During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding staffing shortages and increased demand at the local library. The library currently operates with a reduced number of hours and staff, having dropped from 176 to 155 hours per week. The staffing situation has been exacerbated by the retirement of a part-time clerk and the impending maternity leave of another staff member, which will further strain resources.

The library has seen a significant increase in patron visits, with attendance rising from 7,862 last year to 14,259 this year. In response to this growing demand, the library has expanded its programming from 206 to 450 events, introducing services such as notary services and wireless printing. However, staff members have also been required to take on janitorial duties due to a lack of personnel.

The library director highlighted the need for additional hours for part-time staff to ensure adequate coverage and service quality. A proposal was made to increase the hours of three part-time clerks to 20 hours per week, which would keep them below the threshold for benefits while providing necessary support. The director emphasized that, according to state standards, the library should ideally have more staff to meet the needs of the community effectively.

The meeting underscored the challenges faced by the library in balancing budget constraints with the need for adequate staffing to serve an increasingly busy public.