Hubbardston Library trustees approved minutes from their Feb. 6 meeting and moved several administrative and program decisions forward during a meeting devoted to the director’s report, facility repairs and outreach efforts.

Library Director Christine Barbera opened with a February activity report showing continuing program engagement: 266 patrons recorded for the month; nine class visits totaling 230 student attendees; four story-time events (101 attendees, 41 adults and 60 children); two Dungeons & Dragons sessions (17 attendees); and a senior book club meeting. The library issued 14 new library cards (three e-cards), reported 1,401 items circulated “regardless of location” and 11,330 total items in the collection. Digital activity included 51 OverDrive monthly checkouts and 232 e-book checkouts. Social-media statistics cited by Barbera included 677 Facebook page visits, 42 Instagram reaches and 463 website visits. Barbera also reported 40 Wi-Fi connections during the month.

The trustees unanimously approved the February 6 minutes on a 6-0 vote. The motion to accept the minutes was seconded by Tom (vote recorded as 6-0). That vote was the only formal roll-call recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: trustees set near-term timelines and budget priorities for programming, scholarship awards and building work that affect library users and local volunteers.

Scholarship schedule moved earlier

Trustees agreed to accelerate the library’s annual scholarship timeline for the current year: the trustees will publish the application in March, set a firm deadline of April 30, review submissions at the May trustees meeting, and notify awardees with disbursement in June. The trustees also left open awarding up to two scholarships depending on applicant quality and available funds. The scholarship money comes from the library’s donation account, which includes RACE-related donations and other gifts (the transcript cited a donations balance associated with the fund used for awards).

Friends group, fundraising and children's Earth Day program

Trustees discussed efforts to reestablish a Friends of the Library group and reported an application to cover incorporation and legal fees. The trustees said they submitted a grant application to the American Library Association (for incorporation/legal fees, $1,000 requested) and expect a quick turnaround; any remaining funds would be used for publicity to recruit members. A kickoff meeting for volunteers interested in forming the Friends group was scheduled for March 14 at the library. Trustee and volunteer organizers discussed fundraising results: Tricia reported raising about $800 from a recent Tasting Night fundraiser; Eventbrite proceeds and a winery donation were still being reconciled with town accounting staff (Kelly) to move money into the library donation account.

Director Barbera described a planned Earth Day children’s story time tied to a Neighborhood Forest seedling giveaway: as of the meeting, 72 children had registered to receive native seedlings. Barbera said seedlings will likely be delivered April 15 with the event on April 22 and that volunteers will be needed to package and distribute seedlings.

Facility repairs, National Grid easement and ADA assessment

Barbera reported that the library’s foundation repair account has been zeroed out and the library still has about $14,000 available in its brick-repair account for pointing and related masonry work. She recommended asking the contractor who completed foundation work to return to identify and price the most critical pointing and brick repairs; trustees agreed that is a reasonable next step and discussed procurement and bidding requirements.

The trustees also reviewed electric-service logistics that are delaying first-floor rehabilitation work. Barbera said an easement for a pole had been recorded and that she had spoken with a National Grid representative who reported no active work order for the library address; trustees said they are waiting for National Grid to schedule the pole/three-phase work so interior rehab (scaffolding, lighting and storm-window work) can proceed.

An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility assessment is near completion. Barbera said the consultant who prepared earlier reports (Wendy Frontiero) had been contacted and $800 remained in the budget to have Frontiero or a similar consultant review the basement (ground-floor) spaces to identify historic features and prioritize accessibility or programming changes. Barbera said she has been designated the town’s ADA coordinator.

Other items

Trustees discussed forming or continuing a Lottery Policy subcommittee (meeting scheduled for March 18, remote); community programming plans such as adult poetry or local-author events; and continued outreach around the Friends group. Barbera noted the library’s website activity and named the tasting-night fundraiser and a free-tree promotion among the most-viewed Facebook posts.

What happened and what’s next

- Minutes from Feb. 6: approved, 6-0.
- Scholarship timeline: published in March; applications due April 30; review May; awards in June (up to two awards depending on submissions).
- Friends of the Library: grant application submitted to the American Library Association; volunteer kickoff March 14 at the library; trustees and volunteers will pursue incorporation and membership recruitment.
- Building work: foundation work complete; $14,000 remains in brick-repair account; awaiting National Grid scheduling before first-floor rehab proceeds; contractor to be asked for follow-up estimate on critical pointing work.

The trustees scheduled follow-up items (procurement estimates for pointing, ADA consultant review of basement programming and continued scholarship and Friends-group planning) for upcoming meetings.