Thursday, October 1, 2026
The New York State Education Department has stepped into the ongoing controversy surrounding the Peninsula Public Library, after the Lawrence library’s board of trustees missed a July 31 state deadline to file paperwork to amend its charter.
The state warned that trustees could face removal by the Board of Regents if they continue failing to comply with state laws on governance, elections and appointments, open meetings and transparency.
“The New York State Library is closely following the situation,” Jaclyn Keegan, public information officer for the Office of Cultural Education, wrote in an email. “Because the issue of how trustees are appointed is currently before the Commissioner on appeal, we cannot comment further at this time.”
Akiva Lubin, library board president, said trustees initially discovered through the media that NYSED became involved in the issue and that the state agency had not reached out to the board directly.
“We first learned through the media earlier this week that NYSED was interested in our library,” Lubin wrote in an email to the Herald. “NYSED did not contact us directly.
“We are, of course, willing to cooperate fully with any legitimate inquiry by NYSED or any other appropriate authority,” he wrote. “Our focus remains on ensuring that the library is properly governed and continues to serve our community.”
NYSED’s involvement follows a May 28 letter sent to the library board from Caroline Ashby, director of the Nassau Library System, warning that concerns about the PPL’s governance and operations had reached local and state elected officials.
The Nassau Library System assists its member libraries with compliance through monitoring, consultation and training, Ashby wrote. She urged the board to hire a qualified library director, which they have been without since February, and to comply with legal requirements as soon as possible.
Among the concerns she cited were delays in renovating the library’s elevator, its alleged failure to comply with open meeting laws, in addition to improper staffing levels, and the lack of a permanent library director or interim operational leadership.
The library had a ribbon-cutting for the new elevator on July 16.
“Such conduct gives the appearance of a Board that is not carrying out its statutory duties faithfully,” Ashby wrote. She also noted that NYSED officials were aware that the library had not met its trustee training requirement in 2025, and that it was not meeting minimum standards for public and association libraries.
“There are serious consequences for failure to comply, including forfeiture of state aid and the possibility of losing PPL’s registration,” Ashby wrote, adding that losing registration would prevent the library from collecting tax revenue from district residents.
The board responded with a lengthy letter of its own, rejecting the allegations and arguing that they were based on unverified claims.
Lubin wrote that trustees are willing to work with state officials, and viewed the scrutiny as an opportunity to strengthen the institution, pointing out that the board also has been working to improve as a governing body.
“One of the biggest changes has been the level of engagement by the trustees,” Lubin wrote. “When I first joined the Board, my impression was that the trustees were not very involved in the library’s operations or oversight.”
“That has changed,” Lubin added. “Our trustees are now fully engaged in the operation and future direction of the library.”
On the issue of staffing, trustees said they have been cautious about adding employees without a demonstrated operational need, adding that efforts to hire a director have been met with civil service and recruitment obstacles.
Lubin said the library nevertheless remains operational. “Thankfully, the library is fully functioning despite not currently having a formal director,” he wrote. “Our reason for remaining on the Board is straightforward: we want to ensure that our library properly and adequately serves our community.”
Assemblyman Ari Brown said that he and State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick met with Lubin and Trustee Rochelle Genack after sending a letter that Brown said went unanswered.
“We’re trying to help you, because this isn’t gonna go well,” Brown said he told the trustees. “There’s nothing you’re doing that’s right, and you’re hurting the community.”
Brown said his involvement stems from his support for local libraries, and is not an effort to undermine the library board.
“I would say I love my libraries, and I’m like any other assemblyman in my generation in office,” Brown said, noting that he has provided funding for libraries in his district, including $12,000 annually to each of five libraries.
Lubin disputed Brown’s claims that he was simply helping the board, saying trustees believe his involvement warrants questions about his motivations.
“Given his apparent interest in these matters, it is reasonable to ask whether there may be some other underlying motivation, interest, or connection to the library or its staff that has not been made clear,” Lubin wrote.
For Lubin, the dispute remains secondary to what he argued is the library board’s larger goal.
“We are working very hard to move the library forward,” he wrote. “Our trustees are dedicated, engaged, and committed to improving the library for everyone in our community.”
