HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 2, 2013
APPROVED
2/5/13
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
January 2, 2013
The meeting was called to order by Chair Patricia Sowada, at 6:31 p.m. Members present were: Steve
Smith, Patricia Sowada, Barbara Tantanella, and Catherine Vesley. Also present: City Council
Representative Tami Diehm, Acting Library Director Renee Dougherty, and Recording Secretary Stacey
Hendren. Not present: Nancy Hoium.
The minutes of the December 5, 2012 Board meeting were approved as mailed.
The bill list dated 12/12/12 of 2012 bills was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills
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be paid. Dougherty clarified that the 21 Century Learning grant is administered by the school district
and is used to fund programs for elementary age children.
The bill list dated 12/19/12 of 2012 bills was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills
be paid. Dougherty explained that Orkin is a necessary service that inspects bimonthly to monitor and
treat as needed.
The bill list dated 12/26/12 of 2012 bills was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills
be paid.
The 2012 accounting dated 1/2/13 was reviewed. The Board discussed the levels of the nearly final
budget lines.
Old Business:
1. Dougherty updated the Library Board on the Task Force progress. The Task Force met with
Council Member Diehm in order to elicit advice and ask questions about approaching the
Council. The Task Force will be preparing and deciding on their recommendation. The Library
Board discussed the excellent and in-depth work that the volunteers on the Task Force have
performed.
2. Dougherty notified the Board that the proposed 2013 budget passed without changes.
3. The City will repost the Library Director position in January 2013 and hopes to have an
individual in place by May.
The Board expressed their appreciation for all that Dougherty has done and commended her on
her excellent work as Acting Library Director.
New Business:
1. The Board reviewed the November crossover statistics. Smith noted the high volume of staff-
charged materials at Columbia Heights and crossover from Hennepin County, as compared to
other Anoka County Libraries. Dougherty drew attention to the statistics in her Operational
Report showing an increase in circulation and gate count, and a decrease in computer use in
December. Smith expressed his pleasure with the quantity and quality of new books available at
the library.
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2. The Board reviewed the Unique Management report and discussed the return of materials and
fees, and the amount owed by patrons.
3. Dougherty notified the Board that Anoka County Libraries have agreed to partner with ASKMN,
a 24-hour online chat reference service provided for Minnesota residents. Anoka County will
provide reference librarians to staff the service 5 hours a week, and Columbia Heights librarians
will provide 1 hour of reference service every other week. The partnership will begin in the
Spring. Dougherty will provide more information as training begins.
4. The Board discussed the Library Legislative Platform presented by MLA/MEMO. Dougherty
explained that MLA has a lobbyist working with the state legislature to support the platform
created by the legislative committee and approved by the membership. Board members noted the
limited funding for building projects, the benefits of the Legacy funds, and discussed the
possibility of designating funds for library services. Dougherty highlighted the request for
restoration of MINITEX funding, which provides ILL services, and the request to extend privacy
laws to electronic media. The Board discussed data privacy and the use of information in society.
Items from the Floor:
1. Sowada notified the Board of an article in the Star Tribune discussing the elimination of books at
the Benilde-St. Margaret schools in preference of electronic technologies.
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2. Tantanella requested that the February Board meeting be changed to Tuesday, February 5 in
order for members to take advantage of a community education event.
Tantanella moved to change the February Board meeting to Tuesday, February 5th. The motion
was seconded, and passed.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey R. Hendren
Recording Secretary, Library Board of Trustees
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access
to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation
will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights
services, programs, and activities.
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