LIBRARY TRUSTEES & BOARD MEETING MINUTES

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LIBRARY BOARD MEETINGS

The library’s Board of Trustees usually meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in person in the Board Room and/or online. The public is welcome to attend either way. To confirm meeting dates and starting times, please call: (845) 352-5700, ext. 256.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES

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LIBRARY TRUSTEES

The Finkelstein Memorial Library Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the establishment, management, and maintenance of the library. The Board also appoints the Director, who administers and coordinates the operation of the library within the basic goals, objectives, policies, and principles approved by the Library Board.

Denet Alexandre
President of the Board

Denet Alexandre and his wife and four children have been residing in Hillcrest since 1999. Three of their four children attend the East Ramapo Central School District. He is a very involved member of the community at large and is on the board of several community, ecclesiastic and nonprofit organizations. Mr. Alexandre is a graduate of Saint Thomas Aquinas College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science (1993). He holds an M.S. in School Psychology from the College of New Rochelle (1999) and a School Administration (SAS) degree from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY (2004). He is certified in several other areas in education including school counseling. Mr. Alexandre had worked for many years as a school psychologist and as a history teacher. He has worked in the field of education for about 17 years in different capacities. He currently works as a school counselor for the local school district.

Darnett Davis
Vice President of the Board

Proud mother of four children, a woman of faith and integrity, Darnett is the Early Childhood Educator and Director of Kidsnett Child Care Program for the past 12 years. Born and raised in Jamaica, Darnett moved to the United States of America in 2004, where she became a citizen and promptly started to contribute to her community. She worked with various agencies in Rockland County and New York State, providing employment for our residents and child care for our families. Darnett holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) and some credits at Rockland Community College in Early Childhood Education. Her qualifications in supervisory and small business management are from the University of West Indies Continuing Studies, Jamaica. She has also completed certifications in performance and conflict management from the Management Institute for National Development (MIND). While being employed to the Transport Authority of Jamaica as Chief Inspector. Darnett is an honoree for Spring Valley’s 2021 Women’s History Month. She has also sponsored the Spring Valley’s Kids Center and contributed to Helping Hands of Rockland. Darnett is a member of the National Association for the Education of the Young Children (NAEYC) and Child Care Resources of Rockland (CCRR), Spring Valley Rotary, New Life Pentecostal Church, ERCSD Superintendent Community Circle, SVHS Principal Circle. Darnett is excited to extend herself to serve on the Board of Trustees at the Finkelstein Memorial Library with liberty and justice for all.

Esther Waldman

Esther Waldman is an Orthodox Jewish, educator who has worked in both Catholic and Jewish schools across NYC and Rockland County. Esther started her career young, earning a Bachelors degree from Adelphi University when she was only 19, and a masters from Pace University when she was 21. Since then, she has worked directly with students, she has directed programs, and she has presented workshops, sharing her knowledge with other educators. Her experience as a special education teacher and director of student services has shown her the important role books play and the value of building language and literacy in children. She is currently a Title I Director in New Square, where she champions for literacy enrichment for elementary school students.  Esther lives in Monsey with her husband and three children. The two older children are budding bookworms, and the youngest, a young toddler, loves to eat any books he can get his hands on. She hopes to use her experience as an educator, her love of children’s literature, and her position as a library trustee, to inspire children to seek knowledge and value books as much as she does.

Vivian Street

Vivian is a proud graduate of Ramapo High School. She is the mother of one son and grandmother of 6 living in North Carolina. She has worked for the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities for over 32 years. She is currently the Rockland County Community Support Team Leader and Region 9 Coordinator for the Public Employees Federation of New York State. She has also been a Trustee in the First Baptist Church for over 15 years and a Sunday school teacher. Vivian was named a New York State Woman of Distinction by Senator Thomas Morahan. A recipient of several awards, Vivian has served on various Boards in community and civic organizations in Rockland. She served for many years as a union leader locally and State-wide. She also served on the board of the United Way of Rockland for over 4 years.

Joan Soskin

Resident of Rockland County for almost 50 years and a member of Finkelstein Library for as long. An Early Childhood teacher in Paramus, NJ for many years after which becoming a professional in the nonprofit world of major Jewish organizations. President of the local Monsey Chapter of AMIT Women, Ms. Soskin loves to read and is thrilled to be part of the Finkelstein Library family.

James Johnson

James Johnson , his wife, Elizabeth, and son, Christopher, moved to Pomona in September 2000. He is a member of several community and non-profit organizations, including member of the board of the African-American Historical Society in Rockland County. Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Norfolk State College, a Master of Science Degree from Fordham University at Lincoln's Center and became a candidate for a Doctoral Degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He achieved the status of ABD in Social and Philosophical Foundations Education in 1979. Following his post graduate work, he served for 40 years in the New York City and Yonkers New York School Systems as a Special Education Teacher, Department Chairperson, and teacher of African American History. He also taught adult education in Yonkers through the Pathways to Success - English as a Second Language Program for sixteen years. He organized and conducted week long College Tours to Historical Black Colleges and Universities and others along the east coast for over 35 years. Mr. Johnson has numerous certifications including Licensed School Administrator and Supervisor, Licensed School District Administrator, Special Education of the Emotionally Handicapped, and Intermediate Certification in American Sign Language from the New York Society for the Deaf. He is currently retired and continues to be active in community service.

Sandra Duncan

Proud mother and grandmother of three children and four grandchildren, a woman of ambition & discipline, Sandra Duncan is the proud owner of 3K’s Hot Spot for the last two years. Born and raised in Jamaica, Sandra moved to the United States of America in 2008, where she became a citizen and immediately started impacting her community. Alongside sharing her culture with the community, Sandra devotes her time to working at Caring for Elders. “My quest in life is to serve”, says Sandra. Supporting the library in many ways has encouraged me to offer myself to serve in this aspect.