Richfield library board approves monthly 30‑minute closure for staff meeting

The Richfield Public Library Board voted at its March 12 meeting to close the library to the public on the first Wednesday of each month from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. for a staff meeting so the director and staff can meet when shifts overlap. The board recorded a motion to approve the closure and called for those in favor; the public record shows the board voice‑voted “Aye.”

The director, who was excused from the meeting, had asked whether the board preferred staff meetings be scheduled with or without formal board approval. The board agreed the monthly half‑hour closure would help staff coordination and recommended the director post notices on the door and on the library website. Board members discussed possible impacts on pedestrians and patrons who rely on drop‑in access; they concluded 30 minutes once a month was manageable and that the director should exercise discretion (for example, to inform waiting patrons the meeting would end shortly or to allow brief transactions).

The board noted it would advertise the closure pattern in advance and post a notice on the website. The board also recorded that staff would handle patrons who arrive during the short closure (for example, asking patrons to wait or to return later). The motion as recorded in the meeting materials takes effect immediately and will be part of the library’s regular hours posting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: “Approve closing the library the first Wednesday of each month from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. for staff meetings.” - Outcome: Approved (voice vote; recorded as “Aye” in the meeting). Exact roll‑call tally not specified in the transcript.

Why this matters: a recurring short closure changes posted public hours and affects patrons who rely on walk‑in access; the board balanced staff operational needs and public access and directed staff to provide advance notice.