Glen Ridge Library Board Approves 2026 Budget, Recommends New Trustee, Eyes $108,900 Elevator Upgrade

The Glen Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees learned at its December 10, 2025 meeting that modernizing the library's aging elevator will cost about $108,900, according to a vendor quote presented after current elevator issues are resolved. Director Tina Marie Doody said the upgrade isn't urgent but will require coordination with the Borough since the elevator is shared. Treasurer Lefkovits also delivered better-than-expected budget news, reporting that the Borough's healthcare bidding process is now projected to raise premiums by about 20%, down from an initial estimate of 37%, as the Borough switches to a new, smaller insurance provider targeted to take over on March 1. The library's three staff members on the Borough health plan will pay the higher premiums for the first three months of 2026 until that transition is complete.

In personnel news, the Board unanimously recommended Rohit Tote for appointment by the Mayor and Council to the trustee seat being vacated by Geoffrey Darby, following a search that drew 10 applications and four interviews. Darby himself was honored at the meeting with a proclamation read by President Clark-Bonnett recognizing his years of service, along with a token gift. Separately, following a closed-door review of her 2025 performance, trustees voted to give Director Doody a discretionary $1,000 payment on top of her salary, drawn from the Trustees Operating account.

On finances and facilities, trustees unanimously approved the 2026 budget on second reading, tying it to the library's 2026-2030 Strategic Plan focus on staff, communications and programming. They also approved pre-paying up to $10,000 to book vendor Ingram to use up the remaining 2025 materials budget amid ongoing delivery delays, approved $1,375 to replace lifting stair treads on the back stairs for safety (covered by a Library Construction Bond Act, or LCBA, grant) with the work done in a single day before year-end, and approved $3,200 for an LED lighting retrofit in the Young Adult area, also LCBA-funded, with new fixtures expected to last about eight years. The library will also seek a deadline extension and roughly $50,000 in reimbursement for completed LCBA grant work, pending a required letter from Dan Kopec. November's bills totaled $57,005, covering salaries and benefits, materials, LCBA grant expenses, and a new six-month mindfulness class subscription starting in January.

Other updates included confirmation that $11,000 previously allocated for mezzanine-level roller shades will move forward with selection and ordering; a request to repaint study rooms 1 and 2 to match recently repainted study room 3; replacement of a failed backup power unit for the security system; and purchase of a handheld camera stabilizer through the BCCLS library consortium using leftover budget funds. The Friends of the Library reported their annual appeal has raised about $9,000 from 69 donors so far, and confirmed a free community event with author Jay Cooper for January 10, 2026. The library also plans to relaunch its book club in January with a focus on romance novels, replacing the "Books & Brew" club due to weak turnout and venue costs. Doody completed a vendor questionnaire on people-counting software as an early step in planning, though no rollout date has been set. Trustees also approved the 2026 meeting calendar, matching 2025's dates except that January and December meetings will start at 6:00 pm instead of the usual time.

What to watch

• The Mayor and Council's formal appointment of Rohit Tote to the Board.
• Whether the library secures the requested LCBA deadline extension and roughly $50,000 reimbursement once Dan Kopec's letter is obtained.
• Completion of the healthcare provider transition targeted for March 1, 2026, which will end the temporary premium increase for library staff.