Library Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda

Exhibit I.a. - Prepaid Expenses

Exhibit I.b. - October Warrants

Exhibit II - Budget Report

Exhibit III. - Income Report

Bank Balances

• Money Market: $4,831,372.33
• General Checking: $202,975.28
• Special Fund: $3,010.46
• Total: $5,037,358.07
• Disbursements 10/13/2026: $175,515.35

Balance $4,861,842.72

Exhibit IV.a. - Director’s Report

Staff Development Day

Many thanks to the team involved in the planning and execution of the annual September Staff Development Day. Special thanks to Trustees Heather Crocker and Jean Fei who were able to join us for the morning sessions before we split into a variety of afternoon wellness activities.

Highlights of the morning included

• Hearing from Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner about the many services which fall under the auspices of the County Clerk, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, the County Historian, and the registration, storage and accessibility of multiple types of public documents.
• A Narcan refresher training from representatives from the Saratoga County Department of Health.
• A presentation about Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park.
• An informative presentation about early literacy “decodable” books by Children’s Librarian Kristine Schultz, that she first presented as her capstone project for the NYLA Leadership program.

SaratogaREADS!

The votes are in, and the 2027 SaratogaREADS! selection is The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. Librarians will soon be busy planning a winter’s-worth of discussions, programs, and events inspired by the book’s themes.

Saratoga Book Festival

According to a communication from the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library, this year’s Saratoga Book Festival set records for attendance. The message continued:

“The weekend opened with a ticketed evening featuring Eric Idle at Universal Preservation Hall, and the energy from that night carried straight through to Sunday. The Night Market and KidZone were the largest we have ever hosted, with almost 100 local authors & vendors and almost 1,000 people in attendance. Across 25 sessions (panels, interviews, and workshops), readers got to sit with authors in real conversation, ask the questions they’d always wanted to ask, and leave with new favorite books! “

Positive Peace Conversation: The Free Flow of Information

A small but engaged group of community members joined my September 22 Positive Peace Conversation program about the Free Flow of Information. Members of the CNY Rotary Peace Team from Ithaca, Sidney, Verona, and Albany helped to facilitate discussions about sources of information, recognizing biases individuals bring to their understanding of news, and generational differences in information consumption habits. This program was presented to coincide with Saratoga Peace Week activities, in partnership with the Library and the Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs.

Respectfully submitted by A. Issac Pulver, Library Director

Exhibit IV.b. - Assistant Director Report

Staff Development Day

Approximately 60 employees attended Staff Development Day. We appreciated that Craig Hayner, Saratoga County Clerk, Charles Foehser, First Deputy County Clerk and Betsy DeMars, Communications Director were able to take time out of their morning to inform us about all of the services the Clerk’s office provides. Their presentation was followed by the County Health Department’s Narcan training which continues to be needed in our environs as a life saving measure for our patrons and those who are visiting. Kristine Schultz was able to provide insight on how programs, collections and services align with current research by talking about our Decodable Book Collection. After lunch staff met with their teams before heading to their wellness activities.

Photo Gallery

Photos: October 13, 2026 - Regular Meeting

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County Clerk

Craig Hayner

Narcan Training

Computer Clerks and Friends

Wilton Wildlife Preserve

The Cornell Hill Fire Tower

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Exhibit IV.c. - IT Group Monthly Report

September Door Count - 20,762

September Website Hit - 30,116
Asking Brendon if there was anything that may have caused the 20% increase from last months website hits or if he saw where the hits fell. He mentioned that NYT access had stopped for a bit when they changed their access method. He also mentioned it could be new AI type bots we can’t filter as bots. Currently the most hits are the main page, then, the NYT All Access page and it double this month from last month, we are looking closer at that statistic.

New Board Report Format - 1 Month Later

We made it. The first version of our Trustees meeting re-envisioning, was a success. We powered through, we copied and pasted, we typed and deleted, laughed cried and cursed but as we humans do we persevered and concluded that it was no biggie. The new accessible version of the seemed to have been well liked by the multitudes for we have received no negative reports, and as you know no news it good news. Additionally, our new table configuration did seem to help greatly increase the audio quality from the July meeting. I would recommend continuing on with that table orientation to continue to provide acceptable audio quality for our recordings, at least until a alternate technological solution is found.

Website wise, we are moving on to shore up the Staff site. Its core is getting an update to allow for newer content and security updates to integrate. The look and feel of the site will remain mostly the same with some repairs that were made along the way and where the updates allow for updating things that had been stalled. Tied to the website, we will be releaseing our revambed tally system used in collection of questions asked and answers for our referce desk interactions. its similare setup but built by Brendon on a moden platform with easier setup and configuration options.

The Consortium

LEAP/Polaris had an update this month and we had some trouble spawn from this. There was an Issue with LEAP and the browser Firefox, changing Statistical Class some patrons to no-value, booting them from their access to Libby. Additionally the new catalog updates were keeping patrons from seeing items on hold properly as well as holds pickup locations stuck using leap. Trevor handled the interactions with the new SALS Manager Jessie, and the issues are getting corrected.

HotSpots

A quick note about our hotspots… as of the first of October all but 1 were in circulation, so there is still seemingly a need/want from our patrons. They have a two week loan period which tries to account for week-long trips and time to return the item. Also for someone just using it for home internet for whatever reason having two weeks is a stablizing feature.

Exhibit IV.d. - Human Resources Report - September 2026

Resignation

• Ann Passinault, Principal Library Clerk, Access & Outreach Services, (F/T), effective October 10, 2026.

Hiring

• Cleaner, Operations (P/T) - currently assessing applications and scheduling interviews.

Retiree Medicare Advantage Plan Renewal

We recently received the renewal information for our MVP Medicare Advantage Plan, which reflects a 9.5% premium increase for the upcoming year. Ike and I will be meeting to review the renewal and discuss whether it makes sense to remain with MVP or explore other plan options for 2027.

Exhibit V.a. - Access and Outreach Services

Circulation and Technical Services

Circulation and Technical Services had another busy month in September, even with the expected drop in circulation as summer winds down. Staff continued assisting patrons at the service desks while handling the behind-the-scenes work that keeps materials moving throughout the library and our consortium.

There were 34,059 physical and digital (Libby) checkouts in September, including 27,730 physical items, 3,816 eBooks, and 4,504 eAudiobooks through Libby, Hoopla, and Comics Plus. Patrons also accessed 468 streaming videos, 30 streaming music titles, and 2,829 digital magazines through Kanopy, Hoopla, and Libby. Overall circulation was down from August’s 37,865 checkouts, while digital use remained steady.

Holds continued to generate a significant amount of activity. Staff filled 4,475 holds in September, slightly more than the 4,431 filled in August. This included 2,999 items received from other libraries for local patrons and 2,323 items pulled from our shelves and sent to other libraries. Each hold represents a fair amount of behind-the-scenes work as materials are pulled, processed, crated, and moved between libraries.

Staff also processed 246 new library card applications and issued 121 parking permits. Technical Services added 1,293 new physical items to the collection and withdrew 667 items, keeping the collection current while making effective use of available shelf space.

September’s numbers show that circulation is only part of the department’s workload. Even as checkouts declined from the summer, thousands of materials continued moving between libraries, more than 4,400 holds were filled, new patron accounts were created, and more than 1,200 new physical items were added to the collection.

Outreach Services

Senior Services, Persons-at-Home (Sarah Derven)

Throughout September, Sarah Derven continued bringing the library directly to seniors and individuals who may have difficulty accessing library services on their own. She visited 13 outreach sites, served 212 patrons, and loaned 703 library items.

Sarah also made 66 phone calls, selected and placed 326 items on hold, renewed 153 items, and visited 10 individuals to deliver materials. She led four Memory Care Writing Groups, providing participants with an opportunity for creativity and social connection in a setting where a traditional library visit may not be possible.

Sarah also completed training and certification to become a Chair One Fitness instructor. She is now developing her first chair dance class, selecting music and learning choreography with the goal of bringing the program to her senior patrons.

Community Events, Partnerships, Mobile Library (Jennifer Ogrodowski)

Jennifer Ogrodowski continued to bring the library into the community through the mobile library, local events, programs, and partnerships. September activities included the Saratoga and Greenfield Farmers Markets, Summer Meals Van Visits, the Shelters of Saratoga and Her Story book groups, Wesley Craft Day, the Town of Greenfield Garage Sale, and a table at the Mexican Consulate visit to the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church.

Jennifer made 12 mobile library stops, reached 230 attendees, loaned 56 library items, and processed 35 returns.

A highlight of the month was Wesley Craft Day, where residents made miniature fall topiary trees to decorate their rooms. The hands-on activity provided an opportunity for creativity and conversation while giving residents something they could take with them.

Adult Literacy and English Language Learning (Mary Ann Rockwell)

September marked the beginning of the fall semester for the Adult Literacy and English Language Learning program. Classes began September 14, with an in-person beginning-level class, an online beginning-level class, and a hybrid intermediate and conversation class. Attendance has been good, and two students who had not participated since before the COVID-19 pandemic returned to the program.

The program also welcomed a new Adult Basic Education student who has shown strong motivation to learn. Volunteer instructor, Mike Gormley, may eventually take over working with this student after completing a ProLiteracy course focused on teaching reading.

Mary Ann also participated in the Mexican Consulate visit sponsored by Lifeworks, staffing the event on September 22 while Jennifer participated on September 23 and 24. Lifeworks reported that approximately 350 people received services. Mary Ann made several potentially valuable connections with local organizations and service providers that could help introduce the library’s literacy and English-language services to additional learners.

Mary Ann’s online Poetry Café focused on poems about work and workers, with two regular participants and one new participant. Mary Ann also completed a Center for Applied Linguistics course on scaffolding in the classroom, which she found valuable and which will provide additional tools for working with learners at different levels. “Scaffolding in the classroom” is an instructional approach in which a teacher provides temporary, structured support to help learners accomplish tasks they could not yet complete independently, gradually reducing that support as their skills and confidence grow.

Getting Spooky at Saratoga Book Festival 2026

Photo Gallery

Photos: October 13, 2026 - Regular Meeting

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Attendee-Made Saratoga Book Festival Horror Panel Sticker

Attendee-made promotional sticker for the Saratoga Book Festival horror panel.

Saratoga Book Festival Horror Panel

The Saratoga Book Festival horror panelists and moderator following the event.

Horror Authors Signing Books at the Saratoga Book Festival

Authors sign books for attendees following the Saratoga Book Festival horror panel.

Saratoga Book Festival Horror Panelist Paul Tremblay

Paul Tremblay discusses horror fiction during the Saratoga Book Festival.

The Last House on Earth / Death Walks South Boston Book Bracelet

An attendee-made beaded book-title bracelet worn at the Saratoga Book Festival. Each author received one.

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The Friends of the Saratoga springs Public Library Saratoga Book Festival 2026 is “in the books!” Trevor had the opportunity to moderate a panel of horror authors again this year, that included Paul Tremblay, ClayMcleod Chapman, Saratoga Schaefer, and Christoph Paul. Each author was celebrating recent book releases, and we explored a variety of themes appearing in their books. The crowd of about 70 people seemed to enjoy themselves, as did the authors, and it showed at the book sales & signing line that followed the presentation. Trevor’s thanks goes out to the participating authors, the attendees (especially the one who made the horror panel stickers and bracelets to give the authors), and to the Friends for their continued commitment to showcasing horror and other genre fiction at Saratoga Book Festivals!

Respectfully submitted by Trevor Oakley, Head of Access and Outreach Services

Exhibit V.b. - Youth Services Report- September 2026

Programming and Outreach

Teen Programs: 6

Teen Program Attendance: 90

Teen Room Attendance: 232

Teen volunteer hours: 82

Kids Programs: 42

Kids Program attendance: 520

Fall story times were eagerly embraced by families. There continues to be many new babies to the library who are looking for community and learning. In efforts to try new things, Baby Music has moved to an afternoon slot, and Sensory Adaptive Story Time (ages 2-5) has been added to Thursday morning. Kate shared a wonderful story- a caregiver from Music and Movement asked if Kate could share her playlists so they could practice at home, since her child is learning English. As expected, Kate was so happy to provide it.

Afterschool programming has returned. It often takes a little while for families to get settled into their new routines and get back to the library. Alex is offering the new Pokémon club once a month as well as regularly scheduled gaming meet ups. Kate has rebranded Neurodiversity Club to the Steam Scene as well as bringing back her popular Minecraft programs and Sensory Play. Laura has all of the therapy dogs ready to read. Kristine is resuming Bookmark Bunch and Chess club. Staff did some thoughtful examination of when registration is helpful and when it creates a barrier to programming and have tried to be as welcoming to the community as possible.

Photo Gallery

Photos: October 13, 2026 - Regular Meeting

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Librarians in a school bus

Glow Party

Mario Kart

Story time

Toy Mail Box

Letter Carrier Henry

Dress Up Station

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Updates and Projects

Using some of the funds from the Nolan Memorial Gift we purchased new seating for the Crawshaw Room. This seating is ergonomic with a bounce to be more supportive and still sensory friendly. Both smaller and larger sizes were purchased to meet the needs of the room users. Additionally new play equipment was purchased for the Treehouse Room. This included a dress up station to encourage imaginative play and vocabulary. One of the community helper costumes is a letter carrier in memory of Shawn Nolan, and the children can deliver mail to the librarians at the desk and back to the Treehouse Room. Gina updated the signage in the space- there is a nice clear poster on the wall with behavior expectations, and the bulletin board has alphabet tips to help families incorporate phonics into their play.

The Teens were back in the Teen Room on the first day of school. While summer is usually a bit of a slump, its great to see them back. Many new faces this year; several of whom saw AnnaRae at her spring outreach. AnnaRae also reports that a record number of students have joined the Teen Advisory Board and want to volunteer this fall. While we dislike turning away teens, we simply do not have enough work to take every volunteer that is looking for a placement and still provide a quality experience.

Collections and Display

Kid’s displays included: Back to school, Birds, Biographies, Library Books, Low-circing non-fiction, Peace Week, American Adventures, J fic mysteries and author spotlights on Rosemary Wells and Nancy Tafuri.

Teen displays included: Booked and Busy, Its Giving Autumn, and Bad Vibes Only.

As always, YS staff start looking at weeding projects in the fall- if books weren’t borrowed in the summer, it’s time to examine their tenure at the library.

CE

Kristine, Kate and AnnaRae attended the ALSC conference in Buffalo.

15 YS staffers attended Staff Development Day. It was a great day to learn and be together.

Kate attended a NYLA CE Committee meeting and will be moving to her new role as NYLA YSS Secretary.

What we’re reading

Kristine is reading Chernobyl, Life and Other Disasters by Yevgenia Nayberg

Alex is reading The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie

Kate is reading Storm Singer by Sarwat Chadda

Sunflowers and Lavender by Maisy Valais

_____________________

Respectfully submitted by Catherine Brenner

Exhibit V.c. - Adult Services - September 2026

Service Stats

• Reference Interactions Total: 3411
• Interlibrary Loans: 17
• Notary Appointments: 17

Digital Resources

Programs

Interesting Additions

• Read to Recovery is currently very low on funds and inventory. Between August – September, Emily and Mary submitted four grant applications totaling $8,000. We should be hearing back between October – November. Fingers crossed 🤞Since the launch in May 2024, we have distributed nearly 1,800 books!
• Kali made sure the library displayed voter registration materials sent over from the Saratoga County Leage of Women’s Voters. She also went through Election Inspector Training at the Saratoga County Board of Elections!
• Between 6/1/2026-9/23/2026 Barney distributed 389 Narcan Kits and 1,244 Fentanyl Test Strips.
• A serial killer’s ashes were in the Dutcher room. See pics below.
• Believe it or not, it’s already time to think about the next tax season. Katie has put in the order for federal tax forms in English and Spanish. She also ordered quarter sheet pamphlets that show people how to file for free online. This will all compliment the in-person tax help that we are doing with the NYS tax department this upcoming year.
• The seed library is on hiatus from Labor Day until March.
• Farm2Library continues going smoothly, great large deliveries these last few weeks. Very positive feedback so far from folks taking food.

Photo Gallery

Photos: October 13, 2026 - Regular Meeting

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Book Club is my Alibi

Ashes of serial killer in Dutcher room

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What We’re Reading

• Emily is reading Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
  Synopsis: A creepy, charming monster-slaying fantasy romance from the perspective of the monster
  
  
• Katie is reading The Shining by Stephen King
  Synopsis: Jack Torrance is the new caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, and he’s hoping that his family can start a fresh, new chapter here. However, the hotel’s secrets will test them, especially five-year-old Danny.
  
  
• Jamie is reading Song of the Navigator by Astrid Amara
  Synopsis: My favorite book I have read in 2026! This LGBTQ+ Sci-Fi title was a finalist for the 2016 Rainbow Award. It was stunning, and the audiobook was fantastic.
  
  
• Rebecca is reading A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
  Synopsis: The third book in the original A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy. I’m rereading to prep for the new book being released in October.
  
  
• Caitlin is reading There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone
  Synopsis: The book is bleak and depressing and hard to read, but every one of us in the book group agreed that every single person in charge of making and enforcing housing policy, minimum wage levels, and social assistance procedures needs to read this book.
  
  
• Kali is reading The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
  Synopsis: Along with his dog, Jasper, small-aircraft pilot, Hig and a sharpshooter, Bagley forge a symbiotic friendship at the dawn of the apocalypse.

Exhibit V.d. - Operations Report

Seasonal Change Preparation

With the cooler weather setting in, we have been adding focus towards preparation for the winter both indoors and outdoors. This includes chasing fall leaves and adjusting indoor climate controls to keep as much of a balanced comfort as possible.

Respectfully Submitted by Rob Peck, Operations Supervisor