Saugus library board adopts 2026-2031 strategic plan

Library · Meeting of January 8, 2026

Saugus library trustees unanimously approve $942,575 budget and new 2026-2031 strategic plan. Director Alan Thiebaud told the Board of Trustees the fiscal year 2027 request, up 5.91 percent from last year, satisfies the state's Municipal Appropriation Requirement of $864,214 and keeps the library on track for an estimated $76,000 in state aid. About 78 percent of the budget is salaries, including a 3 percent raise Thiebaud proposed for himself.

Trustees also adopted a new five-year strategic plan and heard that Children's Librarian Gemma Bruce joined the staff December 29, replacing Catherine Walton. Thiebaud said the library received $6,125 in Saugus Cultural Council grants for 2026 programming, including $2,500 to bring author John Patrick Green to the Belmonte STEAM Academy. "We're in good shape moving forward and not anticipating any problems," Thiebaud said of the library's finances.

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Source: the Library meeting of January 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.