In the event of inclement weather, the Grafton Public Library may close to ensure safety for Library staff and visitors. If the Grafton Public Schools are closed, or evening meetings are cancelled by Grafton Public Schools and/or Town of Grafton, but the Library remains open, all scheduled Library programs will be canceled. The Library has discretion to make independent decisions about cancelling programs due to inclement weather, and encourages patrons to consider their own safety first and foremost, and follow all government issued travel advisories and bans.

  1. During a declared state of emergency from the federal, state or local government, the Library will close.
  2. During a travel ban or weather advisory from the Governor's office, National Weather Service, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) or when residents are advised to stay off the roads, the Library will close.
  3. If the Town Municipal Center closes due to weather, the Library will close.
  4. If the Library cannot meet the Minimum Staffing Policy due to inclement weather, the Library will close.
  5. If Grafton Public Schools are closed, the Library may delay or close based on weather prediction, staffing, and the ability to clear and maintain parking lot and walkways.
  6. The Library Director or their designee will confer with the Chair(s) of the Board of Library Trustees or their designee before conferring with the Town Administrator or their designee regarding Library closures and delays.
  7. When municipal offices are not scheduled to be open (weekdays after 4:30pm, weekends) and the Inclement Weather Policy needs to be implemented, the Library Director may additionally confer with DPW, local and state police, the Chair(s) of the Board of Library Trustees or their designee before conferring with the Town Administrator or their designee.
  8. Every effort will be made to come to a decision regarding closures and delays by 8:00 AM for daytime closures and delays, and 3:00 PM for evening closures.
  9. The Library parking lot must be plowed and sanded, and sidewalks cleared before staff arrive. Staff should wait for a directive from the Director before leaving home.
  10. The Library parking lot must be plowed and sanded and sidewalks cleared before staff and patrons arrive.
  11. The Library parking lot must be maintained (plowed and sanded) and sidewalks kept cleared for the Library to remain open.
  12. Staff must contact the Director or their designee on evenings and weekends to request snow/ice removal.
  13. Patron complaints about sidewalk and parking lot conditions should be documented and forwarded to the Director.
  14. All patron or staff injuries resulting from snow/ice must be documented with a MIIA accident report form.
  15. Library closings and delayed openings will be posted to the Library's website and social media.
  16. The Town uses Grafton's Code RED electronic messaging system, and subscribers will get an alert if the Town is closed, closing early, or delaying opening.

Should any patron be dissatisfied with the reasonable accommodations offered, they may follow the appeals process as outlined on the library's website, https://graftonlibrary.org.

Compiled and voted by Board of Library Trustees
Adopted: February 4, 2000
Last Revised: March 21, 2017; September 26, 2017; November 25, 2017; March 4, 2020; October 28, 2021; March 22, 2023