Goshen Library Board of Directors: Staffing Shortage, Tech Issues, Tension

10/15/2025
Present: Anne Green, Henrietta Horvay, Josephine Jones, Lynette Miller, Patricia Sanders.
In attendance: Lynn Steinmayer, Interim Library Director.
Absent: Johanna Kimball.

The regular meeting of the Library Board opened with the approval of minutes from two prior meetings, following minor corrections. Members accepted the Library Director’s report, which included updates on program participation, circulation figures, and a profit and loss statement. Library Director Lynn Steinmayer reported that 26.2% of the budget had been expended through Oct. 13, noting that some budget lines are spent early in the fiscal year. The Board also accepted the Treasurer’s Report with minor corrections.

Tensions between the Library Board and First Selectman Todd Carusillo were evident at the meeting. Board Chair Henrietta Horvay stated that she had notified the First Selectman in writing about several questions raised at the September meeting, including payment of hotel expenses submitted by the former Library Director after a conference, the status of three computers, and the service contract for library technology.

Discussing the service contracts, Steinmayer described specific concerns with technology and the need to have service available. Member Lynette Miller asked whether Carusillo had cancelled the contract previously approved by the Board; no one had an answer. Steinmayer reported that one vendor did not require a contract and was paid hourly. Miller said, “the contract was cancelled without any notification to the Library Board, I assume, and that’s a problem.”

Miller also questioned whether Carusillo wanted to “negate our vote” on reimbursing the former director for hotel costs. Horvay reported that Carusillo had said, “[the former director] got paid to go to the conference, she’s not getting paid twice.”

After discussion, the Board voted to have Secretary Patricia Sanders draft an email to Carusillo reiterating the Board’s decisions. 

The Board also discussed staffing shortages. Miller suggested that library hours might need to be reduced given the current staffing. Horvay noted that recruiting volunteers had been difficult. The Board agreed to hold a special meeting to discuss staffing.
Steinmayer provided a policy update, reporting ongoing discussions to address language concerns required by the State Library.

The meeting concluded with an executive session to review applicants for the library director position.