SAUGUS — The Library Board of Trustees held an end-of-year meeting to discuss the library’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget.
Alan Thibeault, director at Saugus Public Library, led the discussion of the budget.
“What we’re looking at this year is a total non-materials cost of NOBLE (North of Boston Library Exchange) for $59,610,” Thibeault said.
He later amended the actual cost for NOBLE will fall roughly at $40,000 for this year.
NOBLE is a cooperative effort of 25 area libraries founded to improve library service through automation, according to its website. Saugus Public Library is one of those 25 libraries that use NOBLE’s automation services. These services include electronic resource, such as the online library database.
There are also the costs of printers, faxes, scanners, software support, and new printers for staff members. New printers will also be added to the children’s desk and the reference desk, costing $6,708, Thibeault said.
Another annual cost, of $231, will be for a system that helps protect public PCs. This system is called Deep Freeze Software, which is a reboot-to-restore system. These systems bring the computer back to its original system starting point after a reboot to ensure the PCs remain protected from downloads.
Thibeault said four new staff PCs will also be purchased for $2,560.
“We try to replace about 15% of our computer stable every year and that four is our 15%,” he said.
Cultural recreational programs, office supplies, and publications and books are all typically level funded, Thibeault said. Publications and books are usually itemized as materials on the budget.
“The only problem is the material lines have to equal 13% of whatever the town gives us from the general fund. The total is determined by state law and regulation to ensure that the library is certified for 2026,” Thibeault said.
The budget is due to Town Hall by Friday and Thibauelt said there could be minor changes made between the time of the meeting and the day it is due.
