07/21/2021 MinutesParis Public Library Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
July 21, 2021
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Paris Public Library Advisory Board was called to order by
Chairperson Melanie Loughmiller at 4:05 p.m.
Present:
Board members present were: Melanie Loughmiller, Steve Hellmann, Marilyn Threadgill, Eva
Dickey, Myers Hurt, Jennifer Cullum, and Library Director Tim DeGhelder. Board member
Lauren Mathews and City Council Liaison Linda Knox were absent.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the June 30, 2021 meeting were approved with
no corrections, with Steve Hellmann providing the motion to approve and Myers
Hurt adding the second.
II. New Business:
a. The new board member, DeEtte Cobb was not present at the meeting and the
board agreed that it was most likely that DeEtte did not have enough time to
complete all mandatory advisory board training prior to joining the first meeting.
Steve noticed that with the addition of the new board member, this brought the
current board to a total of 8 members. The bylaws state that the Library Advisory
Board should have 7 members. Mr. DeGhelder said that he would discuss this
with a representative at City Hall and update the members of the board as soon
as possible.
b. Officer elections. Chairperson Melanie Loughmiller asked to step down as
Chairperson, so that she can spend more time with her child who is beginning
their senior year of high school. Steven Hellmann was elected as Chair, with Dr.
Myers Hurt placed in the Vice -Chair position. Jennifer Cullum remains as
Secretary. Steven officially took over the meeting as the new Chairperson.
III. Old Business: No old business to report.
IV. Presentations
a. Budget Report.
a. Expenditures for June totaled $85,856.72, with $485,588.98 expended so far for
the year, which is 67% of FY 2021 budget of $727,331.00. Steve asked if there
was anything else that needed to be replaced before the end of the fiscal year.
Tim would like to use some of the budget funds to replace the chairs for the
library, with more comfortable and easier to clean seating options.
b. Statistical Report.
Steve noted that the volunteers had returned, with the other board members
commenting this was a welcome change. Steve asked Tim if there were any
concerns regarding the current statistical report. Tim responded, saying that he
wants to increase the participation among adult and teen programming. Jennifer
asked Tim's opinion about the library website, to which Tim responded that it
needed to be updated to offer increased information and be made more user-
friendly.
V. Friends of the Library Report:
Tim emailed Amanda Green, and she said that she would like to make a visit to the
library soon. The Friends have created an updated newsletter. Tim is hoping to have
a large fundraiser near the end of the calendar year, in hopes of revitalizing
membership in the club. Mr. DeGhelder would also like to create library employee
name tags and then have merchandize for Friends that can be similar in fashion and
sold at the library.
VI. Director's Remarks:
a. Tim spoke with City Manager Grayson Path regarding security cameras. The
current cameras do not save the recording. Path approved the purchase of new
cameras for the library. This new purchase will offer a system that has the ability
to view and access the recording remotely. These will be replaced in August.
b. Tim spoke to the board regarding late fees and other fines. He proposed that
there should be no fines for the Juvenile books. He supported his
recommendation, stating that children are not capable of returning books on
time and must depend on their parents, who are not always responsible and the
children shouldn't be punished for that. This action would also promote good
will among the patrons. Tim said that the purpose of the library is to let people
read, and so let them read. The board agreed with this proposal but it must first
be approved by the city since the fines collected do not go back to the library
account, but rather to the City of Paris.
c. Tim also emailed the librarian at Paris High School, to introduce himself and
discuss the upcoming teen programs he has in mind. Tim is waiting on a reply.
Eva Dickey suggested that Tim also contact the other district librarians, as there
are 5 high schools in the area and it is important to include everyone. Tim
acknowledged the suggestion and said he would do that.
d. Tim said that there will be two more staff meetings, prior to his Strategic Plan
recommendation to the board. From the first meeting, he has gathered that the
staff is happy. The next two meetings will discuss what needs to be improved on.
He has asked the staff to come with notes on what they feel can be updated to
help the library progress in a positive way. Tim will share these meeting
summaries with the board and hopes to have a Strategic Plan to present to the
board by September or October.
The next meeting will be on August 18th, 2021.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at
Submitted by
Jennifer Cullum, Secretary