Ashaway and Langworthy libraries ask Hopkinton for level funding; Langworthy requests $71,000 grant

Heather Field (director, Ashaway Free Library) and Virgil Labali (director, Langworthy Library) told the council the two libraries are requesting level funding for the coming year and described expanding programs and community partnerships that rely on town support.

Field said Ashaway is focused on community connection programs — from story time and youth literacy to a new chess club and a multi‑part course on writing, publishing and promotion. She recounted the joint "Amazing Spectacular Hopkinton Eclipse Carnival" event at Crandall Field that drew more than 1,000 attendees and cited partnerships with Hopkinton Recreation, police, fire and public works.

Labali said Langworthy requested a $71,000 grant to sustain and expand services at each Hopkinton library. Labali reported roughly 12,000 visitors last year, 237 programs and about 1,303 patrons attending programs; he said the library recorded roughly 3,100 Wi‑Fi sessions in the last year and that the summer reading program doubled participation from the prior year.

Staff and councilors clarified a state library funding rule: the libraries receive additional state funding that is contingent on the town maintaining its level of local support. A councilor summarized the arrangement as a partial match (commonly described around 25% in past practice), and presenters asked the council to remember the state match when reviewing the municipal budget.

Both library directors thanked the council for ongoing support and highlighted upcoming community programming and needs‑assessment work; no formal appropriation or vote was taken at the workshop.