Glen Ridge Library Board Doubles Printing Fees, Sets May 4 Grand Opening for Renovated Areas

The Glen Ridge Public Library's new bathroom, part of the ongoing construction project, opened for use on February 14, and the Board of Trustees has tentatively set Saturday, May 4th for a grand opening celebration of the newly renovated Young Adult area, timed with the broader building improvement project. That project is nearing completion, with a new HVAC chiller control system, completed duct cleaning, and new lighting already in place, a third-floor security camera installation planned for late February, and audio-visual equipment and furniture deliveries expected by the end of March.

At its meeting on February 13, 2024, the Board unanimously voted to raise printing fees, citing a $2,000 loss in the last fiscal year. Black-and-white copies will now cost 20 cents, up from 10 cents, and color copies will rise to 50 cents from 25 cents; patrons will also no longer be allowed to bring their own paper for printing. In other unanimous financial moves, the Board shifted Building Fund money above what's needed for January construction costs and minimum balances into its Cash Management Fund, which now holds $128,800, and appointed the firm Klein as the library's new auditor starting with the coming fiscal year. The Director also reported that the Borough of Glen Ridge will cover a roughly $10,000 cost for a replacement control card for the library's chiller.

The library's planned disconnection of Verizon internet service went forward as scheduled, but it unexpectedly broke the Children's Room's catalog lookup device, since the aging equipment's Chrome browser can no longer receive updates; staff are working with the regional library network BCCLS (Bergen County Cooperative Library System) to find a replacement. Separately, the Board unanimously approved spending up to $3,000 on six new book carts and up to $4,400 on new tabletops, both votes taken after member Edward Kastenmeier had already left the meeting. Kastenmeier was named earlier in the meeting as the Board's new liaison to the Friends of the Library group.

Other business included a first reading of a proposed new Study Room Policy, ongoing upgrades to the library's security cameras and recording equipment, and an update on the Friends of the Library's benefit concert featuring musician Kenny Garrett, with ticket sales at about half of capacity. The Board also approved its completed Annual Report, which showed most library usage numbers rising, and heard that the library has gained access to the Talking Book & Braille program through the State Library. Tina Marie Doody was identified as Treasurer, and among 2024 committee changes, Tina Payne took over as chair of the Personnel Committee from Jeanna Velechko, who will now lead a newly formed strategic planning committee. The Board also unanimously approved spending up to $5,200 on a March celebration, with members Kastenmeier and Damein Phoenix absent for that vote. The meeting included a closed-door executive session from 9:22 to 9:36 p.m., the contents of which were not disclosed publicly.

What to watch

• The Study Room Policy will get further discussion at the March board meeting.
• The Kenny Garrett benefit concert is scheduled for March 2, 2024 at SoPAC.
• A decision on upgrading the library's New York Times digital subscription is expected ahead of the April renewal deadline.