I was surprised to learn today at the Select Board workshop session that the Library Trustees have voted to reopen the North Dartmouth branch for 17 hours per week.
The branch will be open after Labor Day and the proposed hours are
Monday 5-8 PMThe cost of the reopening ...
Tuesday 9AM-1PM
Wednesday 5-8PM
Thursday 9AM-1PM
and Friday 5-8PM
...will be provided by reallocating personnel funding from the Southworth library (about $41K) and grant funds (about $9K). The Budget Director said he will keep track of the accounts being used to ensure they don't go into the red as the year progresses.
Posts
8 comments:
Does this money cover heating the library over the minimum temperature needed to keep pipes from freezing? Does the building need significant repairs? What happens next year if grant money doesn't come in, and any years after that? At what point will they again ask for an override?
I think it will be great to have library service once again in the north part of town. Kudos for working hard to secure grant money to help make this happen.
kudos to the library.
I agree that it's great to have a library in the north end of town again, but is this for one year only? If that is the case, why not just put the money into buying more books and materials at Southworth until we figure out what direction we are going with library services. With the cost of heating the building this winter (I now it's small, but $$$!)this might not be the best use of the funds. Just a thought.
This is a bad idea. Using non recurring revenue (grants) for recurring expense is bad policy. Doesn't anybody in this town ever learn from past mistakes.
I believe the library is well aware that they may have to close this branch when the grant money is gone. Until decisions are finalized on privatization or other potential cost saving measures to be taken there is no reason not to make use of an existing resource which has served the community well in the past. I applaud the library for continuing to maintain the goal of serving the community despite the politics of hopelessness that pervades this blog.
Maybe helpless is better. Don't think the library wouldn't ask for another override.
Somebody isn't posting all the comments.
Post a Comment