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Council backs resolution urging state not to adopt proposed small‑library staffing and hours changes
Summary
The council unanimously approved a resolution asking the Rhode Island Office of Library Information Services not to adopt proposed rules that would raise minimum hours and staffing for small libraries.
The North Kingstown Town Council voted to send a resolution to the Rhode Island Office of Library Information Services urging the state not to adopt parts of proposed library‑service regulations that would increase minimum hours and staffing levels for small libraries.
Trustees and library staff from the town’s smaller independent libraries said the proposed changes would impose an unfunded mandate that could force closures or require libraries to leave the statewide consortium. "If the minimum standards are approved as drafted, they will put too much pressure on our finances and fundraising abilities," said Mike Donahue, a trustee of the North Kingstown Free Library. Representatives of the Willett Free Library and the Davisville Free Library described their operations: both rely heavily on local fundraising and reported staffing and budget constraints.
Speakers gave concrete estimates: Davisville trustees said raising operational hours from 25 to 35 hours per week would require a 40% increase in expenditures and an estimated $25,000 in additional labor costs for that library alone; they warned that without state or town funding the library could be forced to reduce programs or withdraw from the consortium and lose interlibrary‑loan access.
The council approved the resolution and directed staff to forward it in advance of the state hearing scheduled for March 17. The resolution asks the state not to adopt the portions of the proposed rules that would increase hours and staffing levels for small independent libraries.
