NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The public library plans to replace the majority of its public computers though it is yet to be seen where the funding will come from.

 

Library Director Sarah Sanfilippo told the trustees last week that she has been working with the city's Information Technology Department to replace the bulk of the library's fleet of computers but does not know how she will cover the $18,000 price tag

 

"They were very old, and it was all patchwork," Sanfilippo said. "Now we will have almost everything new, and it will be so much better for the patrons ... but it is going to cost a lot of money."

 

Sanfilippo said the computers are old and the majority of them still run the antiquated Windows 7 that will become even more obsolete when Windows 11 is released in the near future. 

 

She had proposed purchasing refurbished computers but the IT Department felt this was not a good idea, knowing they would all likely have to be replaced again in a few years. 

 

She said her own budget is pretty limited and had yet to get an answer from the city if it would be willing to chip in. She said she planned to ask the Friends of the Library and, on Wednesday, asked the trustees if they would be willing to help cover the cost.

 

"I am just throwing out lines and seeing what comes in," she said. "I don't really have a number."

 

The trustees agreed they wanted to help but didn't know where to start.

 

"I am open to helping as much as we see fit," Trustee Sarah Farnsworth said. "I think we just have to figure out what the city is kicking in."   

 

The trustees were upset the public computer fleet was neglected for so long.

 

Sanfilippo said the IT Department has been understaffed, and IT updates are needed in other areas in the city. She said it is also the nature of libraries to work with what they have.

 

"Libraries tend to be pretty scrappy, and they get people to donate here and there or they find old computers," she said. "They put them all together and it works. But it is never part of the budget."

 

Farnsworth felt, especially after the pandemic, it should be clear how important technology is to the library.

 

"We need to stop pretending like technology is something extra," she said. "It is a lifeline, and it has to be given top priority."

 

The trustees agreed they would like to see technology upgrades become a regular part of the budget and to see a computer replacement schedule.

 

As for kicking in some money for the upgrades, they asked that Sanfilippo to get a number from the city first.

 

Also in regard to technology, the library plans to roll out lendable mobile hotspots.

 

"We are doing some preparation before we let them loose in the community," Sanfilippo said. "We want to make some cheat sheets so people know how to use them."

 

The hot spots, that provide unlimited wifi, can be taken home by patrons and can provide service for up to 10 devices.

 

"I am excited about this," Trustee Tara Jacobs said. "Especially after this year, it has shown how important this is." 

 

Sanfilippo said they do come with filters that block certain websites. She said this can be turned off by library staff. Patrons do not have to give a reason.

 

She said the filters are on as a default to block pornography and other like the content. She said there seems to be a problem with the filtering that the company is trying to work  out with the internet provider.

 

"People have been testing them and they have noticed they are filtering things they probably shouldn't like Planned Parenthood," she said. "... Someone said they were looking for maternity clothes, and the website was blocked. But it can be turned off and it is not a person blocking it." 

 

In other businesses, Sanfilippo touched on the funds the late state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi left to the library, a portion of which was earmarked for astronomy materials.  

 

Sanfilippo said a patron suggested using some of the funds to purchase star gazing binoculars.

 

"We were thinking we could put together a packet that people could borrow and look at the stars," she said. "Maybe have an event in the fall when it gets darker a little earlier ... the  money has been sitting there a while it would be nice to get some use out of it."

 

Sanfilippo said they are working to bring on some part-time personnel and new volunteers as some volunteers left during the pandemic

 

The trustees also touched on changing their meeting time. Historically they have met Wednesday afternoons.

 

The board is still down a member and folks who work days have had a hard time making the meetings that typically start at 3:15 p.m. Sanfilippo said the trustees can change the time but per the charter, meetings have to take place on Wednesdays.