Library Trustees respond to criticisms

By Guest

Dear Editor:

There have been some comments on social media about the library that include misconceptions and incorrect data — including costs associated with work on this cultural asset.

The Canton Public Library is a vital community resource, serving residents of all ages with a wide range of programs and materials. The library received nearly 200,000 individual visits in 2024 with 178,453 books and 99,047 e-books circulated. Our excellent library staff presented 628 programs attended by 15,159 children and adults.

It is not surprising that our 102-year-old library faces a number of building issues. The 2017 Facilities Condition Assessment of town buildings identified issues with the library building envelope and mechanical systems that would require more than $3 million to correct over 10 years. Unfortunately, due to competing priorities and budgetary constraints, funding for the library’s identified needs was not prioritized at that time.

At the May 2022 town meeting, the library trustees requested $320,000 to repair the rubber membrane of the roof and $46,000 to replace a failing HVAC unit, which were both at the end of their 20-year life expectancy. As was the procedure at the time, the library then went to the Building and Renovation Committee (BRC) for assistance with what was then thought to be a fully funded project.

The BRC wisely determined that a full study of the condition of the roof was warranted and utilized the funds appropriated for the initial repairs to fund the study. That study uncovered significant roof issues, including a loose cornice due to rusted bolts behind it. The successful completion of the roof and HVAC project demonstrates the importance of careful planning and responsible budgeting. This critical work was completed on time and significantly under budget thanks to the diligent efforts of the BRC and the library trustees.

At no time was there “nearly of foot of standing water covering the roof,” nor was the building at any risk of a “catastrophic roof collapse.”

The “visible evidence of water damage” supposedly discovered after the roof study has been visibly evident for more than 10 years, as anyone who came across buckets or plastic sheeting in the stacks can testify. The library has consistently advocated for necessary repairs, including addressing the longstanding water damage issues. Unfortunately, previous funding requests were not approved.

The Canton Community Preservation Committee has recommended that Annual Town Meeting grant the library $200,000 to repair the significant water damage in the three original (circa 1902) rooms of the library. These funds must be approved by voters at the upcoming May town meeting.

The BRC and the trustees have developed architectural plans that will repair the water damage and reconfigure the library to better suit how the library is used by Canton citizens today. We are currently waiting for estimates on the cost of this plan.

The major issue that needs to be addressed is noise mitigation. The library is fortunate to have 30 to 50 teens and tweens visit the library every day after school. Our wonderful Young Adult librarians plan programs and activities for them, but being teens, they are naturally noisy and disturb other patrons. The new plans will provide a solution.

Misinformation abounds: The library park is not the “installation of a garden” with an “estimated cost of $2 million.” Rather, the library park will transform the unused front lawn to serve as both a programming space and a place for citizens to meet and work with available Wi-Fi. The estimated cost of the project will be covered by the $452,500 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds approved at town meeting in 2024. Any additional costs will be offset by grants and donations, including over 200 bricks purchased by Canton citizens and businesses.

Rumors and inuendo suggest malfeasance by the library trustees as if individual trustees would climb ladders and repair these deficiencies themselves. It is neither practical nor advisable for library trustees to be climbing around the roof of the building. Fortunately, the town now has a centralized maintenance department that oversees the health of municipal buildings.

We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the CCPC, BRC, Finance Committee, Capital Outlay Committee, Historical Commission, Select Board, library staff, and most importantly, the thousands of Canton residents who rely on the library. We look forward to continuing to serve our community as a vital hub of learning and engagement.

Joan Schottenfeld, Chair

Canton Public Library Board of Trustees

Share This Post

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=130775