14:04A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing and approving a new lost and found policy. This policy was introduced to address the lack of an official protocol for handling items left behind by patrons, both within the library and at outreach locations. The policy outlines that patrons are responsible for their belongings, yet the library will hold certain found items as a courtesy. Items will be dated and stored for up to 14 days in designated areas, with exceptions for wet, dirty, unidentifiable, or perishable items, which are to be disposed of immediately. More valuable personal items, such as wallets, keys, laptops, and musical instruments, will be stored securely, and efforts will be made to contact owners for reclamation. It was emphasized that items with identifiable information, like documents left in copiers, will be shredded to protect privacy.

The board also addressed concerns related to school-related items, particularly those containing student information. The importance of exercising judgment in determining whether to keep or discard such items was highlighted. The board acknowledged that many items left behind are frequently collected, emphasizing the importance of having a clear protocol in place. After a thorough discussion, the policy was unanimously accepted.

In addition to the policy discussion, the meeting highlighted the library’s service enhancements following the closure of Staples, which left a significant gap in local printing services. The library’s new printers, acquired with IT department assistance, have been praised for their affordability and accessibility. The cost for black-and-white printing is set at 15 cents per page, and color printing is 25 cents. The board noted that the library likely experienced an uptick in usage since Staples ceased operations. Despite the low percentage of tax dollars allocated to library services, the board emphasized the breadth of resources provided to the community and the importance of raising public awareness about the library’s diverse offerings beyond traditional book lending.

0:00The library director further provided a report on the library’s programming and services. Children’s programming proved highly successful in January, with 38 programs attracting 617 attendees. The department organized passive programs, such as a scavenger hunt that engaged 232 participants, and the Beanstack winter reading challenge saw 105 participants reading a total of 139,900 pages. Teen programming also saw significant engagement, with 14 programs and 197 attendees. The upcoming launch of the Teen Fandom Club in April aims to connect teens through games, fan art, and shared interests.

Adult programming included nine events with 105 attendees, and the information desk handled 183 reference transactions. However, 18 requests went unfulfilled. The Adult Services Department continued outreach to community locations, with plans for additional sites to serve patrons unable to visit the library.

The circulation department reported a circulation increase in January, with 14,410 items circulated. The library recorded a total of 1,112 door counts. A new feature launched—the Assabet Interactive Museum and Park Pass module—allows patrons to reserve passes up to 90 days in advance, facilitating advance planning for outings. The library’s new event calendar enables patrons to register for programs and view upcoming events, aligning with the library’s branding.

Updates from the Friends of the Library included successful fundraising activities, such as winter raffle baskets and a bake sale. The Friends distributed their winter newsletter at the end of January and have future meetings planned for March, May, and June, after which they will take a summer break.

14:04Lastly, legislative updates from the Massachusetts Library Association were reviewed, with a focus on ongoing efforts concerning free expression and the budget for FY 26. The board underscored the importance of advocating for libraries and encouraged members to reach out to local representatives regarding these legislative matters.