The Belmont Select Board, in a unanimous decision at its August 7 meeting, has approved a revised plan to transfer children’s services to the Everett C. Benton Library, during the construction of the new town library.
The Select Board decided that the Benton, located at the corner of Oakley and Old Middlesex Roads, will be open 39 hours a week, instead of the originally proposed 53 hours.
About 700 residents signed a petition urging the Board to stick to the original 53 hours a week.
Residents like Jessica Hausman, who brought her six and eight-year-old children to the meeting, emphasized the significance of the library’s availability for children’s education and love for reading.
But neighbors like Lenna Garibian argued for just 20 hours a week to reduce the impact on their community.
Garibian said, “We are not anti-library. My husband has been shoveling those sidewalks [at the Benton] for 13 years, cutting grass and mulching it.”
In the end, the Select Board settled on a compromise, voting for 39 hours a week. They also agreed to reevaluate traffic, Benton library hours, and usage patterns within the first 3–6 months, and make changes as needed.
Select Board member Elizabeth Dionne acknowledged that “we are asking a lot of our residents with all the construction and changes in our town,” but reminded everyone ”this is temporary.”
The Belmont Board of Library Trustees will establish a working group with members of the Benton Board, along with representatives from the neighborhood, library staff, and Trustees to work together to address any problems that may arise.
The town had already made deals to locate adult circulation at the Beech Street Center and to place staff at the Chenery school.
Starting from late 2023, the revised operating hours for the Benton Library will be:
Monday: 9 a.m.–12 p.m., 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m.–12 p.m., 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.–1 p.m., 3p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.–1p.m., 3 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–12 p.m., 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
