The Red River Parish Library Board of Control took several steps toward reorganizing library leadership during its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting on July 24, including electing officers, establishing committees, and setting a timeline for hiring a new library director.

The meeting was called to order by Acting Library Director Dr. Mary Adkins. Board members approved the minutes from the July 10 meeting with minor revisions before moving into old and new business.

During the meeting, board members elected Mike Waters as president and Sharon Jenkins as vice president. The election had been postponed from the previous meeting because of member absences.

Board members also discussed meeting frequency. After reviewing state guidelines, members agreed to continue holding quarterly meetings while calling special meetings when needed rather than amending the board’s bylaws.

As part of the ongoing search for a permanent library director, the board reviewed qualifications and agreed that those listed in the published job advertisement adequately reflected the position’s requirements. Members also established July 31 as the deadline for director applications.

To assist with the hiring process, the board appointed a personnel committee consisting of Kathy McDuffy, Heather Wren, and Karen Squires. A separate finance committee, made up of Merritt Cason, Sharon Jenkins, and Lillie McDonald, was appointed to review employee pay scales, recommend a more equitable salary structure for library staff, and develop a salary recommendation for the new director.

Board members were also reminded that Louisiana law requires ethics training for all public officials. In addition to the mandatory ethics course, members will complete cybersecurity and sexual harassment training. Although the state deadline is Dec. 31, the board set an internal deadline of Oct. 31 to complete all required training.

The board scheduled its next meeting as a special called meeting on Aug. 20 at 5 p.m., when members are expected to continue work related to the director search and other library business.

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