Library Board March Meeting
On Wednesday, March 19th, Goshen’s Public Library Board of Directors held their monthly meeting. Board attendance included Chairwoman Henrietta Horvay, Library Director Linda Senkus Benedict, and Board members Josephine Jones, Patricia Sanders, Anne Green, and Johanna Kimball and Lynette Miller.
Benedict’s Library Director’s report suggested that Library hours on Saturdays in the summer be active from 10 am-2 pm for Saturdays all year round to help increase participation in children’s programs. The Goshen Public Library’s Saturday summer hours currently run from 9 am-12 pm. She suggested this become effective Thursday, May 1st. Miller motioned to change regular Saturday hours for the library from 9 am-2 pm to 10 am-2 pm all year round effective Thursday, May 1st. This was unanimously approved. Sanders motioned to accept Benedict’s Director’s report. This was unanimously approved.
Miller reviewed the Town Treasurer Matthew Sweet's report. The $35,000 bank CD, the Harmon fund, was renewed for a 3.537% rate. Credit interest of the prior CD was $0.40 and the ending balance of the fund was $5,206.62 which could be used for book purchases. The Library fund has a current balance of $8,928.87 but the exact banking location and accountant number of these funds is unknown. “The money’s there. We just don’t know where it is,” Miller explained. “... We can use it.” Sweet is investigating this issue. Miller suggested using the fund to set up additional lighting in the library for local artists to place their art for sale. Litchfield’s Oliver Wolcott Library features similar art exhibits from local artists in their Jamie Gagarin Gallery, with that library receiving 25% of all artwork sales. Miller proposed taking 25-50% of art sales and having those profits put back into the Library fund. Benedict further suggested, after the Goshen Public Library purchases and implements new software, to have local businesses donate or advertise on the library’s website to generate more revenue. Kimball then motioned to accept the Treasurer’s report. This was unanimously approved.
For New Business, Carusillo spoke on the library’s intention to purchase six desktop and two laptop computers. He proposed purchasing two to three computers in the remaining fiscal year and purchasing the remainder after Tuesday, July 1st in the fiscal year 2025-2026 but at the cost of delaying the purchase of new blackout curtains for the library due to the Town of Goshen currently being in a spending freeze. Benedict noted that all of the new computers have to be purchased by Wednesday, October 1st. This is due to Microsoft ending support of the Windows 10 operating system with no new fixes, features, and security updates in October. Windows 10 will still function on existing computers, but not every computer is eligible to upgrade to the Windows 11 operating system. Benedict additionally recommended moving public computers to a more private area and requested to purchase a scanner for library staff to conduct an updated inventory of books and patrons. Carusillo approved Benedict’s scanner request with a special laptop. The library’s website and overall online functionality currently has no firewall defense against malicious software or unauthorized personnel save for cybersecurity through the town hall. Benedict recommended hiring an IT professional specialized in working with libraries who can help suggest which computers and firewall systems should be purchased. She further noted that, with the library’s current Optimum-supplied internet service, that it will cost the library $1,199.99 for three years to purchase a firebox security device for the computers. Jones motioned to purchase the firebox. This was unanimously approved. Miller additionally motioned for the library board to obtain this IT individual’s contract at $1,500 annually and request if their contract can be prorated for $750 in a budget period. This was unanimously approved. Miller additionally motioned for the library to contract with Computer Obsession’s web hosting service effective Tuesday, April 1st and backup the library’s previous website and email at an hourly rate of $65 per hour with email conversion and an annual fee of $300. This was unanimously approved. Benedict noted that the library’s email and website would remain the same, just be supported and hosted by another online service. Carusillo then recommended the board meet with the Board of Finance to revise their budget and request the transfer of funds intended for blackout curtains to use for the purchase of new computers.
Josephine Jones motioned to move $4,000 from their blackout curtain line item to be used to purchase new computers. This would leave $4,500 remaining in the blackout curtain line item. This motion was unanimously approved. Benedict proposed having the Public Works Department install a ramp in the library similar to one in Goshen Community Care to help elderly and other residents who may have difficulties going up and downstairs. Following a brief discussion determining where to best store other library books due to a lack of space in the library, Jones motioned to accept Village Market & Gas’ offer to have some books stored at their location with a status update of the space being reported in April. This was unanimously approved.
