Hillsboro Public Library looking for staff

HILLSBORO - The City of Hillsboro is currently looking to reopen its public library, which has been temporarily closed due to staffing issues.

According to Hillsboro city clerk Gloria Villanueva, before its closing, two students staffed the library three days a week in the afternoon. Following their departure for college, and the absence of additional staff, the library was unable to remain open. Hillsboro Mayor Jim Tomson noted that the library was open intermittently through August and September but had to be closed in the absence of a librarian and staff. Villanueva explained that 'several people” have expressed interest in staffing the library and the city is hoping to reopen the building 'as soon as a body is in place.”

Currently the Hillsboro Library board has three members. According to its website, Karen Stanley serves as the board president, Rhonda Dorothy serves as the board's vice president and Becky Burk serves as the board's treasurer. While the board has operated with only three members, the board is set for five seats, Tomson explained, which the board is looking to fill in addition to the open staff positions.

The mayor also remarked that the city council and the library board are working together to reopen the facility but that he wasn't aware of whether any individuals had come forward or expressed interest in working at the local library.

Henry County's auditor Shelly Barber stated that she received an email from Villanueva on Nov. 12, informing the county that the Hillsboro library had been closed and asking for a temporary suspension of funds. Barber explained that the county provides funds to public libraries across the county in a lump-sum amount to cover costs for the entire fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. This year, the Hillsboro Public Library received $6,630. Should the library close, Hillsboro would be required to prorate funds back to the county by dividing the funds by the 12 months covered and returning funds starting from the time the library closed.

Plans for the library will be discussed at the next city council meeting on Dec. 9, which begins at 6 p.m.