Meeting Schedule for the Dodge Library Board of Directors for 2025
The board meets from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise indicated. All meetings take place in the Dodge Library and are open to the public.
2025
January 14
February 11
March 11
April 15
May 13
June 17
July 8
August 12
September 9
October 14
November 18
December 9
Approved by the Board of Trustees on January 14, 2025
January 14 2025
Dodge library board meeting 5:07: start –
Norman Taber, Jim Gratton, Judy Paquette, Bob Rizos, Tory Taber.
Discussion of past minutes –
Robin moved to accept Dec minutes (with Month changed) Bob seconded.
Treasurer’s report –
There is a total of $3.135 in the library account.
Incudes Directors pay, insurance, books and Mason’s
The funds should carry us through the year.
Norman moved to approve the treasurer’s report– Bob seconded
Director’s Report
January 2025
December was a low-traffic month, with 71 patrons coming into the Dodge. We circulated 89 items. The director has observed that December is always slow, and I think it is due to more than having reduced hours. People tend to be extremely busy in December. I anticipate and hope that January will be livelier.
The biggest news to report is, of course, the absolute charter. It’s such great news. We all worked very hard, for many years, to secure this status.! There are steps to be taken. From the email from Albany:
“Here are the petition and resolution which need to be signed and notarized and returned to us with a check for $60 made out to New York State Education Department. Please send to Adriana Mastroianni, New York State Library / Division of Library Development, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230. If the meeting where the trustees voted on the application was in 2024 please change the first “2025” in the resolution to “2024.”
Tory has changed the date as specified. J When the resolution is notarized, Norman will mail them with the petition. Tory believes the charter may be finalized in February. We look forward to receiving it, framing it, and displaying it in the library. Thanks to all for the work, and hours, trustee education and time spent in meetings you have all contributed to this endeavor.
Thanks to Robin, for finding someone willing to do our snow removal. Craig has been great so far. It is so lovely to arrive at the library and see clear sidewalks, all crunchy with eco-friendly salt. Tory gave him some reimbursement forms and we agreed he could put one in the drop-box once a month and that Jim would mail him a check. We made and oversight when making the contract for snow removal, we specified it should be shoveled when 1 inch or more – we are modifying the contract to specify 3 inches or more.
Bob had a good observation: it would be nice of us to send a thank-you note to the gentleman who has been plowing the parking lot. He is a member of the church that owns the school, but he plows it specifically for me and our patrons to use. Tory could find out his name, or we could send a note to the church in general.
We will send a card of thanks to Cat Rizos, who volunteered her time and expertise to editing and improving our long-range plan.
Last week Tory sent a link to the musical/reading that was recorded here.
Tory has been communicating with Jesse from ShowUp. She will be hosting a book club meeting here, during library hours, on February 6. The organizer is controlling attendance by limiting the number of attendees to 12, the number of chairs we have.
Tory has prepared a meeting schedule for 2025 with meetings scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month as listed below. The board will need to approve the schedule, and Tory will post it online and on our bulletin board, as required to meet minimum standards.
Meeting Schedule for the Dodge Library Board of Directors for 2025
Board moved to make the following meeting dates:
Robin moved, Bob seconded – Passed
The board meets from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise indicated. All meetings take place in the Dodge Library and are open to the public.
2025
January 14
February 11
March 11
April 15
May 13
June 17
July 8
August 12
September 9
October 14
November 18
December 9
Approved by the Board of Directors on __________________
Thanks as always, for all your help me check all the boxes to meet requirements.
Book suggestions below.
Respectfully submitted,
Tory Taber
Book suggestions
Fiction
1. “Intermezzo”, Sally Rooney, $16.53
2. “The Crash”, Freida Mcfadden, $18.80
3. “The Extinction of Irena Rey”, Jennifer Croft, $16.52
4. “The Witchstone,”, Henry Neff, $24.97
Nonfiction
5. “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World”, Robin Wall Kimmerer, $11.40
6. “Ingrained: The Making of a Craftsman”, Callum Robinson, $17.10
7. “The Inner Clock: Living in Sync With Our Circadian Rhythms”, Lynne Peeples $17.10
8. The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook”, Hampton Sides $19.95
9. “I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine”, Daniel Levitin, $18.53
Children’s
10. “The Hotel Balzaar”, Kate DiCamillo, $10.25
Total projected cost: $179.14
Addendum:
The grant that was discussed last meeting is an annual one. There should be an announcement that we can submit and “Intent to Apply,” around June. It is an undertaking. I have visited the NYS Library page, and it seems like, much like our tree cutting endeavor, we would be expected to contribute a significant amount financially. CEFLS will often send out updates and have informational meetings regarding the construction grant. If the board would like me to attend any of these, they will need to fall on a Tuesday or Thursday, as I am at my other job on Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
The webpage (https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/construc/guidelines.htm) does include “a new roof” as an example of potential projects, it also contains this statement:
“DASNY will not approve projects that contain components which they perceive to be repairs or maintenance. For example, “fix cracks in parking lot,” would likely be perceived as a repair, whereas installing a new parking lot would qualify as construction.”
Interior renovations and improvements can also be projects, though I think we all agree that the exterior of our little building is in the most immediate need. But if we applied for a new roof, for example, there is a chance we could fold repainting and restoring the peeling moldings in the project, and it wouldn’t be considered maintenance. I suppose those would be the sort of things I (or an available board member) could find out at a meeting.
Finally, it’s time for the annual report again. Tory will begin plugging information in immediately.
Tory would like to express her appreciation to Jim, we would not have been granted our charter, without Jim’s contribution. He spends hours, probably days, doing the financial portion of the report. His contribution is so important to the running of the library. Thanks to Jim.
Robin moved to approve book list – Bob seconded. Passed.
Meeting continued: librarian annual assessment
Formal part of the meeting ended – board continued on to Director’s assessment.
Meeting adjourned: 5:46 pm
February 11 2025
Dodge library board meeting 5:06: start –
Norman Taber, Jim Gratton, Judy Paquette, Bob Rizos, Tory Taber,
Amended past minutes – Bob moved Judy seconded passed –
Treasurer’s report –
We received our budget of $25,500
Elec 84 (electric seems to have increased substantially on the last bill)
A discussion of the electric and various providers began
Phone 47
Book bill 371
Salt $30
Do North $70
Employee: $1,289
Returned check fee $20
There is a total of $26,022 in the library account.
Norman moved to approve the treasurer’s report– Judy seconded
Passed -
Director’s Report
February 2025
The Dodge hosted 92 patrons. We circulated a satisfying 100 items.
Tory has been working on the annual report. The board will need to look it over before we submit it, the deadline is February 21. She will send an email with a link as soon as it is complete. She has asked the board to review the documents and approve by email.
Thank you to Norman and Judy for getting the charter and petition notarized and sending it to Albany. According to the tracking, the documents arrived.
Speaking of thanks, the good neighbor who has been plowing the parking lot is Bill Ashley, and additionally apparently someone named Randy. Perhaps a thank-you note to the church, thanking both, would be nice.
Jesse from Show Up is still planning on hosting a book group has been rescheduled for Feb 13th
Regarding the computer purchase that the board approved. I intended to purchase it, it was on sale for $479, a bit less than the $500 approved by the board. But, yes there is a “but”, when I tried to purchase it I discovered there is no software included. Software is no longer a one-time purchase, but a subscription. To get the bare bones office software bundle, it will be a $99 subscription annually (Most of the packages are over $300). In addition, there is recommended security software that is recommended, would be an additional $20 annually. The software is, in fact, necessary. I think the security software is advisable as patron privacy is one of tenets of good library practice. The final price, with tax is $641.97. Tory now believes that the Microsoft software is not necessary and that we could use the Google suite – bringing the price down to around $500.00
Bob moved to approve $600.00 for the purchase of the computer, Judy seconded.
If the board agrees to go forward with the purchase, I am happy to buy it and get reimbursed by Jim. However, the board may want to consider a business credit card for the recurring subscription fees. Currently, I have the annual website subscription fee of $12 linked to my personal card and when it was renewed this past August, Jim reimbursed me. But that is me, not every employee might be comfortable with this arrangement. I suggest the board put payment measures in place that are not linked to a specific employee,
The credit card discussion deferred until March.
The concrete on the bottom step is crumbling. I was shoveling snow and a large chunk came out. I think it is big enough that it will require repair.
Respectfully submitted,
Tory Taber
Book suggestions
Fiction
1. “The Grey Wolf”, Louise Penny $17.10
2. “The Wedding People”, Alison Espach, $16.52
3. “The Crash”, Frieda McFadden. $18.80
4. “Rental House,” Wieke Wang. $15.96
5. “The ultimate Pokemon guide” $
Nonfiction
6. “Framed”, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey. $17.10
7. “Don’t Believe Everything You Think”, Joseph Nuygen. $12.54
Childrens
8. “Olivetti”, Allie Millington. $10.25
9. “Chooch Helped”, Andrea Rogers. 2025 Caldecott Award winner. $15.19
10. “The First State of Being”, Erin Entrada Kelly. 2025 NewburyAward winner.$18.89
Total projected cost: $159.45
Judy moved to approve the list – Bob seconded - approved
Norman will put a temporary plywood step secured in place, with the expectation of more permanent cement repair when the weather turns warmer.
Bob will forward the director’s evaluation to the board for approval by email.
Formal part of the meeting ended – board continued on to Director’s assessment.
Meeting adjourned: 6:03 pm
March 11-
Dodge library board meeting 5:00 start –
Norman Taber, Jim Gratton, Judy Paquette, Bob Rizos, Tory Taber, Robin Brunelle
Amended past minutes – Bob moved Jim seconded passed –
Treasurer’s report –
We received our budget of $25,500
Elec 84 (electric seems to have increased substantially on the last bill)
A discussion of the electric and various providers began
Workers comp 308
WB Mason 58
Disability 106
Nyseg 74.12
Phone 47
Dept. labor $19
Tax 81
Withholding 595
Snow – 150.00
There is a total of $24,584
Norman moved to approve the treasurer’s report– Robin seconded
Passed -
Director’s Report
March 2025
The Dodge hosted 72 patrons. We circulated 93 items.
The Director finished the annual report – with some last-minute updates – and CEFLS is still looking over it before it is officially submitted. Thanks to the board members who were available to help me get some policies approved in time to submit it. The Director will include the policies, edited for grammar, in the body of this email.
After two postponements due to snow, ShowUp did hold a book club here on 2/13. A second event is scheduled for 4/3.
The Director has finally ordered the new laptop, with no software or subscriptions. The total amount was $485.99. An invoice will be submitted to Jim.
CEFLS is changing the way we access Horizon (our automation system). It will no longer be installed onto individual computers; we will access it from the cloud. David Fuller is going to help me install it onto the new laptop on 3/13.
Norm and Bob installed a temporary cover on our broken step. The step will be fixed the concrete when the weather warms up.
Finally, Bob pointed out that the scheduled date for our April meeting is not the second Tuesday of the month. It’s currently scheduled for the 15th, when it should have been the 8th. As he has a conflict on the 15th, we should consider changing it to the 8th.
Meeting changed to 8th April – Norman moved, Bill seconded. Passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Tory Taber
Book suggestions
Fiction
1. “The Sirens”, Amelia Hart, $16.53, Patron Request
2. “Sipsworth”, Simon Van Booy, $15.36
3. “Broken Country”, Clare Hall. $16.52
4. “The Book of Love”, Kelly Link, $13.00
Nonfiction
5. “Wandering Through Life: A Memoir”, Donna Leon, $24.05
6. “Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters”, Charan Ranganath, $17.10
7. “Make Art or Die Trying”, Stewart Sempl$18.40
Childrens
8. “Rat Rule 79: An Adventure”, Rivka Galchen, $15.99
9. “Club Microbe”, Elise Gravel, $10.23
10. “Bug Boys”, Laura Knetzge, $10.89
“Total projected cost: $158.07
Robin moved to pass – Judy seconded. Passed
Discussion began on discussion of finding work done for maintenance on the building ; including eaves, brickwork, and step. The Director is going to look for possible grants.
New Policy’s as passed via email consensus:
These can be modified as need be.
WEST CHAZY DODGE LIBRARY PERSONNEL POLICY
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The West Chazy Dodge Library is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to recruit, hire, promote and compensate without regard to race, age, religion, gender, national origin, creed, handicap, color, sexual orientation or familial status. Employment opportunities are open to all qualified applicants based on their experience, aptitude and ability. The Library does not discriminate between the sexes on pay for comparable work requiring comparable skills under comparable circumstances.
Immigration Law Compliance
Only those who have a legal right to work in the United States will be considered for employment. The West Chazy Dodge Library does not unlawfully discriminate based on citizenship or national origin. Proper documentation will be required of all new hires.
In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, each new employee, as a condition of employment, must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 and present documentation establishing identity and employment eligibility. Rehired employees must also complete the form if they have not completed an I-9 with the Library within the past three years, or if their previous I-9 is no longer retained or valid.
Employees with questions or seeking more information on immigration law issues are encouraged to contact the Administrative Manager. Employees may raise questions or complaints about immigration law compliance without fear of reprisal.
Disability Accommodation
The West Chazy Dodge Library will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring equal opportunity in employment for qualified persons with disabilities. All employment practices and activities are conducted on a non-discriminatory basis.
Reasonable accommodation is available to all disabled employees, where their disability affects the performance of job functions. All employment decisions are based on the merits of the situation in accordance with defined criteria, not the disability of the individual. The applicant must be able to perform the essential elements of the job, even with reasonable accommodation.
The West Chazy Dodge Library is committed to not discriminating against any qualified employees or applicants because they are related to or associated with a person with a disability. The West Chazy Dodge Library will follow any state or local law that provides individuals with disabilities greater protection than the ADA.
This policy is neither exhaustive nor exclusive. The West Chazy Dodge Library is committed to taking all other actions necessary to ensure equal employment opportunity for persons with disabilities in accordance with the ADA and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Hours
Library hours will be set by the Library Board and will meet New York State Requirements for libraries of its size.
Emergency Closings
At times, emergencies such as severe weather, fires, power failures, or lack of available staffing can disrupt Library operations and impinge on the safety of employees, library visitors, and/or the building. The Library Director may delay opening and/or close early based on safety concerns. The determination of delayed opening, early closing, or complete closing will be decided on a day-to-day basis.
In extreme cases, these circumstances may require the closing of the library. If local schools in Beekmantown Central School District are closed for bad weather the Library will also close. If the Library Director determines that the safety of the staff and/or patrons is in serious jeopardy, they may close the Library.
When the decision is made to close the library during regular hours of operation, all library visitors will be asked to vacate the premises.
When the Director makes a determination that results in delayed opening and/or closing early or complete closing, the resulting changes in hours of operation will be posted on the Library’s social media accounts and on the library entrance(s).
When the Library is closed due to emergency conditions, the time off from scheduled work will be paid.
Reporting Absence
If the Library Director will be absent, they should call the Library Board of Trustees Chair.
Employee Status
Part time: The West Chazy Dodge Library employees one part-time director who works 21 hours per week.
Substitute: The West Chazy Dodge Library occasionally employs individuals who are not given regularly scheduled shifts but fill in for other employees upon request.
Intervals of Pay
The employee is paid once monthly on the second Tuesday of the month.
Employee Benefits
Social Security and Medicare
The West Chazy Dodge Library must deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes on each employee's earnings up to a specified limit that is called the Social Security "wage base." The Library matches the amount of Social Security and Medicare taxes paid by each employee. At age 65 employees become eligible for Medicare medical benefits. Employees become eligible for Social Security benefits based on ages set by the Social Security Administration. Employer and employee contributions determine the amount of the benefit based on a formula used by the Social Security Administration.
Medical Benefits
The West Chazy Dodge Library does not offer medical benefits.
Retirement
The West Chazy Dodge Library does not offer retirement benefits.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
The Library provides comprehensive Workers' Compensation insurance at no cost to employees. This program covers any injury or illness sustained in the course of employment that requires medical, surgical, or hospital treatment. Subject to applicable legal requirements, Workers' Compensation Insurance provides benefits after a short waiting period or, if the employee is hospitalized, immediately.
Employees who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses should inform their supervisor immediately. No matter how minor an on-the-job injury may appear, it is important that it be reported immediately. This will enable an eligible employee to qualify for coverage as quickly as possible.
Neither the Library nor the insurance carrier will be liable for the payment of workers' compensation benefits for injuries that occur during an employee's voluntary participation in any off-duty recreational, social, or athletic activity sponsored by the Library.
Time Off
Vacation Leave
All vacation requests are subject to the approval of the board of trustees.
Citizenship Duty
The Library encourages employees to fulfill their civic responsibilities by serving jury duty when required and by voting. Employees shall be granted leave with pay for jury duty, voting,
Bereavement Leave
Time off for funerals may be granted by the Board of trustees. Employees who wish to take time off due to the death of an immediate family member should notify the board of trustees.
Paid Holidays
The Library is closed on the following legal holidays:
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Day
President’s Day
Easter, Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas
If the holiday occurs on a day that the Library is closed, equal time off should be allowed at another time. On December 31 the Library will close at 12:00 p.m.
All part-time hourly employees regularly scheduled to work on these days will receive pay at the regular rate of their regular wage.
Training and Staff Development
The Board of Trustees acknowledges the value of employee attendance at workshops, courses and conferences related to both Library services and employees’ duties as a means of enhancing the The West Chazy Dodge Library offering to the community. Accordingly, to the best of its ability, the Library will consider granting time and compensation to employees for attendance at workshops, courses and conferences.
Continuing education is defined as any formal or informal learning experience that extends or builds on previous education and experience that employees have beyond the entry level skills required for their position.
Library staff are expected to attend continuing education events. The Library will cover the cost of this training experience, when pre-approved. These events may be chosen from the following, but exceptions will be made for other training relating to work duties:
· CEFLS workshops
· Professional library association conferences
The Library Director will apply to the Library Board to attend training events.
Travel Expenses
The West Chazy Dodge Library will reimburse employees for reasonable business travel expenses incurred while on assignments away from the normal work location. The board of trustees must approve all business travel in advance. Employees whose travel plans have been approved are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.
The West Chazy Dodge Library will reimburse approved travel at the [federal OR state] mileage rate.
When approved, the Library will pay or reimburse the actual costs of travel, meals, lodging, and other expenses directly related to accomplishing business travel.
When travel is completed, employees should submit completed travel expense reports within 30 days (or by the end of the calendar year if that is less than 30 days away). Receipts for all individual expenses should accompany reports.
Abuse of this business travel expenses policy, including falsifying expense reports to reflect costs not actually incurred by the employee in the normal course of doing business for the Library, can be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Salary Administration
All salaries are set by the Board of Trustees at the time of hire. Salary increases are granted by the Board at the recommendation of the Library Director based on performance evaluations.
Performance Evaluation
It is the policy of the Library to have a written evaluation of employees. Written evaluations for all employees should be conducted at least once annually based on his/her job description. The Board of Trustees will provide a written evaluation of the Library Director.
The purpose of such reviews shall be to help employees make progress in their work and learn where they stand. The performance review must be accompanied by a personal conference in which the employee may examine the review and have an opportunity to ask questions or make comments.
Telephone Etiquette
The general spirit of staff service should apply to library phone service. Phone greetings as
designated for the appropriate areas should be observed.
If a patron requests information that will take considerable time to locate, ask if you may return the call. Be sure to get their name and the correct information to call them back. When returning a call, identify the library; give your name and the purpose of the call.
Rules of Conduct
The library director is expected to observe the code of conduct as outlined in the Library’s Policies.
Confidentiality
All Library, patron, and staff information is confidential and should not be discussed with any person or persons outside the Library. Copying, removing, allowing unauthorized access to the Library or patron documents, information, files or mailing lists, or any form of distribution of patron information is not allowed. All internal information about the Library administration is to remain confidential. Staff may not access or distribute administrative files, documents, or information. Staff may not publicly represent the Library administration outside their job description in any way unless through prior arrangement with the Library Director. Any breach of this confidentiality requirement is grounds for termination.
Attendance and Punctuality
To maintain a safe and productive work environment, the Library expects the library director to be reliable and to be punctual in reporting for scheduled work. When the employee cannot avoid being late to work or are unable to come to work as scheduled, they should notify the President of the board of trustees as soon as possible.
Poor attendance and excessive tardiness may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Firing and Dismissal
An employee may be dismissed for incompetence or for just cause. The notice of dismissal shall be in writing and shall state the specific charges. Layoffs may be made due to lack of funds, discontinuance of activity, or reorganization.
Resignation
Library employees must submit resignations in writing to the Library Director. Notice of resignation must be submitted 14 working days prior to termination of employment. The Library Director must submit resignation to the Library Board of Trustees. A 30-working day notice of resignation is required for the Library Director. The employee’s written and signed resignation should be dated when received and retained in the personnel file.
Staff Grievances
Dissatisfaction with alleged unfair treatment, work schedules and assignments, Library policies and procedures, or working conditions should be brought to the attention of the board of trustees
Volunteers
The West Chazy Dodge Library recognizes the importance of utilizing the assistance of volunteers to enhance and expand the services of the Library. In establishing volunteers, the West Chazy Dodge Library shall not use volunteers to supplant Library staff but to enrich Library services in a comprehensive manner making the services available to the entire public through a coordinated volunteer/staff effort.
Personnel Records
Access to Personnel Files
The West Chazy Dodge Library maintains a personnel file on each employee. The personnel file includes such information as the employee's job application, resume, records of training, documentation of performance appraisals and salary increases, and other employment records.
All material in the personnel folder shall be open to the scrutiny of the employee. No material in the employee’s personnel folder will be available to anyone, except the Library Director without the express written consent of the individual employee involved. No employee’s file shall be altered for any reason or removed from the Library building.
Personnel files are the property of The West Chazy Dodge Library and access to the information they contain is restricted.
Employees who wish to review their own file should contact the board of trustees.
Adopted by the board of trustees in February 2025
WEST CHAZY DODGE LIBRARY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT POLICY
Objectives
The purpose of the West Chazy Dodge Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, and leisure.
Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy to meet community interests and needs.
The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library director in the selection of materials and serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.
The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement are integral parts of the policy. The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.
Responsibility for Selection:
The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the West Chazy Dodge Library Board of Trustees. The director must be available to answer to the library board and the general public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff
Criteria for Selection:
1.The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
· individual merit of each item
· popular appeal/demand
· suitability of material for the clientele
· existing library holdings
· budget
2. Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The primary source(s) of reviews is (are) The New York Times Best Seller List, Kirkus Review, etc.
3. The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title that is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests from library patrons and books discussed on public media. Materials are judged based on the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.
Interlibrary Loan:
Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library's collection.
In return for utilizing interlibrary loan to satisfy the needs of our patrons, the West Chazy Dodge Library agrees to lend its materials to other libraries through the same interlibrary loan network, and to make an effort to have its current holdings listed in a tool that is accessible by other libraries throughout the state.
Gifts and Donations:
Accepting gifts and donations is an important way for the public library to benefit from the generosity of the community it serves. The West Chazy Dodge Library encourages and appreciates gifts and donations.
Gifts and donations of materials are reviewed using the same criteria as purchases. The library will determine how to best incorporate such materials into the existing collections. The library reserves the right to dispose of any gifts that are given to the library. Finally, acceptance of any donation is ultimately at the discretion of the library director.
Guidelines :
1.Quantity
Unless the Library Director approves, we will only accept one bag or small box at a time.
● Materials Encouraged:
o books (recently published preferred) in very good/excellent condition
o DVD’s/Blu-rays in very good/excellent condition
● Generally Restricted Materials
o atlases/encyclopedias
o study guides, textbooks, or workbooks
o magazines
2. Condition General rule: If you wouldn’t buy or give it to a friend, think twice about donating it. Condition matters – if your items have any of the following issues, they usually won’t be accepted:
● Not Accepted:
o cassettes/VHS tapes
o discarded library materials
o materials with excessive writing, marking, or highlighting
o moldly, smelly, or water-damaged materials
o materials missing binding, cover or pages
o medicine, professional, science, and technology materials more than 5 years old
o Readers Digest condensed books
By law, the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials.
Weeding:
An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library director/library manager and is authorized by the Board of Trustees. Withdrawn materials will be handled in a similar manner and under the same authority as donated materials.
Criteria for Weeding
1. The main points considered in the selection of materials for weeding are:
· Record of use- the item has not circulated for a minimum of 5 years (rare books are exempt from this circulation criteria)
· Currency- the subject matter is out of date, factually inaccurate, or no longer relevant to current times; illustrations are outmoded or perpetuate gender, racial, or cultural stereotypes.
· Dispensability- duplicate copies or duplicates no longer needed in the collection.
· Physical Condition- the item is torn, soiled, or worn; pages or parts are missing.
Potential Problems or Challenges:
The West Chazy Dodge Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made based on anticipated approval or disapproval but solely based on the principles stated in this policy.
Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.
Challenged Materials:
Although materials are carefully selected, there can arise differences of opinion regarding suitable materials. Patrons requesting that material be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may write a letter to the library. The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees and will be reviewed under the reconsideration standards outlined below:
Reconsideration policies ask those charged with reviewing a challenged book to set aside their personal beliefs and evaluate the work considering the objective standards outlined in the library’s materials selection policy.
The trustees will bear in mind the principles of the freedom to read and base their decision on these broad principles rather than on defense of individual materials. The freedom to read is essential to our democracy.
When reviewing a challenged book, trustees will:
· Read all materials, including the full text of the material in question and read available reviews.
· Review library mission statement, policies, and professional guides.
· The general acceptance of the materials should be checked by consulting standard evaluation aids and selection policies.
· Challenged materials should not be removed from the collection while under reconsideration.
· Passages or parts should not be pulled out of context. The values and faults should be weighed against each other and the opinions based on the materials as a whole.
· In order to prevent a tie, the library director should recruit an odd number of members for the committee.
· While it may be prudent to state what area/role a committee member represents in the makeup of the committee (ie, teacher, librarian, community member, administration, parent, etc), the personal identification should remain anonymous to protect the objectivity of the deliberation.
· While there may be a need for public comments to be heard, the reconsideration committee meeting should be closed. Public comments can be directed to the director or governing body.
· The committee’s recommendation is to be an objective evaluation of the material within the scope of a library’s collection policy.
· The report, presenting both majority and minority opinions, should be presented to the governing body with a recommendation to retain the material in its original location, to relocate the material to an advisory location, or to remove the material.
· Establish a procedure for communicating the committee’s recommendation to the governing body and to the person who made the formal reconsideration request. For example, the committee communicates its decision to the director, who then communicates the decision to the person who make the challenge as well as to the library’s governing board.
Adopted by the board of trustees in February 2025
THE WEST CHAZY DODGE LIBRARY PURCHASING/PROCUREMENT/PETTY CASH POLICY
Budget and Finance
The West Chazy Dodge Library has a board-approved written budget. This budget is developed annually as a cooperative process between the board’s treasurer, the library director, and the Board of Trustees. Each year, it is determined if the library’s revenues are adequate to meet the needs of the community. If the revenues are not adequate to meet the needs of the community, the board of trustees takes action to increase the library’s revenue.
The West Chazy Dodge Library spends an allocation of its operating budget on materials for patrons. Materials include books, audiovisual materials, periodicals, and fees for automated library services.
On a monthly basis, the library director presents a written report on library operations to the board of trustees. These reports include such areas as library usage, collection development, and programming in addition to any other relevant and pertinent information.
The library maintains adequate records of library operations with the help of a bookkeeper. This record of library operations is presented, by the treasurer, at each board of trustees monthly meeting and clearly indicates the financial position of the library. In addition, this record clearly indicates the current position of each budgetary line item including budgeted amount, receipts, monthly.
Routine Banking Procedures
The treasurer of the West Chazy Dodge Library is authorized to pay bills as approved by the board of trustees.
The library director is not authorized to sign checks or receive cash from library accounts except when the board of trustees authorizes such action.
Purchase policy
Purchases under $100 at the discretion of the Library Director.
Purchases between $100 and $300 the Director must consult the Treasurer. ie. Emergency replacement or repair of furniture, equipment, etc.
Purchases over $300, the Library Director will consult with the board of trustees.
Ethics and Conflict of interest
It is critical that all employees, trustees and officers “maintain high ethical standards of conduct and avoid situations where there is even the appearance of impropriety.” The West Chazy Dodge Library requires notification of potential conflicts of interest of its employees and trustees in procurement. Prohibited interests are avoided. In the event that a conflict or potential conflict of interest is identified, the Board of Trustees will review the situation and take action as appropriate.
Petty Cash policy
Petty Cash fund shall be established for the West Chazy Dodge Library for the purchase of minor expenses for official library business and for which the issuance of a check would be impractical. Incidental expenses allowed through petty cash include registered mail, postage, and emergency supplies the amount of such fund will not exceed $200.00.
The Board of Trustees of the West Chazy Dodge Library shall appoint the Library Director to be the custodian for the library’s petty cash fund, and the Director shall administer and be responsible for the security of the funds and the control of disbursements. To ensure that these funds are properly managed, the following guidelines shall be followed:
· The petty cash fund amount and the maximum amount for individual cash reimbursements will be established by a resolution of the Library Board.
· Receipts and cash-on-hand must always total no more than the authorized fund amount.
· Payments may be made from petty cash for materials, supplies or services requiring immediate payment.
· The library director, or designee, will maintain a log of disbursements from the petty cash fund.
· All disbursements from such funds are to be supported by receipted bills or other evidence documenting the expenditure.
· Cash advances are not allowed. However, mitigating circumstances may arise when the library director may choose to approve the release of petty cash for official library business before the expense has been incurred.
Adopted by the board of trustees in February 2025
Formal part of the meeting ended – board continued on to Director’s assessment.
Bod moved to adjourn – Robin seconded
Meeting adjourned: 5:45 pm
Apr. 11-
Dodge library board meeting 5:01 start –
Norman Taber, Jim Gratton, Rizos, Tory Taber,
March minutes – Norman moved Bob seconded passed –
Treasurer’s report –
Jim passed around the NYS comptroller report – submitted annually
We received our budget of $25,500
Bills paid include:
WB Mason 45
Nyseg 75
Phone 48
Fuel oil 925
Rachel 129
There is a total of $20,239
Norman moved to approve the treasurer’s report– Bob seconded
Passed -
Director’s Report
March was quiet, We hosted 84 patrons.
Tory has been working with the new horizon and the new laptop. She did purchase a subscription for anti-virus software which I think is important for protecting the privacy of our patrons. It will cost $37.79 annually.
The director has checked on the status of our charter. The meeting where it will be approved has not taken place yet. It will take place in April.
Regarding the New York State Construction Grant, the director not think what our library needs would be eligible.
Below is a list of Ineligible Components/requirements . special note to number 7 (below).
Ineligible Components
The following items are ineligible for inclusion in projects that will receive state aid for construction according to 8 NYCRR 90.12:
1. Speculative architectural and engineering plans and feasibility studies
2. Building consultant studies
3. Interest or carrying charges on bonds financing the project
4. Purchase of books and other library materials
5. Repairs incidental to larger construction activities
6. Landscaping that is not a component of an eligible project
7. Routine repair and maintenance
Here is a link to information regarding this grant: https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/construc/guidelines.htm
Here is a link to a spreadsheet outlining grants that have been granted/proposing in the CEF library system in recent years. A few of them include replacing a roof. Perhaps we could consider that, and then fold in repainting the trim/eaves into that project?
https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/construc/NA2125_CEF.pdf
But a new roof presents another obstacle, that of matching funds. We would need to show that we can cover 50% of the projected cost. The possible exception would be if the residents in our service area live at 90% below the poverty rate. My initial searches regarding this have not shown it to be quite that economically challenged.
The director looks forward to your insights on this topic. I cannot easily conceive of how to make our much-needed repairs fit the criteria.
There is a lot of uncertainty about how the recent executive order defunding The Institute of Museums and Library Services will affect us. Tory will pass along any concrete information that I receive.
Tory will be taking some days off between May 19-29. Rachelle Brunelle has agreed to sub for me.
Book suggestions
Fiction
1. “The Writer”, James Patterson $17.10
2. “Wide Dark Shores”, Charlotte Mccohaghy $16.52
3. “A Short Walk Through A Wide World,” Douglas Westerbeke, $16.52
4. “The Bog Wife”, Kay Chronister, $15.96
5. “Strangers in Time,” David Baldacci, $17.10
Nonfiction
6. “Everything is Tuberculosis”, John Green. $15.26
7. “Abundance,” Ezra Klein, $17.10
Young Adult
8. “An Academy For Liar,,” Alexis Anderson, $16.53
9. “Sunrise on the Reaping: A Hunger Games Book,” Suzanne Collins, $15.95
Children’s
10. “Plain Jane and the Mermaid,” Vera Brosgol, $23.39
Total projected cost: $172.13
Bob moved to accept – Norman seconded
Accepted
We will get quotes on items including:
Brickwork repair.
Hand rail
Painting
Board members will contact contractors to get estimates –
Norman will contact farbotko
Bob moved to adjourn – Norman seconded
Meeting adjourned: 5:55 pm
Ice cream social is planned for July 19 (after approval from the remainder of the board).
Summer reading program planned
May – 13
Dodge library board meeting 4:55 start –
Norman Taber, Jim Gratton, Rizos, Tory Taber,
March minutes – Norman moved Bob seconded passed –
Jim moved to approve minutes – Bob seconded
Treasurer’s report –
Jim passed around the NYS comptroller report – submitted annually
We received our budget of $25,500
Bills paid include:
Nyseg 75
Phone 48
B&T 150
There is a total of $17,729
Robin moved to approve the treasurer’s report– Bob seconded
Passed -
Director’s Report
May 2025
Dear board,
April was a quiet month with 94 patrons. We circulated 117 items.
The first few days of May have also been quiet.
Our charter arrived. Our director emailed an acknowledgement of receipt to the Regents office.
The second Show Up book group meeting occurred and went well. There is a third meeting scheduled for June 5. The book they are reading is The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Allende.
Tory is frustrated with our book vendor, Baker & Taylor. In the last year deliveries have gotten progressively more sporadic, with books taking months to be shipped and sometimes cancelled. I called a customer service representative about this a few months ago and was told the publishers were backordered. There are many such complaints from libraries online, but the consensus is that the other vendors are harder to work with. There is one vendor, Ingram, which is reported to be good, but apparently so many libraries are switching to them, they are also backordered.
The last six months of purchase orders from Baker& Taylor, show 48 books ordered and 27 books delivered. As we only get 10 books a month, the 21 books that have been cancelled or backordered is statistically significant. Our patrons want new books and it’s disappointing not to have them. Tory’s temporary suggestion would be to not try to switch vendors at this time, but to cancel the books that are in limbo at Baker & Taylor and buy some of the titles from online bookstores. Our purchasing power will not go as far at Barnes and Nobles for example, but we would have the books in a week, as opposed to waiting indefinitely. We would probably be able to buy 10-12 titles for the same amount of money. We can discuss changing vendors, but that is a longer conversation and I would like to get some books in the meantime.
Norman made a motion for Tory to cancel the backordered books and use the earmarked funds to purchase at her discretion. Bob seconded – Carried
Tory will continue to purchase from Baker and Taylor.
I have two potential art shows. Noah Bonesteel is graduating from SUNY Plattsburgh and will show some of his small paintings and/or prints. We have not set a date yet. He is hoping for late summer or early spring. The is Zoe and or Elizabeth Taber. They have both made art while living and working abroad and it would make an interesting show. There is no concrete date for either show. It would either be July or January.
As spring does seem to be finally here, Bob has once again trimmed the lawn and the weeds. The Dodge is looking lovely with trimmed grass and blooming tulips. Thank you, Bob.
Rachel Brunelle will be running the Dodge from 5/20-5/29. Stop in and say hello.
As discussed in the past Roy Brinker has started an art club that is meeting in the library. They met for the first time last Sunday – They are looking at meeting on a more regular basis –
July 19th Ice cream social
Norman will fix the bottom step.
Book Suggestions
Fiction
1. The Wedding People, Alison Espach, $16.52
2. Great Big Beautiful Life, Emily Henry, $16.53
3. My Friends: A Novel, Fredrik Backman, $17.09
4. The Tenant, Freida McFadden, $ 18.80
Nonfiction
5. Notes to John, Joan Didion, $18.24
6. The Book of Alchemy, Suleika Jaouad, $17.10
7. Eve, Cat Bohannon, $11.25
Children’s
8. Little Blue Truck and Racer Red, Alice Schertle $11.29
9. The Noisy Puddle: A Vernal Pool. Through the Seasons, Linda Booth Sweeney, $10.80
10. Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend, Bob Shea, $15.99
Total projected cost at Baker & Taylor: $154.42
Jim brought up the question of providing games for people to check out –
Tory will talk to CEF as to how that is handled – She will get back to us for discussion next month.
Judy moved to adjourn – Robin seconded
Meeting adjourned: 5:56 pm
Meeting minutes
West Chazy Dodge Library board meeting, June 10, 2025
5 pm – 6 pm
Agenda:
1. Call the meeting to order –
2. Members present
3. Adopt May’s meeting minutes
4. Treasurer’s report – J. Gratton
5. Director’s report
a. Patronage
b. Book club
c. Art club
d. Ice cream social update
e. Election
f. Power bill
g. Book suggestions
6. Old business
7. New business
8. Adjourn
Minutes:
Meeting called to order: 5:05 pm
Members present: Judy Paquette, Norman Taber, Bob Rizos, Robin Brunelle, Library Director: Tory Taber
Motion: Robin moved to accept the May minutes. Bob seconded. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
Jim not in attendance: Budget is on track
Director’s Report
June 2025
Dear board,
June is well and truly here with sunny skies and fast-growing grass! We hosted 101 patrons in May. We circulated 118 items.
As you know, I was not here for 5 days in May. Rachel ran the library expertly in my absence.
Show up has had another book club meeting at the Dodge, bringing in a small number of new patrons (5). There is another meeting on 7/19/25. They are reading. The Women on Platform Two.
Roy Brinker’s art club has met four times now, on Sundays. It has averaged about 5 attendees a week.
The ice cream social is next month! I have applied for the make-your-own sundae kits from Stewart’s Shops. I have asked my friend with the tent if we can borrow it. Any help and attendance from the board is welcomed, but as summer is a busy time, I know it cannot be assumed. Last year we had it from 11:00–3:00, which was probably too long. I suggest 11:00–2:00.
I believe we need to run an election soon. Norman Taber’s term expires in August.
I did cancel all the backordered books from Baker&Taylor. There was total projected cost of $344.58. I have purchased 13 titles for a total of $215. I will submit the invoice to Jim.
I received a call from a representative from American Power and Gas Company. They told me they are the supplier for NYSEG and wanted me to go over our power bill with them. They said they have sent us information regarding rates going up and can do something (?) to alleviate that increase. As I do not have a copy of the bill, or authority to make changes to our accounts, I took the representative’s information and told them we would be in touch.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the meeting on 6/10.
Respectfully submitted,
Tory Taber
Book Suggestions
Fiction
1. Never Flinch, Stephen King, $18.24
2. Hidden Nature, Nora Roberts, $17.10
3. The Perfect Divorce, Jeneva Rose, $17.10
4. Haunt Sweet Home, Sarah Pisker, $11.96
5. The Women on Platform Two, $16.52
6. Margot’s Got Money Troubles, Rufi Thorpe, $15.96
Nonfiction
7. The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, Rick Atkinson, $23.94
8. The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing, Adam Moss, $22.94
9. Get the Picture, Bianca Bosker $26.23
Children’s
10. Eleanor Amplified, John Sheehan, $13.53 (patron request)
Total projected cost: $181.17
Ice cream social will be July 19th, 11 am – 1 pm
Norman is up for reelection. He will start getting signatures. Election will be on August 12.
Robin will ask potential poll watchers about their availability.
Tory will provide Jim with information from an outside power provider regarding NYSEG bill
Motion: Judy moved to accept the book suggestions in the Director’s Report. Bob seconded. Motion unanimously passed.
New Business:
Bob relayed from Jim: A mason, Nick Woodly has been contacted. He will be providing a quote.
Tory would like to take Saturday, June 14, off for a family event, and cannot find an available substitute. She asked if anyone on the board had a possible candidate.
Motion: Norman motioned to adjourn. Robin seconded.
Meeting adjourned: 5:45 pm.
Meeting minutes
West Chazy Dodge Library board meeting, July 8, 2025
5 pm – 6 pm
Agenda:
1. Call the meeting to order –
2. Members present
3. Adopt June’s meeting minutes
4. Treasurer’s report – J. Gratton
a. Proposed Budget 2026
5. Director’s report
a. Patronage
b. Art club
c. Ice cream social update
e. Election
f. Book suggestions
g. Thanks
6. Old business
7. New business
8. Adjourn
Minutes:
Meeting Called to order: 5:00pm
Members present: Judy Paquette, Jim Gratton, Bob Rizos, Robin Brunelle, and library director: Tory Taber
Motion: Bob motioned to accept the June minutes without revisions. Robin seconded. Motion unanimously passed.
Treasurer’s Report:
Paid:
Baker&Taylor: $159
Step repair: $34.32
Computer security: $37.79
Books from amazon: $215.51
Book protectors: $62.01
Rachel Brunelle: $604.50
Library Director: $1126.44
Phone: $47.67
Total expenditures: $2287.55
Checking balance: $14,000
Proposed Budget
Taxes: $26,000
CEF: $1500
Grants: $ 1500
Library Director: $20200
Collection additions: $2400
Building maintenance/insurance: $4150
Supplies/telephone/internet: $2250
Jim asked for someone to be the secondary responsible party for the arrow bank CD and official contact for TD Bank. Robin agreed to do it.
Director’s report
Dear board,
June was quiet and pleasant at the Dodge. We hosted 101 patrons (somehow, the same patron count as last month) and circulated 116 items.
Roy Brinker has been holding the art club on Sunday afternoons, bringing in an average of 4 people a week.
The Ice Cream Social is coming up! I have been advertising on Instagram and facebook. I have also been inviting patrons who come into the library. I have some color flyers printed out if any board members would like to take a few to distribute -- we might get a few more attendees. I have not heard back from Stewart’s yet regarding the donation. I will wait another few days and then give them a call.
I know Norman is collecting signatures on his petition for reelection. We can talk more about the election at the meeting. Has Robin heard back from our prospective poll watchers?
Thanks to Bob for continuing to keep the grass and weeds at bay. Thanks to Norman for his graphic design for the summer reading program and the Ice Cream Social. Thanks to Norman and Bob for working on the step repair. And thanks to Robin and Judy for filling in for me on 6/14 so I could attend a family reunion. I appreciate all of it so much.
Book suggestions below.
Respectfully submitted,
Tory Taber
Addendum:
Stewarts has granted our request for two build-your-own sundae kits! They need to be picked up the morning of the 19th.
I ordered more ink for the color printer from W.B. Mason. It is very expensive, the total was over $80, but I believe it will last about a year. We don’t have a price for patrons printing in color, it doesn’t happen often, but occasionally. Other libraries charge 15 – 25 cents for a black and white copy: we charge 10 cents, and I usually give folks the first 10 copies free. Other libraries charge $1 for a color copy. I think with the cost of the ink, we should consider implementing a price for color copies.
I have given out 7 sign-up sheets for our summer reading program. We have 9 coupons, so there is no immediate need to get more.
Book Suggestions
1. “The Other Side of Now,” Paige Harbison, $16.36, patron request
2. “Emperor of Gladness,” Ocean Vuong, $17.99, patron request
3. “Don’t Let Him In,” Lisa Jewel, $17.09
4. “The Cemetery of Untold Stories,” Julia Alvarez, $15.96
5. “Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil,” V. E. Schwab, $17.09
6. “The Island of Missing Trees: A Novel,” Elif Shafak, $17.57
Nonfiction
7. “The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot,” Robert Macfarlane, $18.50
Children’s
8. “Nobody Hugs a Cactus,” Carter Goodrich, $15.99
9. “The Monarch: Honeybee and Friends,” Kristen Hall, $15.99
10. “Best in Show,” David Elliot, $15.99
Total estimated cost: $167.81
Tory suggested that the board implement a policy of charging $1 for color copies.
Motion: Bob moved. Judy seconded.
Motion amended: Robin suggested 25 cents for each black and white copy. Bob moved. Judy seconded. Motion carried.
Motion: Bob moved to accept the book suggestions in the Director’s Report. Robin seconded. Motion unanimously passed.
Ice cream social duties were confirmed.
Bob will pick up ice cream, ice and bring a table, cooler, and garbage can.
Robin will chill water and bring in a cooler. Additionally, she will bring a small. Picnic table and lawn games.
Judy will bring two tables and balloon animals.
Tory will pick up the tent, balloons, create a craft, put up a sign.
Bob, Judy, Norm will attend. Jim will attend if he can.
Robin showed a banner printed by a local business: Status Design Shop (https://statusdesignshop.com). The banner was donated to the West Chazy Cemetery. She suggested we get some banners printed for library events such as elections and art shows.
Old business:
Bob called Thomas Malinack Masonry and has not heard back.
Motion: Bob motioned to adjourn at 5:51. Judy seconded. Meeting adjourned.
Aug 12
Dodge library board meeting 5:00 start –
Norman Taber, Jim Gratton, Judy Paquette,
March minutes – Norman moved Bob seconded passed –
Judy moved to approve minutes – Jim seconded
Treasurer’s report –
After paying bills – including an un-usually high electric bill, we have $12,600
Norman moved to approve the treasurer’s report– Judy seconded
Passed -
With a total of 16 votes cast Norman Taber won election to the board for a three year term.
Judy will drop off the vote certification at the Chazy Town Hall
Director’s Report as follows:
July 2025
The dodge had a lively July. We hosted 198 patrons and circulated 172 items. The patron count was boosted by the ice cream social and an art show.
The ice cream social was fun! Many thanks to the board members for all their help. It truly takes everyone pitching in to pull this off. Regrettably, we didn’t have too many non-trustee/employee/family members attend. And while we had a lovely party, I think we need to have a conversation about whether there is enough community interest to continue. I know that many people were traveling on the 19th. Perhaps we could try holding it on a weekday evening, rather than on a Saturday? Or, we could take a year off. Or, we could just keep going but only request one build-your-own-sundae kit, rather than two.
The pop-up art show for my daughters, Zoe and Elizabeth, was lovely, and well-attended. I have already had two people stop by to see the show during regular library hours, so it is bringing in additional patrons.
On July 22, I had a visit from Anne Jobin-Picard, our liaison from CEFLS. She took a copy of our charter back with her to keep on file. She said that CEFLS is exploring ways for libraries to fold their elections into the local school budget/board elections. I told her that we are a special district with an unusual situation, that we probably couldn’t have a line on the Beekmantown budget, because most of those voters would not be eligible to vote on ours. She agreed that it was probably untenable.
And our next election is on 8/12. Rachel Brunelle and Christina Parker are our experienced poll watchers. As I messaged earlier, I will not be at work that day. My daughter, Elizabeth, is subbing for me. There is a board meeting scheduled that day, and I understood that the board would oversee the count and deliver the results to the town office the next day. Two trustees are not going to be attending, so it will be the candidate, Norm, and Judy and Jim attending.
Norman cannot oversee or deliver the results, for obvious reasons, and if Judy or Jim are not available for some reason, perhaps we would need to pay one of the poll watchers to take the results to the town office? I am sure it will work out, but I am sorry to not be here.
And finally, I have a friend who is a musician, who is interested in doing a pop-up concert at the dodge. She was part of a musical duo who performed here years ago, when Larry Hann was the director. So, she is excited about revisiting our little space. I will report more details soon.
Respectfully submitted,
Tory Taber
Book suggestions
Fiction
1. Atmosphere, Taylor Jennings, $17.10
2. Not Quite Dead Yet, Holly Jackson $15.96
3. The Magician of Tiger Castle, Louis Sachar, $17.10
4. The Other Side of Now, Sarah Perry, $16.53 patron request
Nonfiction
5. The Idaho Four, James Patterson and Vicky Ward, $15.83
6. A Marriage at Sea, Sophie Elmhirst $15.96
7. By the Fire we Carry, the Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land, Rebecca Nagle $18.24
8. The Secret Lives of Color, Cassia St. Clair $21.28
Children’s
9. The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants, Philip Bunting, $7.20
10. When You Find the Right Rock, Mary Lynn Ray, $15.36
Total projected cost: $180.99
The Patron count was good and reflects attendance at the opening
Ice cream social – should we have another time? We will discuss when the entire board.
The board expressed its excitement about concert – Tory will send more information as it becomes available.
Book list approved by Norman – Jim seconded
Passed –
Norman moves to adjourn – 5:30pm
October 21 – 5:08
Members present: Jim, Norman, Judy, Robin, Tory
Minutes accepted – pending…
Treasurer’s report –
Jim:
3,100 in bills expenses including:
W.B.Mason 110
Electric 60
Phone 48
Irs 668
NY 102
Rachel 256
Check 45
Oil 334
B&T 108
PAYROLL. 1289
BALANCE $8,054
Norman moved to accept – judy seconded – passed
Director’s Report
October 2025
The Dodge hosted 99 patrons in September. We circulated 122 items. It was a quiet month, but I did give have a few new patrons come in for library cards!
Tory received an email from CEFLS stating that Baker and Taylor, our current book vendor, is likely to shut down completely by the beginning of 2026. The cancelled orders and delayed shipping times we have been experiencing make sense now.
Below are a few other alternative vendors that libraries are exploring, along with any notes they’ve provided:
Penworthy for children's materials (orders currently shipping next day)
Ingram (mixed reports about taking new accounts and some expressed disappointment in fulfillment rates, packing lists, and invoices)
Follett (materials for youth)
Alibris (for replacements)
This email. came along with a request for more feedback from member libraries. There has not been much response yet, but perhaps Tory will have more to report when the board meets on the 21st.
Tory had been operating on our soft solution of ordering from Baker and Taylor and then supplementing with Amazon when they cancelled my orders.
CEFLS has received a grant which will enable libraries to host a fully-funded painting class with a local painting instructor – think paint-and-sip without the sip. Tory said the Dodge would hold one, though, as always, I cannot guarantee attendance. Tory is looking to schedule it in the spring and waiting to hear back about scheduling.
There is a system-wide library crawl going on for the entire month. People get their “passport” stamped at each library they visit. There is also a scavenger hunt component, with a question that can be answered by visiting in person. Our question is simple, “When was the library built?” The answer is in plain sight when you enter.
Craig Trombley has responded about snow removal, We currently have no one.
The Director states that she will not be at the library on 10/11 or 10/14. Rachel will be here running the Dodge like a pro.
Tory has one patron request for a book.
New graffiti on bricks at library – Tory would like to ask the police to patrol and add new batteries to the cameras.
Respectfully submitted,
Tory Taber
Book Suggestion
Fiction
1. Bad Juliet, Giles Blunt, patron request
2. Twice, Mitch Albom, patron request
3. The Intruder, Frieda McFadden
4. Alchemised, Sen Lin Yu
Nonfiction
5. After Midnight: Thirteen Tales for the Dark, Daphne du Maurier, patron request
6. The Gales of November, John U. Bacon
7. The Land of Sweet Forever: Stories and Essays, Harper Lee
Young Adult
8. Hecate, Nikita Gill
Children’s
9. What Can a Mess Make?, Bee Johnson
10. While We Wait, Bee Johnson
Robin will ask an acquaintance about snow removal, so will Jim, so will Tory.
Robin moved to accept book list, Jim seconded -
Book list is approved unanimously.
Jim and Robin are going to the bank to make Robin a bank co-signer.
Robin moved to adjourn – Jim seconded
Meeting adjourned at 5:55
Road, West Chazy, NY 12992
58-49
Nov. 11 – 5:08
Members present: Jim, Norman, Judy, Robin, Bob, Tory
Minutes accepted – Bob moved to accept - Robin
Treasurer’s report –
Jim:
Bills/expenses including:
MX Fuels: 334
Director 1126
WB Mason 41
B&T 108
Phone 47
Electric 60
IRS 668
Unemployment 91
Balance – $6,617
Robin now can sign checks
Norman moved to accept – Judy seconded – passed
Director’s Report
November 2025
We hosted 104 patrons. We circulated 132 items.
There was a system-wide library crawl going on for the month of October. People got their “passport” stamped at each library they visited. It brought us about 10 patrons. Some tried to go to all 30 CEFLS libraries which must have taken some time and planning.
Tory is still working on scheduling the grant-funded painting. It will be a free event. Tory waiting to hear back from the instructor. I am looking to schedule it in the spring.
Tory called the company Bob had scouted to ask about snow removal. They do not do snow removal this far from Plattsburgh. She asked Christine Ashley to ask around the congregation of the community church for any prospects, but has heard nothing back.
To better meet the needs of patrons using the library, The director would like to suggest purchasing a few things, perhaps after the annual tax check arrives? The first is an under sink hot-water heater. In 2018, we installed a small on-demand hot water heater in the basement that did not last very long. But for the comfort of our patrons, particularly parents washing the hands of their children, Tory thinks we should try again. The least expensive one I can find is at Lowes for around $120. But perhaps we could consider a slightly higher-end model in the hopes that it will last?
Bob moved that we authorize up to $250.00, purchase of books will be skipped this month in order to divert the funds– Judy seconded. Passed.
I would also like to get a wall-mounted changing table for the bathroom. I have a few families with infants/toddlers that would appreciate this feature. They are very expensive. The least expensive one I can find is once again from Lowes, for $150.
There has not been a clear recommendation from CEFLS about the best replacement for Baker & Taylor. The book suggestions below are amazon prices, which are comparable to B&T, but do not come shelf-ready. I am working on the tax-exempt application which will allow us to try one of the other vendors.
Fullit?
Finally, Tory has a few PTO hours left to use by the end of the year. Rachel is covering for me on 12/27 and 12/30 when her kids will be in town. (Half of these hours are my remaining PTO, the other will be unpaid.)
Respectfully submitted,
Tory Taber
Book purchases on hold:
Robin moved adjourn to Judy – Bob seconded
Meeting adjourned at 5:58
Dec. 9 – 5:05
Members present: Jim, Norman, Judy, Bob, Tory
Minutes accepted – Bob moved to accept – Jim seconded
Treasurer’s report –
Jim:
Bills/expenses including:
MX Fuels: +334 (double payment)
Director 1200
Phone 48
Electric 76
Balance – $4,847
Judy moved to accept – Norman seconded – passed
Director’s Report
The Dodge hosted 81 patrons in November. The number is a bit low, but we were closed for Thanksgiving. We circulated 92 items. Additionally, there were 24 Libby (digital) checkouts.
Tory has been working on the paperwork to become tax exempt. It is more straightforward than it original appeared. Jim provided a federal determination letter 501(c)(3). We need a trustee to put their name on the application and to sign it and I think we will be good to submit it.
Norman has been researching water heaters. That has not been as straightforward as I had anticipated. The existing, non-functioning one is an outdated model. He has been struggling to find one that will fit in the space with the fewest complications. It has to do with voltage, and he can fill you in at the meeting.
Norman is working on this but- maybe Mr. Electric
We have a date for the grant-funded painting program: 1/22/26 at 5:30. Tory will need to stay late that day to attend/participate.
Tory has made a schedule for the upcoming board meetings – Bob has approve Norman seconded.
Book Suggestions (repeat of last month)
Fiction
1. The Academy, Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham, $20.58
2. One December Morning, Emma Davies, $9.99
3. The House Saphir, Marissa Meyer, $14.95
Nonfiction,
4. Nobody’s Girl, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, $31.36
5. Strong Ground, Brene Brown, $21.00
Children’s
6. A World Full of Winter Stories: 50 Folk Tales and Legends from Around the World, Angela McAllister, $15.47
7. Bright Winter Night, Alli Brydon, $8.38
8. Mushroom Rain, Laura Zimmermann, $14.24
9. The Witch in the Tower, Julia Sardia, $19.99
10. Your Forest, Jon Klassen, $7.00
Total cost: $162.96
Bob moved to accept – Just seconded (Book list).
Board entered into executive council -
Meeting adjourned at 5:55
Aug 12
Dodge library board meeting 5:00 start –
Norman Taber, Jim Gratton, Judy Paquette,
March minutes – Norman moved Bob seconded passed –
Judy moved to approve minutes – Jim seconded
Treasurer’s report –
After paying bills – including an un-usually high electric bill, we have $12,600
Norman moved to approve the treasurer’s report– Judy seconded
Passed -
With a total of 16 votes cast Norman Taber won election to the board for a three year term.
Judy will drop off the vote certification at the Chazy Town Hall
Director’s Report as follows:
July 2025
The dodge had a lively July. We hosted 198 patrons and circulated 172 items. The patron count was boosted by the ice cream social and an art show.
The ice cream social was fun! Many thanks to the board members for all their help. It truly takes everyone pitching in to pull this off. Regrettably, we didn’t have too many non-trustee/employee/family members attend. And while we had a lovely party, I think we need to have a conversation about whether there is enough community interest to continue. I know that many people were traveling on the 19th. Perhaps we could try holding it on a weekday evening, rather than on a Saturday? Or, we could take a year off. Or, we could just keep going but only request one build-your-own-sundae kit, rather than two.
The pop-up art show for my daughters, Zoe and Elizabeth, was lovely, and well-attended. I have already had two people stop by to see the show during regular library hours, so it is bringing in additional patrons.
On July 22, I had a visit from Anne Jobin-Picard, our liaison from CEFLS. She took a copy of our charter back with her to keep on file. She said that CEFLS is exploring ways for libraries to fold their elections into the local school budget/board elections. I told her that we are a special district with an unusual situation, that we probably couldn’t have a line on the Beekmantown budget, because most of those voters would not be eligible to vote on ours. She agreed that it was probably untenable.
And our next election is on 8/12. Rachel Brunelle and Christina Parker are our experienced poll watchers. As I messaged earlier, I will not be at work that day. My daughter, Elizabeth, is subbing for me. There is a board meeting scheduled that day, and I understood that the board would oversee the count and deliver the results to the town office the next day. Two trustees are not going to be attending, so it will be the candidate, Norm, and Judy and Jim attending.
Norman cannot oversee or deliver the results, for obvious reasons, and if Judy or Jim are not available for some reason, perhaps we would need to pay one of the poll watchers to take the results to the town office? I am sure it will work out, but I am sorry to not be here.
And finally, I have a friend who is a musician, who is interested in doing a pop-up concert at the dodge. She was part of a musical duo who performed here years ago, when Larry Hann was the director. So, she is excited about revisiting our little space. I will report more details soon.
Respectfully submitted,
Tory Taber
Book suggestions
Fiction
1. Atmosphere, Taylor Jennings, $17.10
2. Not Quite Dead Yet, Holly Jackson $15.96
3. The Magician of Tiger Castle, Louis Sachar, $17.10
4. The Other Side of Now, Sarah Perry, $16.53 patron request
Nonfiction
5. The Idaho Four, James Patterson and Vicky Ward, $15.83
6. A Marriage at Sea, Sophie Elmhirst $15.96
7. By the Fire we Carry, the Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land, Rebecca Nagle $18.24
8. The Secret Lives of Color, Cassia St. Clair $21.28
Children’s
9. The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants, Philip Bunting, $7.20
10. When You Find the Right Rock, Mary Lynn Ray, $15.36
Total projected cost: $180.99
The Patron count was good and reflects attendance at the opening
Ice cream social – should we have another time? We will discuss when the entire board.
The board expressed its excitement about concert – Tory will send more information as it becomes available.
Book list approved by Norman – Jim seconded
Passed –
Norman moves to adjourn – 5:30pm