Library Board of Trustees September 14, 2026

Sep 15, 2026 YouTube

The Westport Library Board of Trustees met to review monthly library operations, committee reports, facility maintenance, and upcoming events. Library Director Bonnie Strebel reported on a successful summer reading program, upcoming holiday programming scheduled for December 19th, after-school parking lot issues, and collaboration with a local speech-language pathologist to catalog decodable early reading books. Assistant Director Amy Medeiros highlighted her interview in Real Simple magazine for fall book recommendations and reported steady growth in the library's social media following. The board also reviewed updates from the Friends of the Westport Library (FOWL), noting their active fundraising and support for upcoming library initiatives. Discussions turned to facility maintenance and budget concerns. The Building, Grounds, and Safety Subcommittee noted that the town and grant applications for a $500,000 HVAC overhaul had been denied, prompting plans to seek an estimate for a standard replacement system costing approximately $100,000 to $120,000 to submit to the Manton Foundation. The Finance Subcommittee raised concerns over escalating utility and water testing expenses—costing nearly $6,000 annually through Northeastern Water—which currently drain the maintenance budget because the library shares a monitored well system with the school complex. Trustees agreed to advocate for separate utility line items and prepare a board statement of support for the upcoming budget proposal to Town Administrator Chris Vitale. In other business, the board voted to authorize the chair to review and approve executive session minutes. Trustees scheduled the outdoor bench dedication ceremony for October 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM, preceded by grounds cleanup work contracted to Joseph Englesby, while choosing to postpone tree replacements. Trustees also discussed book genrefication (BISAC organization) for young readers and safety concerns regarding the recently installed outdoor book drop box.

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