Clovis Carver Library board reviews facility upgrades, summer programming and budget balances; approves Jan. 27 minutes

The Clovis Carver Library Board met and approved the minutes of its Jan. 27 meeting, and heard a series of reports from Mayor Morris and Library Director Miss Hinchey on facility work, programming and finances.

Mayor Morris opened by recognizing the library board’s volunteer service and presenting certificates of appreciation to members. “Certificate of appreciation proudly presented in recognition of your outstanding dedication, commitment, and invaluable contributions as a member of the Clovis Carver Library Board,” Morris said when describing the certificates he planned to present.

Hinchey, the library director, reported that the library roof project is complete and that six new skylights have been shipped and are expected to be installed in mid-July. “The roof is finished,” she said. Hinchey said nearly all ceiling tiles have been replaced and the new skylights—original to the 1992 building—should “brighten the interior of the building a lot.” She also credited the contractor WWRC for its communication and work on the project.

To create an additional free meeting space, Hinchey moved the library’s magazine collection into the genealogy area and repurposed the former magazine room. The new room will be named the Ruth Worry Room; Hinchey said Ruth Worry was library director from 1972 to 1982 and had encouraged her to attend library school.

Hinchey outlined the library’s summer program, themed “Color My World,” including tie-dye T-shirt events, themed movies, story times aligned to weekly colors, performances by Annie/Andy Mason, a mermaid performer from San Angelo and a Wonders on Wheels outreach bus from the state library. The library will use Beanstack software, provided through the state library, to track summer reading participation (books, pages and minutes) and award readers at the season’s end.

On staffing and operations, Hinchey said John Conrad Lan returned to the reference desk after a stint as a city grants coordinator. She said she hired Steve Smith from Senior Services as the library janitor and praised his work keeping the building clean.

Hinchey reported finances and service statistics: the remaining balance from the city’s 2022 general obligation bond is $90,942 and the library’s state grants and aid balance is $448, which must be spent by June 30. For January through March, the library processed 655 cash notaries and reported that a portion of notary transactions were completed using Square. Hinchey also said the library checks out roughly 15,000 items per month when print and electronic circulations are combined.

Hinchey closed her report by noting the recent death of library board member Michael Lusk, who had served on the board for about two years.

The board set its next meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 20 (as announced at the meeting) and adjourned.