ST. MARY PARISH LIBRARY BOARD OF CONTROL
September 9, 2025
5:00 P.M.
St. Mary Parish Library – Centerville Branch
9340 Highway 182
Centerville, LA 70522
Cherie Laiche called the meeting order at 5:05 P.M.
In attendance at the roll call were Cherie Laiche, Jason Watson, Mary Bailey, Adriane Kramer, Karla Vappie and Ashton Myers. Absent were Carla Davis and Don T. Caffery.
Staff present were April Boudreaux, Business Manager and Jeff Legnon, Maintenance Coordinator. Michell Minor arrived at 5:40 PM.
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Karla Vappie and seconded by Mary Bailey. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Adriane Kramer and seconded by Karla Vappie to approve the minutes of July 8, 2025, regular meeting. Motion carried.
There was no public comment.
Financial Reports:
Ashton Myers presented the budget to actual as of August 31, 2025.
Maintenance Report:
Jeff Legnon gave the maintenance report.
The library received a cost estimate from the architect, Paul Allain, regarding the replacement of the roof in Franklin. That estimate came back as $837,115.81, including an estimated subcontractor quote, all general requirements and architectural fees.
The chiller and HVAC system have received a number of necessary improvements and repairs since the last meeting.
New Business:
A motion was made by Jason Watson and seconded by Karla Vappie to approve Paul Allain, architect, to advertise for bids to replace the Franklin Library roof under the specifications presented. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mary Bailey and seconded by Jason Watson to adjust the Centerville Branch open hours from Monday through Friday 9:30 AM until 5:30 PM to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Karla Vappie and seconded by Mary Bailey to approve yearly step increases for staff, as well as a 2.75% cost of living increase to the overall pay scale. Motion carried.
Director’s Report:
Ashton Myers gave her directors report. She is currently in beginning stages of working with USDA Rural Development about a possible grant opportunity to offset the cost of the Franklin roof replacement.
Lydia Phillips, Centerville branch manager, announced her retirement. Her final day with the library is September 30, 2025. The board expressed its gratitude and appreciation for her many years of service.
Two staff members received promotions. Bridget Terry has been promoted to assistant branch manager of the Patterson branch. Ivy Guillot has been promoted to assistant outreach coordinator.
LibCal has been implemented for all meeting room reservations. The transition has gone smoothly and patrons are utilizing the software with no issues.
Ashton Myers is exploring the option of expanding the library’s Springshare software options, including LibGuides and Patron Point.
The teen area of the Franklin library will be receiving a facelift before the end of the year. Two teen dedicated patron computers are being added, in addition to an Xbox gaming center and homework and study station with school supplies available for use and graphing calculators available for checkout.
Fall staff training day will be held on November 7, 2025. The library will close to the public and staff will receive training from the state library on topics such as readers advisory, patron privacy and general reference.
The library will be participating in the LYRC program through the state library by purchasing copies of the books and making voting readily available to children wanting to participate.
Ashton Myers will be attending the administrative conference hosted by the State Library on October 10, 2025.
September is Library Card Signup Month. To observe this month, the $2.00 replacement fee for new library cards will be waived this month.
A notice was published for local authors to reach out to the library for consideration of participation in library programming throughout the year. The response was overwhelmingly positive and programs are being considered for the entire year.
The library was awarded a reading kit from the Dav Pilkey foundation. This reading kit will be used as prizes for Children’s Book Week, which will be November 3-9, 2025.
The library was selected to participate in YouthAstroNet, a national research project through the Smithsonian Institute. This program will be promoted as an astronomy club at the Patterson Branch.
The next meeting will be held November 11, 2025 at the Bayou Vista Branch. This meeting will also be the budget hearing for the 2026 fiscal year.
Ashton Myers reminded the board to complete their sexual harassment and ethics training before December 31, 2025.
A motion was made by Jason Watson to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Mary Bailey. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 6:16 PM.
September 17, 2025