06/18/2025 MinutesParis Public Library Advisory Board
June 1811, 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 5:00 p.m. Board members present were:
Steve Hellmann, Eva Dickey, Myers Hurt, Abigail Frank, Jennifer Cullum, and Fran
Neely. Melanie Loughmiller was absent. Also in attendance were Friends of the
Library representatives Jennifer Hollje and Jeannie Walter, along with Library
Director Connie Lawman and Library Supervisor Judy Vickers.
II. Citizens Forum:
No citizens addressed the board.
III. Approval:
The minutes of the May 21 s1, 2025, meeting were approved with the request to
strike Section VI (e) "Connie submitted the graphic that was created to the city
council." Connie stated that no one has seen the graphic yet. With no further
correction requests, Eva made the motion to approve the corrected minutes
with Fran providing the second.
IV. Statistics Update:
a. New statistics:
Connie shared the updated statistics with the board, citing multiple areas of
growth for the library. Regarding the highlighted areas of Web Analytics and
Community Outreach, Connie noted that these two stats were new. Connie
recently learned how many times the library page is visited and the statistics
from the count would be in the next month's stat sheet. Also, Community
Outreach has never been tracked before, and Connie has asked the staff to
begin counting this vital element of the library's day to day business.
The stats for books decreased, with the explanation that the library is in the
process of culling the catalog of old titles while also replacing with new ones.
c. Volunteer Hours:
Connie would like to see more volunteer hours for the library. Abigail asked if
there were signs announcing the need, to which Connie responded, saying
yes that there were signs all over. Jeannie noted that the volunteer sign-up
interest could be a part of the Friends of the Library membership form.
Connie also noted that it could be an additional item added on the new
patron membership forms. Abigail asked for an explanation of the library card
statistic notating 13,419. Connie responded, stating that this is the total
number of library cards, with current numbers around 3,000. Jeannie asked
what the difference between the child and teen programming was. Connie
stated that children's programs are intended for ages 0-12, and teen
programming are forages 13-17.
V. Friends of the Library Report
The Friends will have the annual art contest in October or November. Abigail
asked if the contest would include homeschooled children and/or adults, with
Jeannie replying stating that students at PJC and homeschooled students would
be included. Abigail stated that she would share any information with the
homeschool groups when Jeannie has it.
The fall meeting will also take place in October or November.
VI. Director's Remarks:
a. Judy Vickers:
Connie announced to the board that Judy Vickers would occasionally attend
board meetings in Connie's absence.
b. Summer Reading Program:
Connie stated that there was a great turnout for this year's kickoff, but the
best numbers for attendance remain with the first year. The board briefly
discussed possibilities for why the numbers were not as high as the first year,
along with suggestions for ways to improve numbers in the future. Connie
noted the board's suggestions and stated that the library will always have a
kickoff to the summer reading program because it is a celebration and that
each year, the library staff.
c. Maintenance:
The walls in the original parts of the building had bubbles on them, which
Connie worked with a contractor to properly apply sealant and then paint
over. The foundation is also continuing to shift, and the City Manager
guesstimates that the foundation and roof will need to be replaced in the
next few years.
d. October events:
Connie stated that she is considering palm reading or a ghost hunt for events
on the October calendar and will update once she has more information.
With nothing further to address, Fran made the motion to adjourn at 5:35 p.m., with Abigail
providing the second. The next meeting of the Paris Public Library Advisory Board will be
held on July 16th, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Jennifer Cullum
Secretary