HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-2017 minutes
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017
Approved
6/7/2017
The meeting was called to order in the History Room by Chair, Patricia Sowada, at 5:33pm. Members present were:
Patricia Sowada, Catherine Vesley, Stephen D. Smith, and Bobby Williams; via telephone, was Tricia Conway. Also present
was Library Director Renee Dougherty, and Recording Secretary Nick Olberding.
• The Minutes of the April 5th, 2017 Board Meeting were approved.
• The Bill List dated April 12th, 2017 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
• The Bill List dated April 26th, 2017 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
• The Accounting Sheet as of May was reviewed, and approved.
• Questions and discussions from Bills and Accounting:
o Author Talk Compensation: Price is negotiable by Author, but Barb usually worked it out to $50 (authors are also
able to sell copies of their books at the events).
o Cole Directory: Business Reverse Lookup Information (4 Book Set)
o ILS: Quarterly Charge based on quantity of Columbia Heights collection, circulation, and cardholders. Anoka
County pays a very reasonable price for the ILS system, and we benefit from their cost savings.
o Electrical Cost is leveling out, and solar is fully up and running.
o Sewer (overbudget): Estimated using a % increase from previous years, but with much nicer bathrooms than in
the old building, they are getting much more use.
Old Business: N/A
• Staffing Update: 30+ Applicants were interested in the Adult Services Librarian position, 7 applicants received
interviews, and 3 went on to 2nd interviews. Of the three (1 male, 2 female), one is from Lake Elmo, MN; one is
from West Fargo, ND; and one has family in Minnesota, but currently lives in Colorado. When the decision is
made, a conditional offer will be extended, and it will be dependent on a Background Check, References, and
Drug Test; anticipated start date will be the first week of June.
New Business:
• Mobility Assistance for Patrons: It has been suggested that the library should have a walker, wheelchair, or
mobility scooter for patrons with mobility issues. Whichever it may be ideally would be collapsible/foldable as to
not take up much space, and should be stored in the staff area…to be available by request. Renee may ask the
Friends of the Library for help with the purchase of equipment, or we may be able to put out a call for a donation
of equipment.
• Overview of Summer Programming Plans: For Adults, there will still be Senior Surf, Scrabble Club, and Book
Clubs over the summer. For Children and Juveniles, Monday-Wednesday there will be Storytime, Kids
Programming, and Wacky Wednesday, as well as the Reading Program, and Fine Read Down from June and July.
For Teens, there will be programs scheduled for Thursdays.
o Volunteens: Applications will be accepted through May 17th; Bri is hoping for 15-20 volunteers for the
summer. They will have orientation and set up a weekly schedule, and be assigned meaningful tasks that
will give them valuable experience and on-the-job training.
• Prototype for Feeding Kids during the Summer: Department of Education approached us this year and the two
previous years about this program; the last two years weren’t feasible with the relocation and other reasons, but
this year we are going to try it. The sole cost to the library is to provide an employee during the lunch distribution
(about 45 minutes on Tues, Wed, and Thurs). More geared for children, but adults with children may partake as
well; lunches must be eaten on premises (cannot be taken to-go). We don’t yet know what the demand for
lunches will be, and how quickly the food providers will adapt to that demand.
• 2018 Budget Planning: The Finance Department dictates the proceedings. The library’s main item is payroll at
about 70%. Our proposed budget for this needs to be submitted to Finance, so they may calculate related costs
first (e.g. Benefits & Pay Increases), before moving forward.
Items from the Floor:
• Raising After-Hours Community Room Fee: The Community Room fee of $25/hour is too low; compared to other
bookable rooms in the area with fewer capabilities (eg. projectors and whiteboards). Rooms at Murzyn Hall and
Banfill-Locke charge around $50/hour, and are possibly raising rates as well.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15pm by Patricia Sowada, and seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
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.