In addition to sustainability discussions, the board reviewed the library’s summer schedule, deciding to discontinue Saturday hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This adjustment, consistent with previous years, aims to reallocate hours during weekdays without impacting staff schedules. The change considers staffing needs, with some positions seeing an increase in hours to improve benefits eligibility. The conversation also acknowledged the successful upward mobility within the staff, where several roles have been restructured to provide increased responsibilities.

The meeting also featured reflections on past community gatherings that took place before the COVID-19 pandemic. These meetings were held in locations such as Newbury Village and Quaker and were characterized by their varied and sometimes unstructured nature. Participants reminisced about the challenges of finding coherent themes for these events, expressing a desire to foster historical awareness within the community. A participant mentioned a previous inquiry from a Boston researcher interested in the Biffield Club, a historical venue in Newbury.

A letter from library patron Jim Moran was shared during the meeting, expressing gratitude towards the library staff. The board acknowledged the significance of such recognition, as it reinforces the staff’s contributions to the community. The letter, described as “very lovely,” highlighted the appreciation felt by patrons for the library’s services.

The director’s report provided updates on various library activities and initiatives. The library recently completed a roof renovation featuring new snow stoppers. An upcoming training session on staff cataloging by NDLC is scheduled for July 2. The session, initially set for January, was postponed due to illness. The library’s planned events include a Friends Plant Sale and a raffle, alongside a CPR and AED training session with Chief Evans on June 9.

The meeting also covered circulation statistics, noting an increase in museum pass usage due to weekly promotional posts. While adult attendance has improved, youth participation has declined, likely due to vacation periods. Volunteer Appreciation Week was recognized, and volunteers were thanked with PAOS plants and cards.

The meeting concluded with discussions on local history initiatives led by Will and Brady, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in historical projects. The board explored the idea of collaborating with the Council on Aging to collect stories or recordings from community members, leveraging existing recordings from past years.