HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 2, 2014
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
APPROVED
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
8/6/2014
MINUTES
July 2, 2014
The meeting was called to order by Chair Patricia Sowada at 6:30 p.m. Members present were:
Nancy Hoium, Steve Smith, Patricia Sowada, Barbara Tantanella, and Catherine Vesley. Also
present: Library Director Renee Dougherty, and Recording Secretary Stacey R. Hendren. Not
present: Council Representative Tami Diehm.
The minutes of the June 4, 2014, Board meeting were approved as amended.
The bill list dated 6/11/14 of 2014 bills was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the
bills be paid.
The bill list dated 6/18/14 of 2014 bills was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the
bills be paid. It was noted that the expenditure in line 2030 for summer read materials will be
reimbursed by MELSA.
The bill list dated 6/25/14 of 2014 bills was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the
bills be paid. Members remarked that the reasonable fee for disc cleaning continues to benefit the
library.
The 2014 accounting dated 7/2/14 was reviewed.
Old Business:
rd
1.Members discussed the City Council meeting of July 23 including the large attendance,
patron comments, and the 4-1 vote in support of bonding for a new library. Additional
conversation related to the Jamboree parade, library buttons, and the positive support
received from the community.
New Business:
1.Dougherty notified the Board that staff is training on a new delivery process. Materials will
be transported on special delivery carts instead of in the current bins. Members were notified
th
that the Northtown library will reopen on July 14 after its extensive remodel.
2.During the month of June the library held a Youth Read Down program along with the
County Libraries. The program allowed youth, ages 17 & under, to earn $1 off accrued fines
for every 15 minutes read in the library. At the Columbia Heights Public Library 76 youth
participated in the program and earned a total of $339.46 in forgiven fines. Bethany Grabow,
Children’s Librarian, reported that one youth read a total of 5.75 hours at the library, 18
participants were Anoka County card holders, and 58 were Columbia Heights card holders.
Dougherty noted that the intent of the program was to remove barriers to library use and
convey the real value of reading to young people. The library received inquiries from adults
who wanted to participate; however the program was limited to youth.
3.Members received May crossover statistics for review. Dougherty noted that circulation is
falling county wide. Dougherty remarked that many Columbia Heights cardholders tend to
visit the building and use library computers, but may never borrow materials and thus not be
1- 7/2/14
reflected in circulation counts. Smith noted the May circulation and asked if there was a
correlation between circulation and Internet usage. Members reviewed the computer usage
information and requested a graph comparing computer logins and minutes.
4.Dougherty notified the Board that the Police Department is holding its annual community
th
picnic at Sullivan Park on July 17 from 5:30-7:30. The Library will have a table with
information and a prize wheel. The library would like to purchase buttons to hand out at the
picnic. The buttons would be the same as those purchased by the Library Foundation for the
Jamboree.
A motion was made to print buttons at the best price for the quantity. The motion was
carried unanimously.
Items from the Floor:
1.Dougherty handed out a graph comparing the gate count for June 2013 and June 2014 noting
rd
the increases. It was noted that 1,489 individuals visited the library on June 23. Board
members noted the variety of activities for kids, and the high traffic in the library during the
summer months.
2.Board members thanked Dougherty for her continued service and congratulated her on the
completion of two years as library director.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 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.
2- 7/2/14