The Pawlet librarian has been abruptly fired and most folks in town would like to know why. And it’s newsworthy enough that regional NPR affiliate WAMC has done a story about it. Here’s the link: https://www.wamc.org/news/2023-11-30/pawlet-vermont-residents-call-for-reinstatement-of-town-librarian

At the last two Pawlet Select Board meetings, folks showed up to complain about the mysterious dismissal. If you missed these meetings, you can watch them here:

https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/MFXsvSYzjQOlecorW3Sq8GyBkhIm0OQN/media/836576?autostart=false&showtabssearch=true&fullscreen=false

https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/MFXsvSYzjQOlecorW3Sq8GyBkhIm0OQN/media/836576?autostart=false&showtabssearch=true&fullscreen=false

Lots of folks had wonderful things to say about Lyndsi Barnes’ performance as the Pawlet Librarian over the past two years, as well as her impressive resume. At one point Sue LaPorte gave the Select Board a collection of letters of support for Lyndsi Barnes. (20 letters? I think? It’s a little hard to hear.)

During the Nov 14th meeting library board member Grace Larson gives us our only clue as to any possible rationale behind the firing saying “there was a disconnect between the programming and welcoming community members to use the library resources.”

If being not “welcoming” was a longstanding problem, I think you have to wonder why the Library Board unanimously voted to give the librarian a raise only a week before.

But let’s assume this assertion may truly get to the heart of the debate: whether, over the last two years our community felt welcomed to the public institution of the library. So I’m asking the question: is there anyone out there who has felt unwelcome in our library?

“We have been investigating,” said Select Board Chair Mike Beecher during a recent meeting. “We’re taking this all very seriously.”

I’m so glad. Because in the history of our town I can’t recall the last time a firing like this took place, and certainly not one so controversial. Our town needs- and deserves- transparency on this issue.

I encourage everyone who cares about the Pawlet Library— and transparency in our town governance— to show up at the next Library Board meeting and ask for an explanation: it takes place next Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 5:30PM at the Pawlet Library.