The trustees dedicated significant time to discussing changes to the existing tuition reimbursement program, proposing a shift to a scholarship model that would offer upfront financial support to library staff pursuing advanced degrees in Library Science. This proposed shift stems from a desire to create a more supportive work environment and aligns with practices at other libraries. The new scholarship policy would cover up to 50% of tuition costs, with applicants required to submit detailed applications highlighting course relevance and their tenure with the library.

A key point of deliberation was the lack of a strict cap on the amount any single employee could receive, prompting concerns about potential funding disparities. To address this, participants considered imposing a general cap on the overall scholarship program by referencing a percentage of the library’s budget rather than a fixed amount. This approach aims to maintain the program’s sustainability amid financial constraints.

The trustees also debated the scholarship application process, focusing on fairness and transparency. Suggestions included anonymizing applications by assigning numerical identifiers to applicants, thus preventing personal biases. Additionally, the need for tracking previous scholarship amounts awarded to applicants was underscored, with a proposal for two annual application deadlines to facilitate equitable fund distribution. These measures are intended to foster a supportive environment for library staff, many of whom already possess advanced degrees, which could limit the number of scholarship applicants.

In parallel with the scholarship policy discussion, the trustees addressed the library’s trust fund expenditures. There was a call for a comprehensive summary of the year’s withdrawals to better understand expenses related to archives, professional development programs, and event-related sundries. While typically minor, these costs can accumulate over time. A previously allocated figure of $20,000 for discretionary use by the trustees had often been underutilized, with expenditures mostly ranging between $12,000 and $14,000 annually. However, recent changes to the tuition reimbursement policy have increased spending to approximately $33,000.

The conversation highlighted the necessity of refining the scholarship policy language before any formal vote. There was also a discussion about whether part-time or full-time status should influence reimbursement percentages, with concerns that this aspect was not yet fully integrated into the policy. Trustees expressed interest in understanding how other libraries manage staff education funding, noting that more resource-rich libraries often provide full reimbursement, whereas others might only cover workshop costs.

Attention also turned briefly to the professional development fund, which has seen more active use in recent years. This fund, previously focused on conference attendance, now supports broader staff education needs, reflecting greater staff engagement in professional growth. As part of the administrative details discussed, trustees proposed setting scholarship application deadlines for May 1 and November 1 to ensure timely submissions.