The Tompkins County Government Operations Committee voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) bylaws to increase the library board from 12 to 15 members and moved a slate of seven trustee appointments toward full-legislature consideration.

Committee members said the change will allow the library board to broaden recruitment and better fill vacancies. "I would move approval of the TCPL amendment of their bylaws to go to 15 members," said Rich, who moved the change; Greg seconded. Committee members agreed clerks would add the item and the appointments to the full Legislature agenda for the second meeting in May so new trustees could begin onboarding promptly.

The committee then moved seven trustee appointments and approved them unanimously. The recommended appointees and term expirations read at the meeting were Cynthia Menino (term expires 12/31/2025), Carrie Bauer (12/31/2025), Reina Florentine Gambrell (12/31/2025), Emily Sanders Hopkins (12/31/2027), Beth Osborne (12/31/2027), Laura Krause (12/31/2027) and Jason Kovari (12/31/2027). Committee members said interview teams had vetted candidates and that the list represented strong community interest.

Action: Motion to amend TCPL bylaws to increase board size and to forward trustee appointments to the full Legislature was moved by Rich and seconded by Greg; the motions passed unanimously.

Background: Committee members said formalizing the bylaw change will allow the library director and staff to complete onboarding before the end of May. The committee also noted a list of additional applicants would remain available for future recruitment if the expanded board needs additional members.