NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 9, 2025) — The New Rochelle Public Library (NRPL) Board of Trustees will hold its monthly meeting on October 9, 2025, at the Main Library’s Ossie Davis Theater, addressing community initiatives, financial updates, environmental partnerships, and recent incident reports. The meeting, set for 7:30 p.m., will be conducted entirely in person with no Zoom broadcast, and a recording will be posted on the library’s website, www.nrpl.org.
The agenda includes a review regular business such as the Westchester Library System (WLS) Representative Report, President’s Report, Director’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, and Board Committee Reports, and address the approval of checks and warrants. Additional items include resolutions, old and new business, public comment, and adjournment.
Library Director Eugenia Schatoff’s report highlights the opening of an NRPL investment account with the New York Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System (NYCLASS), following its merger with the New York Liquid Asset Fund (NYLAF). The account earns an interest rate of approximately 4.1%, providing a safe and productive way to manage idle funds while ensuring liquidity for operations.
Schatoff also announced NRPL’s partnership with the Energy Justice Law & Policy Center (EJLPC) for the “Air of Truth” initiative. An air quality monitor was installed on the library’s exterior to collect real-time, hyperlocal air quality data in areas of New Rochelle and Westchester impacted by environmental harm. “This initiative aims to increase transparency, raise public awareness, and support stronger policies that promote clean air and healthier communities,” Schatoff stated, noting the data will inform evidence-based, community-rooted solutions.
The Director’s Report detailed a busy September with staff development training on September 17 and multiple committee meetings, including Finance (September 3 and 24), Policy (September 8), Personnel (September 15 and 25), and Workplace Violence (September 25). Check-in meetings covered community relations, children’s services, human resources, maintenance, security, and adult services. Other meetings included discussions on internal controls, senior clerk positions, and a New Rochelle Business Improvement District (BID) workshop on September 30.
The board will review the September 2025 incident report listing, documenting several non-emergency occurrences at the Main Library. Incidents included abusive language toward staff in the lobby on August 14 at 9:32 a.m.; a patron accident during an NRPL program on September 8 at 2:43 p.m., where a patron tripped over another participant and was assisted with ice; unauthorized entry during closed hours at the Memorial Highway entrance on September 19 at 11:55 a.m.; staff harassment outside the Main Library on August 6 at 8:45 a.m.; abusive language and loud music from a patron at PC 11 on the second floor on September 24 at 4:15 p.m.; and a staff accident in the Children’s Office on September 24 at 5 p.m., where a Librarian I fell after hitting the door but reported being fine. No emergency services were contacted in any case.
Departmental reports highlight robust community engagement. The Adult Services report noted 10 attendees at the Brown Bag book club discussing “Dominicana” by Angie Cruz for Hispanic Heritage Month and 15 attendees at a martial arts movie marathon on September 27. The Teen Monthly Report recorded 333 attendees across 42 program sessions, with highlights including Arts & Crafts Day (36 attendees) and Paws & Relax with Therapy Dogs (38 attendees). The Children’s Report emphasized strong attendance at programs resuming mid-September, with new furniture enhancing the Main Library’s Children’s Room. The Circulation Report marked the retirement of Senior Circulation Clerk Donna Reitano-Toth after 25 years, with Marta Santiago promoted and Sandra Perez hired as full-time senior clerks starting October 1.
The Marketing and Community Relations Report detailed 37 September programs, including the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band concert (100 attendees) and a Dick Van Dyke nostalgia event (90 attendees). Social media engagement remained strong, with Instagram gaining 44 new followers and Facebook reaching 19,703 unique accounts. A press release for the Children’s Garden grand opening on October 18 led to coverage by lohud.com.
The Personnel Report listed new hires Sandra Perez ($59,214) and Marta Santiago ($61,391) as senior library clerks, the retirement of Donna Reitano-Toth ($65,834.08), and promotions and step increases for Michael Abbruzzi, Milton Cobb, and Dana Peters.
The October Board Packet is here.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.