Goodnow trustees open FY25 budget planning, target automation shortfall

SUDBURY — September 5, 2023 — Goodnow Library Trustees begin FY25 budget push as automation costs outrun town allocation. Library Director Esme Green told the board Tuesday that the library's $63,000 town automation line is running about $10,000 short of actual costs — closer to $73,000 — once Minuteman Library Network dues, website maintenance, public Wi-Fi and time-clock software are counted, with the gap currently plugged by state aid and trust funds. Green said she will ask Finance Director Dennis Keohane to bring either a $25,000 or $35,000 library trust release request to the select board on Sept. 12; the Goodnow fund held roughly $401,800 at the end of 2021. Trustees also heard that 701 children logged 450,000 minutes in summer reading, that a draft photography policy is being sent to town counsel after a wave of "First Amendment audit" YouTube channels targeted Massachusetts libraries, and that the board will discuss sending representatives to the Oct. 12 "Residents Shaping Sudbury's Future" town forum. The June 6 minutes were approved as corrected and the meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.