Hadley Library Trustees Get Update on Roof Leaks, Budget Ahead of Finance Committee Appearance

HADLEY — April 8, 2025 — Hadley Library trustees heard updates on new roof leaks, an uncertain operating budget, and growing federal library funding risks at their April 8 meeting. Library Director Patrick reported two newly discovered leaks in the northeast storage closet of the new library building, on the same low-sloping roof section that has produced moisture problems since construction, and said he is pressing D.A. Sullivan's office for project records that are not available in the project management software. The board received an update that a complete roof schematic design and cost estimate from architect John is expected by the May trustees' meeting. Patrick said he has applied for a Massachusetts Cultural Council operating grant starting at $6,000 and will present the library's case — including a data point that meeting-room reservations exceeded 1,000 in 2024 versus zero in 2019 — to the Hadley Finance Committee the following evening. He also relayed that 13 of 23 Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners staff are funded through the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, and that MBLC has already rescinded 18 Explore grants and cut several programs in anticipation of further federal reductions that could affect the statewide Commonwealth Catalog interlibrary loan service.