The board’s deliberation centered around whether to allow additional days off for library staff on holiday weekends, a proposal that sparked discussion about potential disparities with other town employees, particularly those at the town hall and recreation departments. Concerns were raised about setting a precedent that could affect labor negotiations, as there is no existing union contract language addressing time off for holidays falling on weekends. The conversation also brought to light a memo from the town administrator that emphasized certain holidays like Juneteenth and Independence Day do not result in floating holidays for employees, aligning with a negotiated closure agreement for the town hall.

A historical context was provided, recalling that last summer the board opted against closing for additional days, choosing instead to request data on library usage during those times. However, this data was not collected, complicating the board’s ability to make an informed decision. With the absence of concrete visitation and checkout figures, board members acknowledged the timing of holidays like the 4th of July could affect attendance and thus influence decision-making.

The board considered postponing a decision until the next meeting in April to allow for data collection and consultation with human resources. It was emphasized that any agreement should align with existing union contracts to avoid creating an uneven playing field among town employees. The discussion also touched on the possibility of offering a half-day off, although the original request was for a full day. The board expressed a desire for clarity on the library’s parameters for time off to fully understand the request’s context and implications.

As the discussion concluded, it was determined that the issue would be revisited in the following month’s meeting, with a focus on gathering comprehensive data and examining the potential consequences of any decision. The board’s inclination was to support the library’s request while ensuring fairness to other departments and avoiding complications in human resources and labor negotiations.

In addition to the primary discussion, the Kingston Public Library Board of Trustees also convened recently, where they unanimously approved a revised solicitation policy. This policy now includes specific language concerning candidates with nomination papers, a topic of prior contention. The authority for sales and solicitations within the library was shifted from the Library Director to the Board of Trustees, a change deemed satisfactory by the members.

The meeting also included a budget update, detailing increases due to a new software vendor after the previous vendor ceased operations, as well as adjustments linked to a formula change by OLN and general salary increases. The finance committee had unanimously passed the library’s budget, although potential future cuts were discussed. Areas identified for possible reductions included personnel and the materials budget, with particular attention to the library’s $350 postage line and a $2,000 expenses line for ink and toner, although these were not seen as viable savings options.

The director’s report highlighted ongoing meetings with the town administrator and town accountant regarding budget strategies, as well as upcoming programming discussions among librarians. Efforts to reconfigure the adult section’s layout were also mentioned, as was the progress of the awning project. However, no updates were available concerning the LED sign.

New business addressed two requests: one from Hope Floats to utilize the library’s parking lot, a customary request that had not disrupted patron access in the past, and another concerning the July 4th holiday closure request. A staff member proposed closing the library on both Friday and Saturday, citing past practices that required staff to use earned time off for holiday closures, which was viewed as unfair. The board discussed union-set holidays and staffing dynamics.