HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 2, 2013
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Approved
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
11/6/13
MINUTES
October 2, 2013
The meeting was called to order by Chair Patricia Sowada, at 6:29 p.m. Members present were:
Nancy Hoium, Steve Smith, Patricia Sowada, Barbara Tantanella, and Council Representative Tami
Diehm. Also present: Library Director Renee Dougherty and Acting Recording Secretary Kelly J.
Olson. Not present: Catherine Vesley.
The minutes of the September 4, 2013, Board meeting were approved as mailed.
The bill list dated 9/4/13 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
The bill list dated 9/18/13 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
The 2013 accounting dated 10/2/13 was reviewed.
Old Business:
1.Dougherty gave an update on the new Children’s Librarian Bethany Grabow who will start
on October 14, 2013. Bethany is a native Nebraskan who received her degree in Library
Science from Clarion University. Bethany is very enthusiastic and will bring many great
ideas to her new position. She will be a good fit for our community and our staff. She will
be introduced at the City Council meeting on October 28 and the Library Board meeting on
November 6.
2.Dougherty noted the Foundation Spaghetti Fundraiser had a very successful dinner netting
$4200. Tantanella mentioned there were a lot of great silent auction items this year and that
the Task Force member did a great job. Dougherty said that all baskets were picked except
for one.
3.Dougherty asked if anyone could make the parent meeting for ACCapp HeadStart October 3
at 6:00 p.m. Tantanella volunteered to attend.
New Business:
1.The Board reviewed the August crossover statistics. Smith noted that nothing really jumped
out at him; Sowada mentioned that it looked good. Dougherty said that we have lost a couple
of our outreach patrons.
2.The Board reviewed the Unique Management report for August. Dougherty said we continue
to submit collections accounts each month and Hoium said that it is definitely worth our
while. Dougherty said that Anoka County Library staff is working on some scripts when
issuing library cards to be more intentional and give gentle reminders about the importance
of returning library materials on time to avoid overdue fines. This led to a discussion
regarding the Read Down program we had in June for teens. Hoium asked if this is
something we could do again. Smith agreed and after some discussion a motion was made
by Hoium and seconded by Tantanella to offer a youth Read Down program quarterly.
(Youth aged seventeen and under, may earn $1 off accrued fines, bills or library card
replacement fees for every 15 minutes of reading done in the library. Motion carried
unanimously.
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3.The Proposed Closed Days/Holiday Schedule for 2014 was reviewed. Dougherty said it
basically mirrors ACL schedule. Hoium moved approval of the 2014 Closed/Holiday
schedule by Hoium with a second from Tantanella. Motion carried unanimously.
4.Dougherty passed out the 2014 Proposed Detail Budget that she will be presenting to the
Council on October 7. Department Heads were instructed to stay under 2% increase and
Dougherty stated that library budget includes only a 7/10 of 1% increase. Included in the
budget under capital outlay is a new microfilm reader.
5.Dougherty discussed the proposal to reduce the maximum overdue fines for magazine from
$7.00 to $2.00. Current policy is a maximum overdue fine of $7.00 but if the magazine is
lost the fine is $6.00. ACL lowered their maximum fine to $2.00 and Smith made a motion
to change ours as well with a second from Tantanella. Motion carried unanimously.
6.Dougherty reported author Chris Niskanen had 12 people for his program on his book The
Minnesota Book of Skills, and that it was very entertaining. Children’s programs for October
include READ Dogs beginning October 7, Science of Toys October 17 and Radical Robots
October 18. Author John Cox, Gettysburg: a History for the People, will be here October
23.
Items from the Floor:
1.Dougherty shared the information for Library Card Sign-Up Month. At least 119 Columbia
Heights residents received a new library card and 25 people used the coupon for a free item
from our book sale cart.
2.Dougherty reported Library Aide Candice Marsh has turned in her resignation and that she
will advertise the position to the current pages and Library Clerk Ramon Gomez has
interviewed for a position at the Columbia Heights Police Department.
3.Dougherty reported that she will be attending the Minnesota Library Association conference
held in St. Cloud along with Adult Services Specialist Barb Kondrick on October 10 and 11.
This year there will be more mini-conferences regarding services to seniors, whereas last
year they had a lot for children services.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly J. Olson
Acting 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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