02/18/2026 MinutesParis Public Library Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
February 18, 2026
I. Call to Order:
The regularly scheduled 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, Dee Hawkes, Annette
Lewis, Abigail Frank, and Jennifer Cullum. Also in attendance were Library
Director Connie Lawman and Friends of the Library representative Jeannie
Wa hers.
II. Citizens Forum:
No citizens addressed the board.
III. Approval:
The minutes of the January 21 St, 2026, meeting were approved with no
corrections. Eva made the motion to approve and Abigail provided the 2nd.
IV. New Business:
a. Rhodes Fund:
Connie informed the board thatthe LED replacement lighting is in full swing,
with the gallery up next, and the children's room after. There will be paint for
the walls, laminated flooring, and window treatments. Acommemorative
plaque for Mrs. Rhodes that will also cover the old opening that served the
projector.
Connie also updated the board that William asked for $800 to purchase non-
fiction and YA literature. She also bought six blood pressure monitors, which
will be officially presented to the public during Walk with a Doc on February
25th. The librarywill also make an instructional video on how to properly use
the devices and post to Facebook.
b. Social Media:
The librarywill now have an Instagram page, along with posting to YouTube.
This will be a part of the city's social media upgrade.
V. Friends of the Library Report:
Jeannie updated the board on the Friends activities, with the March/April
newsletter coming out soon. They are stillworking on a new t -shirt design. The
spring storytime is in theworks, and Connie said thatthe last Saturday in May
coinciding with the Summer Reading Kickoff. The theme for this year is
Dinosaurs.
VI. Director's Remarks:
Now that the library is making updates to the gallery space, Connie asked the
board for opinions on whether the library should begin charging for use of the
gallery. Currently, there are no fees for gallery usage.
The board had a quick discussion regarding possible options on who to charge,
how much to charge, etc. After some ideas were considered, Connie told the
board that she would provide more information later and the board could
continue the discussion.
Connie also asked forthe board's opinion on what the library should require for
updating library accounts. Currently, the library requires in-person identification,
with proof of residence for an account update. Connie wants to consider the
low -mobility patrons. She told the board that the program, Atrium has the option
to renew library cards online. The board discussed the possibilities of this new
method and will receive more information from Connie in the future.
Statistics: Connie told the board that there are currently 3 thousand active card
holders with the library.
With nothing further to discuss, Eva made the motion to adjourn at 5:50 p.m.,
with Myers providing the second. The next meeting of the Paris Public Library
Advisory Board will be on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Jennifer Cullum
Secreta ry