[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",5987362,"mediaKeyId","5772610-d3444a66aa6bdbacf8ede95255ff4774","parentId",5772610,"title","Board presses city for part‑time library raises after more than a decade without increases","audioSeconds",527,"startMs",3305000,"endMs",3832000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772610-d3444a66aa6bdbacf8ede95255ff4774&start=3305&end=3832","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772610-d3444a66aa6bdbacf8ede95255ff4774/thumbnail_3305000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5987362/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Board-presses-city-for-parttime-library-raises-after-more-than-a-decade-without-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5987362-0600438707f309c61467324eaf9cf567/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568380&Signature=NoAXgo-IUKjGRtd8NBzMGIls77K06IuQbtqSzfMp7ZEsiYNqUIBBWcEDHEzDHR9uIfrCTwM0gWjVv1HQo~cZ~r1Wzt8GShi0-Deti9Ns~1QsghXA-ovlnnyr-sR7l8Hb1XuKket7HRdJLyPwSHkYHxR3tlu-b04ByIDlnKFTOpyf6S086pIg4tIhifZzuS2H6oK8UQabmmcE1WeVDW0jjNlskwi7fuxCNhsEQUdL41HiunZRsNZNYp9siPMBBam7mwHWJEsrOSimWGWtgx-FhPa9Y9FvYPlYYmkuWMctStU-HMX1DCH8jTWL5O7RY-BhUHw8-Ok1EyBCyI2zbsR-7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-09-12T00:38:09Z","article","The North Public Library Board devoted a substantial portion of its Sept. 11 meeting to the issue of pay for part‑time library employees, pressing the mayor’s office and finance staff for raises after what board members said has been a decade without increases.

“It’s been since 2012, and that's over 10 years,” a board member said, summarizing the concern that part‑time hourly staff have not received salary adjustments comparable to full‑time, unionized staff. The board said the lack of raises has hurt morale and makes it harder to retain staff who perform public‑facing duties seven days a week.

Board members said they had written to the mayor and spoken at public budget meetings advocating for raises. One director reported that in a recent conversation the city’s head of finance, Lamont, indicated support for increases but told staff the city prefers to handle raises via a special appropriation rather than a rollover.

Board members discussed specific benchmarks and suggested interim steps: one suggestion was a $2 per hour increase for part‑time employees and a staged approach to raise library assistant pay toward an area benchmark of roughly $34 per hour cited in discussion. Members asked staff to continue advocacy with the mayor’s office and to return with budget options the board can support.

Why it matters: Part‑time staff provide frontline services and their compensation affects service continuity and program delivery. Board members said they will continue to press the mayor’s office and city finance to secure funding.

The board indicated continued advocacy and follow‑up with mayoral staff; no binding budget appropriation was made at the Sept. 11 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Library Board of Directors 09-11-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Directors said part‑time library staff have not had raises since about 2012 and pushed the mayor's office and finance staff to approve increases; a city finance official reportedly signaled support but indicated any action may require a special appropriation rather than a rollover.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"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},5987367,"Board adopts circulation privacy and homebound rules, raises museum‑pass fee to deter drop‑box returns",407,2199000,2606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772610-d3444a66aa6bdbacf8ede95255ff4774&start=2199&end=2606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772610-d3444a66aa6bdbacf8ede95255ff4774/thumbnail_2199000.jpg","/articles/5987367/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Board-adopts-circulation-privacy-and-homebound-rules-raises-museumpass-fee-to-deter-dropbox-returns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5987367-11c81d9e245ef0fbdc1cd191270f98cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568380&Signature=hA7E092hIL5QbIcz3o39cSa3Cjg1MsDPHQZs4VcLIUMbbhFshZFZpoJQZ6OKK7tDOMl9885Tj7aW6fbdOXKE1hC1bHBKMVlQwALJfA3so2thoPv1FkONy6y5I8Bt8brMYXT0wzcpih1KUY~fFa~FRwAxQ1qf7TU~Mx3X6kTeRI8fKArCBQ-KyyvNdMFz5XxiWxJcweIPEEz0bfn25s9rtXClOG91IBNFCePSOUAFVxjvzkgJmoZzWLNQ13Mb0HsStby~n5wHeKprivKLXox686pjnRiV3GT63uelR7nB1Bz~9XRozdMcm6rxZfza7mcO-YTqAYPuRpRu9cCZ9pHy3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Public Library Board adopted changes to circulation and privacy practices on Sept. 11, approving a shift to record only limited identification data for non‑in‑person transactions and clarifying homebound delivery and donation procedures.

Under the change, staff will record only the last four digits of an identification document plus month and day of birth when patrons request remote transactions such as renewals or third‑party pick‑ups. A staff member said the change aims to verify identity while reducing stored personal data.

“He thinks of every scenario…he really cares,” Cheryl said of Peter, a circulation desk staff member who suggested keeping the last four digits as a minimum identifier after a patron‑misuse incident. “Just so we make sure because we've had issues where a parent or somebody is upset because somebody's used their card.”

The board also adopted a policy clarifying homebound delivery and eligibility: patrons with documented disabilities may receive deliveries and staff will assist with card application or designate a proxy when needed. Board members moved to formalize the practice as written.

On museum passes, directors raised the replacement/return fee from $5 to $25 to discourage patrons from returning fragile or high‑value passes in a drop box, after several members reported damage and loss when passes were returned outside of the circulation desk.

The board approved updated guidance on donations and material gifts, including a recommendation that cash gifts be handled through the foundation; staff asked the board to return later with the precise cash‑handling procedure.

Why it matters: The privacy change reduces the amount of personally identifying information saved in circulation records; changes to homebound delivery and donation handling clarify staff procedures and accountability for service users and donors.

The board adopted the revisions by motion and vote at the Sept. 11 meeting. Staff will return with any additional language or operational details requested by the board.","Directors approved changes to privacy and circulation procedures to record only the last four digits of identification for remote transactions, clarified homebound delivery procedures and accepted revised donation handling; they also raised the replacement/return fee for museum passes to $25 amid staff concerns about damage and drop‑box returns.",{"_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},5987372,"Library board reviews capital projects: tech upgrades, auditorium refresh, van order and furniture",180,960000,1140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772610-d3444a66aa6bdbacf8ede95255ff4774&start=960&end=1140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772610-d3444a66aa6bdbacf8ede95255ff4774/thumbnail_960000.jpg","/articles/5987372/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Library-board-reviews-capital-projects-tech-upgrades-auditorium-refresh-van-order-and-furniture","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5987372-dcaec162ee27aa5321d3e82055e38686/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568380&Signature=m~sr7UOz3KeB6gafohIogfqPM~-Cx9ULTWF~wrR61Pf2GXUgPXjvho8~IXw8D9gYMjIFOFGEjkyDh0atXvVUAGxRj7WzFxxXzOi-rZDGmGbXgK66TMNvYP65lTliP6y9KllOx4s70UcwF5OC4RInD0Z~GvsxCu560nd8wvg2Ifbx~NCCdKXZGLpv7DSUIDNR19TGMw~rEDKMLvldS57FnJqFRe5h4ml1x0NpiK5QMSXLJYHdIKmNE-oM3KhtJV5oO-16BftApAwAXZzabwNAibDfY211cZ1MqlNrvFSa~sJ-rI-it82N44XZSXORA86Eh2JZjfFuSwOH-otyOrh33Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Public Library Board of Directors received a series of capital‑project and operations updates on Sept. 11, covering technology upgrades, auditorium refresh work, a planned library van purchase and furniture deliveries.

Cheryl, a library staff member, told the board the laptop‑vending account is closed and that staff have been tracking usage of the loaner laptops. “We started seeing actually…last year there were almost 700…above 800,” a staff member reported, summarizing circulation statistics for devices and programs.

Staff said the auditorium refresh will include a remote microphone system for main‑floor events, and technology work included a roughly $1,500 Wi‑Fi access‑point replacement and a migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11 so machines will be compatible with current software. The board also learned that the vendor has ordered a customized library van; staff said they were awaiting an arrival date because of customization lead time.

Furniture and accessibility work also featured in the update. Staff said most furniture for a reading room had arrived and thanked the foundation for covering upgraded selections; staff noted the auditorium still needs new stackable chairs suited to older users and people with mobility needs. The board discussed follow‑up on door‑handle work and ADA items, and staff said they will continue to coordinate with Neil Rene and the city’s purchasing office.

Why it matters: Several of these projects affect public access and program delivery — from improved Wi‑Fi coverage and microphone systems for large events to seating suitable for older patrons — and some procurement steps require city purchasing coordination.

No formal board votes were taken on capital contracts at the Sept. 11 meeting; staff said they will report back with procurement schedules and vendor delivery dates.","Board heard updates on laptop vending machines, auditorium microphone and seating upgrades, a library van order, ADA door‑handle follow‑ups and building repairs; staff said many upgrades are funded and scheduled but some items require city purchasing support and coordination.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5987377,"Library board warns city not to commit expansion funds after $800,000 eminent‑domain payment",257,677000,934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772610-d3444a66aa6bdbacf8ede95255ff4774&start=677&end=934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772610-d3444a66aa6bdbacf8ede95255ff4774/thumbnail_677000.jpg","/articles/5987377/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Library-board-warns-city-not-to-commit-expansion-funds-after-800000-eminentdomain-payment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5987377-be5d571d279898805b5c058f40595d66/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568380&Signature=kLNbMyNXTYVh7M20RcP2P4yvCB~FVp7vwSYoJS3vf40RmGDip7bZy7qBgFdtTgMil-SVnzMH0Io~Cw6wBauXP-8eR6TXOmrZtl-wQ-cS9MVpE8Fq92WLxjZkZA~8Vx4wKdr2-fBTI7VuY~hBE7yCRlOQmFDB0w1mHl0mz8nuA3QQ7V87fYJtyK6UFNh2yC1cyB2JDKPM-nn~w9wiMB96hNSh4CbpZXxZwLa1yaHwyWpRfB6DIr2ah-QJvSZ1NnPS0XG6KKYXLUiw3ucLHqYsqoFU-UeYW1TMy5JNjbfz9ido9UfggvbZhL4CWXOd~p4wGbrbNnoLTicL2qLPojUgcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Public Library Board of Directors discussed on Sept. 11 the risk that a pending eminent‑domain award for an adjacent parking lot could reduce the library’s remaining expansion funds. Board member Alex Knop warned the board not to commit its leftover expansion money before getting clarity from the city.

“Of the amount that was in Jessica’s budget that should have been our budget, $800,000 of it has already been allocated to the party when the city paid that to the superior court,” Alex Knop said. “If the court awards more than $800,000, there's a danger that the city will take it out of our remaining expansion money of about $700,000.”

Board members said the city used American Rescue Plan Act money to acquire the parcel and then pursued condemnation rather than further negotiation. The board heard that the city paid a good‑faith estimate of $800,000 to the court and that a trial on the property valuation is expected next month; a board member said corporation counsel asked them to be a witness in that proceeding.

Why it matters: The board is preparing to issue an RFP for a strategic‑planning consultant and to move ahead with design work. Several directors said they do not want the city to reserve or reallocate the library’s remaining expansion funds while the court determines the final award.

In the discussion, board members flagged uncertainty about the property’s market value. One participant noted competing views about future development value versus current parking‑space appraisal. “Milligan was saying that he was gonna build units on the place, so it's not really the value of a parking space from his point of view,” a board member said, reflecting arguments expected in the trial.

Board members directed staff to obtain more information from city finance and corporation counsel about whether the library’s remaining expansion appropriation could be reserved or used to cover any additional eminent‑domain award. The board paused plans to issue design‑phase RFPs until that clarification is provided.

The board did not take a formal vote on the matter at the Sept. 11 meeting; members agreed to follow up with the city and report back at a future meeting.","Board members said the city paid $800,000 to the Superior Court in an eminent‑domain action for an adjacent parking lot and voiced concern the city could use remaining library expansion funds to cover a larger award; board asked staff to get clarification before moving forward with design or RFP work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board presses city for part‑time library raises after more than a decade without increases

Board adopts circulation privacy and homebound rules, raises museum‑pass fee to deter drop‑box returns

Library board reviews capital projects: tech upgrades, auditorium refresh, van order and furniture

Library board warns city not to commit expansion funds after $800,000 eminent‑domain payment