The Jones Library, Inc. Board of Trustees Oct 15, 2026

The Jones Library, Inc. Board of Trustees met on October 15, 2026, in Amherst, Massachusetts. Trustees unanimously ratified a memorandum of agreement with the Town concerning the Civil War tablets: the library will take custody of the tablets, and the Town will pay for their installation at the library. The agreement also provides that the Town will consider reinforcing the walls if needed to support the tablets. Trustees discussed planning for the library’s reopening, including timing, community participation, tours, and forming a small trustee group to work with staff and the capital campaign committee; no related spending decisions were made. The building project was reported as progressing well, though slightly behind schedule, with no new construction actions or contract awards reported.

Trustees discussed a future memorandum of understanding with the Friends of the Jones Library regarding fundraising, including support for the capital campaign and replenishing the endowment. No final agreement or governance structure was approved. A motion expressing support for the Friends’ fundraising efforts toward completing the capital campaign passed after language about future fundraising was removed; one trustee abstained. The board also approved the FY25 financial audit. The report cited approximately $110,966 in recent capital campaign cash contributions and $13,533.74 in annual fund receipts. No bids, vendor selections, or new procurement awards were identified.