06/21/2023 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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The library received its first book removal challenge notification since Connie Lawman has been the director. Assistant City Manager Rob Vine informed Connie that a person notified the city that there was a book in the library in which they were offended by. Mr. Vine responded, stating that the library is a public library and is open to the public. Once Mr. Vine reported the information to Connie, she emailed the person and sent them a form to fill out to request the book be removed. Connie told the board of the procedure in place regarding book removal requests. She stated that the book that the person is offended by is not on display. If the person who took offense to the material returns the form to the library, Connie will begin the process of reviewing the book for possible removal. e. Project Survey: Connie will begin a two-part survey of the library staff. Part One will include an anonymous document that each staff member will be required to complete. The survey is intended to get a feeling for how the staff views the library in a variety of complexities. Connie wants this portion to be anonymous in hopes that the responses will be genuine and she can have a clear understanding of how the staff truly feel. Part Two will involve an unbiased person, interviewing staff one- on-one, with questions regarding how the staff feel about the library and the direction its headed. Connie has decided to begin this two-part survey because she feels that the staff have not fully discussed their thoughts with Connie during the monthly staff meetings. Connie feels as if the staff don't think they have a voice when it comes to aspects of the library. She would like to offer some form of employee recognition, as a way to boost morale, but has not settled on what she should do or what the staff would enjoy. In response, the Advisory Board offered some suggestions from their experience as employees. Steve suggested daily recognition by all the staff, DeEtte mentioned that older staff may enjoy different types of perks, and Jennifer Cullum offered an option to have staff recognition be used as a type of point bank, in which staff could use the points earned to "purchase" some perk of their choice. John T. Biggers Painting: The Chief Curator of Grace Museum in Abilene, Texas contacted Connie, requesting permission for the Paris Public Library to loan the painting by Mr. Biggers to a collection that the museum is curating for an upcoming exhibit entitled, "Witness: Black Art in Texas, Then and Now." Grace Museum has said that the piece would be properly insured and handled with care. Connie said that she contacted the Paris City Manager and City Lawyer. The artwork would be out of the library for six months while on display in Abilene. This particular piece of art is valued at more than $250,000 and is a piece that Biggers specifically painted for Paris, Texas. Connie asked the board for opinions regarding the loan.