Library Board Hears Branch Naming Rights Policy Update

Library · Meeting of September 23, 2026

Worcester library leaders warned the new Great Brook Valley Branch could open understaffed. Executive Director Jason Homer told the Worcester Public Library Board of Directors on September 23 that five existing branches run on just two staff members each, saying "we do not have enough staff to operate this library full stop." Board member Ron pressed for staffing costs and urged the board to preserve the Great Brook Valley name against potential corporate naming rights, comparing it to "Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium." Homer said staffing plans are still being developed with city officials ahead of the next fiscal year. The board separately heard that e-books cost libraries "three and six times more" than consumers pay, straining the library's roughly $1 million annual materials budget.

The board approved routine minutes by unanimous voice vote; no substantive votes were taken.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,524 words

Source: the Library meeting of September 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.