Glen Ridge Library Board Addresses Parent Complaint Over Student Removals, Approves New Sensors and Policy Changes

At its October 8, 2025 meeting, the Glen Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees addressed a parent complaint that arose after library staff asked several loud or disruptive students to leave during back-to-school weeks. The parent had reached out to the Board president and the library director about how a different child was treated, and the director clarified that no child has been banned from the library.

Separately, the library is dealing with a supply chain disruption after Baker & Taylor, its largest book supplier, went bankrupt following a failed acquisition attempt in August. The library is transitioning its account to Ingram Content Group, a move officials said was already under consideration due to prior issues with book supply and delivery times.

Trustees approved installing two people-counting sensors, one at the front door and one in the Children's Room, at a cost of up to $3,000 plus ongoing fees of up to $250 annually, billed through the BCCLS (Bergen County Cooperative Library System) invoice. In a vote that was not unanimous, the Board approved keeping the 2026 holiday closure calendar the same as this year's, with Matt Doyle voting Nay. The Board did unanimously update its Library of Things Policy to add Roku streaming devices and Kindle e-readers to a 14-day re-borrowing restriction, after patrons were found to be monopolizing Roku devices and limiting availability for others. Proposed revisions to the Safe Child Policy, covering unattended children aged 8-15 during school hours and barring sick children from the library, were discussed and revised but tabled for formal approval until the November meeting. The Board did unanimously approve new language in the Patron Code of Conduct instructing patrons not to visit the library while sick, contagious, or under quarantine.

In other business, the Board unanimously approved switching its digital comics service from ComicsPlus to All Access Comics on a trial basis to assess usage, at a slightly higher annual cost. The library's mil-rate funding allocation from the Borough will rise to $97,000 in 2026 from $89,000, reflecting increased property values despite rising Borough healthcare costs. The Townwide Yard Sale, with 77 of 79 registered houses participating, raised a record $4,100 in sponsorships, while a cracked whiteboard recently installed in the library is being replaced by the vendor. The Friends of the Library increased their annual donation to the Library of Things by $500 and reported a $2,500 grant from Proponent Federal Credit Union; their planned author event with Jay Cooper has been postponed to January, with a final date still to be confirmed. A usage report showed the share of patrons accessing e-content only rose to 24.16% from 20% the prior year, while 1,924 physical books were checked out over the same period; staff are evaluating a digital solution to let e-content-only patrons join the summer reading program. The Board also approved the September 2025 bills list totaling $48,909.91, which included $6,032.06 in expenses tied to the LCBA (Library Construction Bond Act) grant for facility upgrades including a glass door, acoustic baffles for study rooms, and a Room 3 whiteboard installation. The meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m. on a motion by Jeanna Velechko, seconded by Geoffrey Darby, with all present trustees voting Aye; trustee David Lefkovits was absent and did not cast a vote.

What to watch

• The Board is expected to formally vote on revised Safe Child Policy changes at its November meeting.
• Ms. Doody is coordinating with Montclair fire officials on a fire drill, with plans to finalize an evacuation plan and make the drill an annual event.
• A final date for the postponed Jay Cooper author event, now planned for January, has not yet been confirmed.