The Hubbardston Public Library trustees voted unanimously to accept a story‑walk grant application at their Jan. 8 meeting and discussed related grant and policy opportunities.

The application provides funding for a temporary story‑walk installation (initially four books rotated quarterly), display panels and an introductory trailhead sign; trustees agreed to keep the permanent site flexible—options include Main Street, the town common, the recreation field or collaboration with Quabbin School District—and to add a trailhead‑sign quote to the submission. Trustees discussed estimated costs (lamination and signage were noted as significant budget items) and agreed to submit the draft by the application deadline.

A motion to accept the story‑walk grant application was made and seconded; the vote passed 4–0–0.

Trustees also reviewed other funding avenues and timing: a potential phase‑2 application to expand lower‑level renovations (to be considered in the July cycle rather than January), the municipal Americans with Disabilities Act improvement grant (which can fund accessibility upgrades tied to an ADA plan), and the Massachusetts Preservation Fund (a 50% reimbursable grant for historic‑building preservation). Trustees discussed coordinating with the Historical Commission where appropriate and confirmed the town’s standing on certain historic‑preservation requirements.

On policy and risk matters, trustees were advised that the select board had voted to accept a legal, counsel‑reviewed general liability waiver for library programs (separate documents for minors and adults). Staff will post the waiver(s) to the town website and require both parental signatures in dual‑custody situations as a protective measure for the library and community partners.

Trustees agreed to continue final policy proofreading and to set a February meeting to determine which policies merit cursory legal review before requesting full legal review if needed. They also agreed to coordinate scholarship outreach and Friends‑of‑the‑Library activities in coming weeks.