SWAMPSCOTT — Library trustees are preparing for the possibility that changes to library services in Marblehead could place additional demands on the town’s public library at a time when its own staff remains stretched thin.

The discussion came during Monday night’s Board of Library Trustees meeting as members reviewed the potential impacts of Marblehead’s upcoming override vote and what it could mean for communities connected through the North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) network. 

Library Director Jonathan Nichols said if Marblehead voters approved a Tier 1 override proposal, it would allow the town’s library system to apply for a waiver from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) to maintain their certification even if they fell below state funding requirements. However, Nichols cautioned that approval of that waiver is not certain. 

“I just want to re-emphasize that waiver is not guaranteed,” Nichols said.

Nichols noted that town officials would need to submit extensive financial documentation showing how budget reductions were distributed across municipal departments before the MBLC determines whether a waiver is warranted.

“It’s really hard to look at this and be like, ‘Is this proportional?’” Nichols said. “I have no idea. That’s not for me. That’s for the MBLC to decide.”

Meanwhile, if a Tier 1 override is approved, Nichols and the trustees noted that Swampscott would likely still see a large increase in need from their neighbors. There is about an eight month gap between the override vote and the waiver decision in February.

Nichols said Marblehead could enter its next budget cycle with reduced library staffing and hours while remaining connected to the NOBLE network, likely increasing demand at neighboring libraries such as Swampscott during the waiver review process. As a result, he said library staff have already begun preparing information and answering questions for patrons who may have questions ahead of the vote.

The possibility of increased demand also comes as the Swampscott Public Library deals with its own staffing challenges.

Nichols reported that the library recently hired two part-time employees, including a library aide and a page, but remains down one full-time position following the departure of adult programming and reference librarian Dave Archer. The library is currently interviewing candidates to fill the role.

Trustees acknowledged that staffing levels and circulation have already been strained, with a tight operating budget and Nichols filling in adult programming duties as needed. 

The board also discussed what could happen if Marblehead fails to receive a waiver or if voters reject an override altogether.

Under state regulations, libraries that lose certification are removed from statewide resource-sharing systems, including interlibrary loan services and reciprocal borrowing agreements through NOBLE. In that scenario, Marblehead residents would no longer be able to borrow materials from libraries such as Swampscott or access many services available through the regional network, something that the circulated override materials did not fully caution, trustees said. 

“Even under library certification, they did not explain: You cannot do interlibrary loan, and you cannot access other public libraries,” Trustee Johannah Morgen said.

Trustees said many residents may not fully understand the consequences of decertification.

“Everyone I said it to has been shocked,” Debbie Friedlander, the secretary of the Board of Trustees, said. “Specifically for families with kids, I mean libraries are a lifeline.” 

While trustees emphasized that Marblehead’s budget decisions are ultimately for Marblehead voters to make, they agreed that the outcome could have direct implications for Swampscott’s library operations, staffing demands, and patron services in the months ahead.

“We just have to be wary,” Friedlander said. “Every household is facing increasing costs. It is understandable that this is a difficult decision … but it will mean a lot more services here.”