DALTON, Mass. — The library trustees navigated the best way to spend the state aid during their meeting on Monday evening. 

 

This year, the library received $19,928.23 from state aid, which has to be used to improve the library and the patron experience. 

 

The library receives two state aid disbursements every year. The amounts vary annually based on population and other factors.  

 

Library Director Janet Forest said she is interested in having the library invest in a screen and a projector. 

 

This would be a meaningful addition to the library that numerous library programs can utilize. At the moment, the library has a portable projector and screen. This purchase would allow the library to do more screenings and presentations.  

 

Trustee Leo Quiles said this is a great idea and opens up the possibility of more programming, such as screenings of Academy shorts, which the Berkshire Museum does in its theater. 

 

Forest agreed and said she had communicated with a librarian at the Becket Library, which has an adult movie night. The librarian informed her that libraries must have the right to screen films by paying a licensing fee. 

 

Popular films, like "Barbie," are not cheap, but it aren't prohibitively expensive.

 

The library is still in the early stages of this and is in the process of researching and gathering quotes for the equipment; an early quote was $21,000. 

 

Trustee Fred Sears also recommended Wood Bros. Music in Pittsfield. 

 

Forest also contacted the Office for Information Technology at Williams College because all their rooms have projectors. They sent her a name, but the company has not gotten back to her yet. 

 

She was unsure whether a project like this would have to go out to bid so will confirm with the town.

 

The trustees are also considering renovating the break room to make more space, which would make programming easier. This would include knocking down the wall while maintaining the wooden trim and installing a stainless steel commercial sink. 

 

The sink would be a great addition as it will make cleaning easier, especially for craft programming, Forest said. 

 

The biggest cost of the project would probably be asbestos abatement, as the wall likely has asbestos due to the age of the building, she said. 

 

The next step is to take measurements to determine the scope of the project and go out to bid. 

 

The trustees are still in the initial stages and do not have an idea of the cost or any impact on library operations, which Forest thought would be minimal.

 

 

Part of this project would include updating the sink and vanity of the break room's bathroom using improvement money. This project would have to go out to bid and would not disturb library operations because the library has an alternative bathroom.