Library board tables emergency-closing policy for rewrite after trustee edits

The Franklin Public Library Board of Trustees voted April 27 to table a revision of its emergency-closing and evacuation policy so staff could rewrite the language and return with a clarified draft.

During review, trustees said the draft should make clear that decisions to close the library in adverse weather or other emergencies are at the discretion of the library director and that example factors for closure should follow—not precede—that central authority. Trustee Alan Alexandrovich suggested moving the sentence saying director discretion is primary to the top of the section, and another trustee recommended removing hard hour cutoffs that could inadvertently lock the board or staff into specific operational rules.

One trustee said she had added temperature thresholds because she had been uncomfortable with very cold indoor conditions; other trustees recommended keeping the clause about staff and patron safety but leaving the specifics flexible. Jennifer (staff) offered to redraft the policy to put the director’s discretion first, then provide examples of factors that may lead to closure. The board moved, seconded and passed a motion to table the item to allow Jennifer to bring back a revised policy next month.

What’s next: Staff will rewrite the policy to reflect trustee guidance and present the revised draft at the next meeting for formal action.