Private donations restore library hours; library director to add limited-term part‑time staff
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Summary
Donors pledged roughly $7,000 to restore hours at Newton (Newton Bridal?) Library and county staff agreed to hire two to three temporary part‑time employees to cover those hours through June 30; the hires are time-limited and contingent on continued funding beyond the fiscal year.
Library supporters pledged private funds that county staff said will restore branch hours that had been cut in recent budget planning. The library director told commissioners a $7,000 pledge (identified in the meeting as coming from a donor named Tommy) should allow the library system to return to pre-cut hours for the short term but that staff scheduling requires adding two to three part‑time temporary hires so hours can be covered.
Kelsey Edwards, identified in the meeting as library director, explained the library system usually manages part‑time employees to keep their hours under a county part‑time cap (about 950 hours per year) to avoid benefits. After an earlier vacancy the library was managing by adjusting schedules; the director said the donation will allow the library to bring on additional limited-term part‑time staff so no single worker would exceed the allowable hours and so service levels can be restored through June 30.
Caveats from staff and commissioners: - The hires were described as temporary and would be funded through private donations for the remainder of the fiscal year; library staffing beyond FY27 will depend on funding and possibly on future fundraising or budget decisions. - Commissioners asked the library to track usage, Wi‑Fi and computer sessions and other measures of branch activity to show community need and help make a case for ongoing support.
Board direction and next steps: Commissioners agreed the donations should be honored and directed staff to proceed with temporary hires that fit within the donation constraints; the board asked library leadership to pursue local outreach and partnerships (including town leaders) to grow library use and revenue.
Ending: The library director will coordinate with HR and finance to move forward with temporary hires and report back if more sustained funding is needed.