Westborough Library Trustees Approve Consultant, New Collection Policy Before Building Return

WESTBOROUGH -- March 25, 2026, Westborough Library trustees approved a governance consultant and a revised collection development policy at their March 25 meeting, voting 6-3 to authorize up to $12,000 from the library's ZIMCA trust fund for a premium consulting engagement with Maura Deedy. The premium package, priced at $9,000 plus travel and printing costs, will produce a governance dashboard, a board governance compact, a communication protocol, and a line-by-line audit of bylaws and town charter clauses. The collection policy overhaul, approved unanimously, shifts from format-specific language to a philosophy-based framework, adds explicit language stating adult collection selections are not restricted by the possibility that children may encounter them, and restructures book challenge procedures so patron complaints go first to the library director before reaching the board. Library Director Kate told trustees the changes were essential before the library returns to its renovated 55 West Main Street building, targeted for fall 2026, noting the renovated space will have roughly 1,000 fewer square feet of collection area than the current temporary location. "The board 10 years from now may not look like that," she said of the push for written governing documents. "Having strong foundational documents will help."