Glen Ridge Library Set for Major Boost as Friends Group Nears $600K, Board Approves 2025 Budget

The Glen Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees met on December 11, 2024, with the biggest news coming from the Friends of the Library, which now has nearly $600,000 available to support the library. Gordon Leavitt reported that $200,000 from the estate of Jonathan Dodd has been placed into two temporary certificates of deposit for the Dodd Endowment, and another resident has pledged an additional $20,000. Officials said the funding will significantly expand what the library can offer the community.

The Board also unanimously approved the library's 2025 budget, with only minor adjustments tied to the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) bill and the HVAC maintenance contract that did not change the overall total. Separately, the Board's president noted that New Jersey's Freedom to Read Act has been signed into law by the Governor, adding new legal protections for library staff. A diversity audit of the library's book and materials collection, conducted through the BCCLS system, found the collection representative of the community and ranked in the top quadrant among member libraries; Director Tina Marie Doody plans to add more diverse materials by the end of the year. The Friends of the Library also won a $2,000 grant from the Film Fund to support a speakers program, and the Board approved spending up to $2,000 for 75 logoed hats and 35 sweatshirts for staff.

On finances, the library's Cash Management Fund has already brought in $14,600 this year, beating its $10,000 annual target, with a total fund balance of $355,200. The November meeting minutes were approved with trustee Deanna Pagano abstaining from that vote. The library's Annual Appeal has raised $8,500 toward its $15,000 goal. The Board also approved the November bills list, which Treasurer David Lefkovits said was unremarkable aside from a carpet installation cost; trustees also noted the conference room had been freshly painted. Lefkovits reported that year-to-date expenses are running at 89% of budget, slightly under the planned 92%, due to delayed benefits costs from the Borough that are expected to be reconciled in December, along with part-time staff hours and materials spending tracking under budget at 85%.

The Board also recognized outgoing trustee Deanna Pagano with a proclamation read by President Bernice Bonnett honoring her service. Bonnett has submitted a nomination for a new trustee to the Borough, and Tina Payne and Jeanna Velechko have agreed to serve on a nominating committee to prepare a slate of candidates for the Board's 2025 officer positions.

What to watch

• The Borough is scheduled to vote on the new trustee nomination on January 6th.
• The second phase of building and grounds work recommended by Dan Kopec has been scheduled for January.