Trustees commend youth services staff after library hosts unexpectedly long select-board meeting

The Lakeville Library Board of Trustees voted Sept. 17 to send a letter of appreciation to youth services staffer Theresa after she helped host and secure the library during an unexpectedly large select-board meeting Sept. 2. The select-board meeting spilled into the library when the police station venue proved insufficient. With Director Jennifer Jones off duty, Theresa and other staff prepared the room and remained on site; trustees said Theresa stayed until about 10 p.m. to secure the building, an action trustees described as “above and beyond.” Trustees discussed whether staff should be routinely expected to remain after hours for town-government meetings and agreed that library staff should not be required to lock up for external boards; rather, the town administrator or meeting chairs should have responsibility for post-meeting lock-up or a pre-arranged plan for after-hours meetings. Trustees asked staff to review meeting-room policy language and coordination with town officials so staff are not placed in a required after-hours role. The board approved a motion to send a formal letter of thanks to Theresa for her response to the Sept. 2 meeting; the letter will go into her personnel file. What’s next: trustees will review meeting-room policy language and coordinate with the town administrator on procedures and key/code access so staff are not routinely responsible for after-hours closure of town government meetings held at the library.