05/20/2026 MinutesParis Public Library Advisory Board
May 20, 202
Meeting Minutes
1. Call to order
The regular meeting of the Paris Public Library Advisory Board was called to
order by Chairman Steve Hellmann at 5:03 p.m. Board members present were
Steve Hellmann, Eva Dickey, Abigail Frank, and Ayers Hurt. Jennifer Cullum,
Annette Lewis, and Dee Hawkes were absent. Also in attendance were Mayor
r
Mihir Pankaj, City Manager Dose Beverly, Library Director Connie Lawman and
Friends of the Paris Public Library representative, Jeannie Walter.
ll. Citizen Forum
No citizens addressed the board.
Ill. Approval; Minutes April 15, 2026
Two changes were made to the minutes. Connie Lawman pointed out that
Section IV new business, bullet point A, should read that new flooring will match
the Makerspace; It will not be carpeting. Abigail Frank also pointed out in section
B that hogs will change from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesday AND Friday, not
Tuesday through Friday.
Eva Dickey made a motion to approve the minutes with those two changes.
Abigail Frank seconded the motion. Minutes were approved unanimously.
Iv. New business
A. Sumer Leading Kickoff
The Sum er Read ing Kickoff is from 10 a.r .w2 p.r . this Saturday, May 23. The
lobby will be open, Connie stated, with the exception of of the computer lab.
The firetrucks will be present for Touch a Truck. There will be hot dogs.
Boundless Books} the mobile book store, and Blind Date with a Book will be
present. Blind Date with a Book will be donating a portion of their proceeds to
the library for the day. Rambling Rita will present at noon on the deck. Staff will
be inside for neer library card sign ups, Connie said, and they will kick off the
reading challenge for 8 creeks of reading. Ages 12 and younger will color in
fossils per books read; ages 13-100 will keep a journal of their weekly reading
responses, Connie said, sometimes you take on a lengthy book that takes a
few weeks, and we don't want to discourage that.
Connie mentioned that she is waiting to hear back from a HEB grant to get
bicycles for prizes for the Lids' reading challenge. She has looked at passes to
places such as Sic Flags, Splash Kingdom, etc, but would prefer something
more local. Since we don't have a lot of local options, and the trails rake us
bike friendly, that seems to be a better option. Myers mentioned if the grant
doesn't core through, maybe we could look for corporate sponsors.
B. Board vacancies
Stere Hellman, Jennifer Cullum, Abigail Frank, and Myers Hurt's teras end on
June 30. Board applications are up and open until June 6.
Steve Hellman and Jennifer Cullum have hit their limit. Myers Hurt said he did
not plan to reapply, but Abigail Frank said she did.
Connie said the city clerk said there have been about 30 applications but was
not sure if that was all boards or just the library. Stere mentioned that the board
favored Abigail being reappointed since she's filling an unexpired terra and has
been great on the board. nose Beverly, city manager, and MIN Pankaj, mayor,
explained that this is useful to knew when they are making appointments.
Dyers made a motion that Abigail be given priority to fill one of the 4 vacancies;
Ezra seconded. All were in favor.
V. Friends of the Library report
Jeannie Walter said the Newsletter has gone out and everyone should have
received one. She said she did not have an update on the wrap for the hopeful
bock mobile, but had questions about measurements, etc. Connie said she was
unsure and would check into it.
Connie and Jeannie tallied about future Story Walks and that Pickle Printing
was getting expensive so looking at other options of printing and lamination.
Connie said as a long-term goal she would like to have a Story Walk on the
bike trail as well.
A. Director's remarks
Connie talked about the updates thanks to the Rhodes fund. The meeting room
was complete, including tables and shutters, and a plate for the door has been
ordered.
1111. Closing
Connie also mentioned the success of the Library of Things. Items such a
ickleball sets, bcernbc es, sporting equipment, etc can be checked out.
Connie mentioned she added a hard mixer and is adding American Girl dolls
s well soon. She said she hopes it grows with donations, etc. to have items
such as a drill, level, and anything else people may use only one time and not
need again. Eva mentioned that this would be a wonderful story for the Living
section of The Paris News. Connie mentioned oned there was recently a piece done
by Nanalee Nichols that mentioned the Library of Things as well as several
programs and events at the library.
Abigail made a motion to close. Myers seconded. The meeting adjourned at
5:34 p.m. The next t library meeting is June 17, 2026 at Paris Public Library at
Eva Dickey
PPL board member