FAIRHOPE — The Fairhope City Council approved the retroactive reappointment of three library board of trustee members Monday.
Chairman Anne Johnson, vice-chairman Andy Parvin and secretary Randal Wright were approved for new terms after their terms expired in December 2024.
Mayor Sherry Sullivan said although she would like to see some turnover on the board, the library board recommends appointments and reappointments. She said several people applied to the positions, but no one was interviewed because the current board members are still on their first terms.
The terms are meant to be staggered, so Sullivan said the three board members reappointed would be given different term lengths to "get back on track."
Johnson's term will be two years, expiring December 2026; Parvin's term will be three years, expiring December 2027; and Wright's term will be three years, expiring December 2028.
The library board has five seats. Dan Stankoski and Debra Langham are also members, and Jimmy Conyers serves as the city council liaison.
The new library director, Robert Gourlay, thanked the council for supporting the library.
"This is actually an anniversary year for us," Gourlay said. "125 years of a public library in Fairhope. That's going to be celebrated in April, and we definitely plan to do some history on the library. We've got tons of programs happening all the time."
Gourlay said he wanted to make himself available to council members with questions.
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