Residents and librarians urge council to restore library technology position; council reviews cuts to local programs

The Cheshire Public Library asked the Town of Cheshire to restore a 35-hour senior library associate position to its technology team and approved a modest strategic-planning expense as part of the municipal budget discussions on March 23. Sandy Hernandez, the library director, told the council the restored position would return the library to its 2024–25 staffing levels and allow the library to resume one-on-one technology assistance and AV-studio appointments that were curtailed by recent staffing cuts.

"We're seeking the restoration of a full time position to bring us back to our 24, 25 staffing levels," Hernandez said, explaining the post had supported tech outreach, one-on-one help and outreach to the senior center. She described the request as a trade-off the library made while balancing other line items that were reduced, including a $5,409 contract with Abilities Without Boundaries that was cut to preserve the technology role.

Hernandez reported the library saw 173,339 visits in fiscal 2025 — up 9% from the prior year — and highlighted program growth (608 programs offered last year) and homebound delivery work: "We're on track to make 800 deliveries for our homebound residents," she said. The library also received a three-year, $75,000 responsive grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven to buy materials and equipment for visually impaired patrons; Hernandez said those funds arrived in January and must be spent by November.

Councilors praised the library's output and asked for specific details about the consortium-based strategic planning cohort, which costs $5,500 and would let the library work with experienced consultants at a reduced rate. Council discussion also focused on the effect of prior cuts: restoring the senior library associate would relieve the technology coordinator, Jared Goldman, who has covered additional desk and technology duties since the position was removed.

Hernandez described local operations that would return with fuller staffing: resumed tech appointments, expanded AV studio work and outreach programs to schools and homebound patrons. The council indicated support but acknowledged the budget trade-offs across departments as they weigh requests during upcoming deliberations.

The council did not take a final vote on funding at the meeting; the library's requests were entered into the wider budget deliberations for later decision.