Great Barrington Library Trustees Approve Floor Replacement and Fine-Free Policy Revisions

GREAT BARRINGTON — January 12, 2023 — Great Barrington Library Trustees approved $3,350 in donated funds for a new community room floor and voted to expand the library's fine-free policy to cover all materials. The board unanimously backed the laminate floor replacement at Mason Library's long-shuttered community room, drawing from a donation account that holds approximately $24,000; the cost estimate was provided by the Department of Public Works. Trustees also approved a revised fine-free initiative — eliminating fines on books, DVDs, museum passes, and Wi-Fi hot spots — under which overdue high-value items would instead be marked lost after 24 hours and carry a replacement-cost fee, with the lost charge expunged upon return within 28 days. Library Director Samara reported a state aid award of $8,150.97 for the current cycle, on top of roughly $27,000 already held in the state aid account. Children's Department Supervisor Lori Harrison noted 113 participants had signed up for the new "For the Love of Reading" challenge in its first two days, and that the library's children's program ranks in the top percentile statewide.