By Dot Bergin
Library Director Richard Callaghan reported that he attended the December 7 Fiscal Policy and Coordinating Committee meeting. It appears that a budget increase of 2.5 percent will be approved for FY 17. This would translate roughly to a $1.17M Library budget (not an exact figure, Callaghan said.) The Finance Committee is expected to issue its guideline on December 18.
With regard to the Library Corporation Fund, the Trustees are adamant in their position that the Corporation Funds and Special funds should not be used for operating expenses. In past years, the Corporation funds have been used for major improvements, such as establishing the teen room and other enhancements that were not able to be funded through the regular operating budget. Special funds are often given in memory of someone and may be restricted to purchase of books and materials in a particular subject area.
Two trustees will be retiring: Howard Cohen and Lorrie Dunham. Trustee Abby Hafer’s term is expiring and it is expected that she will run for another term.
Friends of the Library’s Annual Meeting and Book Sale on Saturday, December 12
Rachel Field, chair of the Trustees, urged the Board to attend the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library annual meeting on Saturday, December 12 beginning with refreshments at 9:45 am, followed by the meeting at 10 am. Following the end of the meeting, there will be a “members only” holiday book sale, with the sale open to the public from 1 to 4 pm. Prices range from 50 cents to $2 unless otherwise marked, with all proceeds going to the Friends.
Please note: in response to members’ requests, the Friends will now distribute their newsletter online. If you have an email address, this is the way you will receive the newsletter going forward. There will still be a supply of print copies available at the Library.
Story Corps in January
In other news, Callaghan reported that the StoryCorps program is on track to record the first interviews with residents in January, as soon as all the necessary equipment is in place. Reference Librarian Maribeth Millar is spearheading this new venture in which Bedford residents are invited to record their personal stories. You will hear more about this project after the New Year.
Library to Lend “Hotspots”
Are you going out of town to a remote location which doesn’t have Wi-Fi? If so, you will be glad to learn that the Bedford Free Public Library has now acquired two T-Mobile Hotspots, available to you on a one week loan. The Trustees were pleased to learn more about this new technology offering at their December 8 meeting. The Hotspots will allow you to receive high speed Internet on a Wi-Fi enabled device (assuming there is a cell tower in the vicinity) if you are in the wilds of Maine or on a remote island. These devices work only in the continental U.S.
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