The Mineral Wells City Council authorized the city manager to execute a two-year agreement with Mineral Wells Independent School District under which the district will provide library services to the city at an estimated annual cost of $14,400.

Staff described the agreement as including assistance with children’s and adult programming, collection development, strategic planning, marketing and outreach, partnership coordination, compliance with state and local regulations, and annual reporting. The agreement specifies an estimated 40 hours of district librarian time per month at a rate equivalent to $30 per hour, for a total estimated annual cost of $14,400.

Staff said the ISD approved the agreement on Aug. 25. City staff told council that five certified librarians exist in the district, four of whom had expressed interest in participating; the head librarian would serve as the point of contact and coordinate participating staff. Staff said the arrangement is intended to provide technical librarian expertise (collection development, programming, compliance and strategy) rather than day‑to‑day library operations, which city staff said will continue to be handled by onsite staff under the parks and recreation reorganization.

Why it matters: the agreement restores access to certified librarian expertise that city staff said is necessary to maintain accreditation and to bolster program offerings. Staff said the ISD will pay the individual librarians who participate and that the city will remit funds to the district per the agreement.

Council action: the council approved the agreement 7–0.

Ending: staff said the head librarian indicated willingness to cover services if fewer staff volunteer, and staff will monitor and coordinate scheduling with the district point of contact.