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Saugus Inches Back to Full-Time HoursThe Saugus (Mass.) Public Library must expand its hours to 50.4 per week by September 3 or it will have to repay a $1.1-million grant to the state. Although the library closed indefinitely May 24 after voters rejected a tax-override proposal in April, the town set aside $277,000 at its June 25 meeting for the library to reopen for 15 hours with eight part-time staff, the Saugus Advertiser reported August 16. Trustees later expanded the hours to 18.5—still a long way from its objective coming due in less than three weeks. Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Em Claire Knowles reminded the board in a mid-August letter of its obligation to return the money awarded in 1997 for a new library if it didn’t return to full-time operation by Labor Day. Library Board Chair Jean Bartolo reminded trustees at their August 13 meeting that the state would probably demand interest on the $1.1 million and that the library would have no opportunity to be recertified until 2010. “It’s a tough letter,” Bertolo said. “We’re getting hit with a double whammy here.” Trustee Pamela Gill said there was not enough money to pay for additional staff, so the library would have to somehow make use of the 62 residents who came forward to volunteer their time to help out. The board also discussed searching for a replacement for Library Director Mary Rose Quinn, who resigned unexpectedly August 9, effective immediately. Posted August 17, 2007. |
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