At the latest meeting of the Rodgers Memorial Library Board of Trustees, members discussed a proposed bill before the New Hampshire legislature that could significantly change library governance.
“There’s new legislation some representatives want to add. What they want to add is a new section about public libraries where a municipality may, according to the provisions of RSA 39:3, elect to have a municipality’s governing body assume control of the governance of the library,” explained Vice-Chair Lisa Weber. “If a municipality assumes control of the public library, the Library Trustees shall serve in an advisory role to the governing body.”
Framed as an amendment, the bill would allow a town council or board of selectmen to assume direct control of a local library if approved by voters. A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for January.
“If a municipality determines they want to put this on the ballot, it can be voted on,” said Library Director Linda Pilla. “It would be something somebody would want to do, then it would have to make it on the ballot, then it would have to be approved by the electorate in town.”
Pilla noted that the legislative process is still in its early stages and the bill could change.
“I don’t know, I’m not a representative, but it seems to me that there’s always a lot of discussion that goes into these things,” she said.
Supporters argue the measure would give towns greater flexibility in library governance, though concerns remain about reducing the authority of trustee boards.
On the town side, Selectman Bob Guessferd reminded residents of upcoming budget and voting sessions.
“Once we get through the holidays and we’re on the other side in January, there’s a lot of things that are going on with regard to budgets and the voting,” said Guessferd. “My plea, as always, is to urge and encourage people to vote. Before that, they should attend the deliberative sessions, which are on the first two Saturdays of February – one for the town and one for the school. There’s actually a public hearing on the budget before that.”
The Rodgers Memorial Library Board of Trustees falls under the town portion of the budget, which was presented to the Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee last month.
“We very much want to make sure that citizens have every opportunity to provide their input,” said Guessferd. “You have, as a citizen body, the ability to change things in the deliberative session: to reduce dollar values, change dollar values, change wording, things like that. So, exercise those rights, and of course, come out and vote in March.”
He noted that turnout for the March election is “notoriously low” most years.
The Rodgers Memorial Library Board of Trustees will meet again on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at 6 p.m.
