LAWRENCE LIBRARY DIRECTOR AT STALEMATE WITH CARTER ON NEW BOARD MEMBERS

By Susan Salyer

The Lawrence County Public Library had a Regularly Scheduled Monthly Meeting on Monday, July 8, 2024 at the Lawrence County Public Library, 102 W. Main Street, Louisa, Kentucky at 12 PM noon. LCPL Director Carlie Pelfrey was in attendance along with Board of Trustees Susie Chambers, Kim Burchett and Lennie Collins.

The makeup of the board is becoming as issue as the Board of Trustees is currently operating with only three of the allotted five members present. One of the latest appointees by the board, James Pauley Barker, has been removed because he missed more than four straight meetings. A person from the judge/executive’s office said they understood Pauley Barker had “resigned”.

An attempt to get Pauley Barker’s comment resulted in a message that he was “attending 4-H camp and would issue a statement later”.

AGENDA
1. June 2024 Minutes – Motion by Kim Burchett 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
2. May 2024 Financials – Motion by Lennie Collins 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
3. Closed Friday, July 12, 2024 at 1:30PM (SOAR Event)- Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Lennie Collins. None Opposed.
4. Board Update – Director Carlie Pelfrey discussed the Board Update with Board of Trustees.
5. Public Comments-

Trustee Applications –  Ms. Pelfrey said May 31 was Deadline for applications for trustee seats on Library board and four applications were emailed to KDLA on Friday, May 31, 2024 and receipt was confirmed.

Update: Per KDLA County Judge Executive rejected all applicants. No explanation provided. Applicants have been notified of CJE rejection.

Accepting more applications, deadline: Friday, July 19, 2024.

There was no comment from Judge/Executive Phillip Carter’s office after being asked by The Lazer on Monday. The judge/executive and fiscal court must approve all new trustee members thanks to a new law passed last year by the Ky. Legislature.

Carter has not suggested any names he wants included, Ms. Pelfrey said at an earlier meeting.

James Pauley Barker is officially removed from the board since he has missed four meetings, Carlie Pelfrey said. Board president Dr. Mark Lester’s term was up June 31, but he is acting as president without voting on any issue, she said.

The fiscal court and Carter rejected Lester’s name the first time names were sent in. The Court accepted James Pauley Barker and Lennie Collins earlier this year.

6. Adjourn – Motion by Kim Burchett 2nd by Susie Chambers.

July 8, 2024 BOARD UPDATE

• June 2024 Door Count: 18,486
• June 2024 Summer Feeding: 3,595 Hot Meals (20 serving days)
• LCPL Hot Meals: 3,198
• Ray Williams Villa Hot Meals: 397
• LCPL Weekend Bags (4 Fridays served):
• 688 Outreach Weekly Bags:
• 689 Chapman 109 Fallsburg 216 Lowmansville 133 Blaine 231 Outreach Weekend Bags (Ray Williams Villa): 93
• June 2024 Programs
• June 2024 In-House: 48 Programs Attendance: 6,533
• June 2024 Outreach: 21 Programs Attendance 456
• June 2024 Total Programs: 69 Attendance: 6,989
• Self Directed Activities (In-House): 37
• Participants (In-House): 2,501

• June 2024 New Book Giveaways: In-House 653
• Weeded and/or Donated Books Given Away: 5
• Misc. Stats:
• Podcast plays: 68 Big Sandy News Digital Collection Views: 135 Unique Users: 71
• Notary: 38
• New Parent Baskets: 1
• Trustee Applications – May 31 Deadline Four applications were emailed to KDLA on Friday, May 31, 2024 and receipt was confirmed. Update: Per KDLA County Judge Executive rejected all applicants. No explanation provided. Applicants have been notified of CJE rejection.

Accepting more applications, deadline: Friday, July 19, 2024.

• 2023-2024 KDLA Annual Report: Due August, 27, 2024