New Castle library board hires part-time substitute, adopts bulletin-board policy and approves $85 fee increase for consultant

At a public meeting of the New Castle Library Board, trustees voted to hire Terresa Buetti as a part-time substitute, adopted a new bulletin-board policy, and approved an $85-per-month increase in the engagement terms with financial services provider Rocky Smith.

The board first accepted the minutes and then heard the May treasurer's report. Jennifer reported the fiscal year is about "91% through" and that "81.28% of the budgeted expenses have been reported to date," noting 25 outstanding checks totaling $3,564. She told trustees that the 2024 audit by PK O'Conor Davies is being finalized and should be available for approval shortly.

The meeting included an update on the library's master-plan outreach. Robin said staff held multiple focus groups (including youth and caregiver groups), placed surveys in mailings and at a farmers market and had "at least 50 responses already." She said in-person outreach at the farmers market was strong: "it was mobbed," and volunteers hosted story time and handed out surveys.

On personnel, trustees were told that longtime employee Rebecca Rogan resigned and that earlier departures left a need in adult services for a full-time librarian. John moved to hire Terresa Buetti "as library one part-time available" with an effective date given in the transcript as June 4, 2026. Board discussion emphasized the board's past practice of rehiring substitutes at their outgoing hourly rate and noted the position was budgeted for about seven hours per week. The transcript lists an hourly figure as "5853 an hour," which appears to be a transcription error; the meeting also referenced that the starting pay for a Librarian I is "just under $61,000." The board called for and carried a vote to approve the hire.

Trustees also moved to adopt a written bulletin-board policy. Board members highlighted that the policy includes legal language limiting the library's liability for events advertised on posted materials and that the director has final approval of posted content. The motion to adopt the policy passed.

Under new business, the board reviewed a letter of engagement from Rocky Smith proposing an $85-per-month increase in their monthly fee; the letter noted Rocky Smith had not raised rates since 2023. A motion to approve the proposed June 15, 2026 terms of engagement reflecting that $85 increase was made and approved.

The board scheduled group swearing-in for trustees whose oaths were due and noted the next meeting is Monday, July 20 at 7 p.m. The board adjourned the public meeting at 7:28 p.m.

Votes at a glance: The board voted to accept the minutes, accepted the May treasurer's report, approved the hiring of Terresa Buetti (effective June 4, 2026), adopted the bulletin-board policy, and approved the Rocky Smith engagement terms reflecting an $85 monthly increase. Individual vote counts were recorded as "all in favor" or "unanimous" in the transcript; specific tallies were not provided.

(All quotes and attributions are taken from the meeting transcript.)