Author: Amy Lannon

Override Update

Dear Valued RPL Staff,
As many of you have heard, the vote to approve the $6.5 override failed in yesterday’s election.  First, you should all know that this was not a vote against the library or the town.  The “No” vote is not a judgment on your outstanding service. We don’t know the exact fallout from this result, but based on estimates from before the vote, we can say the impact on the library for FY28 is expected to be:

  •     Cut Sunday hours
  •     Reduce to 54 hours weekly Monday-Saturday
  •     Risk of decertification
Other town departments, including the schools, are facing similar cuts. This is all we know as of today. The Select Board may vote to put another override on the April 2027 local election ballot.  This would give us a second chance to appeal to the voters.  With that in mind, we don’t anticipate any layoffs in the immediate future, but the hiring freeze will remain in place.  I will speak more about this at tomorrow’s staff meeting (11:30 a.m., refreshments start at 11:00)
Again, I want to stress that this vote is not a personal attack on us as town/library employees. Every day we get positive feedback and compliments about how the library – and more importantly, the library staff – make a difference in the lives of our users. You make that difference happen when you help someone locate or check out an item, assist with printing, or offer a warm smile and “How are you today?” to a visitor.
Thank you all for always making the Reading Public Library a place of welcoming kindness and service.

A Little Something to Say Thank You

We appreciate you! Your work keeps this library running and welcoming every day, and this doesn’t go unnoticed. As a small token of our thanks, and with the generous support of the Reading Public Library Foundation, we’re offering each staff member a fleece jacket or vest to wear at work.

The fleeces are navy blue with the RPL logo embroidered in white on the shoulder/chest area. They’re warm and comfortable, and a nice way to show we’re all part of the same team.

Each employee may choose one (1) item. To help you choose, use the links below for more information, then complete this form by Sunday, October 25.

Many thanks to the RPL Foundation for making this possible, and THANK YOU for all you do.
Option A Info (Fleece Jacket)
Option B Info (Women’s Fleece Jacket)
Option C Info (Fleece Vest)
Option D Info (Women’s Fleece Vest)

ORDER FORM (DUE 10/25/2026)

 

Employee Flu Clinic

The Public Health Department (PHD) has scheduled a flu clinic for employees at the library on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 12-2 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but please feel free to register using this link or the QR code on the flyer to save your spot.
Can’t make it on 9/23?  No worries. PHD is offering flu clinics for the public throughout the fall:
  • October 4,5,6,7,8 and 26 (4-7 p.m.)
  • November 9 (4-7 p.m.)
  • December 9 (4-7 p.m.)
We will post details about those clinics later in September.

NEW: Mini-Food Pantry @ RPL

This week, Scout Bill Lockhart, of Reading Troop 702, is establishing a Mini-Food Pantry near the School Street steps as his final Eagle Scout project.

What is a Mini-Food Pantry?
Similar in design and size to Little Free Libraries seen around town, the Mini–Food Pantry is designed for community members to donate and will contain non-perishable, shelf-stable food items. It is a free resource for people who need food when the Reading Food Pantry is closed, and a place community members can donate non-perishable food items.

Once installed, the we (RPL) will assist in its ongoing maintenance. The Library’s Mini–Food Pantry joins a growing number of them in the area, including one located at The First Baptist Church at 45 Woburn Street.

“What I Learned Today ….”

Please remember to report professional development activities using our “Staff Development Reporting Form.”  This information is important!  Even if you note sessions down in a monthly report, or discuss with your supervisor or colleagues, we still need you to submit the info using this form.

Not sure if you entered something? No problem, it’s OK if you submit something twice; we can fix that! Please see Amy, Michelle, Jamie, or Olivia if you have questions about what, when, where, and how to report PD.

hoopla Checkout Limits Changing

Due to increased costs, users will be limited to six (6) hoopla items per month. We understand that this reduction in monthly checkouts may be disappointing for some users. Thank you for listening to each patron and their concerns. Here are some facts you can refer to if you receive questions:

  • We agree that this is disappointing: Like everything else right now, we are seeing cost increases in physical materials and digital licensing.  This is a way to continue offering Hoopla, a popular service.
  • We are being fiscally responsible: We look very carefully at usage statistics for all our content, and work to balance the best “bang for our buck,” while also continuing to offer a broad diversity of content.
  • We have a broad diversity of content: Have you tried Biblio+, Overdrive, Kanopy? Plus we have specialized digital content for kids.
  • We love to hear thoughts from you: What do you use most in hoopla? Audiobooks, eBooks, comics, TV? What would you like to see more of for digital content?

Please remember to document feedback in Gimlet.

Politically Expressive Activities (Reminder)

With state elections and ballot measures coming up this fall, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of people collecting signatures in our area.  Please review these guidelines:
  1. As a public building, RPL may dictate the time, place, and manner of politically expressive activities. We may not encourage or discourage this expression based on content.
  2. Collecting signatures or any politically expressive activities are permitted in the lower lobby near the entrance of the building.  This is the designated area.
  3. These activities may not interfere with patron use of the building (no blocking the elevator, book sale room, or Hush Booth).
  4. These activities may not interfere with staff performing their duties
  5. For safety reasons, people may not collect signatures (any politically expressive activities) in the parking lot.
  6. For privacy reasons (lockers and book drop), people may not collect signatures (any political activities) outside the main entrance of the building.
  7. RPL purview does NOT include the public sidewalks on School Street, Middlesex Ave, or Deering Street.
  8. Employees are not permitted to add their signature or participate in politically expressive activities while on duty. To avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest and ethical violations, please do not add signatures to petitions, etc., on any town building property, even while off duty.

Staff Parking

For employees who are on shift for more than three hours

If you are physically able, please park on the street during peak times, such as mornings of February vacation or Saturdays. You are welcome to move your vehicle closer to the building later in the day.  This helps with the overall safety of those entering and exiting the building for shorter periods of time.

For context: 157 people entered the building yesterday (Tuesday, 2/17) betwen 9-10 am with another 101 coming in between 10-11 am. See below:

9:00-9:59 AM 157
10:00-10:59 AM 101
11:00-11:59 AM 65
12:00-12:59 PM 72
1:00-1:59 PM 63
2:00-2:59 PM 80
3:00-3:59 PM 62
4:00-4:59 PM 53
5:00-5:59 PM 39
6:00-6:59 PM 54
7:00-7:59 PM 21
8:00-8:59 PM 3