The board’s primary focus was on the early preparations for the FY 26 budget. A preliminary draft, known as the level one budget, will be presented to the Select Board at their December 10 meeting. This document serves as a foundational step, allowing board members to pose questions and offer recommendations in the upcoming November meeting. The meeting emphasized that, at this stage, financial modifications are not typically made; rather, the process is about information gathering. The finalized budget is expected to be presented by the town manager to the finance committee in late February or early March. Of particular note was the plan to use $5.8 million in free cash to support general non-union staff increases. Additionally, the creation of specific budget lines for the Office of Equity and Social Justice, which has operated without its own division for several years, was discussed. This move aims to enhance transparency and streamline funding for initiatives led by the equity officer.

Community engagement was also a significant theme, with the board approving the Toys for Tots collection at the library. The board discussed that while this initiative was typically approved earlier, it was often overlooked until the last minute. Members concluded that a simple roll call vote would suffice for approval, resulting in unanimous consent. Similarly, the Reading Lions Club’s request to hold their fourth annual scarecrow contest was approved. The event, which aims to raise funds for local charities, was set for October 19. The board’s approval was unanimous.

A detailed review of the library’s holds pickup policy was another key topic. The policy, unchanged since 2003, aims to protect patron privacy by requiring explicit authorization for others to pick up reserved items. The discussion acknowledged that while the revised language clarifies the policy, it occasionally leads to misunderstandings, particularly among family members. Despite these challenges, the board decided to table further discussion to ensure all members fully understand the changes after 21 years of the original policy being in place.

In addition to these agenda items, the board touched on supplemental spending approved in July for new application and event reservation software, as well as a local history project involving the digitization of approximately 28,000 pages through the Boston Public Library. This project faces challenges due to school filtering software restrictions, highlighting the need for a consolidated community archive to improve access for students and residents.

The board noted a public Narcan administration training session attended by several staff members. This training provided an overview of Narcan and opioids, equipping attendees with essential knowledge and resources.

The meeting also acknowledged staff anniversaries, such as Susan Bard’s 31 years of service, and celebrated the introduction of two high school pages who will work in the children’s room and on the ground floor. Additionally, the library’s new Sunday hours received positive feedback.

In closing, the board discussed the exploration of a newly donated 3D printer, with plans for staff to gain hands-on experience at another library’s maker space. They emphasized the importance of developing strategies for equipment use, balancing staff time, and ensuring safety. The discussion included policies preventing the creation of weapons and setting limitations on project duration to avoid overly complex or time-consuming items.