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Board receives staffing, building and budget updates; asbestos removal and carpet work expected
Summary
Staff reported the library is fully staffed, summer reading participation topped 700, asbestos removal and an air-handler replacement are scheduled, carpet installation may force a short closure later this year, and staff requested one part-time maintenance position in next year's budget.
At its July 21 meeting the Library Board received routine staff, usage and construction updates. Tom Carson, staff member, said the library is "now fully staffed" and that two new hires, Quinn and Amanda, started as library assistants; Carson said Amanda will serve as storyteller for children's services.
Carson summarized facility work: asbestos was found in community-room carpet and asbestos removal is scheduled "roughly around August." He told the board "we don't have to close" the building for the asbestos removal because the area will be sealed, and he estimated the removal would take only a couple of days. He also said the building's air handler will be replaced and crews are scheduled to start in a couple weeks; the replacement means the building may be warm while the work occurs. Carson said carpet for ongoing construction has been ordered and that when crews install the carpet the library will probably need to close for at least three or four days because large machines will be used to move shelves. He said that work could occur in October and that staff will notify patrons by email, social media and signage.
On usage statistics, Carson said the library has seen steady summer use and that the summer reading program has "over 700" participants; as a program incentive, children who complete the reading sheet receive a golden ticket for three free swim sessions, which Carson said are scheduled for Aug. 17.
On the 2026 budget, Carson said costs such as energy are rising and staff are not yet asking the council for additional operating funds beyond a request for a part-time maintenance helper. He said parks staff had recently provided summer help for landscaping and that town/county reimbursement changes have increased library revenue: Carson said the village/town split in Grafton means the library should receive roughly $7,000 more this year or next and noted that "Ozaukee County ... pay us 100%" for certain transactions while another jurisdiction still pays 70%.
No formal budget approvals were requested at the meeting; board members accepted the reports and approved routine consent items earlier in the agenda (minutes, invoices and the June revenue and expense report).
