Trustees approve funding for beginner English class and a painting class

At its March 10 meeting the Board of Library Trustees authorized two program funding requests to come from the LIGMIG reserve.

Trustees approved $480 to fund an eight‑week beginner English language class to be taught by Janet Symansky. The motion to authorize the $480 expenditure passed by voice vote; trustees did not record a roll‑call tally in the minutes. A trustee who moved the motion asked that staff provide follow‑up details on scheduling, minimum enrollment and whether the instructor would proceed if fewer than the advertised 15–18 participants enroll. The director said she would confirm the minimum enrollment and report back. The motion’s source of funding was specified as the LIGMIG reserve, which the director said had about $31,068.13 unencumbered at the time of the meeting.

Trustees also approved $250 to pay the teaching fee for a paint class led by Paul Jake (listed in materials as a Blackstone resident). The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; trustees did not record individual votes for either motion. The director said supplies for the paint class (canvases and paint) could be purchased from the library’s programming budget.

Discussion on both motions focused on program logistics rather than policy: trustees asked about enrollment minimums, advertising and whether classes would be open to non‑residents; staff said classes would be open to patrons (not restricted to Blackstone residents) and that multilingual outreach would be used for the English class if needed. “We would have it translated into Spanish,” the director said when trustees asked about advertising for non‑English speakers.

Actions recorded: two funding approvals from the LIGMIG reserve. Trustees directed staff to confirm instructor minimums, class timing and advertising plans and to report those details at the next meeting.