Book-challenge fight dominates Glen Ridge library board meeting over six contested titles
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Public comment consumed much of the meeting as members of "Citizens Defending Education" and other residents — including Fran and David Deacon, Mary Ellen, Vincent and Gabriel Cusumano, and Dr. Frances Mielach — objected to six library books they said were sexually explicit and inappropriate for children, including "This Book Is Gay" by James Dawson. Eight formal Requests for Evaluation had already been filed and answered by the Director, and speakers said they intended to formally appeal her decisions to the board. Trustees indicated they would take up any written appeals at the December and January meetings, moving to Council Chambers if needed to accommodate a larger crowd, and agreed each board member should read at least one of the challenged titles before then.
On finance, October 2022 bills and the Treasurer's Report were approved unanimously; the notable line item was $3,196 for the library's new "book bike," covered by a grant. Spending was tracking under the expected pace (78% of budget through October versus an 83% expected run rate). A draft 2023 budget fitting within a 3.5% appropriation increase was presented pending final borough wage numbers, and the board declined a prior request to add summer Saturday morning hours, citing a lack of budget-neutral room to do so.
The board deferred a vote on the proposed 2023 holiday calendar — which would swap Veterans Day for Columbus Day and add a closure the day after Thanksgiving — to the December meeting pending a review of circulation data. The EDI Task Force selected an assessment tool, and the board agreed the Director did not need to disclose task force members' names publicly, only its mission. Construction on the library's locker/kiosk project continued, with completion expected before Thanksgiving; staff member Priti Kinkhabwala resigned during the reporting period.
In the vote to approve the October 12 meeting minutes, trustee David Lefkovits abstained (7 ayes, 1 abstention); all other votes that night passed unanimously. Trustee Matthew Murphy was absent.
What to watch
- Formal appeals of the six challenged books expected at the December and/or January board meetings, possibly relocated to Council Chambers
- 2023 holiday calendar vote deferred to the December meeting pending circulation-data review
- Final 2023 budget vote expected in December