Finkelstein Library Board Says It Never Approved Sunday Closures, Approves Interim Budget

Yisroel R.

The Board of Trustees of the Finkelstein Memorial Library held a special meeting on July 13 to clarify its role in the recent Sunday library closure, stating that it never voted to close the library on Sundays and was not involved in the decision to suspend Sunday services.

Board members said the library administration made the decision without board input or approval. According to the board, trustees first learned that Sunday closures were being considered during a public hearing on the proposed tax levy increase, when both the public and the board were informed that Sundays could be eliminated if voters rejected the tax levy.

The proposed tax levy was ultimately rejected, after which the board’s Finance Committee began reviewing possible budget adjustments. Trustees said the committee requested additional information, including staffing schedules and salary information, before making recommendations. However, because the requested information took time to compile and the library director was unavailable, the committee was unable to reconvene before the library’s Sunday closure.

Library Director Laura Wolven told trustees that the closure occurred because there were not enough employees willing to work on Sundays under the current union contract. She said she hopes the board’s approval of a temporary budget will help restore staff confidence and support the continuation of Sunday service.

During the meeting, trustees emphasized that the board has consistently opposed closing the library on Sundays, citing the heavy use of the library on weekends by the community. They also noted that closing on Sundays could increase the number of local residents using neighboring libraries, potentially resulting in higher costs for the library.

Board members further stated that they never approved communications to library staff or the public indicating that Sunday closures had been adopted as a budget solution. Instead, they said the board remains committed to working with library administration to address the budget shortfall while minimizing the impact on the public.

As part of that effort, trustees approved an interim operating budget designed to keep the library functioning while a permanent budget is developed. The temporary budget preserves funding for Sunday operations and most library services while temporarily using approximately $197,000 from the library’s unrestricted fund balance. The Board’s Finance Committee will continue meeting with the goal of adopting a permanent balanced budget by October 1.

The board also encouraged residents and staff to rely on official board resolutions and board-approved communications regarding any significant operational changes, adding that the budget solutions currently under consideration are intended to have less impact on library users and employees.

The board also recognized its new leadership during the meeting. Esther Waldman was elected Board President, Yossi Rubinstein was elected Vice President, and Mendy Glick was reappointed Treasurer. Trustees also retained the library’s current auditing firm. The appointment of the Board’s regular attorney was tabled after a motion failed to receive a second, while Anthony Fasano of Guercio & Guercio was appointed to serve as special counsel to the Board.