LYNNFIELD — It’s been over a year since the override for the FY26 budget passed, but the Lynnfield Public Library has continued to deal with a decline in adult programming and staffing issues as a result.

“The override passed, which was absolutely wonderful. I’m so relieved, but people think that everything was restored to our budget, and actually, we still took a pretty significant hit,” Director Abigail Porter shared with The Daily Item. “We’re doing our best to keep services going.”

Porter said that the previous assistant director had left in January prior to when the town voted for the override and that she was told not to fill the role until afterward, if at all. Today, the Library has remained on a hiring freeze “indefinitely” for that position, specifically, which Porter described as a “high-level job” that oversees all of the Library’s marketing efforts, maintaining the website, handling outreach and planning all of the adult programming. They also assist Porter with administrative duties and would serve as director while she is out or on vacation.

As a result, those responsibilities have fallen on both Porter and the staff, all while they manage their own workloads and responsibilities. Without the role, the library has seen a decline in its adult programming as well.

“Our numbers are down significantly for adult programs in particular,” Porter explained. “It’s really hard just not having that one person. I think it’s a really tough line to walk of letting people see the need and the gaps, but also proving to people that you’re a valuable service and that you do so much for the community.”

With that, Porter emphasized that she understands the town is “doing everything they can” and that she didn’t want to “complain.” She also mentioned that staff cuts aren’t just limited to the Library, either.

“It’s just a tough time financially,” she said, later adding: “There were quite a few cuts here and there of staffing around town. So we’re not the only ones feeling it.”

And yet, even during these times, the library has continued to push through and still provide fun, educational, and accessible programs to residents. Porter credits that to both her “incredible staff” and the support from those within the community and organizations and groups like the Friends of the Lynnfield Library, A Healthy Lynnfield, and the Lynnfield Tree Committee, to name a few. Upcoming programming includes a performance by The Delvena Theatre Company, which will be presenting “Mangia, Meatballs, and Murder” at the Lynnfield Meeting House on July 21.

Porter also mentioned future ideas, including starting a Mahjong Club. The library is also working on building a garden on the side of the building and having programming on seed saving and information on native plants. Her vision is to then be able to utilize the outdoor space and host Story Time outside in that area, as well as book groups and their knitting club.

While the library has every intention of continuing to be a resource to Lynnfield, Porter knows that they could be doing even more, though:

“It’s tough to manage,” she said. “Luckily, we have an incredible staff [but] I always just think how hard it is knowing what they could be doing for the community if we had, you know, a little more staff, a little more funding [and] a better space.”