[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6529673,"mediaKeyId","3796138-bf3c5b21da12657da9c56ea1265b00ef","parentId",3796138,"title","Norwood trustees name Sherry next chair, present award to page James Kai and discuss staffing, programs","audioSeconds",1265,"startMs",2274000,"endMs",3539000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3796138-bf3c5b21da12657da9c56ea1265b00ef&start=2274&end=3539","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3796138-bf3c5b21da12657da9c56ea1265b00ef/thumbnail_2274000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6529673/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Norwood-trustees-name-Sherry-next-chair-present-award-to-page-James-Kai-and-discuss-staffing-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529673-744eab08e96756f7f74e791b8c3d09a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442954&Signature=iEiQDtDglzRiVTgPgH8oYa6qFOEnyqLnG8Oyqlsn3aJpJ2orF1ZXxrKI04T1iA7h6PfgnTp2jCciJWZaLt1n5fLAigWvqW4~nTtblbbEITnKyECFlASYGmhOeRMBsXt94ERH6b0p1tpU~mbKZ1EzROrOJLj4jXIqHG9llu8KUrXOvjxuDxFC4mcYN4KatTd~f6XyZDMmzFZDr2JLR3YD67sNuKQmkDZzoGHxIgxfZv6KdMorsN2-Z1NZp9ufplP3BPtO~82RHANodteVgO1yDvGgip21dPTCC4I1jPVLIh5-xZthx3D2xfJmYRaRu4fOY7I-S3Zu5Cx8U391MVXfvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwood","date","2025-06-12T15:54:16Z","article","At the June 11 meeting of the Town of Norwood Public Library Trustees, board members approved several governance items, presented a staff award and heard staff updates on programming and personnel.

The trustees voted unanimously to accept the consent agenda at the start of the meeting. Later in the meeting trustees formally approved making Sherry the board's chair for the coming fiscal year; the motion carried with an \"Aye\" vote when the board was polled.

Trustees also approved the 2025 Sasson's certificate award recipient. The trustees announced that James Kai, a library page who graduated this spring and will depart to attend George Washington University in the fall, is the award recipient. The trustees moved and approved the award; the board said it will issue a press release and arrange a photo. The board asked that staff pass along thanks and congratulations to Kai.

Library staff reported personnel and programming updates. Staff said James Kai and another page, Rasija, graduated this spring and that Kai will leave his page position before the fall as he prepares for college. Staff also described ongoing programming: Juneteenth events on the Norwood Common, summer reading programs for adults (beginning June 20) and children, movie matinees and a popular puzzle race. Staff said a staff development day will close the library for a day and described planned workshops with the deputy fire chief and other presenters.

Custodial staff and facilities updates were highlighted: senior custodian Jim Croak introduced the custodial team and thanked the town facilities department and a contracted landscaping company for winter plowing and grounds work. Croak praised the custodial team and said Sunday coverage and vacation and sick leave were handled by three part‑time staff. He also reported the library now participates in a townwide composting program; the library produces \"1 to 2 small kitchen style bags a week,\" and staff said the program has run smoothly.

Trustees discussed internal committee assignments for the coming year. Because several trustees were absent at the June meeting, staff and trustees said they would open ad hoc committee appointments so trustees can indicate preferences. Trustees agreed to send an email with subcommittee membership and term information; an ad hoc committee will collect preferences and propose assignments. Trustees also agreed to meet on Sept. 9 and approved the trustees' meeting calendar at the subsequent fall meeting as is customary.

On personnel recognition, trustees asked the personnel subcommittee to consider a formal process to recognize staff who complete postgraduate degrees such as master's degrees in library science. A trustee said the library lacks a systematic way to acknowledge such accomplishments and asked the personnel committee to draft options for equitable recognition.

The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn that passed by voice vote.

No external policy changes or capital contracts were approved at the June 11 meeting; the board's actions were limited to internal governance, awards and scheduling.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Library Board of Trustees 6.11.25","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees approved a slate of internal governance items: naming Sherry as next board chair, awarding the 2025 Sasson's certificate to staff member James Kai, and approving meeting dates; staff announced a page's graduation and departure, new programming, composting uptake and a proposal to formalize staff recognition.","taxTitle","Town of Norwood, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",52806,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529676,"Trustees hear about state cuts to ebook funding, legal uncertainty over federal library grants",498,1707000,2205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3796138-bf3c5b21da12657da9c56ea1265b00ef&start=1707&end=2205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3796138-bf3c5b21da12657da9c56ea1265b00ef/thumbnail_1707000.jpg","/articles/6529676/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Trustees-hear-about-state-cuts-to-ebook-funding-legal-uncertainty-over-federal-library-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529676-adb5377e08470f0f1e1259617df19bd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442954&Signature=O1wI6ishfBdep1Svfs3OvkUuu~8H2XmNukvOFE-Ef3BEGmsrT5dC~t-Y-iMDma4XY6Mwt3GTi5hMwUdB212hOAs1E2qpMWrPf~Vo8JF9XvM1emMFDzlg7Cn~4JcEgdDbTslLKBD1WkIovk0bypssm~d7Iv8-~tJAzT4OD2ETAAMj831Fb7i9FdnMdqwYqRC6MuUI7p3Lv10FBaiHaTXvo5wjfToc695npRLxoWLwIwJj5RqjkIkkrwhBi9JobIbv85E2bK~ZUU21G9n9Mbd7CYCoaHf9gdxlNM1lA6DF6xuh6dL7hkkPCnZv5l~4ImNeokOb7DqIKLMwRv5Az50UUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Library staff updated trustees June 11 on recent funding and legal developments affecting ebook access across Massachusetts and the broader library network.

Staff described a state decision to reduce a line item for ebooks from $1 million to $500,000 and said this will affect statewide digital collections. The library's staff said Norwood spends a portion of its electronic collection dollars supporting shared ebook licenses and that while access in Norwood may be affected, the impact is expected to be less severe than in regions more dependent on the state or federal funding.

Staff also described an ongoing legal and administrative disruption at the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The meeting record notes that the IMLS faced staffing cuts and that a temporary restraining order in court made parts of the agency's funding decisions uncertain; staff warned that even if funds are restored by court order, the agency may lack personnel to process grants and contracts.

Trustees heard that several policy and legislative responses are under discussion at the state level. Staff described two broad legislative approaches: (1) bills addressing ebook licensing and pricing, and (2) proposals to form a commission to study ebook pricing, access and procurement practices and to file a report with recommendations. Staff said the proposed commission's membership under discussion includes library directors and representatives of library associations, and could include ebook vendors or alternative providers.

Staff informed trustees that Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell spoke at the Massachusetts Library Association conference and showed interest in publishers' pricing practices and potential consumer‑protection angles. The staff member reported that staff plan to pursue conversations with the attorney general's office about whether consumer protection law could play a role in improving library access to ebooks.

No formal vote or policy decision on digital collections was made at the meeting. Staff said they will continue to monitor litigation, agency staffing and state legislation and will coordinate messaging across the regional library network to inform patrons about changes to services.","Library staff updated trustees on state reductions to ebook funding and ongoing legal and administrative uncertainty at the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS); staff described potential impacts on digital collections and state‑level legislative responses under consideration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529681,"Norwood library study finds major repairs needed; staff urge $1.4 million capital set‑aside",1186,359000,1545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3796138-bf3c5b21da12657da9c56ea1265b00ef&start=359&end=1545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3796138-bf3c5b21da12657da9c56ea1265b00ef/thumbnail_359000.jpg","/articles/6529681/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Norwood-library-study-finds-major-repairs-needed-staff-urge-14-million-capital-setaside","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529681-1da2e3cd931a5465c182be8828e24293/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442954&Signature=E0oxGanfQONXT2JGKo08QZujBoSWtt6nG5olBSI3CpYhBia47GI8FQlglQQauaHC4BZalc1nWOi0yvkbB9yT5S12cZhxRITgfFV7lvfbcr0UIJhvdq784FGY3iSbeQLGSrh5CfqOs-l8wRfnewPh2wOAjDe76CsPsYLq-yIYtRjKte~VRu-vqtpWhoQaTcP4pC5BV2UnhQjqG3fYmX1LnckUQ5iP9J8iXtByaSyXyTJuwe7mpxuW057OSKDfWWkanTLW~SGZXTOBFn8ISxyNC3aP5cm-3-uHXkeiMxLyP1x8gbWlk1RPSfeaq8M2KyAvqTlhWZ1OAMz~IEIMcAIxpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees at the Town of Norwood Public Library meeting on June 11 were told a facility study and consultant reports have identified water infiltration and other deferred repairs that will require significant capital funding.

A staff member told trustees the architects and specialty consultants completed water‑penetration and code studies and that a cost estimator is compiling numbers. The staff member said the project team expects a tiered list of repairs; tier 1 repairs alone are likely to be costly and could trigger broader code upgrades if spending exceeds a statutory threshold.

That threshold, the staff member said, is 30% of the building's assessed value calculated over a three‑year period. The staff member told trustees that 30% of the library's current assessed value equates to $1,400,000, and recommended the town budget to that figure for near‑term capital work to avoid mandatory upgrades to current accessibility and safety codes that would apply if the 30% threshold is exceeded.

Jim Croak, senior custodian, described recent systems work and ongoing maintenance as the library prepares for the larger project. \"The sprinkler system that we have throughout the building, that would be a suppression system. And we're up to date with that. It's been fully inspected, and I think we're good,\" Croak said, summarizing recent inspections and equipment replacements. He also reported the elevator received new hydraulic seals and the fire alarm control panel was replaced after the old unit became unreliable.

Trustees were told a separate water infiltration study identified specific leak locations; the architect is preparing repair proposals and cost estimates. The staff member said the team is drafting a final report expected to total several hundred pages, including consultant reports that in some cases exceed 100 pages. The architect will present tiered recommendations and meet with library staff and trustees to review the draft before the document is finalized.

Trustees also discussed plumbing and restroom fixtures. The staff member said a 2023 plumbing code change reduced the ratio used to calculate required fixtures, which increased the number of toilets required under current code. The library's existing first‑floor restrooms were described as insufficient under current code and the staff member said adding compliant fixtures in the existing footprint would present a challenge.

The staff member said some statutory waivers might be available because of the building's historic character, but plumbing requirements are likely to be the most difficult to waive. Trustees were advised that a larger renovation project to address full code compliance and programmatic improvements could follow in the next five to 10 years; in the meantime the recommendation is to fund immediate repairs while staying under the 30% trigger where possible.

The staff member said the report and cost estimates will be shared next week and that the matter will return to the town's capital and budget processes in the fall, when trustees and the town will request additional capital funding at town meeting.

Trustees did not take any binding vote on a specific construction contract at the June 11 meeting; instead, staff asked trustees to consider the budget implications and to expect further presentations in coming weeks.","A building assessment released to trustees identified water infiltration and other repairs that could trigger modern code upgrades if work exceeds 30% of the building's assessed value; trustees were told to budget roughly $1.4 million to cover immediate 'tier 1' repairs and avoid larger compliance triggers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norwood trustees name Sherry next chair, present award to page James Kai and discuss staffing, programs

Trustees hear about state cuts to ebook funding, legal uncertainty over federal library grants

Norwood library study finds major repairs needed; staff urge $1.4 million capital set‑aside