Central to the meeting was the commitment to DEI initiatives, underscored by ongoing development of a guide to aid municipalities in integrating DEI principles into their operations. This guide, expected in the fall, aims to establish a business case for DEI and outline a framework for municipalities, incorporating budget considerations and the placement of DEI roles in local government structures. The initiative has garnered support from various municipal leaders, with significant participation in listening sessions from the police chief, fire chief, and assistant town manager. A particularly noteworthy listening session engaged approximately 167 youth through eight affinity groups at the high school, highlighting the emphasis on creating open dialogue about belonging and community engagement.

Social media activity has played a vital role in promoting these initiatives, with platforms like Facebook and Instagram being used to enhance communication. Two volunteers, a high school student and a community resident, are contributing to this effort by working on a newsletter for municipal outreach. The aim is to sustain momentum in DEI areas, with continuous data collection to measure success, including the creation of an “EI dashboard” to track progress over time.

The board also discussed collaboration with the town’s human resources department to expand the hiring pipeline and diversify the workforce. There was a shared understanding of the need for intentionality in the hiring process to ensure inclusivity, addressing the current lack of diversity in the workforce.

The meeting further delved into the financial challenges posed by potential federal budget cuts, particularly concerning the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The library director shared insights into how these cuts could affect local libraries, emphasizing the importance of state support due to Massachusetts’ unique town-level contract system. Although some funding is statutorily required and will continue, the director noted uncertainty regarding the specifics of needed funding. State grants, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, have been crucial for various initiatives beyond the library’s operational budget, and the director stressed that even though IMLS constitutes a small portion of the federal budget, its importance is significant.

Concerns were raised about the potential permanent changes to federal funding and their impact on the state budget. The discussion included the implications for libraries like Stonem Public Library, which faces a proposal to eliminate all funding in the upcoming budget year. The board explored the complexities of library certification and the consequences of descertification, noting that while a descertified library could still operate, it would lose eligibility for state aid and grants.

The board considered policies regarding access for individuals from descertified libraries, emphasizing that while borrowing privileges would be restricted, access to resources and services like computers and programs would remain. This led to further discussion on how to accommodate an influx of patrons from communities facing budget cuts and the potential need for policy modifications to support Reading residents.

Amid these discussions, updates were provided on other library projects and initiatives. The Kllum and senior center projects are nearing completion, having been in development for several years. Statistics for March showed slight declines in physical circulation, with digital circulation through Overdrive increasing. Staff efforts were recognized for matching volunteers’ skills with meaningful tasks, including mentoring a high school student.

The board also discussed potential policy adjustments regarding service access, considering the need to prioritize local patrons while reducing barriers to access. Historical practices, such as giving priority to Reading residents for certain programs, were revisited. The implications of library descertification were clarified, and the board emphasized the need for future agenda items to explore support for patrons from descertified libraries.