Library director reports icicle hazards, alarm-system glitches and adoption of Beanstack for reading programs

Haley Hart, director of the Newbury Town Library, told trustees at their regular meeting that large icicles around the building and a recurring alarm-system error have prompted maintenance and follow-up with vendors, and that the library has acquired the Beanstack digital-reading platform to support upcoming programs.

Hart said Department of Public Works crews have been removing icicles that have become too tall for staff to reach, including formations over the drop boxes and at the front of the building. “So the big thing is icicles,” she said, adding that DPW has been “coming and knocking them off for us because they’re just too tall for us to reach.”

She reported a missed UV window-cleaning appointment that she attributed to weather and said she will contact the vendor to reschedule. Hart also described an intermittent alarm fault that has recurred: “It’s the same error code from a few months ago,” she said, and the system sometimes fails to arm on some mornings. Hart said she has notified the alarm company; while IT sometimes assists, the company provides the service.

On programming, Hart said the library has acquired Beanstack, a commonly used platform for tracking reading challenges and minutes across ages, and is setting it up. “I’m hoping to get it all up and running in time for our Minute Madness in March,” she said; if not, she said the platform will be ready for summer offerings.

Hart gave several operational updates: tax-form packets are expected this week or next; the Friends group will meet on the 20th; and recent program attendance included 14 at a Monarch Partners talk, 10 at a snow-globe craft, 31 at a children’s ukulele session and 18 at a digital-art class. She noted a small correction on a budget figure — she had misread the percent-of-year remaining — and said otherwise finances look normal.

Hart also described a problem with the visitor-count tracker that may have produced missing January numbers; she said she believes she fixed the issue but needs to pull the data. A later comment in the meeting suggested the device had been unplugged from its Ethernet connection, which could explain missing counts.

Trustees discussed staffing and scheduling: they confirmed a newer staff member (Stephanie) is working out and coordinated who will sign documents during upcoming absences. The director said Catherine is organizing a documentary screening in the library’s screening room; a date has not yet been set. The board approved the minutes of the previous meeting by voice vote earlier in the session and moved to adjourn at the end of the agenda.

The trustees set their next regular meeting for March 10; Hart said she will be back on March 6 following travel and that Catherine will have materials available while she is away.