03/19/2025 MinutesParis Public Library Advisory Board
March 1911, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order:
The regular meeting of the Paris Public Library Advisory Board was called to
order by Chairman Steve Hellmann at 5:02 p.m. Board members present were
Steve Hellmann, Myers Hurt, Abigail Frank, Melanie Loughmiller, and Jennifer
Cullum. Members absent were Fran Neely and Eva Dickey. Also in attendance
were Friends of the Library representative Jeannie Walter and Library Director
Connie Lawman.
II. Citizens Forum:
No citizens addressed the board.
Ili. Approval:
The minutes of the 01/15/2025 meeting was approved, with corrections made to
Section IV(a), in which the word "manager" was replaced with "public
information officer." Melanie made the motion to approve the minutes, with
Abigail providing the second.
IV. New Business:
a. Strategic Planning
Steve prepared a Strategic Plan document forthe board members to
review. The document focused on Year 1 and 2. Melanie noted that it looked
good, and the library seems to be on trackwith the plan. Connie stated her
concern for the vitality of the Spanish language programs and Abigail
suggested offering a bilingual storytime. Connie responded, stating that the
library could do that once a month. Myers asked about the progress of the
adult computer class, and Connie replied, sayingthat the interest was low.
Connie also mentioned that Beginning Typing would start in April and
Beginner's Typing for middle school children would start in June.
Connie noted that she does not want to renew the Ebsco subscription
for the library. No one is using it, and it costs $10,000 per year. Removing
Ebsco from the library offerings will not affect the accreditation. Steve asked
if PJC offers the database and Connie said yes. Melanie suggested restating
"Library database" to "online resources" Connie concluded that for Year 2,
she would like to remove Ebsco, but if the library drops the service, they must
have backups in its place.
Steve stated that the information foryears 3, 4, and 5 are just primarily
being used on the document to capture the relative priority of each year.
Connie informed the board that she will have Steve attend the City Council
meeting in May for the Strategic Plan presentation. Myers asked if the board
would continue to briefly review the strategic plan. Connie said yes that the
board will revisit on a quarterly basis. Steve suggested that the board check
quarterly and have an annual refresh in August with the new board. With no
more information to discuss regarding the strategic plan, the five-year
strategic plan was completed.
V. Friends of the Library Report:
Jeannie informed the board that the Speaker Series will be coming again, along
with a spring storywalk. The Friends wilt continue to support the summer
reading program, and the annual meeting is set for the fall.
Vi. Director's Remarks:
a. State Report: Judy has been researching the hours of operation and will have
a report for the April board meeting.
b. Rotary Club will provide vision testing in a corner of the library, along with
blood pressure monitoring, and hearing checks. Steve asked about a
possible donation box for used glasses that the Rotary Club collects. Connie
said that she would investigate it, and that the Rotary Club has been very
helpful.
c. Printer corner is now complete, with a self -pay kiosk. All the staff are trained
on how to work the kiosk, and this has been very empowering for the patrons.
d. Statistics:
The board agreed that the new statistic report was much improved from
previous years. Connie told the board that if a person searches for the library
in Google, this counts as a statistic that can be measured. Steve asked if
there could be a coloration on the stats page, indicating a good or bad on the
information, which would be utilized for the internal score card goal
monitoring. Myers also asked about having a comparison of other libraries,
similar in size, so that it would be a factorto analyze for the internal score
card monitoring. Connie responded, stating that those could be possibilities.
With nothing furtherto address, Myers made the motion to adjourn at 5:47 p.m., with
Abigail providing the second. The next meeting of the Paris Public Library Advisory Board
will be held on April 16th, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Submitted by:
Jennifer Cullum
Secretary