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Peabody Institute trustees hear director's report on storm closures, repairs, programs and new hires
Summary
At the Feb. 11, 2026 meeting, Director Noelle Boc told trustees the library closed three days after January storms, suffered a leak in the Stranding Room that DPW staff addressed, and outlined upcoming programs, partnerships, two new part-time hires and staff trainings.
The Peabody Institute Board of Library Trustees heard an operational update at its Feb. 11, 2026 meeting that covered a storm-related closure and roof leak, upcoming programs and partnerships, two new part-time assistant librarian hires and planned staff training.
Why it matters: Weather-related building damage and staffing changes affect the library's ability to deliver programs and services, and the trustees were given advance notice ahead of the Select Board's budget review on March 7.
Director Noelle Boc told trustees the library closed for three days after January snowstorms. Melting snow and ice caused leaking in the Stranding Room near the windows; Hayden Warren of the Department of Public Works cleared snow from a balcony above the room, which largely stopped the dripping, but Boc said one light fixture remains affected. Boc also reported the Archives fire system was inspected on Feb. 5.
On programming, Boc said the Friends of the Librarys recent open house was well attended and that the Friends will sponsor the Music for Many Occasions Ensemble on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. The Friends also agreed to fund a Recovery Corner; Boc said the library will purchase a bookcase and bulletin board for that project. A seed-library sorting party is scheduled for Feb. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Boc said she will meet with Annie Harris of the Essex National Heritage Foundation to explore funding for historic projects and has discussed further collaboration with Matt Mitchell, director of the Danvers Senior Center.
On staffing, Boc announced that Nick McCavitt and Laurence Mini were hired as part-time assistant librarians. She said the library will host virtual training on microaggressions on March 18 at 12:30 p.m., led by Caprice Collins of the Culture Collections, with a second session planned for the summer.
Boc said staff guidelines are being developed for how employees should respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appears at the library; she said MIRA drafted the guidelines and that she will consult the police chief after Trustee Michael Hagan expressed concern that police had not been involved in the discussion.
Boc also described a recent conversation with Town Archivist Richard Trask about digitization priorities and the archives' lack of space. Trask suggested renting nearby storage, but Boc said the funding source for additional storage has not been specified.
What happens next: Trustees noted the Select Board budget review is scheduled for March 7; Boc said she will report back on the status of the Archives storage funding and on any follow-up with the police chief about ICE guidance.
