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Shepherd Memorial Library asks Greenville for $1.51 million; requests elevator and facility study funds
Summary
Shepherd Memorial Library requested $1,513,850 from the city for operations in 2025–26 (a 5.4% increase), plus capital funding for an elevator control replacement and a facilities needs assessment; trustees plan to eliminate late fees for children’s materials on July 1.
Shepherd Memorial Library Board Chair Rick Smiley and incoming director Roman Leary presented the library’s FY2025–26 budget request to the Greenville City Council on May 8, asking the city for $1,513,850 for general operations (a 5.4% increase over the prior year) and additional capital funds for an elevator control replacement and a facilities needs assessment.
Roman Leary, the library’s director, told council members that during fiscal year 2023–24 the library system recorded 244,131 visits systemwide, had 63,165 active users, circulated 351,557 items and provided 742 reading-centered programs with 189,969 participants. Leary said the library’s operations request reflects both a 4% market-and-merit personnel increase and a 1% increase in employer 401(k) contributions aligned with city guidance.
The library requested $83,333 from the city to replace obsolete public-access elevator controls at the main library; Smiley said the elevator’s controls are at the end of their usable life and those replacements are “imperative.” Shepherd asked Pitt County for a $41,667 share of that elevator capital cost. The board also asked for $27,000 in city capital funds to commission a facilities-needs assessment from East Group and requested a $13,500 county contribution to that study.
Leary said the board of trustees approved eliminating rental fees for DVDs and eliminating late fees for children’s materials effective July 1; replacement charges for lost materials will remain. The trustees expect a decrease in desk receipts because of that policy change but said they anticipate increased circulation and family use of library services.
On capital projects, Smiley told councilors that an HVAC contract has been awarded and is on track to finish by July 1. He also described recent renovations at the Bethel branch, said the Bethel facility will expand weekday hours, and confirmed the bookmobile remains in operation with multiple stops north of the river.
Councilors asked about branch staffing and bookmobile stops; Leary offered to provide a detailed schedule and pledged to share the East Group assessment when it is available. The presentation was received by council for consideration in the city’s upcoming budget process; no appropriation or vote took place at the meeting.
