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Library board approves added Sunday summer hours and adopts amended operating budget
Summary
Board added funding for Sunday summer hours, approved operating and capital budget requests as amended (including grounds and parking adjustments), and directed staff to gather usage data for future decisions on hours and staffing.
The Norwalk Public Library Board voted Dec. 12 to add funding for Sunday summer hours and approved the operating budget as amended.
Board member Alex Knop urged adding Sunday hours during the summer to provide patrons access to computers and cooled public space when school is out. Members debated staff availability, patron attendance data and budget coding for Sunday pay. The board asked supervisors to gather Sunday usage numbers and staff feedback before the next cycle.
A motion to add funds to the Sunday line (to be distributed equitably between the SONO and main branches) was moved, seconded and carried. The board then approved the operating budget as amended.
Other operating items approved or discussed included a requested $15,000 for grounds maintenance (including plowing) and adjustments to parking costs after renegotiation of leased spaces at the Eagles lot (library to lease 17 spaces; the city to use 13 for staging). Director’s staff and finance staff clarified a pro forma showing a $35,000 request for the combined grounds/parking/landscaping line for 2026.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to add funds to Sunday line for summer hours: passed (motion seconded; recorded Aye). - Operating budget (2025–26) as amended: passed (motion moved and seconded; recorded Aye).
Next steps: staff will collect Sunday-attendance data and finalize budget materials for the Board of Estimate and Taxation review; the board asked staff to share relevant documentation prior to the BET presentation.
