By Madina Toure
The Queens Library said it would continue to search for a new president as planned and that it would undertake a full review of the questionable expenditures she made that were uncovered in an audit by city Comptroller Scott Stringer.
The audit, which the board requested, found that former Queens Library CEO Thomas Galante spent nearly $260,000 on prohibited expenses while Quinn-Carey spent around $48,000.
Joanne King, director of communications for the Queens Library, said the library’s plan had always been to conduct a search for candidates after Galante was fired, noting that the search was unrelated to the recent findings of Stringer’s audit.
King said Quinn-Carey is a “viable candidate” and that she thinks Quinn-Carey is interested in keeping the position but the search will continue. “It’s in the best interest of the library to see who’s out there and if she’s the best candidate or if she isn’t,” King said.
Judy Bergtraum, chairwoman of the library’s buildings and grounds committee, said a search committee has been formed.
“We have a list of search firms,” Bergtraum said. “They are very well known in the search area.”
Carl Koerner, chairman of the board, said some of the charges by Quinn-Carey would require further review after consideration of appropriate tax regulations.
“The board will wait for the full review before taking further action, which could include requesting reimbursement for such charges or reporting them as additional income for the employee involved,” Koerner said following the end of the executive session late July 23at the Central Library in Jamaica.
“Since the date of these charges, this board has imposed even greater standards for incurring and documenting purchases,” Koerner continued. “The board reminds our entire staff that strict adherence to library policies regarding expenditures is a cornerstone of a well-run organization worthy of the public trust.”
At the meeting, Quinn-Carey said that the library currently has $35.2 million in capital funding, the highest capital allocation since fiscal year 2009.
She also said that the Peninsula Community Library is scheduled to reopen in August through a soft launch, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for September. Quinn-Carey says the library is also working to hire people in light of the restored six-day service.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
