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Paris Public Library Advisory Board <br />01/15/2025 <br />Meeting Minutes <br />Call to Order: <br />The regular meeting of the Paris Public Library Advisory Board was called to order by <br />Chairman Steve Hellmann at 5:00 p.m. Board members present were: Steve Hellmann, <br />Eva Dickey, Myers Hurt, Abigail Frank, Fran Neely, and Jennifer Cullum. Also in <br />attendance were Friends of the Library representative Jeannie Walter and Library <br />Director Connie Lawman. <br />Il. Citizens Forum: <br />No citizens addressed the board. <br />Ill. Approval: <br />The minutes of the December 04, 2025 board meeting were approved with the correction <br />of Section V, in which the feather flyers could be made available for library events, rather <br />than would. With the correction noted, Fran made the motion to approve the minutes, <br />with Eva providing the second. <br />IV. New Business: <br />a. Fine Free Proposal <br />Connie informed the board that she addressed the City Council about having the <br />library become fine -free for everyone. The vote was unanimously in favor of <br />supporting Connie's request. Connie said that going fine -free meets the <br />standards of the American Library Association. Other public libraries such as <br />Commerce have already gone fine -free and Commerce can confirm that they <br />receive their books back. Connie also pointed out that this is something that <br />would benefit patrons with low mobility from getting to the library on time, or for <br />those who can't afford groceries to not have to choose between paying their <br />library fines or other bills. <br />Connie clarified for the board that books that are "late" are different from books <br />that are "lost." A "late" item that is returned will not have any fees associated with <br />it and the patron will still be able to check out other books. A "lost" item is a book <br />that has not been returned within 91 days. The patron will not be able to check <br />out any new books until a lost book is returned or replaced. <br />Steve asked if there was a way that patrons are notified if their books are <br />designated as lost versus late. Connie replied, stating that the library system <br />Atrium sends out 3 emails before the books reach the 90 day late threshold. <br />Fran suggested that this change in library policy be placed in the newspaper. <br />Connie responded, saying that the city manager recommended waiting to see <br />how the public initially felt about the change before pushing it on social media <br />