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Library director says Daland Trust covers many operating costs; teen hours to increase
Summary
Library Director Bonnie Angulas told the Budget Committee the Daland Trust pays utilities, landscaping, snow removal and cleaning for the library, and that trustees aim to avoid raising the new library’s budget in 2026; the committee was told a teen helper position will increase from 6 to 12 hours per week and that volunteers cannot legally replace paid staff.
Bonnie Angulas, director of the Daland Library, briefed the Budget Committee on Jan. 6 about the library's 2026 budget and its unique funding arrangement.
Angulas said the Library Trustees maintain the library’s internal budget within appropriation line 455050 and that the Daland Trust covers many costs that the town would otherwise pay — including utilities, landscaping, snow removal and cleaning. She said many library programs are funded by the Friends of the Daland Library or by grants. Angulas told the committee the trustees' goal for 2026 is to avoid increasing the library budget for the new building and to monitor expenses.
On staffing, Angulas said the library employs two full‑time and three part‑time staff; the teen helper position will increase from 6 to 12 hours per week to help with shelving and to allow two staff on duty during evening hours. Resident Eileen Naber reminded the committee that at the town meeting approving the new building there were “promises made not to increase the hours.” Angulas responded that state law and policy limit volunteer substitution and that positions must be paid or fully volunteer—she clarified volunteers cannot replace paid staff under current rules.
Angulas provided a rough breakdown of line 455050: about $8,000 for books, $6,000 for digital/streaming lending, and roughly $1,400 for library management software; programming typically includes presenters who cost about $300 per event but are often grant‑funded. On line 455099 (Library Cleaning), she said the Daland Trust has historically reimbursed the town and that the trustees are researching cleaning contracts for the larger new library; that line may be zeroed out in a final budget. Committee members asked whether library landscaping resources could be shared with DPW given recent DPW equipment rental line changes.
No formal vote on library funding occurred at the Jan. 6 meeting.
