Ayer Library Trustees approve budget cut, promote Gardner to emeritus status
Library Trustees · Meeting of February 12, 2026
Ayer Library Trustees reduce FY27 utilities budget and restructure board membership. Director Luke Kirkland reported completion of processing delays from 2025 and progress on glass slide archival cataloging, while new Engagement Librarian Melissa Guimont has begun programming and outreach. The board voted unanimously to cut the utilities line from $24,000 to $22,000 and approved a new Library Services Policy creating a Speed Reads section with seven-day loans and accelerated new book circulation from three weeks to two weeks.
Long-serving member Robert W Gardner, Jr. was promoted to Trustee Emeritus, and Obadiah Brown was elected to fill the permanent member seat. The board also authorized Director Kirkland to submit an amended Town Report submission emphasizing public-facing accomplishments.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 296 words
Source: the Library Trustees meeting of February 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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