NYSED warns Peninsula Public Library board over governance issues
Trustees could face removal by the Board of Regents after missing a July 31 charter filing deadline.
The Nassau Herald has learned that the New York State Education Department warned the Peninsula Public Library board of trustees that it could face removal by the Board of Regents after missing a July 31 deadline to file paperwork to amend the library's charter. The warning covers state laws on governance, elections, appointments, open meetings and transparency. Jaclyn Keegan, a public information officer for the Office of Cultural Education, said the State Library is closely following the situation but cannot comment further because the trustee appointment issue is before the Commissioner on appeal.
Board president Akiva Lubin said trustees first learned of the state's involvement through the media, and that NYSED did not contact the board directly. He said the board is willing to cooperate with any legitimate inquiry. The state's involvement follows a May 28 letter from Caroline Ashby, director of the Nassau Library System, who urged the board to hire a qualified library director. The library has been without one since February. Ashby cited delays in elevator renovation, alleged open meetings violations, improper staffing levels and the lack of a permanent director or interim operational leadership. A ribbon-cutting for the new elevator took place July 16.
Ashby wrote that the board did not meet its trustee training requirement in 2025 and was not meeting minimum standards for public and association libraries. She warned of serious consequences, including forfeiture of state aid and losing the library's registration, which would prevent the library from collecting tax revenue from district residents. The board responded with a letter rejecting the allegations as unverified. Lubin said trustees have become more engaged and that the library is fully functioning despite not having a formal director.
Assemblyman Ari Brown said he and State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick met with Lubin and Trustee Rochelle Genack after a letter from Brown went unanswered. Brown said he told the trustees: "We're trying to help you, because this isn't gonna go well. There's nothing you're doing that's right, and you're hurting the community."