HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 7, 2013
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Approved
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
9/4/13
MINUTES
August 7, 2013
The meeting was called to order by Chair Patricia Sowada, at 6:32 p.m. Members present were:
Nancy Hoium, Steve Smith, Patricia Sowada, Barbara Tantanella, and Catherine Vesley. Also
present: City Council Representative Tami Diehm, Library Director Renee Dougherty, and
Recording Secretary Stacey Hendren.
The minutes of the July 2, 2013 Board meeting were approved as mailed.
The bill list dated 7/10/13 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
The bill list dated 7/24/2013 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be
paid. Dougherty highlighted the payment in line item 2183. The annual payment covers the
library’s portion of the e-book platform and a percentage of the overall fees based on patron usage.
The 2013 accounting dated 8/7/13 was reviewed.
Old Business:
1.Dougherty reviewed the proposed 2014 budget with the City Manager and Finance Director.
No changes were recommended to the budget proposal which includes less than a 1%
increase and no building maintenance.
2.Library staff talked to 175 people at the recent community picnic. Discussion was
unanimously positive, staff met many new residents, individuals expressed support for a new
library building, and staff promoted many library programs and services.
The Library Board discussed the difficulty in accepting the 8-10 million dollar cost for a
potential new library and ways to express the cost in a more realistic manner such as the cost
per month compared to other spending. Vesley recently presented information concerning
referendums to the City Council and shared with the Board her main points including the
high expense of a referendum compared to the value of the information gained.
3.Dave Larson and Tricia Conway from the Library Task Force recently met with Dougherty
and Council Member Donna Schmitt to discuss the Task Force’s recommendation. Topics
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discussed included the 40 and Central site, building alongside Murzyn Hall, and the
increasing interest rates.
Vesley recommended leveling city hall and building a library, city hall, and housing in the
area. Members discussed the Huset Park community and rentals properties throughout
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Columbia Heights. Diehm stated that after the housing study from 40 and Central is
submitted to the Council she hopes the Council will take steps to review with an expert how
a new library could be funded.
New Business:
1.The Board reviewed the June crossover statistics. Dougherty noted that gate count and
circulation are down, while program attendance is up. The new statistics for the Andover
and Ramsey book lockers and vending library were highlighted.
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2.The Board reviewed the Unique Management report for June.
3.The Board discussed the recent resignation of children’s librarian, Mai Kao Xiong. Xiong’s
is completing a great deal of preparatory work to ease the transition, and her last day will be
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August 26. Xiong has been a great asset to the library and Dougherty has received
numerous positive comments on her work.
4.Dougherty and Kondrick will prepare a press release to celebrate September as National
Library Card Sign-up month and to communicate the many success stories from the library.
Dougherty encouraged Board members to share their suggestions. Members discussed the
many places the library can take you, the robust electronic resources, and comparative costs.
Additionally members asked Dougherty to check with the American Library Association for
resources, and to prepare a resolution and slideshow for the City Council.
5.The Board reviewed the article on e-book usage and received a chart showing the percentage
of e-book circulation versus total circulation at the Columbia Heights Library. So far in 2013
e-book circulation has been 4-5% of total circulation. Dougherty cited an article she had
recently read that researches the difference between reading and retention with paper versus
screen. Board members discussed how the data might change when comparing digital
natives versus digital non-natives.
6.The Board reviewed the article on referendums and companies that are hired to ensure a
referendum passes or fails.
Items from the Floor:
1.Sowada queried whether the amount of proctored tests is overwhelming to library staff.
Dougherty stated that six tests were proctored in July for two students, and that since the
service has been limited to Columbia Heights residents it has not been a burden.
2.Sowada suggested that Board members be present at the school open houses to provide
materials and information about the library. Sowada and Tantanella volunteered to visit the
schools.
3.Dougherty notified the Board that tall shelving was installed in the children’s department and
encouraged Board members to visit.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 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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