HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-17 - Minutes -Fayetteville 401 Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Public Library 479.856.7000
questions@faylib.org
faylib.org
Board of Trustees
August 17, 2026 4 pm
MINUTES
Regular Meeting — Walker Room
Trustees: S. Rodgers, C. Davis, A. Wilbourn, H. Bradberry, S. Overbey, B. Park, R. Qualls
Staff: D. Johnson, W. Fitzgibbon, R. Wilburn, C. Moody, S. Palmer, T. Ball, G. Leding, P. Burchett,
J. Askins, J. Tuller, N. Burgess, S. Herrera, B. Lee, R. Graves, E. Ellis, A. Sherman, K. Eaton, A.
Girkin, A. Taylor
Press: G. Hurt
Attorney: B. Cate, P. Elmore
Public: K. Black, B. Bostwick
Our mission is to strengthen our community and empower our citizens through free and public
access to knowledge.
I. Call to Order: S. Rodgers called the meeting to order at 4:OOpm.
II. Roll Call
III. Minutes - approve minutes from June 15, 2026: R. Qualls moved to approve the Board
of Trustees minutes from June 15. B. Park seconded the motion. All voted AYE.
IV. Reports
A. Key Upcoming Events: 5th Maker Faire, Blair Author P. Everett, Fun Friday Baby
Bonanza, Banned Books Week on September 30, author talk with N. Powell.
B. Mission Moment: Summer Reading highlights included total 3,094 total
registrants. Staff hosted 181 youth/teen programs and 129 adult programs.
C. Library Administration
1. Management Reports
a. Performance Measures: Physical collection size is 286,370 items.
Visits increased by 19% compared to 2025. Library programs are up
16%. Study room and Event Center usage continues to grow.
b. Strategic Plan progress: Through various programs, FPL tries to reach
many different people in the community.
2. Financial reports: Unrestricted revenue is about 84% of YTD 2026 budget.
Property tax revenue is slightly below budget. Personnel expenditures are
slightly below plan, though staff pay and benefits remain aligned. The library
bonds could be paid off as early as 2030, as opposed to the expected year
2047. The Foundation has a remaining loan balance of $194,447 from
financing used to furnish and equip the Library expansion.
Lr 1
J
V
Fayetteville
Public Library
401 W. Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479.856.7000
questions@faylib.org
faylib.org
3. Informational
a. Downtown Plan update: K. Black, long-range specialist for the City of
Fayetteville, presented an update on downtown planning. The final plan
adoption is on schedule for late 2026. The draft will be available for
public comment from September 4 until October 5.
b. Legislation updates: The 8th circuit court of appeals denied Judge Brooks's
opinion on Act 372. B. Cate, the library's legal counsel, discussed
procedural next steps. FPL has the option to file a petition for re -hearing
by the panel or to file for a hearing en banc. A second hearing would push
against the vagueness and overbreadth in the law.
c. Strategic plan updates: Stakeholder interviews took place in July, with
over 1,800 participants in the survey. Staff leadership are working on
SMARTIE training. An in -person Board strategic planning retreat will take
place September 2 at TheatreSquared. A formal presentation will be
given to the Board at the October meeting.
d. Welcome Desk update: A door was added for security behind the gate,
with card access to be given. In the next 30 days, a stainless steel plate
will be added in front of the desk. The printer in Arsaga's will be moved
to where the holds locker is.
e. CFI Offices update: Renovations are underway. When complete, it will
contain two offices and a large workspace.
f. 2027 Budget progress: Kickoff began in late July. Staff are taking a
conservative approach. The budget will be reviewed at the Finance
Committee meeting in October, with a full presentation to be given to
the Board in December.
g. HR Report: There are currently 116 employees with 13 new employees
added since the last Board meeting. FPL's Health and Wellness Week is
the last week of October.
D. Media Update: Digital outreach drove interest in FPL offerings and programs.
There were over 300,000 social media impressions over the summer. Media
impact earned value was $16,000. As of the end of July, FPL has put out 100
social media videos.
E. Fayetteville Public Library Foundation monthly report: Raised $87,000 in July.
The new annual giving group is called 1916 Society. August 30 is a give -back
event at Maxine's. A donor reception will be held prior to the P. Everett talk.
F. Friends of the Fayetteville Public Library: G. Leding met the Friends members.
Since 1982, the Friends have given over $1 million to FPL.
New business
Fayetteville Fa Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Public Library
479.856.7000
questions@faylib.org
faylib.org
A. Consent items
1. 2027 Closed Days policy PA-59: If a holiday falls on the weekend, the
observance will take place on the closest weekday. On the Monday preceding
Christmas through December 30, the building will close at 5pm to reflect usage
patterns and support staff. R. Qualls moved to approve the holiday closure
policy. C. Davis seconded the motion. All voted AYE.
2. Children in the Library policy ND: The focus shifted to safety and clarifying
the parent/caregiver responsibility to take care of their children. Staff will not
take on caregiving roles and staff will undertake certain procedures if there are
safety concerns. R. Qualls moved to approve the children in the library policy
update. B. Park seconded the motion. All voted AYE.
3. Photography policy NH: Changes to the policy address drones, locations for
photographic sessions, steps to obtain permission to photograph locations,
especially in political campaigns. R. Qualls moved to approve the updated
photography policy. B. Park seconded the motion. All voted AYE.
4. Personnel policies PA-23 and PA-81: Personnel records and separations of
employment. This now reflects what current staff practice is. Wanted to be
specific in terms of how the records are being used. PA-81 clarified term
definitions and what 'good standing' represented. H. Bradberry moved to
approve the personnel policies as presented. C. Davis seconded the motion. All
voted AYE.
B. Discussion items
1. HCM software: A new vendor has been identified that can unify all related
tasks in one software. Staff asked for authorization to approve the first year's
Paylocity cost with expenses not above $70,000 and for the Executive
Director's permission to proceed. R. Qualls moved to approve the Human
Capital Management system Paylocity request. S. Overbey seconded. All
voted AYE.
VI. Public Comment: None
Adjournment: R. Qualls moved to adjourn the meeting. A. Wilbourn seconded the motion. All
voted AYE. The meeting ended at 5:17pm.
16
Stan Rodgers, President
Date