Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to evaluate the Library System’s procurement processes for the period January 1, 2014 through June 23, 2015.

Background

The Westchester Library System is a nonprofit cooperative public library system which was chartered by the New York State Board of Regents in 1959. The Library System, which is located in the Village of Tarrytown in Westchester County, is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees. The Library System’s budget for 2015 totals approximately $6.4 million.

Key Finding

• The Library System’s purchasing policy does not address New York State General Municipal Law bidding or best value requirements when procuring goods and services for the use and benefit of the system’s member public libraries.

Key Recommendation

• Modify the procurement policy to include provisions for purchases made for or on behalf of the member public libraries to ensure that staff adheres to competitive bidding laws when necessary.