25 - Library Director AppointmentItem No. 25
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: Grayson Path, City Manager
Rob Vine, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Library Director
Appointment of Connie Lawman
City Charter Section 23
DATE: July 25, 2022
BACKGROUND:
The Library Director position has been vacant since June 2022 following the resignation of
Timothy DeGhelder. It therefore became the task of the City Manager and Assistant 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 and Assistant City Manager worked with Library Advisory Board Members
Jennifer Cullum and Steve Hellman, as well as Sandy Collard, Human Resource and Civil Service
Director, to serve as an Interview Team. A total of three individuals applied and two were
interviewed.
STATUS OF ISSUE:
I am pleased to present to you Connie Lawman as our selection for Library Director. Ms. Lawman
was most recently a manager with the Louisiana Tech University Library system, and has previous
experience as manager and director for various school and municipal libraries over the past ten
years. She has displayed a great depth of knowledge and understanding that matches the job
description. She 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 her experience as well as her character. She possesses the right combination of potential,
experience, attitude, energy, professionalism and civility that I want to see as the leader of the
Library. She holds an impressive array of education and training credentials that have helped
prepare her 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 q a ,, gintment o de aYtment heads shall be subiect to the
a ? roval......gl' theIT council." Therefore, the job offer to Connie Lawman is contingent upon the
approval of the City Council as well as some final background checks we are finishing up.
A copy of her resume is available upon request.
If her appointment is approved by the City Council, Ms. Lawman plans to start August 1, 2022.
BUDGET:
Connie Lawman will be given a starting salary of Grade 325, Step 4, which is $71,537.00. This is
a salaried position.
OPTIONS:
A resolution has been presented to you tonight to appoint the City Manager's selection of Connie
Lawman as the Library Director.
1. Approve the resolution as presented.
2. Request edits to the resolution as presented.
3. Request additional information regarding Connie Lawman or the process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Resolution to appoint Connie Lawman as the Library Director.
JOB DESCRIPTION
LIBRARY DIRECTOR
General Statement of Duties
City's Public Library. Works under the direction of the City Manager; however, position requires
,�,xtensive skills in leadership, management, communications, planning and organizing.
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.
im. 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 CONNIE LAWMAN 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, Connie Lawman; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to approve the City Manager's appointment of Connie
Lawman 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 Connie Lawman 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 Connie Lawman 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 25th day of July, 2022, 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