18 - Appointment of Timothy DeGhelder as the Library DirectorItem No. 18
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro -Tem & City Council
FROM: Grayson Path, City Manager
SUBJECT: Library Director
Appointment of Timothy DeGhelder
City Charter Section 23
DATE: June 28, 2021
BACKGROUND:
The Library Director position has been vacant since January 2021 following the retirement of
Priscilla McAnally. It therefore became the task of the City Manager to seek out and select an
appropriate candidate to fill this position. A copy of the Job Description is found below.
The City Manager worked with Library Advisory Board Members Melanie Loughmiller and Steve
Hellman, as well as Sandy Collard, Human Resource and Civil Service Director, to serve as an
Interview Team. A total of five individuals applied and two were interviewed.
STATUS OF ISSUE:
I am pleased to present to you Timothy DeGhelder as my selection for Library Director. Mr.
DeGhelder was most recently an English Teacher in Thailand for SINE Education, but prior to that
he was the Branch Manager at St. Charles City -County Library District. He has 21 years of Library
and management experience. He has displayed a great depth of knowledge and understanding that
matches the job description. He has a Master of Library Science, ALA Accredited, which is a
requirement for accreditation of our Library in the State of Texas. I am very impressed with this
individual, both in his experience as well as his character. He possesses the right combination of
potential, experience, attitude, energy, professionalism and civility that I want to see as the leader
of the Library. He holds an impressive array of education and training credentials that have helped
prepare him to take on the challenges of leading the Library as its new Director.
Pursuant to the Paris City Charter, Section 23, "Neither the council nor any of its members shall
direct the City Manager or any of his subordinates in the appointment or removal of any city
employee; provided, however, that the_a aointment ot`mdei!artment heads shall be sub'eecct to the
qplroval o 'the council." Therefore, the job offer to Timothy DeGhelder is contingent upon the
approval of the City Council.
A copy of his resume is available upon request.
If his appointment is approved by the City Council, Mr. DeGhelder will transition from his current
location in Missouri and take the office in July 2021. Exact date TBD.
BUDGET:
Timothy DeGhelder will be given a starting salary of Grade 45, Step 5, which is $69,805.00. This
is a salaried position.
OPTIONS:
A resolution has been presented to you tonight to appoint the City Manager's selection of Timothy
DeGhelder as the Library Director.
1. Approve the resolution as presented.
2. Request edits to the resolution as presented.
3. Request additional information regarding Timothy DeGhelder or the process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Resolution to appoint Timothy DeGhelder as the Library Director..
JOB DESCRIPTION
LIBRARY DIRECTOR
General Statement of Duties
High level administrative position responsible for the direction and operation of all aspects of the
City's Public Library. Works under the direction of the City Manager; however, position requires
extensive skills in leadership, management, communications, planning and organizing.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Directs, plans, supervises, oversees, implements and organizes the financial
management, operations, work flow and maintenance of the City's Public Library,
including but not limited to collection and material development, library facility,
programming, community marketing and outreach, community education, strategic
planning, and State accreditation.
2. Develops and implements goals, priorities, policies, objectives, standards and procedures
relating to the City's Public Library, keeping in compliance with the American Library
Association, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, and the Texas Library System.
3. Works with and keeps informed the Library Advisory Board and attends meetings.
4. Works with and keeps informed the Friends of the Paris Public Library and attends
meetings.
5. Oversees the Library's annual accreditation through the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission.
6. Directs ongoing research into modern and new library concepts, technologies and trends
and implements changes of programs, circulation, collection, material and equipment to
help department achieve its objectives more efficiently and to adapt to the needs and
changes of the community.
7. Conducts background research and data collection for comprehensive library planning,
policies, collection and material development, programming and activities.
8. Manages various grant opportunities, through state and federal programs, overseeing
application, award, project development, project completion, and reporting.
9. Oversees the proper procurement of all purchases pursuant to applicable City and State
laws.
10. Develops realistic and fiscally sound budget requests based on program need and
monitors budget expenditures to ensure they remain within budget allocation.
11. Develops and maintains an efficient complaint tracking system for the department,
investigating issues, and responds to citizen concerns.
12. Supervises and monitors staff performance, ensuring that they are in compliance with
City policies, procedures, ordinances and resolutions.
13. Analyzes future personnel staffing needs and develops short and long-term plans to meet
those needs.
14. Selects, promotes, motivates, evaluates, trains and disciplines department personnel
consistent with applicable laws and the City's Personnel Policies and Procedures.
15. Advises City Manager and department heads on Library issues and solutions to address
issues.
16. Member of and attends conferences and workshops of the Texas Library Association and
the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association.
17. Coordinates additional and other assigned activities with other departments and outside
agencies and provides highly responsible and administrative support to the City Manager,.
18. Maintains a regular and predictable work schedule.
19. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and/or Experience —A minimum of a master's degree in library or
information science from an American Library Association accredited college. Must
have a minimum of six (6) years of municipal public library experience and three (3)
years of supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of education and
experience may be considered.
Computer Skills — Microsoft Internet Explorer and other internet-based search engines;
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software; Microsoft Outlook; Microsoft Word processing
software; Microsoft Powerpoint; and Laserfiche document storage and retrieval
software.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• Valid driver's license
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public library administration;
• Knowledge of public library policies, procedures, and standards of service;
• Knowledge of American Library Association principals, Texas State Library and Archives
Commission rules and requirements, and state law concerning public libraries;
• Knowledge of new and modern Library services, programming and technology;
• Ability to set and implement long term planning goals;
• Knowledge of contract procurement, administration and oversight;
• Knowledge of grant writing and administration;
• Ability to lead, direct, delegate and distribute personnel;
• Knowledge of employment practices, including recruitment, selection, and evaluation of
staff;
• Ability to effectively communicate with subordinates, disseminate information and take
charge of situations which arise in the course of duty;
• Ability to direct, coordinate and review the work of personnel;
• Ability to be self -motivated and willingness to take responsibility for the actions of
subordinates;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials,
employees, citizens, vendors and contractors;
• Ability to plan for library needs;
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate
on a daily basis with administrative, elected and appointed officials and the public with
courtesy, professionalism, civility and tact;
• Knowledge and ability to prepare and interpret complicated reports and standards;
• Knowledge of intergovernmental relations and ability to understand and work with State
and Federal Regulations, Departments, and Personnel.
Physical Demands
• Physical ability to lift 20 pounds;
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time;
• Sensory demands typically require speaking, hearing, touching and seeing;
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard
or other office equipment;
• Requires occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching and pushing or pulling drawers
to retrieve files;
• Must have visual acuity to endure eye strain of working on a computer for extended
periods of time;
• Mobility required to inspect work of staff;
• Physical mobility needed for moving around a worksite for the purpose of monitoring
quality of work.
Work Environment
• Employee works in an office;
• Must interact with upset citizens.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS, APPROVING TIMOTHY DEGHELDER AS THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR AS
RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY MANAGER IN CONFORMANCE WITH
SECTION 23 OF THE CITY CHARTER; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, Chapter 23 of the City Charter provides that the appointment of department
heads by the City Manager is subject to the approval of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended for appointment to the office of Library
Director, Timothy DeGhelder; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to approve the City Manager's appointment of
Timothy DeGhelder as the Library Director for the City of Paris;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. That Timothy DeGhelder shall be and is hereby approved as the Library Director
of the City of Paris, on the recommendation of the City Manager, and as a consequence of said
approval to serve as Library Director, said approval to be in conformance with Section 23 of the City
Charter, and the aforesaid Timothy DeGhelder shall be and is hereby authorized and directed to
perform any and all responsibilities and obligations incident to the office of Library Director.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this 28th day of June, 2021, by the City Council of the City of
Paris, in regular session, following notice and publication as required by law.
Paula J. Portugal, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney