HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-2025 Fairhope Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Fairhope Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday, October 20, 2025
4::00pm
Present:
Trustees Randal Wright, Dan Stankoski, Andy Parvin, Anne Johnson
Library Director Rob Gourlay and Friends Representative Nan Denson
Absent: Debra Langham, Jimmy Conyers
The meeting was called to order at 4:04pm by Board Chair Randal Wright.
The minutes of the August 18, 2025, Board meeting were reviewed and approved.
The Monthly Statistical Report, Employee Report and the Financial Statements were reviewed
and approved. Items of note at the conclusion of the Fiscal Year (FY) include: 180,776 visitors
during the Oct 2024-Sep 2025 time frame; the number of program attendees has increased to
over 19,000 for FY25; circulation of physical items has steadily increased over the last 3 years to
163,621 in FY25. It is estimated that the Fairhope Library has the highest circulation figures in
the county.
Also of note: the library is fully staffed with a total of 26 employees (a mix of full and part-time
staff).
Directors Note:
• The Director noted that it is National Friends of the Library Week and thanked the
Friends for all they do for the library.
• The program last week with “Sold” author Patricia McCormack saw 185 attendees. There
have been many positive comments on Ms. McCormack’s presentation.
• The Director reported that the Library’s FY26 budget, voted on at a Special Called City
Council meeting Sep 29, is level funding (the same as last year’s budget). The Council
did not approve the 2.3% increase requested by the library.
• The library has received a Community Foundation Grant of $5,400 to do an arts program
this year in conjunction with the Eastern Shore Art Center (with a match from ESAC of
$1,800 and from the Friends’ $3,600). Art classes will be held for children and teens
throughout the coming year.
• The library has been nominated in 8 categories for Best of Baldwin. Voting for finalists
opens October 22.
Old Business
1. Report on the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) Board meeting Sep 18th in
Montgomery. Director Gourlay, Chair Wright and Anne Johnson attended the meeting.
Chair Wright and Director Gourlay reiterated the library’s position that we are following
all state rules regarding libraries, have followed our own policies regarding book
reconsiderations and have submitted lists of books reviewed by the Board per the
requests of the APLS Board Chair. The Chair of the APLS Board asked for another list of
books and again put off the decision regarding funding of the Fairhope Library. It is
understood that a final decision to restore full funding will be made at the November
APLS Board meeting. The meetings are available for viewing on YouTube or the APLS
website.
New Business
1. Writer’s space proposal: Alan Samry, representing several local writer’s groups (including
the Pensters and the Fairhope Center for the Writing Arts) presented a proposal to use
the former teen space as a place to highlight local authors. This would include
placement of books by local authors, special cabinets for display of memorabilia, writing
space and programs with writers. The space would continue to be mulit-use for the
library and the community, but with a focus on Fairhope’s rich literary history. T he Board
voted in favor of moving forward with this idea, with the library Director working with
local writer’s groups and library staff to plan next steps.
2. Report on book reconsiderations: a request to reconsider placement of the book “Girl:
Love, Sex, Romance and Being You was granted. The book was reviewed by the library
staff and moved to the Adult Section of the library.
3. The December Board meeting was moved to Dec 1st by a unanimous vote of those
present.
The regular business meeting concluded at 4:50.
Only one member of the public spoke up during the Public Participation part of the meeting.
He thanked the library for the excellent program with author Patricia McCormack. He
thought it a “profound presentation.”
The meeting concluded at 4:51.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Johnson