So here’s something weird: I was perusing the most recent Pawlet Library Board minutes only to read in the last two lines that the Pawlet Library Director, Lyndsi Barnes has been dismissed “effective immediately.”

Wait- what?

It was only last month that the library board voted to recommend a raise for Lyndsi Barnes. She’s been in the position of Library Director for the last two years, and although I’ve not interacted with her very much in that time, I’ve heard from many people who feel that she is a terrific addition to our historic library, instituting exciting new programming (Seed Savers, guitar sharing programs) and making a concerted effort towards community outreach. (I attended and was impressed by a free Fred Shehadi concert sponsored by the library in the Town Hall auditorium.)

But appreciation of our librarian is not limited to the town of Pawlet. One week prior to her dismissal, Lyndsi Barnes received a letter from the Vermont Library Association President informing her that she had been selected as “one of the remarkable librarians… who have made a significant impact within their local communities.”

So… this definitely begs the question: why?

I reached out to Lyndsi who said she’s been given no explanation for her abrupt dismissal. I think she deserves one, but more importantly I think the people of Pawlet do, too.

If you’d like to know why our Library Director has been dismissed, here are two great opportunities to ask that question: the next Library Board meeting is to be held at the library on Tuesday December 5th at 5:30 PM. The next Select Board meeting is to be held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, November 28th at 7PM. Both of these meetings are open to the public.