Blackstone library trustees approve revised food/allergen and charitable-collection policies

The Blackstone Board of Library Trustees voted Sept. 9 to adopt changes to two library policies intended to streamline programming and collections-related fundraising.

Director Lisa Cheever told trustees the food-and-allergen policy was revised to remove a requirement that parents sign a consent form and to require that a sign be posted in any room where food is served notifying patrons that food will be provided. Cheever said staff will continue to ask registered craft participants about allergies in advance and provide alternatives (for example, gluten-free or dairy-free options) for drop-in events.

"The only change to this policy ... is we took out that parents will have to sign the form and I added, a sign will be placed in the room in which an event program takes place, notifying patrons that food is being served," Cheever said.

Trustee Kate Reno moved to approve the revised food-and-beverage/allergen policy; Jean Alexandowitz seconded the motion. The board voted in favor.

Trustees also approved a revised charitable-collections policy and its application form. Board members requested a small wording change to include a "designee" on the application so that someone other than the director could sign on behalf of the library when appropriate. Cheever agreed to add the slash "designee" to the application language and circulate the edit before the next meeting.

The changes take effect immediately for library programming and fundraising processes; trustees said the revisions are intended to make it easier for staff to run events while continuing to limit common allergens (trustees confirmed the library will not serve peanuts or tree nuts at programs).