The board approached new business with a focus on community engagement and resource expansion. They agreed to house a laptop from the Historical Society featuring a canal program, broadening the historical resources available to patrons.

Further in the vein of community engagement, the board addressed the approval of a Community Preservation Committee (CPC) application for creating outdoor space. This project is pending a vote at the upcoming town meeting, which underscores the board’s role in fostering spaces that extend beyond the library’s walls, potentially offering new environments for reading and learning.

The board also tackled the logistical aspects of library operations, particularly the scheduling challenges during holiday periods. There was a debate about the feasibility of reduced staffing on days surrounding Christmas and the potential impact on services if unforeseen staff absences occurred.

In preparation for the busy summer months, the board discussed the implementation of new software to streamline the Summer Reading program. This upgrade aims to enhance the user experience and improve program management.

The expansion of resources also took center stage, with the board considering new subscriptions to genealogy websites such as American Ancestors and newspapers.com. This initiative is in response to growing interest in personal history and genealogical research among patrons. Additionally, they evaluated the introduction of new Musepasses, including the Mark Twain House and the New Salem Museums, which were recommended by patrons, thereby tailoring the library’s services to community interests.

A proposed amendment to the community room policy was also on the agenda. The change seeks to distinguish between library-sponsored events and those hosted by external parties.

The meeting also underscored the importance of board member attendance at upcoming town elections and meetings. The presence of representatives at these civic events was deemed critical for maintaining a strong relationship between the library and the municipality.

In addition to the strategic discussions, the board reported on the success of recent initiatives such as grant writing workshops, a talk on the Lincoln assassination, and a book discussion group.

As the meeting concluded, the board scheduled the next gathering for May 7th, with consideration given to accommodating the evening book club.