Abbot Public Library trustees approve maintenance payments, three draft policies and an early-November staff closure

The Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees on Oct. 24 approved multiple maintenance and furnishing expenditures, adopted three library policies in draft form, and authorized an early 4 p.m. closure on Nov. 5 to allow staff to vote.

Director Kimberly Grad told trustees the library submitted two versions of its FY26 budget to the town Finance Department through ClearGov: a level-service proposal that includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment, scheduled step increases, a 20% raise in the maintenance line and $15,000 in additional materials to satisfy State Aid guidelines, and an alternate budget that adds funding for a part-time custodian and a part-time reference librarian. Grad also reported that required FY24 State Aid statistics and financial reports have been filed with the town.

The board approved a roll-call motion to close the library at 4 p.m. on Nov. 5 to accommodate staff voting; the motion passed unanimously (Trustees Gary Amberik, John Williams, Jennifer Jewell, Kathy Barker and David Ross).

Trustees moved and approved payments for listed maintenance and furnishing items as presented by the director: children’s room carpet $3,043 (charged to the Maintenance budget), a water-hammer repair $2,167.72 (Maintenance), a pressure-reducing valve $5,070.60 (Maintenance), a wireless security “emergency call button” $1,715.02 (Maintenance), and a children’s-room bench $870 (paid from the Killam Fund). The motion to approve these payments passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

The board reviewed a set of draft policies and approved the Borrowing Policy, the Security Camera Policy and the Use of Gallery Space policy. The Computer and Internet Use Policy and the Meeting Room Policy were discussed and held for additional review at the next meeting so trustees could consider questions about sliding-scale rental fees, alcohol use in rooms, and whether a contract is required for some reservations. The Security Camera Policy presented to the board was rewritten by the director and vetted by the town’s legal counsel, Alexander M. Castro of Mead, Talerman & Costa, LLC; signage for cameras has been posted.

Director Grad also described ongoing renovation and maintenance work: punch-list items, restored storage-room shelves, condensation control in children’s room ducts by lowering temperature, and vendor quotes for the children’s-room carpet (Capital Carpet and Flooring) and built-in desk and shelving (MassCorr). The board heard that work on a pressure-reducing valve was scheduled with EV Mechanical and that Dependable Security will provide a quote for wireless emergency call buttons. Trustee Gary Amberik said he will work on enclosing the children’s-room steps and reinstalling a bench and window treatment once cushions are available.

Trustees received updates on funding partnerships: a Shattuck Memorial Fund award for Imagination Playground blocks, Second Century Fund support for charging stations and laptops, and a decision by the Abbot Public Library Foundation (APLF) to set up three town-managed funds (one for programs/technology/development support and two special-use funds) and to provide $25,000 initially for programs plus two $1,000 special-use funds. The APLF also provided an estimated $55,000 to pay for front-entrance construction; the chair reported the work was not part of the town-approved renovation plan and that the BRC found no recourse to recoup costs from other parties. The board discussed a proposed ribbon-cutting event to follow construction completion.

Program and usage data reviewed by the board showed mixed month-over-month trends: in-library circulation increased (10,435 to 11,737) while children’s program attendance declined (567 to 406) year-over-year; digital circulation remained similar. Trustees noted the Teen Librarian had been on leave Aug. 15–Oct. 1, affecting teen program counts.

The Friends of the Library reported successful donation and sale days that collected more than 1,000 books and yielded over $1,300 in sales; a recent program with Janet Parnes and the League of Women Voters was well attended, the Friends representative said.

The board adjourned at 7:52 p.m. The next Trustee meeting is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (Sept. 9, 2024): approved; roll-call unanimous (Amberik, Williams, Jewell, Barker, Ross). - Early closure on Nov. 5 at 4 p.m.: approved; roll-call unanimous. - Payment approvals (children’s carpet $3,043; water-hammer $2,167.72; pressure valve $5,070.60; wireless security button $1,715.02; bench $870): approved; roll-call unanimous. - Policy approvals (Borrowing; Security Camera; Use of Gallery Space): approved; roll-call unanimous.

Next steps: Meeting-room and Computer/Internet Use policy revisions will be returned for further board discussion; the board will also await Finance Committee liaison meetings for FY26 budget review.