Library Board minutes 04142025
Pittsylvania County Public Library
Board of Library Trustees
April 14, 2025
The Board of Trustees of the Pittsylvania County Public Library met on Monday, April 14, 2025,
in the Chatham meeting room. The meeting was called to order at 3:00pm by Karen Eades, Chair.
Members present were Karen Eades, Mike Irby, Porsha Fitzgerald, Alice Shelton, Shelby
Buffington, and Janice Fitts.
The consent agenda including the agenda, minutes of the meeting of March 2025, the operations
and financial reports for March 2025, and the director’s report, were read and approved on a motion
by Mike Irby, seconded by Porsha Fitzgerald. Motion passed unanimously.
The new Library Board member, Michael Irby, was welcomed to the board.
Rhonda presented the second reading to the library policies. She recommended removing the $5
deposit for Test Preparation Books, referencing that most of those materials are now online. The
online resources are readily available, eliminating the concern of the costly materials not being
returned. A motion was made by Portia Fitzgerald to remove the $5 deposit for test prep books
from the policy. Seconded by Janice Fitts. Passed unanimously.
Rhonda updated the board on the potential impact of funding cuts to IMLS. She explained that if
IMLS funding is cut, the Library of Virginia would no longer be able to provide Find It Virginia,
which includes online databases such as Employment Help, Homework Help, Magister, and
others. Rhonda also explained that, while the library would still receive state aid, the IMLS cuts
would affect state library staffing, website hosting, and support services including Summer
Reading supplies and staff development. Rhonda also presented a draft press release to the
library board for consideration to release to local press later in the week. The board Oked the
press release.
Rhonda updated the board on the replacement of the bookmobile, explaining that the County did
not want to sign the contract until the 25/26 budget was passed. This would ensure that the
balance for the bookmobile would be allocated in next FY budget. The county budget committee
meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Other updates included the receival of the Silver Certification in the Virginia Public Library
Standards and requesting direction in continuing to pursue a library branch in the Dan River
District. The board directed Rhonda to continue to pursue the Dan River District branch location
and contact the school maintenance director for more information on the potential Kentuck
Middle School site.
Karen Eades adjourned the executive committee meeting at 3:31pm.
The next Executive Board meeting is scheduled for May 12th. The next joint library board and
PPL meeting is scheduled for June 9th, 2025 at 3:00pm at the Chatham Library.
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Karen Eades