09/15/2021 MinutesParis Public Library Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
September 15, 2021
Opening:
The meeting of the Paris Public Library Advisory Board was called to order by Chairman Steve
Hellmann at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Board members present were: DeEtte Cobb, Steve Hellmann, Melanie Loughmiller, Eva
Dickey, Lauren Mathews, Melanie Loughmiller, Library Director Tim DeGhelder, and City Council
Liaison Linda Knox. Board Member.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the August 18, 2021 were approved with the
correction of the word from "sing" to "sign" the Minor Computer Workstation
Agreement. Discussion bought up on a way to thank board members after their
service on the board. Tim DeGhelder will look at certificates. Motion by DeEtte
Cobb to accept the minutes, 2nd by Melanie Loughmiller. Motion passed.
II. Citizens Forum: Nothing to report.
III. New Business: Library Board gave introductions to our new library board member-
DeEtte Cobb. Amend New Library Card Policy. The board voted to remove the
limitations of only 4 items allowed to be checked out by a new library card user.
They also voted to allow new library card users to ILL materials. This vote removed
the new library card type from the library policy.
IV. Old Business: Strategic Plan (January 2022) Strategic Planning sessions will start
after the New Year. The board looked at the PC Public Usage Policy passed on
August 18th for a quick review before posting in the current policy.
V. Presentations:
a. Budget Report.
Expenditures in July totaled $61,962.50, with $584,738.28 expended so far for
the year, which is 80% of FY 2021 budget of $727,331.00 Tim noted that the new
budget begins October 1, 2021 and we will return any unused funds back to the
general fund in the budget. The library will have quite a bit of unused salaries
and wages since the previous library director was retired for almost 6 months
before a new director was hired.
The budget for FY2022 has already been voted on and passed. The salary survey
was passed by the city council which will try and put city staff wages to the mid-
point average for each position. The staff are very grateful at the library for
giving a monetary value for their hard work.
b. Statistical Report.
There are currently 9,337 active library cards. Book rentals continue to increase,
especially in the Juvenile department. This was the second month in which
volunteers returned to the library, with 14 volunteer hours for the month. Tim
noted that we have five new volunteers wanting to start this month.
We are also going to start adding You Tube and Facebook stats to our monthly
report. The staff work very hard on programming and marketing through social
media. Social media is a way to reach out to people who cannot make it to the
library.
V1. Friends of the Library Report:
a. We hope to work with the Friends on a birthday party in December. Tim also
wants to do a volunteer and Friends membership drive in December.
VII. Director's Remarks: Tim mentioned the following is happening at the library
Stats and budget- we are on target with money to return (over $50,000)
New cameras are installed with remote access and we can get a recording.
Starting to get new ceiling tiles replaced.
Strategic plan document will be something that will be ready for us to start in Jan 2022. 1 am
still having staff meeting and trying to catch up on new services.
Developing our new You Tube channel and trying FB Live. Putting on digital content. We are
working hard on this. I will start adding stats to views on our report starting in October.
Read to me- coming once a month- Saturday- trading cards (this is a certified pet program
working with Pet Partners)
Sneek Peeks coming- September and October (this is working with the PJC theatre program)
Story Walk- Christmas- all down town businesses (Polar Express)
90th party- Night time story walk- party with community- we need to pick a day. (Christmas
and birthday party- celebration)
Two special interns at the library- Texas workforce + PJC intern (3 other volunteers)
Credit card- back on schedule from finance. The library is trying to find a simple way to take
credit and debit cards as a payment option for fines and gifts.
Book Days is a You Tube channel that makes books come to life. Filming done- Madeline -
episode about Paris TX, coming out in October (giving away 3 Madeline books)
Friends- decals and birthday party- ornaments? I will ask the Friends about helping with some
costs to create gifts.
Last minute- painting- had to paint on Sunday- latex paint has a strong odor and customers
cannot be in the building
Air freshers throughout the building- working great- we are getting compliments
City Manager walked our basement and thought developing a community space was a
wonderful idea. Next, step is to just get an estimate on costs. Just looking for a ballpark figure.
(free estimate- give or take 10%)
Getting some new library shirts for the staff- goes with the nametags
Tim noted when he gives the director's report, he wants the library advisory board to be the
first citizens to know what is going on at the library. Many programs are at the planning stages
and the advisory board should not be surprised about things that are happening at the library.
The next meeting will be on October 201h, 2021.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 5:05pm
Submitted by
Timothy DeGhelder, Library Director