NORTHAMPTON — The Forbes Library is looking to expand the number of people sitting on its board of trustees for the first time since the 1980s, a move that the library says is essential to support its numerous programs and expand the diversity of its board.

The City Council unanimously approved an order to petition the state Legislature for permission to amend the number of trustees from five to seven. As the library was willed to the city, it must also be approved by the probate court system before being sent to the legislature. 

The board’s vice president, Katy Wight, said that the mission of the library had expanded beyond the lending of books and movies and that more trustees were needed to support the library’s programs.

“When I first decided to run in 2015, I was told to just expect a few hours a month,” she said at the City Council meeting on July 13. “I’m currently serving on seven separate committees and subcommittees. Some meet infrequently, but others have met every week, and I spend many hours between those meetings doing work to support the activities of those committees.”

The library has in recent years been the host for numerous events, such as film screenings, art galleries, and the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum, which recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the former Northampton mayor’s inauguration as president of the United States.

Forbes has also made several technological advancements over the past several years, Director Lisa Downing said. It has delved into the world of e-books and streaming services, as well as functioning as a place to provide free internet access to those who need it.

“Libraries keep evolving,” Downing said. “They’re not stagnant organizations, which is wonderful, but it means we have a lot of things we’re thinking about on our board, even just in terms of the board setting policy.”

Downing also said she hoped expansion of the number of trustees would provide an opportunity to have more diverse representation on the board.

“We want a board that is as representative as it can be of the city,” she said. “It allows us to think of diversity in various ways, from class, race, educational backgrounds and particular skills that people bring.”

The library’s board of trustees currently has three vacant seats it is looking to fill in the upcoming city elections. Four candidates have filed paperwork to run for the positions, according to the city of Northampton’s website.

Downing said she did not expect the changes to occur until the 2025 city elections. Assuming the Legislature approves the expansion plan, the measure would then need to be approved by voters at a municipal election before elections for the new positions can take place.

“We were grateful that the City Council and the mayor showed their support for this,” she said. “But this is just one step in a multiple-step proc ess.”

Alexander MacDougall can be rea ched at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.

 

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