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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-2018 minutes COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY 3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 21st, 2018 Approved 4/4/2018 The meeting was called to order in the History Room by Chair, Patricia Sowada, at 5:32pm. Members present: Patricia Sowada, Catherine Vesley, Nancy Hoium, Stephen Smith, Tricia Conway; also attending, Library Director, Renee Dougherty; Recording Secretary, Nick Olberding; and private citizen, Bryan Olson. Not present: Council Liaison, Robert “Bobby” Williams. The Minutes of the February 7th, 2018 Board Meeting were approved. Bill List dated February 17th, 2018 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid. Bill List dated February 31st, 2018 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid. Year-end Accounting Sheet was reviewed, and approved. • Questions and discussions based on Bills and Accounting: • Large Print: Are they popular? Yes. • Star Tribune/People Weekly: Charge of 461.76/year for daily delivery for Star Tribune. Peoply Weekly magazine is 118.26/year for 52 issues (subscription is separate from our EBSCO Periodical order). • Unique Management Services: Our Collections agency; each month our system automatically sends delinquent patrons ($75+ in fines) to them for recovery. • LED Lights: Under warranty, replaced all the deadlights in February. Currently they are all working. • Year-end Accounting: Shows us finishing at 96% of the yearly budget, which is still considered preliminary until the city’s audit review is complete. New Business: • Library Annual Report (City of Columbia Heights): Excluding 2016 (due to being closed for a month, and dealing with preparing for the move, and adjusting to the new building) some highlights comparing 2015 to 2107 include: 20% increase in library visits; 13% increase in circulation; 104% increase in computer use; a 13% increase in children’s program attendance, and 34% increase in teen program attendance. o Questions and discussions: Computer Use: Are children able to access the computers? Yes, if they have a library card, they can use the computers and access the internet. At Home Delivery: Costs are covered by the operating budget. Cortni O’Brien and a few volunteers provide a delivery of material to Outreach Patrons. These patrons receive a delivery about every 6 weeks, or as needed. Their checkout period is 45 days and are not subjected to fines. These patrons sign an agreement for us to keep track of their borrowing history so we may better select future titles and so we do not deliver them books they’ve already read (no borrowing history is tracked for standard patrons). We currently have about a dozen patrons participating in this program. • Other libraries have similar programs: Anoka County mails material to outreach patrons, while Ramsey County selects a volunteer to pair with each outreach patron. • Annual Report to the State Library: The state (Minnesota Department of Education) collects this data from all libraries in Minnesota to submit to the Institute of Museum and Library Services. o A motion was made to approve the current year statistics (pending the addition of several totals still needed from Anoka County Library). The motion was seconded, and approved. • Items from the Floor: Several upcoming programs at the library include: Birdscaping Basics (in partnership with HeightsNEXT) is tonight. Mysteries of History (deducing the origin, age, and content of historical photos) will be at 6:30pm on April 9th. Also, a BookTalk with Rick Shefchik (author of “Everybody’s Heard About the Bird: The True Story of 1960’s Rock n’ Roll in Minnesota”) will take place at 1pm on Saturday, April 21st. Old Business: • Public Library Art Committee: Meet-and-greet with the three applicants for the library Art Committee. Catherine started off by explaining the focus and limitations of the group. This is an advisory group (to the Library Board) that has no spending authority. It is mainly to review art exhibit applications and RFP’s on behalf of the Library Board, and make recommendations, with the option to offer hands-on help with exhibitions and art displays. There is no expectation to raise money. Finally, the group will likely meet 4 times/year (or as needed), and meeting will follow open meeting law. o Introductions: Denelle Bing (DB): Has resided in Columbia Heights for 3 years, and has a 3yo child. Interested in art/music, and feels art has the ability to bring the community together. She also plays the baritone horn in a community band; has a business degree; is involved in HeightsNEXT; and is running for the Columbia Heights City Council (if elected, would not be eligible for the art committee). Lindsay Edwards (LE): Moved to Columbia Heights from Des Moines four years ago. Graphic Designer by trade, who is active in HeightsNEXT (involved with the Huset Haunted House, Cheers for Beers, and Chili Cook-off events). Art is a huge part of life, and like art to inspire people. Currently is interested in the brutalist style (massive raw concrete structures). Walter Horishnyk (WH): Has been a resident of Columbia Heights for many years, and was a IT Specialist for many of them. Has always been active in painting, photography, graphic design, and considers art, music, and culture a big part of his life. Feels art in the library has great potential and can inspire the community. He curated the inaugural art exhibition at the library last fall with his New York street photography, titled “The Manhattan Project”. o Q: How would you like to see art displayed at the library? DB: Interactive displays would be the most engaging and would be great to see. LE: Would like to see art made to fit the space, made specifically for the library space. WH: Work with the artists, many of them have a vision for how their art should be viewed. o Q: What would you most like to see in a library art display? DB: Local photography of the community, music, and youth created art. LE: Interactive sculpture for hands-on engagement. WH: Sculpture…ideally created by experienced and professional artists. o Q: Example of a show we should exhibit? DB: Display featuring the history of Columbia Heights. LE: Movie Posters/Fan Art (in collaboration with Heights Theater). WH: Culturally diverse papier mâché hangings (e.g. piñatas). Tricia Conway: Cultural Art Show showcasing the many diverse ethnicities of Columbia Heights. o Q: How does art support literacy in the community? DB: Rotating series of art displays promotes learning by exposure to new things. LE: Art naturally promotes various types of learning/interpretation. WH: Art supports a strong foundation and symbolism. ART IS THE VISUALIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45pm by Patricia Sowada, and seconded. Respectfully submitted, Nicholas P. Olberding Recording Secretary, Library Board of Trustees *Mission Statement* To serve a diverse community’s needs for access to resources, information, and technology in a welcoming environment. 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.