Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Services Library topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Shepherd Memorial Library asks city for $1.51 million; plans elevator replacement and eliminates children’s late fees
Summary
The library board requested $1,513,850 in city operating support for FY 2025–26, a 5.4% increase, plus capital funds for an elevator upgrade and a facilities needs assessment; the board will eliminate late fees on children’s materials beginning July 1 and plans expanded hours at the Bethel branch.
The Shepherd Memorial Library board presented its FY 2025–26 budget request to Greenville City Council on May 8, asking for $1,513,850 for general operations — a 5.4% increase over the prior year — and $83,333 in capital funding to replace obsolete elevator controls at the main library.
Rick Smiley, chair of the Shepherd Memorial Library Board, introduced the request and noted systemwide use metrics from fiscal 2023–24: 244,131 visits, 63,165 active patrons and 351,557 circulations. Library Director Roman Leary told council, "I'm very honored to be here," and described staffing and program priorities that accompany the operating request.
Key capital and policy items: the board asked Pitt County for a $41,667 share of the elevator replacement, and it requested $27,000 for a facilities needs assessment from a consultant (East Group) with Pitt County contributing $13,500 to that study. The library is planning to replace elevator controls because the existing controls are obsolete.
The board also told council it will eliminate rental fees on DVDs and late fees for children's materials effective July 1; replacement costs for lost items will remain. Director Leary said the change is intended to encourage family use and increase children's reading engagement. Library staff requested a 4% market/merit salary increase and a 1% employer 401(k) contribution increase per city guidance.
Other operational notes: an HVAC project is on track to complete July 1; the library counts the bookmobile as a branch and continues outreach north of the river; the renovated Bethel branch will expand hours from three days a week to Monday–Friday with a new branch manager to boost youth programming.
Council posed operational and coverage questions; library staff said they can provide stop lists for the bookmobile and further detail on budget line items upon request. The presentation was informational; no council vote occurred at the meeting.
