Bloomfield Library Closure Drives Glen Ridge to Reopen All Public Computer Stations

The temporary closure of the adult library in neighboring Bloomfield in December pushed more residents to use Glen Ridge Public Library's computers, prompting staff to reopen all eight public computer stations, up from the four that had been available since the pandemic. The Bloomfield library's director had hoped to reopen by the end of that week, and Glen Ridge officials said they will reassess how many stations to keep open once that happens.

In financial business, the Board learned that a $32,284 invoice from the Borough for the library's share of employee benefits, along with a $6,600 backordered materials order, had not yet been reflected in the December Treasurer's report; the final version will be reviewed and accepted in February. The library also finished 2024 with an operating surplus of roughly $23,063 against a budget that projected close to break-even, helped by a strong rebound in the second half of the year after a deficit in the second quarter. Separately, the library received and spent a large state library construction grant of about $123,680 in revenue against roughly $181,777 in related expenditures over the year, and paid down about $17,406 left over from a 2023 budget overage. Materials spending came in under budget in the fourth quarter, while employee benefits costs ran well under budget for the year.

James "Matt" Doyle was sworn in as a new trustee, replacing Deanna Pagano; he abstained from the vote approving the December 11, 2024 meeting minutes, while all other trustees present voted in favor. The Board also elected its 2025 slate of officers unanimously: Bernice Clark-Bonnett as President, Marilyn Law as Vice President, David Lefkovits as Treasurer, and Tina Payne as Secretary. Trustees unanimously approved a $2,000 revision to the 2025 budget to cover a previously missed longevity pay increase for a staff member hired before 2007, offset by cuts to maintenance and software upgrade funds. The Board also unanimously adopted eight routine annual governance resolutions covering matters like auditor and legal counsel appointments, bank depositories, and check-signing authority, and unanimously approved the library's 2025 meeting calendar and its annual certification agreement with the regional library cooperative BCCLS (Bergen County Cooperative Library System).

Other actions included switching the library's operating bank account to a new business checking option with lower fees, and processing the state's switch of its credit card vendor from Bank of America to US Bank, effective January 31, 2025. The library also took over its HVAC (heating and cooling) service contract directly with Sander Mechanical starting January 1, 2025, at the Borough's request. Staff are evaluating replacing older security cameras, using funds already budgeted for technology upgrades. The Friends of the Library group reported its annual fundraising appeal topped $20,000, well past its $15,000 goal, and said its first shredding day is scheduled for April 19. The library also received a thank-you note from the Superintendent of Glen Ridge Schools for donating a 3D printer and 20 spools of filament to the high school's CAD and engineering classes.

What to watch

• The Treasurer's report reflecting the $32,284 benefits invoice and $6,600 materials order will be reviewed and accepted in February.
• A postponed presentation on the library's acoustic assessment by Dan Kopec is now expected in February.
• Bernice Clark-Bonnett will email trustees to gather their preferences for 2025 committee assignments, including interest in a possible Friends of the Library liaison role.