The evening of 2025-11-03 was a meeting of the Mendon Public Library Board of Trustees.
There is a new member to this Board, Katie Ghidiu. As was appropriate, welcoming her to the table was the first item once the meeting started. Despite it being the 5th or so on the Agenda. Which set a pattern, with the Agenda being more a ‘list of topics to cover’ then an ‘order to cover topics’. But everything did get covered, so I can’t fault them. If adapting on the fly worked for the group, then all is good.
During the Public Comment portion I pointed out that, from what I’ve seen elsewhere, sustainability is at best a distraction. And at worse, leads the afflicted group into some rather unpleasant weeds. So I was a bit concerned to see the Library had recently joined the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI).
The response was this is more about fiscal sustainability rather then environmental sustainability. Fair enough, I’m all for fiscal responsibility. Except, as the meeting went on, I heard more environmental then fiscal. Also more ‘socially equitable‘ then fiscal. Unfortunately, I think they demonstrated the concern about it being a distraction from the Library’s core mission is valid. Hopefully the concerns about weeds can be avoided.
In any case, a Sustainability policy was approved. It will likely be posted on the Library’s website ‘soon‘. In the meantime, have a link to their in process SLI Scorecard. So you can see how they are doing, and what they are aiming for.
The Library’s budget for next year was approved, as it is contained within the Town’s budget. The Library’s portion is ~$430k. It sounded like they got $1000 less then they requested. The difference being on the health insurance line, where the Town took the insurance brokers estimate.
This being one of three times tonight I counted health insurance taking center stage in various ways. My take aware from these discussions is that it’s yet more perspectives supporting the conclusion the health insurance system is broken. Not anything the Library can do anything about. But a solution will need to be found.
And some future planning was discussed. Who was willing to be officers next year. Meeting dates for next year. And the final December meeting to pay the last expenses of the year. All important, but also all technicalities. So long as they are planned for, not issues. Therefore good to see them being planned.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the November 03, 2025 meeting of the Mendon Public Library Board of Trustees.
Link to agenda on Library website until they update it, losing the past.