Library board revises entrance safety policy

Library Board 2026-09-14 Part 2 · Meeting of September 14, 2026

NEWINGTON — The Newington Library Board of Trustees revised its public behavior policy to keep e-bikes, skateboards and scooters off the entrance stairs and ramp. Trustees approved the change unanimously after member Chris Riley described a near-collision with cyclists outside the building, saying he "almost lost my nose" when kids on e-bikes crossed toward the entrance ramp. The board also reported a roughly $1.47 million unrestricted bequest from the Ann Marino Trust received in June, which shifted the library's reserves from about half restricted to roughly 80 percent unrestricted.

Trustee Pam Connery announced she is stepping down from her town-appointed seat, leaving one town seat and two corporate seats open. The investment committee reported maintaining a 45-to-55 conservative-to-aggressive asset split with no major withdrawals since May.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,563 words

Source: the Library Board 2026-09-14 Part 2 meeting of September 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.

The Full Article

Town Council Liaison Update

Background and stakes: The board routinely hears from a town liaison about municipal developments that could touch library operations, staffing, or budget.

The question before the body: What town-level news should trustees know entering the fall.

Substantive content: A trustee identified in the transcript only as Elizabeth, apparently serving as the board's town council liaison, reported that the town is close to finalizing an offer for a new town planner, though it is not confirmed whether the candidate has accepted. She said the prior town manager has moved out of the area and the town is now operating with an interim town manager while it recruits a permanent replacement. She flagged two policy threads in the pipeline: senior housing needs and codifying open space rules. Another trustee asked about town staff coverage during the transition, noting that an acting assistant town manager who also serves as business manager has delegated some duties to colleagues; the liaison confirmed informal backfill arrangements are in place.

The deliberation: The exchange was brief and informational, with no disagreement voiced.

Outcome: No action required; informational only.

Secretary's Report and Approval of Minutes

The secretary had no new report. Trustees then voted to approve the minutes of the prior meeting on a voice vote; the motion carried unanimously, though the transcript does not clearly identify who moved and seconded it.

Financial Report: The Ann Marino Trust Bequest

Background and stakes: The library received a bequest from the Ann Marino Trust in June, before the close of the fiscal year, that the presenting trustee described as sizable and entirely unrestricted.

The question before the body: How much came in, where does it sit now, and what does it mean for the library's reserves.

Substantive content: The trustee reported the June transfer totaled approximately $1,471,108.50. As of August 31, account balances were: checking (unrestricted), $75,319.66; restricted money-market funds, $58,099.98; a non-investment unrestricted account, $460,449.24; the restricted George Hainel fund, $512,894.43; the investment account combining restricted and unrestricted funds after the Ann Marino gift, roughly $2,020,066.99; and the Margaret Hooker fund, whose principal is approximately $342,000, valued at $497,631.75. The trustee said the library had been roughly half restricted and half unrestricted before the gift and is now closer to 80 percent unrestricted.

The deliberation: The presenting trustee framed the gift as an opportunity rather than a windfall to be banked passively. "It opens up to a lot of discussions about projects and even putting on hold potentially," the trustee said, adding that deferred items like sign and furniture replacement are now in reach. No trustee raised objections; the report drew no further questions.

Procedural steps and outcome: No vote was required; this was an informational treasurer-style report.

Implications and what is next: The board signaled it will begin identifying specific capital projects the unrestricted balance could fund, a conversation expected to continue through budget planning and the facility and site committee's long-range fundraising push.

Library Director's Report: Staffing Turnover and a Regional Comparison

Background and stakes: Summer brought a departure in the business office and a temporary closure at a comparison library in Wethersfield, both relevant to how Newington's library is staffed and perceived.

The question before the body: What operational changes occurred over the summer.

Substantive content: Business Manager Carolyn McClain resigned at the end of July. Katie Cornell, previously the circulation supervisor, was hired to replace her and started September 8, leaving the circulation supervisor position open; because it is a union role, it was posted internally first, drawing one interested internal candidate whose process is not yet complete. The library director said Assistant Director Jennifer Kiebert has been covering many of the vacated business-manager duties while also performing her own job, and that Cornell will "straddle two jobs" while learning the business side. Summer reading programs drew 710 adult participants who read more than 4,500 books, along with 154 teens and 415 children. The director also reported that the Wethersfield Library closed to the public August 3 for the first phase of a renovation of its first floor, continuing to offer interlibrary loan service; it had been expected to reopen September 8 but the date slipped to around September 21, with a longer, more disruptive renovation phase to follow.

The deliberation: A trustee asked whether Wethersfield's renovation was a repeat of earlier work; the director clarified the current project addresses the first floor, distinct from an earlier children's-area renovation prompted by a flood.

Outcome: No vote; informational.

Assistant Director's Report: New Hires and Friends Memberships

Assistant Director Jennifer Kiebert reported the library hired a new part-time teen librarian, Emma Johnson, who volunteered with the library for several weeks before being hired and starts September 21. The library is also preparing to post for substitute positions across public service desks, anticipating that some current substitutes want to reduce hours or retire. Kiebert said Cornell has been training for about a week and a half and "doing great," and noted that Friends of the Library memberships have been "coming in fast and furious," straining the administrative office's processing capacity.

Friends of the Library Liaison Report

New Friends liaison Natalie Harbison, introduced by trustees as a familiar face returning to a more formal board role, reported strong renewal numbers but fewer new memberships. The Friends plan a membership table and raffle basket, including Winterfest tickets, at the upcoming Waterfall Festival, where they will sit beside the trustees' table. Harbison also outlined a fall book sale running October 16 through 18, a craft fair in early November, gift wrapping in December, and Winterfest in January.

Committee Reports: Behavior Policy Revision

Background and stakes: At the prior meeting, trustees left the library's public behavior policy unfinished, specifically language governing congregating near the entrance and the use of wheeled devices.

The question before the body: Whether to adopt revised wording addressing e-bikes and other wheeled devices after safety concerns at the entrance.

Substantive content: Trustee Chris Riley explained that the original policy barred such devices "on the grounds," language he said inadvertently restricted people's transportation in some cases. The revised paragraph instead confines roller skating, skateboarding, scooters, bicycles and e-bikes to "designated outdoor areas," explicitly barring them from the building, the stairs, and the ramp leading to the entrance, which Riley said causes an obstruction for patrons. Riley described the incident that prompted the change: "I almost lost my nose because a couple of kids on e-bikes were coming down, and they actually came across from where the sundial is, across the little sidewalk here, and just went down the ramp."

The deliberation: No trustee objected to the revised language. One trustee asked for confirmation that members were comfortable voting on the full revised paragraph as read aloud rather than a redlined document; members indicated they were.

Procedural steps and outcome: A trustee moved to accept the revisions; Melissa Haisley seconded. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. The policy will be reprinted with the new language.

Implications and what is next: The policy change is effective immediately and governs how library staff and police may respond to wheeled devices and loitering near the entrance going forward.

Committee Reports: Committee Assignments and Officer Nominations

Trustees Pauline, Diane, Dave Nagle, Joanne, Melissa and Jason still need to submit forms indicating which committees they want to join; assignments will not be finalized until the October meeting. The presiding trustee noted the board asks members to sign up for three committees, with every trustee automatically tied to the library's 5K race regardless of other assignments, and said the board president sits as an ad hoc member of every committee without obligation to attend every meeting. Officer nominations and elections will take place at the annual meeting later in the evening's agenda cycle.

Committee Reports: Investment Committee and Asset Allocation

Background and stakes: With the Ann Marino Trust gift substantially increasing invested assets, trustees discussed how the library manages investment risk and liquidity.

The question before the body: How the investment committee is monitoring the portfolio and planning for near-term capital needs.

Substantive content: Trustees Jason Hipp and David Horrigan, both on the investment committee, reported no significant withdrawals since late May despite market fluctuations, and said the committee maintains roughly a 45-to-55 split between conservative and aggressive holdings. Hipp said the committee plans to meet quarterly, or sooner if market conditions warrant, with a financial advisor referred to only as Dean to align investment decisions with anticipated capital needs, such as the costs of upcoming facility projects.

The deliberation: Hipp emphasized a long time horizon: "This is a long-term fiduciary responsibility. We're not looking at our retirement in 10 years, we're looking at long term." Another trustee noted that newer board members benefit from hearing the allocation rationale restated periodically since the board now has several new members unfamiliar with past investment votes.

Outcome: No vote was taken; this was a status report.

Committee Reports: House Committee Walkthrough

House Committee chair Diane Stamm said she has no specific repair items to flag yet but joked the list could easily run "one to two million dollars." She said the committee's annual walkthrough with library staff and town officials, open to all trustees regardless of committee assignment, will take place in November, with scheduling to follow.

Committee Reports: Facility and Site, and a Manchester Comparison

Background and stakes: The facility and site committee, which Chris Riley also described as the chair of a group referred to in the meeting as "LARK," has spent the summer developing marketing materials for the Waterfall Festival and preparing messaging about the library's long-term building needs.

The question before the body: What progress has the committee made toward building community and fundraising support for a future, expanded library.

Substantive content: Riley said the committee met multiple times over the summer to produce surveys, flyers and giveaway items, including tote bags, for the Waterfall Festival, and to refine messaging distinguishing current library services from the case for a future "reimagined" building. He said he notified town council that the committee wants to focus near-term efforts on expanding communication and fundraising capacity before returning with a formal update. Riley pointed to the recent reopening of the Manchester Public Library as a comparison point, noting Manchester's population is about 37,000, similar in size to Newington's roughly 30,000. He said he believed Manchester's renovation cost was "around $50 million," though he added uncertainty, noting the project may have grown from an original estimate near $30 million after officials decided to pursue net-zero energy standards, and said it went to referendum with strong public support.

The deliberation: A trustee asked directly about Manchester's budget and scope; Riley's answer included explicit hedging about the exact figure. No other trustee offered a competing number, so the roughly $50 million figure should be treated as approximate and attributed to Riley rather than confirmed.

Outcome: No vote; informational, with the committee continuing its fundraising and communications planning.

Committee Reports: Fund Development and Pam Connery's Departure

Background and stakes: The library's annual 5K race depends on a sponsor pipeline that trustee Pam Connery has managed; she told the board she can no longer continue as a board member due to her personal schedule.

The question before the body: How the board will transition sponsor-relationship duties and fill the resulting board vacancy.

Substantive content: Connery said she is stepping down from her town-appointed seat but will continue helping with Hanel donor events and will assist "Bill" with the handoff. She described the sponsorship work as maintaining a spreadsheet and sending recurring reminder emails, noting that sponsors "almost respond before you're sending" once the system is running, though some require repeated prompting. She said she has paper materials to hand over and offered to convert some records from Google Docs and Publisher files to more accessible formats. The board noted one open town-appointee seat (Connery's) and two open corporate seats; corporate members are voted in by the board, while town-appointed members are voted in by the town.

The deliberation: Trustees discussed timing, noting sponsor commitments are best solicited after Giving Tuesday and before year-end, since many businesses will not commit funding once their next fiscal year's budget is set. One trustee asked for volunteers to take over the spreadsheet and sponsor communications.

Outcome: No vote; the board will seek a volunteer to absorb Connery's fund-development duties and will pursue candidates for her vacated seat and the two open corporate seats.

Old Business: Annual Meeting Recognition Awards

The board finalized assignments for reading recognition write-ups ahead of the evening's annual meeting portion, including corporate contributor awards for Masonic Care at Middlewoods and Sam's Club of Newington, an outstanding-employee recognition, and a legacy society honor. The board specifically noted it will honor a longtime staff member referred to as Anna for 21 years of service, following her retirement after the September meeting. A trustee also thanked a volunteer identified as Michelle for assistance preparing Waterfall Festival materials.

Adjournment

With no one present or online for public participation, a trustee moved to adjourn; George Bernaco seconded, and the board adjourned to begin its annual meeting proceedings.

WHO WAS THERE

Board members present (per roll call): Elizabeth (town council liaison role), George Bernaco, Melissa Haisley, Jason Hipp (participating online), David Horrigan, Pam Connery, Colleen Kruk, Leanne Mankey, Joanna Massey, David Nagle, Maureen O'Connor-Lyons, Chris Riley, Diane Stamm, Lisa Mastin, Jennifer Kiebert, Natalie Harbison, A.J. Kaniakos.

Attendance uncertain: Christine Shushan and Kelly DeHaas appear on the roll call list, but the transcript does not clearly capture a "present" response for either.

Staff in attendance: Library Director Lisa Mastin (title inferred from her role presenting the library's operational report); Assistant Director Jennifer Kiebert (title stated in transcript); Business Manager Katie Cornell (newly appointed); outgoing Business Manager Carolyn McClain was referenced but not confirmed present.

Public commenters: None; no members of the public attended in person or online.

Outside parties referenced but not present: a financial advisor referred to only as "Dean"; "Leslie" from the local chamber of commerce and a person referred to as "John," both mentioned regarding shared festival table arrangements; a volunteer referred to as "Michelle," thanked for help with facility and site committee materials.

ORGANIZATIONS AND DOCUMENTS REFERENCED

Ann Marino Trust — source of the approximately $1.47 million unrestricted bequest received in June, discussed in the financial report.

Margaret Hooker Fund — endowed fund with roughly $342,000 principal, valued at $497,631.75 as of August 31; cited in the financial report.

George Hainel Fund — restricted fund cited in the financial report, balance $512,894.43 as of August 31.

Wethersfield Library — neighboring town library cited by the library director as a comparison point for renovation timelines and patron impact.

Manchester Public Library — cited by Chris Riley in the facility and site committee report as a comparably sized community's recently reopened library, with an approximate (and disputed) construction cost near $50 million.

Library behavior policy — the document amended by board vote in the meeting, specifically language on entrance congregation and wheeled devices.

Friends of the Library — fundraising partner organization discussed in the Friends liaison report regarding memberships, book sales, and festival participation.

Newington Library 5K race sponsorship program — fund development initiative discussed in connection with Pam Connery's departure and the search for a volunteer successor.