The Kingston Public Library Board of Trustees opted to delay a decision on a staff request for additional paid time off during the upcoming July 4th holiday, citing concerns over town-wide labor precedents and administrative consistency. Library Director Donald Cullen presented a request from a staff member to close the library on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, with Friday serving as a paid day off without requiring the use of personal time. However, Cullen noted that a memo from Town Administrator Scott Lambiase indicated that Town Hall—which operates on a Monday-through-Thursday schedule—would not be receiving a floating holiday for the Friday preceding Independence Day.

Director Cullen expressed hesitance regarding the request, noting the potential for friction with other municipal unions. My view is I don't think it's fair for staff to have to use their own time, but we have a union and there are set holidays, Cullen told the board. If we just give it to them, there could be issues for other union members seeing people getting an extra day. Trustee Andrew Costa echoed these concerns, noting that while he felt inclined to be generous, the library must remain mindful of the town's broader human resources landscape. I'm inclined to give it to them, but I also don't want to make things difficult for HR or other town departments, Costa said. I don't think it's worth that.

The board debated whether a full closure was necessary given the library’s mission to remain accessible. Chair Emily Curtain emphasized that the purpose of the library is to serve the community and to be open, suggesting there was no immediate reason the doors should be closed on that Friday. Trustee Jen Quackenbush suggested the board review foot traffic and checkout data from the previous year before making a final determination. If closing doesn't have an impact on the community, maybe this would put pressure on them to even it out, Quackenbush noted. The matter was ultimately tabled until April or May to allow Cullen time to consult with HR and gather usage statistics.

In financial news, Director Cullen reported a successful meeting with the Finance Committee regarding the library's upcoming budget. Despite the town-wide push for a 3% growth cap to avoid a potential tax override, the Finance Committee unanimously approved the library's requested budget. Cullen explained that three specific accounts saw increases, including the software account, which rose after a previous vendor went out of business. Cullen described the previous software as archaic and noted that the replacement comes with bells and whistles that cost. Additionally, the budget absorbed assessment increases for the Old Colony Library Network (OLN) and standard salary step increases. When asked by the Finance Committee where he would make cuts if forced, Cullen identified personnel and materials as the only viable pools, noting that a general expense line for ink and toner isn't going to be a heavy hitter.

The board also took steps to centralize authority over library grounds by revising the local solicitation policy. Modeled after the Newton Free Library, the new policy shifts the decision-making power for candidates with nomination papers from the Library Director to the Board of Trustees. Curtain noted that the board needed specific language regarding candidates to ensure clarity. One sticking point when we looked at it last week was the last bullet because we needed to have language in there specifically about candidates with nomination papers, Curtain explained. Both Emily Bruce and Jen Quackenbush reviewed the draft, with Bruce noting, It looks good to me.

Motion Made by A. Costa to accept the revised solicitation policy. Motion Passed 5-0 (Roll Call: E. Bruce: Yes; L. Lewis: Yes; A. Costa: Yes; J. Quackenbush: Yes; E. Curtain: Yes)

Regarding facility improvements, Cullen updated the board on the installation of a new awning and canopy, which is expected in the coming weeks. The library is also undergoing internal layout changes, including the removal of underutilized furniture like the atlas stand and the interfiling of career center materials with the general non-fiction collection. Cullen is also exploring a plan to relocate the reference desk to create more floor space for displays. Additionally, the board acknowledged an annual request from Hope Floats to utilize the library parking lot for their Memory Walk, a request Cullen approved under the library's reciprocal relationship with the organization.