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Powhatan County Library trustees fund extra staff position, decline parking-fee fundraiser
Summary
At their May 13 meeting, the Powhatan County Library Board of Trustees accepted financial reports, learned that a delayed grant is "in the pipeline," approved funding for an extra staff position starting July 1, declined a proposal to charge for parking during the July fireworks event, and moved into closed session for a personnel evaluation under Va. Code § 2.2-3711.
Powhatan County Library Director Chandra McPherson reported May 13 that the library's spending is on track to close out the fiscal year by May 15, but that part-time hours remain elevated due to a personnel shortage. She told the Board of Trustees that a grant totaling "over $4,000" has not yet been posted to the library's fund and is "in the pipeline" at county finance, which has placed the library in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural category. The board voted unanimously to accept the financial report (motion by Kathryn Harrison; second by Susan Ash).
McPherson reviewed outreach and partnership work, including coordination with Powhatan County Public Schools on the Summer Reading Program, an outreach table at the County Earth Day event, and upcoming participation in the high school Renaissance Fair (May 15) and the Farmer's Market (first library day May 21; the market opens May 7). She said the library received an additional $846.78 in redistributed State Aid and is awaiting word in late May or early June on a potential Green Grant from KeepVirginiaBeautiful.org.
On staffing, McPherson told trustees the library will fund an additional staff position beginning July 1 to help address the increased part-time hours caused by a staffing shortage. Patron services data presented at the meeting showed steady circulation and strong Storytime attendance.
During the meeting Friends of the Library chair Joanne Fico said the Friends' bookshop continues to do well; overstock books are donated to local organizations, and Envestnet MoneyGuide donated $500 to the Friends. The board also discussed a prior suggestion from Sarah Barnett to use the library parking lot as a paid fundraiser during the county's July fireworks event. Trustees cited concerns about charging for use of a public-service facility and the logistics of handling funds and volunteers; they agreed not to participate by parking cars or charging fees for use of the library lot.
The board voted unanimously to enter closed session to discuss the evaluation of specific personnel pursuant to Va. Code § 2.2-3711 (motion by Susan Ash; second by Joanne Fico). After the closed session, trustees reconvened and took a roll-call vote to reopen the meeting. No personnel actions were reported in the public minutes. The board scheduled its next meeting for June 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Action items recorded in the minutes included approval of the April 8 minutes, acceptance of the financial report, the board's decision not to charge for parking during the July fireworks event, agreement to fund an additional staff position beginning July 1, and entry into closed session for personnel evaluation.
