Library Board: September 9, 2026

Call to Order

Chair Gloria Fenley called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and declared a quorum present.

Present: Chair Gloria Fenley, Vice Chair Nadine Espinoza, and Members Curtis Hooten and Vonda Ramsower. Absent: Member Lamar Dubose. Also present: Councilmember Francine Goodnight, Council Liaison; Dolores Pawelek, Library Director and Staff Liaison; Dewey Decimal, Library Cat.

Citizens to Be Heard

Chair Fenley read the following statement: Pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code §551.042, the Board may not deliberate on or take action on any subject not posted on the agenda.

Delbert Skaggs, 400 block of W Okra St, asked whether the library could print the internet so that he could read it at home, and how many pages it would be. Chair Fenley thanked Mr. Skaggs. Director Pawelek stated for the record that printing at the library is 10 cents per page.

Mildred Blankenship, 300 block of W Queso St, asked whether Dewey Decimal is available for adoption or is “more of a lease.” Chair Fenley thanked Ms. Blankenship and stated that Dewey Decimal is posted as Item 5 for a different purpose.

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Vice Chair Espinoza, second by Member Ramsower, to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2026, regular meeting as presented. Motion carried 4–0.

Library Director’s Report

Director Pawelek reported that the summer reading program, held June 2 through July 31, 2026, had 412 registered participants, up from 377 in 2025. Participants logged 9,840 books. The library circulated 18,906 items from June through August and recorded 2,214 public computer sessions. Based on reshelving counts, the 1998 encyclopedia set was consulted in the building 37 times. No action was taken.

Dewey Decimal: Performance Review and Employee of the Month

Director Pawelek presented the annual performance review of Dewey Decimal, Library Cat, for September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026, on the City’s standard performance evaluation form.

Category	Rating
Customer service	Exceeds expectations
Attendance	Exceeds expectations
Teamwork	Meets expectations
Following procedures	Needs improvement
Overall	Meets expectations

Director Pawelek noted that Dewey Decimal did not miss a scheduled day during the review period. Under following procedures, the review notes that he continues to sleep on the returns cart during check-in and in the 900s. His food and veterinary care, $620 in the FY 2027 budget, is funded under Collection Maintenance.

Director Pawelek reported that Dewey Decimal was selected Library Employee of the Month for August 2026, his 22nd selection in 24 months. Councilmember Goodnight reported that she presented the certificate at the circulation desk on August 18.

Member Hooten asked whether Dewey Decimal is a City employee. Director Pawelek stated that Dewey Decimal is listed in the library’s staff directory and is not on the payroll.

Motion by Member Ramsower, second by Vice Chair Espinoza, to accept the annual performance review, recognize Dewey Decimal as Library Employee of the Month for August 2026 and continue his appointment as Library Cat for FY 2027. Motion carried 4–0.

1998 Encyclopedia Set

Director Pawelek reported that the estate of a library patron has offered to donate a 24-volume 2009 encyclopedia set and asked that the Board consider the offer. Volume 19 (S) is missing. The library’s 1998 set, 26 volumes plus the index and the 1999 yearbook, is complete and is the only complete general encyclopedia in the collection. The collection development policy does not allow the library to add incomplete sets. Staff recommended retaining the 1998 set for library use only, declining the donation with a letter of thanks, and amending the Gifts and Donations Policy to state that the library does not accept encyclopedias because the collection already has a complete set.

Member Hooten asked whether the 1998 set is out of date. Director Pawelek stated that the 1998 set is current through 1998. Vice Chair Espinoza asked whether the library could keep both sets. Director Pawelek stated that the reference area has shelf space for one set.

Motion by Vice Chair Espinoza, second by Member Ramsower, to retain the 1998 encyclopedia set in the reference collection, decline the offered 2009 set with a letter of thanks to the estate, and amend the Gifts and Donations Policy as recommended by staff. Motion carried 3–1. Voting nay: Member Hooten.

Holiday Hours

Director Pawelek presented proposed holiday hours. The library observes City holidays and is closed every Sunday and Monday.

Date	Hours
Wednesday, November 11 (Veterans Day)	Closed
Wednesday, November 25	10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday – Friday, November 26 – 27 (Thanksgiving)	Closed
Saturday, November 28	10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 23	10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday – Friday, December 24 – 25 (Christmas)	Closed
Saturday, December 26	Closed
Thursday, December 31	10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Friday, January 1, 2027 (New Year’s Day)	Closed
Saturday, January 2, 2027	10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The book drop remains open during closures and will be emptied on the next day the library is open. Dewey Decimal’s holiday schedule will follow the library’s.

Motion by Member Ramsower, second by Member Hooten, to approve the holiday hours as presented. Motion carried 4–0.

Items for Future Agendas

Chair Fenley requested an update on the FY 2027 materials budget at the next regular meeting, December 9, 2026.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Chair Fenley adjourned the meeting at 5:02 p.m.

Draft minutes, pending approval by the Board.

Attest: Dolores Pawelek, Library Director and Staff Liaison