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Wales Public Library trustees approve minute, request job posting and form bylaws subcommittee as director flags staffing, payment and operational problems
Summary
At a Jan. 12 meeting, Wales Public Library trustees voted to ask the Board of Selectmen to post a new Library Assistant job and to form a bylaws subcommittee. Library Director Kara Jund reported unpaid payroll for an employee, ongoing staff-absence issues, and several operational problems including a frozen Amazon account and a vendor collection notice.
Trustees of the Wales Public Library on Jan. 12 unanimously approved the Dec. 15, 2025 minutes, voted to ask the Board of Selectmen to post a new Library Assistant position and created a bylaws subcommittee to review and recommend a model for the library.
Library Director Kara Jund reported several operational and personnel problems that she said are hampering services. Jund told the trustees that a light above the circulation desk needs new ballasts; she reported Town Hall had been notified in November but had not fixed the issue as of the Jan. 12 meeting. She also said employees have had repeated absences, that written warnings submitted to Town Hall produced no response, and that an employee, Jonathan Cuppini, had not been paid for December; Kara resubmitted his timesheets on Jan. 12 after Town Hall requested them.
The board moved quickly on two personnel-related motions. Trustee Keri Pitcher moved and Trustee Lisa Sheridan seconded a request that the Board of Selectmen post the new Library Assistant position; the motion passed with "All in favor." Pitcher also moved and Sheridan seconded the creation of a bylaws subcommittee; the motion passed unanimously, and Trustee Sue Gregory volunteered to serve on that group.
Jund reported additional administrative matters: the library’s Amazon account was frozen for nonpayment but remained on the expense list; Baker & Taylor sent a collection notice on Dec. 11 that was forwarded to town officials; an order for WiFi hotspots had been canceled on Dec. 11 for nonpayment but was later reinstated and the hotspots were received Jan. 7. She said several CFCE programs had been canceled and that she is seeking volunteers to run Storytime and Book Buddies. Jund also said most WCC grant applications had been awarded, and she proposed creating a Kids Advisory Board with a first meeting planned for Feb. 3.
Trustees noted upcoming administrative deadlines: the Capital Plan is due Jan. 22 and the Annual Report is due Feb. 17. They also recorded that Jund’s hours are above her 25-hour position and will need to be increased in the next budget cycle. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM; the board set its next meeting for Feb. 9, 2026.
