Shedding some light...

It has been requested that some light be shed on the recently announced plans for the relocation of Town Offices from the basement of the Library Building to the Slade Building. The Library Trustees can hopefully shed light on the issue.

Let's start by stating that the role of the Board of Trustees is to preserve not only a free public library, but the Jonas E. Clark Public Library Building itself and to oversee the various types of trusts bequeathed to the Library. In recent years, the Trustees have been working on long range planning for the Library as well as dealing with the everyday responsibilities of a 134 year old building. Part of that long range planning includes utilizing the space in the lower level in hopes of filling a need for community and programming space for the Library and the community at large.

Move to March of 2008. Quite literally, the night before the budget meeting that proposed the Library's budget be cut 100%, the Trustees were preparing to do two things. First, they were getting ready to send out a direct mailing to all residents for a "Reach for the Stars" campaign to raise funds to replace electrical work, restore flooring, repaint the children's room and renovate the lower level.

Secondly, they were drafting a letter to the Town requesting that the offices currently occupying the lower level of the Library be made available to the Library in order to go forward with said renovations. The possible relocation of Town Offices from the basement of the Library Building has been an ongoing discussion between the Trustees and town management for many years, even under our previous Town Administrator. This relocation has been viewed as a long needed process that will allow Town Residents a central venue for the various services provided to them.

The FY09 Budget review meeting and subsequent Proposition 2 ½ Override Vote activities in town put an immediate halt to both the campaign and the formal request for relocation.

At the Annual Town Meeting held in May, residents approved the funds to relocate the Town Offices. This was made public at that meeting and was discussed and approved. These funds are still in place, making this the optimal time for the transition of the offices from the Library basement to the Slade Building to take place. It needs to be understood that the approved maintenance and utilities budget for the Library Building will not cover the utility bills if both levels require heating at different hours during the week. In the long run, the move may actually save some money for the Town by consolidating the various offices into one building since the Slade building will need to be heated the exact same hours whether there are 4 or 8 offices in that building.

For those who believe that moving these line items (as well as funds from other town line item accounts) will retain the Library’s certification, this is unfortunately not possible. While the many thoughts and generous efforts being made by Town Residents are appreciated, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioner (MLBC) regulations require full municipal funding to required levels (as well as meeting other requirements).

In closing, the Hubbardston Library Trustees make decisions that will benefit the Library based on the facts presented at any given moment. We have adjusted operating hours over the summer based on the outcome of each subsequent vote. The operating hours for the fall hours are based on a combination of the decision of the town to not fund the operating costs of the Library, as well as MBLC requirements. An ad hoc committee of interested parties will move forward with the planned office relocation based on funds available for that purpose.

Those who may still have questions, please don’t hesitate to attend a Trustee Meeting. We meet at 7 pm on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, unless otherwise posted. Please remember that the Library staff is not responsible for this decision. Kindly spare our beloved and wonderful Director from becoming the focus of any negativity or demands for the details of this matter.