township’s schedule.

· The Knitting Lab, a knitting store in Bernardsville that recently closed, donated yarn and books to the Library.

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Treasurer/Finance—Lois Bloom

The 2009 budget is estimated to be a little less than $2.5 million. The Library continues to explore cost saving measures.

B. Friends of the Library Liaison—Wilma Harner

The next meeting of the Friends will be in February.

C. Land and Building—Rima Khalil

The roof project is finished and all problems have been resolved. Anne Meany will ask both Bruce McArthur and Purchasing Agent Francis Decibus for advice about renovating the bathrooms.

D. Legislation—Mary Jane McNally

Ms McNally shared correspondence that she received from State Senator Bateman expressing his support of Senate Bill 881 which removes the appropriations for municipal libraries from the 4% municipal tax levy cap.

E. Personnel—Joan Graff

In the Director’s report

F Policy—Joan Graff

No report.

G. Programming—Joan Graff

No report.

H. Technology—Mary Jane McNally

No report.

I. Township Committee Liaison—John Malay

No report.

9. OLD BUSINESS

In response to current needs Ms Graff suggested that the Board consider establishing a long range planning committee and eliminating the technology committee.

10. NEW BUSINESS

The Board thanked outgoing member Wilma Harner for her seven years of service on the Board. The Board plans to honor Wilma after the holidays.

11. ADJOURNMENT

· MOTION 08-35 was made by Wilma Harner and seconded by Lois Bloom to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.

· The next meeting of the Bernards Township Library Board of Trustees will be 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 28, 2009 in the Lower Level Conference Room of the Library.