Board of Trustees Minutes 2026

Meeting Information – June 17, 2026

Meeting Date: June 17, 2026
Time: 6:00pm
Location: 629 Albany Shaker Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211, Maker Lab

Invitees

Names: Donna Cramer-Sharer; Dibian Pick; Ashley Ruede; Marcy Savage; Jamie Sbardella; Lily Wei; Elissa Valente, Library Director; Joel Weingarten, Town Board Liaison

Excused: Cara Bronner
Absent: NA

Agenda

Attendance
- Donna Cramer-Sharer; Dibian Pick; Ashley Ruede; Marcy Savage; Jamie Sbardella; Lily Wei; Elissa Valente, Library Director; Joel Weingarten, Town Board Liaison
Albany Legislators attended to present a proclamation on behalf of our 50th anniversary
Call to Order: 6:02pm
Approval of Minutes
- Motion to approve the May 2026 minutes – Dibian Pick. Seconded – Marcy Savage. Unanimously approved.
Director’s Report
- Building and Grounds
  - Air conditioning repairs were necessary in zone 3 in the library
  - Solar lights on Maxwell-Using Gala fundraising-$1,500
- Personnel
  - Assistant director to be posted ASAP
  - Library is down to 2 maintenance workers
- Budget and Finance
  - Motion to approve the financials – Marcy Savage. Seconded – Dibian Pick. Unanimously approved.
  - Reviewed budget estimates for 2027 budget.
    - Motion to approve budget estimates – Lily Wei. Seconded Ashley Ruede. Unanimously approved.
- Day to Day
  - Faxing is $1.75 and customers use their credit cards-more confidential.
  - Kick off of the summer program 7/10. Employees are going to local elementary schools to promote it.
  - Parade at Town Hall 7/3 Library will have a table 9am start time.
Town Impacts – none
Public Requests – none
Proud Moment – Rosemary Newton family visit
Friends of the Library – Book Nook is now open at the Crossings
UHLS Report
- Love company picnic went well. New trustees were approved. Mary retired and Melissa is taking over. CORE trainings are still available to take.
President’s Report
- CORE training is tomorrow
Committee Reports
- Policy committee vote 2nd reading
  - Motion to approve report – Jamie Sbardella. Seconded – Ashley Ruede. Unanimously approved.
Unfinished Business – Discussion on new door access. Using swipe cards for employees to have access to library.
New Business – none
Board Comment – none
Public Comment –No public comments
Adjournment: 7:44pm
- Motion to adjourn – Dibian Pick. Seconded – Ashley Ruede. Unanimously approved.

Next Meeting

Date and time : September 16, 2026 at 6:00pm

Meeting Information – May 20, 2026

Meeting Date: May 20, 2026
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Location: 629 Albany Shaker Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211, Maker Lab

Invitees

Cara Bronner; Donna Cramer-Sharer; Dibian Pick; Ashley Ruede; Jamie Spardella; Marcy Savage; Lily Wei; Elissa Valente, Library Director; Tracy Connolly, Senior Town Attorney; Joel Weingarten, Town Board Liaison

Agenda

Attendance
- Cara Bronner; Donna Cramer-Sharer; Dibian Pick; Jamie Spardella; Lily Wei; Elissa Valente; Library Director; Joel Weingarten, Town Board Liaison
- Joel Weingarten- 6:45 P.M. arrival
- Excused: Ashley Ruede, Marcy Savage
Call to Order: 6:00 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
- Motion to approve the April 2026 minutes- C. Bronner. Seconded L. Wei. Unanimously approved.
Director’s Report
- Annual Report
- Building and Grounds
  - Front garden mulch and goose fence
  - Sprinkler system repairs
  - Carpet cleaning
- Personnel
  - Update on administrative team
- Budget and Finance
  - Motion to approve the financials – C. Bronner, Seconded J. Spardella. Unanimously approved.
  - Town budget meeting set for August 4th, proposed budget will be presented at the June meeting.
- Day to Day
  - Policy review, first reading
    - Tutoring
    - Equipment Use
    - Ethics Policy
    - Gifts and Memorials
    - TOC adopted Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
  - Public responses to Hoopla changes, started May 4th
  - Legislators attending next Library Board Meeting
  - Construction aid request due by June 10th – first installment of approximately $6,000 paid
  - Review progress on HVAC and window assessment
  - Update on improved lighting for exterior sign
    - Motion to approve a resolution to move forward for purchasing exterior lighting for the sign on Field Drive with money earned from the gala made by J. Sbardella, seconded by L. Wei. Unanimously approved.
- Town Impacts
  - Job fair
- Public Requests
  - Reoccurring gala suggestion
- Proud Moment
  - Gala update, fundraising
  - Best of 2026, 11-year streak; June 12th tentative luncheon
- Friends of the Library
  - Mother’s Day sale of merchandise and Book Nook open
Upper Hudson Library System
- Met on May 13th
- Melissa Tacke will begin her new role as Youth & Family Services Manager at UHLS on Monday June 8th, 2026
- The administration committee selected winners for Volunteer and Trustee of the year
President’s Report
- CORE trainings:
  - Thursday, June 18, 2026
  - Tuesday, September 15, 2026
  - Monday, December 7, 2026
Committee Reports
- Policy Committee – D. Cramer-Sharer, D. Pick, and L. Wei
Unfinished Business
- None
New Business
- Book replacement
Board Comment
- None
Public Comment
- None
Adjournment: 7:25 P.M.
- Motion for adjournment – C. Bronner, seconded by J. Sbardella. Unanimously approved

Next Meeting

June 17, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.

Meeting Information – April 22, 2026

Meeting Date: April 22, 2026
Time: 6:00pm
Location: 629 Albany Shaker Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211, Maker Lab

Invitees

Cara Bronner; Donna Cramer-Sharer; Dibian Pick; Ashley Ruede; Jamie Sbardella; Marcy Savage; Lily Wei; Elissa Valente, Library Director; Tracy Connolly, Senior Town Attorney; Joel Weingarten, Town Board Liaison

Agenda

Attendance
- Present: Cara Bronner; Donna Cramer-Sharer; Dibian Pick; Ashley Ruede; Jamie Spardella; Marcy Savage; Lily Wei; Elissa Valente, Library Director; Joel Weingarten, Town Board Liaison
Call to Order: 6:00pm
Presentation by Senator Jacob Ashby
Approval of Minutes
- Motion to approve the March 2026 minutes- J. Spardella. Second D. Pick. Unanimously approved.
Director’s Report
- Annual Report
  - Motion to approve the annual report- D. Pick. Second A. Ruede. Unanimously approved.
  - Building and Grounds
    - Indoor sign project- Funded by the Friends in full
    - Security camera being installed
  - Personnel
    - AA retirement and transition
    - Re-hiring Seasonal Program Aides (3)
  - Budget and Finance
    - Motion to approve budget/edited and updated financials- C. Bronner. Seconded M. Savage. Unanimously approved.
    - Motion to approve adding ADA tray and Web Instinct- C. Bronner. Seconded J. Sbardella. Unanimously approved.
    - Day to Day
      - Carpet cleaning prior to Memorial Day Weekend
      - Patron Concerns- Adjust placement of defibrillator to be ADA compliant
    - Town Impacts
      - 250th Anniversary Celebration
        
        July 3rd, 10am-1pm
      - Resolution for Fun 1 Entertainment
    - Public Reports
      - Maxwell Rd. sign at traffic circle
    - Proud Moment
      - Feature in the Colonie Connection for the Library
      - Praise for tech directions online
    - Friends of the Library
      - 50th Fundraising update
Upper Hudson Library System
- April 29th- Mary’s retirement
- June 10th- Annual Dinner
President’s Report
- Board Trainings
- Gala success
Committee Reports
Unfinished Business
New Business
Board Comment
- D. Pick and L. Wei- Compliments to the committee who planned the gala
Public Comment
Adjournment: 7:16pm

Next Meeting

Date and Time: May 20, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.

Meeting Information – March 18, 2026

Meeting Date: March 18, 2026

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Location: 629 Albany Shaker Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211, Maker Lab

Invitees

Agenda

Attendance
- Cara Bronner; Donna Cramer-Sharer; Dibian Pick; Ashley Ruede; Jamie Spardella; Lily Wei; Elissa Valente; Joel Weingarten
- Excused: Marcy Savage
Call to Order: 6:01 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
- Motion to approve February 2026 minutes- D. Pick. Second- L. Wei. Unanimously approved.
Director’s Report
- Building and Grounds
  - Self check-out is open to the public, press release has been sent out
  - Assessment of HVAC and window was initiated with Barton and Loguidice Engineering
  - Screens have arrived for the Quiet Room and upstairs
- Personnel
  - Proposed staffing for 2027
- Budget and Finance
  - Motion to approve budget and finance- J. Sbardella. Second- A. Ruede. Unanimously approved.
  - Plan for construction grant cycle for 2027
- Day to Day
  - 50th Anniversary Update
  - 28 Day loan rule on new non-fiction books
    - Motion to approve a resolution to the revising of the 28 day loan rule for new non-fiction books to a 14 day loan made by C. Bronner. Seconded to D. Pick. Unanimously approved.
  - NYS Minimum Standards Amendment
  - Upcoming Annual Report
- Town Impacts
  - Hours of operation on 4/17 will be 10am-2pm to allow for gala staging
  - Press release
  - Speakers at the Gala
- Public Reports
  - None
- Proud Moment
  - Award to be announced
- Friends of the Library
  - Pop up sale
  - Insurance
Upper Hudson Library System
- Mary Fellows’ retirement
President’s Report
- Upcoming trainings
- 6/18 CORE Training
Committee Reports
- Motion to approve New Community Bulletin Board Policy made by D. Pick. Second J. Sbardella. Unanimously approved.
Unfinished Business
- None
New Business
- None
Board Comment
- D. Pick- acknowledgement of Elissa’s work on the new check out and the press release
Public Comment
- None
Adjournment: 7:04 P.M.

Next Meeting

Date and time : April 22, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.

Meeting Information – February 25, 2026

Meeting Date: February 25, 2026

Time: 6:00pm

Location: 629 Albany Shaker Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211, Maker Lab

Invitees

Excused: Cara Bronner; Ashley Ruede; Marcy Savage
Absent: NA

Agenda

Attendance
- Donna Cramer-Sharer; Dibian Pick; Jamie Sbardella; Lily Wei; Elissa Valente; Joel Weingarten.
Call to Order: 6:00pm
Approval of Minutes
- Motion to approve – Dibian Pick, second – Jamie Sbardella, result – approved (unanimous)
Director’s Report
- Building and Grounds
- Personnel – motion to appoint Megan E. Brickner – proposed Jamie Sbardella, second – Lily Wei , result – approved (unanimous)
- Budget and Finance – Motion to approve : Jamie Sbardella, second – Dibian Pick, result- approved (unanimous)
- Day to Day
  - Gala – update
  - Hoopla – others have terminated, Menands & Albany for example, we are at our budget limit & expecting an increase.
  - Delay receiving tax forms
  - Accessibility Statements – amendment request accepted
- Town Impacts
- Parade – Library was invited & will be participating – July 3^rd
- Insurance review
- Public Requests – Kanopy – being offered by other libraries – may be something to considerProud Moment – Southgate school, quiet area & Library Advocacy Day
- Friends of the Library
UHLS Report – sent by Marcy
President’s Report – reminder about training, & vote for best of the rest.
Committee Reports – reading on the New Community Bulletin Board Policy – first reading for whole board (2^nd reading & vote next mtg). Already approved by Policy Committee
Unfinished Business- no comments
New Business – no comments
Board Comment – no comments
Public Comment – Student Local Government Day
Adjournment: 7:35pm

Next Meeting

Date and time : March 18^th 2026 at 6:00pm

Meeting Information – January 21, 2026

Meeting Date: January 21, 2026
Time: 6:00pm
Location: 629 Albany Shaker Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211, Maker Lab

Invitees

Agenda

Attendance
- Cara Bronner; Donna Cramer-Sharer; Dibian Pick; Ashley Ruede; Jamie Spardella; Marcy Savage; Lily Wei; Elissa Valente; Joel Weingarten
Call to Order: 6:02pm
Slate of Officers Presentation
- The nominating committee Chair, C. Bronner, presented the 2026 slate of officers for consideration as follows:
  - President, D. Cramer-Sharer, Vice President, Dibian Pick, Secretary, Cara Bronner
- There were no nominations from the floor.
- Motion to approve the slate of officers by J. Sbardella. Seconded by A. Ruede, Unanimously approved.
Approval of Minutes
- Motion to approve the minutes by M. Savage. Seconded by D. Pick. Unanimously approved.
Director’s Report
- Building and Grounds
  - Self checkout update
  - Mezzanine project update
  - Furniture plan for mezzanine
  - Quiet area screens
- Personnel
  - Adult Services Library Aide Position
- Budget and Finance
  - Review December and end of year financials
  - Motion to approve the financials by C. Bronner. Seconded by D. Pick. Unanimously approved
- Day to Day
  - 50th Anniversary Update
  - Vega Update
  - Comics Plus update
  - WSJ Launch
  - Hoopla Spending last quarter
  - Circulation refunds- $5 processing fee
- Town Impacts
  - Volunteer Insurance
  - Program Insurance
- Public Reports
  - Excitement around the available merchandise
- Proud Moment
- Friends of the Library
Upper Hudson Library System
- Upper Hudson created a director evaluation
- Upcoming Trustee Training
- Advocacy Day- Tuesday, February 3rd
- Equity Challenge Update- completed Board Learning and Recruitment & Organizational Culture and Leadership
President’s Report
- Complete financial disclosures
- Training information handout
- Reviewed board attendance requirements
Committee Reports – None
Unfinished Business
- Town meeting dates
New Business – None
Board Comment
- C. Bronner- Welcome to all that are new!
Public Comment
Adjournment: 7:19pm

Next Meeting

Date and Time: February 25, 2026 at 6pm

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