The Leach Library Board of Trustees met on Aug. 6 to discuss new policy changes, many of which soon proved controversial, provoking public backlash. As resident Erica Laue argued, the changes were vacating Library Director Erin Matlin of “any real power,” a view shared by others.
“The personnel policy changes strip the Director of authority to set administrative policies for the staff they manage. It makes merit raises nearly impossible to earn,” said Tiffany Gagnon. “It gives the Board sole control over salaries, benefits, technology, and collection development, despite the Board having no management experience and limited technology knowledge.”
According to Trustee Moira Ryan, the changes would keep Leach Library more compliant with local and state regulations.
“How many other local libraries are in this mad dash to strip the other directors of responsibility so they can be compliant?” asked Gagnon. “I don’t know of any. A lawyer needs to review the changes.”
The criticism was not universal, with Richard Bielinski claiming the Library Director was already supposed to be limited in certain areas.
“One of the bylaws said that the Library Director, and this is nothing against Erin, ‘shall put together the budget.’ That’s contrary to state law,” said Bielinski. “State law says what the Library Trustees are required to do; it says they ‘shall’ do these, and they list them. One says, ‘they shall do the budget.’ Erin can be involved in it, but she can’t do the budget and have them approve it.”
He later added that “the Town Charter is not a governing document” of Leach Library.
There was concern from some Trustees over how feasible it would be for them to carry more budgetary responsibility from Matlin.
“I don’t know how to run a library. I don’t want to be responsible for where funds go. Erin is a professional; she spends more time here than in her home,” said Secretary Beth Marrocco. “We can advise, we can talk, we take that prepared budget to Town Council as is our responsibility, but as far as drafting, where do all the numbers come from? We can’t even seem to get our minutes approved!”
Trustee Nancy Hendricks questioned whether the state RSA actually required the Trustees to draft a budget, mirroring an earlier request that the Trustees seek legal advice. Chair Liz Thomas stated that getting advice from a lawyer was “a big expense for the town,” opposing the suggestion.
Eventually, the Board of Trustees agreed to continue annual budget work “in collaboration with the Director.” Matlin stated her belief that such an approach would be “similar” to how she already worked with the Trustees. They also agreed to formally ask for legal advice in a five-to-two vote.
However, not every change involved the Library Director, as different clauses focused on the seating of alternates, salary scaling for library staff, clarification on the roles of each Board officer, and changes to the performance pay plan. There were also suggestions from the Board for additional changes in response to past criticism.
“I do want to add that the Chair, whoever the Chair may be, will have no more authority than other Trustees, and that they will not have the authority to override the vote of the Board or a simple majority vote,” said Hendricks. “I would like to have that added.”
Thomas stated that she had never overridden a vote of the Chair. The clause and related dispute came from a delay in posting a previously approved part-time children’s librarian position.
“You can’t change bylaws unless they’ve been posted for ten days,” noted Secretary Beth Marrocco, following an initial push from the Chair to vote on the changes at the Aug. 6 meeting.