Board of Library Trustees 10-5-2026

The Board of Library Trustees meeting on October 5, 2026, approved two community collection requests: a Metro Boston diaper-drive box through October 17 and the annual Toys for Tots collection. The Community Preservation Act study committee update was tabled. No contracts, RFPs, vendor awards, or purchasing approvals were considered. Staff presented the collection and circulation report, noting that the materials budget was appropriated at $294,900 in FY2025 and that digital content is a significant and rising expense; some digital services will not be renewed because of low use, including BiblioPlus and LearningExpress, while the state will provide American Ancestors access without a local subscription cost. The board also reviewed, but did not vote on, proposed collection-development and meeting-room policy changes; the latter include revised rental and service fees and will return for discussion in November.

The director reported that a possible FY2028 budget reduction of 8–9% could require cuts equivalent to two to three full-time positions and reduce library hours to about 54 per week. The library would seek a waiver from state minimum-appropriation requirements; reduced hours could also affect state aid. The director contrasted a roughly $50,000–$60,000 increase needed to meet the municipal appropriation requirement with a potential override request approaching $200,000. The board approved the September 14 meeting minutes and adjourned.