The Town of Hampden Select Board heard detailed requests from the library trustees on Dec. 22 about safety, accessibility and operations at the newly occupied library. Kathy Hutchison, identified in the meeting as a library trustee, said patrons had complained about dim parking-lot lighting on Thursday nights and asked the board to explore temporary solutions such as a spotlight on a timer to illuminate the path from parked cars to the entrance.

"If there's just something that can provide a little more light from their car to the library entrance would be ... a really good thing," Hutchison said. Select Board members said they would look into installing timed spotlights rather than motion sensors to avoid frequent triggering.

Trustees also pressed for restroom access and a diaper-changing station. Hutchison said, "We need the diaper changing station," and asked that at least one of the larger, accessible restrooms be unlocked whenever the library is open so families and people who use wheelchairs have a usable facility. Board members and facilities staff discussed which rooms are ADA-compliant and agreed to consider designating a family bathroom if certain stalls need to be restricted for safety or maintenance.

The trustees raised operational issues including distribution of electronic codes and keys for multiple doors. Staff explained that doors are on electronic locks and that an emergency key box will remain available to first responders; they said they would ensure necessary codes are provided to staff and volunteers and keep a limited number of physical keys for emergency access.

On safety, facilities staff told the board that the building department and fire department have walked the site and that doors are wired to the fire panel so they will unlock automatically if an alarm sounds. The board asked staff to schedule a formal fire drill and prepare an approved exit map for posting, with the fire-drill planning expected in January.

Finally, trustees asked for advance notice of HVAC work that might require short-term closures. Board members said they were obtaining HVAC quotes and would coordinate scheduling and communications with library staff so closures — if needed — can be planned around library programming.

The board committed to follow up on lighting, restroom access and HVAC scheduling and to keep the trustees informed as estimates and plans are finalized.