Vote ‘Yes’ on Newton Article #19:
“To see if the Town will vote to change the position of Director of the Gale Library from part-time to full-time effective April 1, 2013 and further to raise and appropriate $9,146.00 for the additional costs in salary and benefits. If approved, the appropriation will be included in the operating budget in coming years. This proposed article will result in an increase on the tax rate by $0.02 cents per thousand”.
Giving Terry Caswell, our Library Director, one extra hour per week would take her from 39 to 40 hours per week, making her a full-time employee with benefits.
It would be very difficult for the Town to find a more dedicated and hardworking employee. Terry routinely puts in more than her allotted 39 hours per week, for which she is not compensated.
Here are a few statistics related to the operation of the Gale Library: Registered Users = 4,589. Circulation and Usage of Services = 34,985 (Adult and Children’s books, CDS, Audio books etc.) There were 16,738 books checked out in 2012.
The Library offers over 50 programs a year for adults and children at no charge. Terry is also responsible for five staff employees and three per diem employees.
Terry, who has just completed her 13th year at the library, makes this all happen, does the research, the ordering and the coordinating of all the programs and services. She networks within the state to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in library science and usage. During that time, Terry received a Bachelor of Science in Library Arts and Information Services graduating Cum Laude.
This is why Terry works 40-plus hours per week. This is why Terry should be compensated for her hard work.
Other Library Director’s wages in surrounding towns, with smaller populations and fewer hours are paid between 22 percent and 34 percent more than our Director, plus they receive benefits.
The Board of Trustees hopes you will vote Yes on Article #19.
Gale Library Board of Trustees
Marilyn C. Landry (Chairperson)
Kathleen P. Meserve
Carol J. Szot
