North Adams Library Facing Maintenance Issues
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The public library needs a generator and new environmental controls to keep its circulation and archival materials in shape.
The items are on a list of maintenance projects that library officials say they cannot afford and are hoping the city can help with.
Library Director Mindy Hackner told the library trustees on Monday that City Hall sent her a loss-control spreadsheet, used as an insurance tool, with maintenance suggestions on it.
Some of the items have been completed, but after speaking with the city electrician, she said the trustees should consider the purchase a battery-operated generator to prevent the sprinklers from turning on when the power goes out is critical.
"If [the fire suppression system] thinks there is fire in the building because we lose power for some length of time ... we lose a lot," Hackner said.
She said the city electrician has access to the library's system and knows to check the building when it is suspected that the power is out, but she was concerned that this may happen when he is on vacation or unable to check.
Hackner said he also informed her that the software for the climate control system will become obsolete soon and will need to be replaced. She said if it is replaced in the next year it would cost nearly $4,000 but if the library waits much longer, that could jump to $10,000.
Hackner said the library does not have the money.
The trustees suggested researching options before spending money.
Hackner also reported that the air conditioning unit that keeps that vault, which contains special and historical papers, at the proper temperature and humidity needs to be replaced.
"This is not a simple switch out," she said. "They need to get into that vault and it will be a two- to three-day job and it is going to be very expensive."
She discovered the unit was also leaking Freon, and recharging the leaking unit could cost nearly $500 a charge.
Hackner added that if the library wants to keep using the older library director's office as a café, it will need to purchase a lockbox for the security system equipment (a DRV) still in the space. She said a lockable security box would cost $429.
Trustee Joseph Truskowski was worried about people tampering with the DVR machine and asked if it could be moved. Hackner said she thinks moving it would cost much more but will ask and see if it is an option.
Although the trustees felt many of these building issues should be covered by the city, Hackner suggested the library looks for new ways to raise money to cover some of these expenses.
She suggesting charging people for tours of the mansion on Saturdays in the fall after the library closes. She said there is always an interest in the Blackinton Mansion and it is rated among the best attractions in North Adams according to TripAdvisor.
"We found this out accidentally when we were locking up the library one night and four people came rushing in from Boylston," Hackner said. "So we stayed behind and they were very interested in the architecture of the mansion itself."
She said she would make up brochures to hand out on the tours.
Hackner said the library budget was approved by the city and included cost-of-living raises, an increase for some employees to the new minimum wage, and a $2,000 increase to materials.
"The city really stepped up to the plate this time so it is going in the right direction," she said.
In other business, Hackner said the new library café continues to be a hit with patrons.
Last month the library set up a space where people could read the newspaper and magazines and drink coffee in the old director's office.
It is using gift money and donations to purchase the coffee and supplies, and is considering bringing in a coffee seller in the future.
Hackner said people want to keep the coffee flowing and the library recently received a check for $50 from a family in the state of Florida who used to live in North Adams to be used to keep the café running.
"Public reaction has been really positive," she said. "I went in this afternoon and there were about five people chatting, reading the paper, and having a grand time."
Hackner said the library will discontinue its Berkshire Eagle microfilm subscription.
"It costs $3,200 a year, we can't afford it, and they don't do North County reporting," she said.
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