HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-2018 minutes
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, September 5th, 2018
Approved
10/3/2018
The meeting was called to order in the History Room by Chair, Patricia Sowada, at 5:40pm. Members present: Patricia
Sowada, Stephen Smith, and Tricia Conway (Absent: Catherine Vesley, Nancy Hoium, and Robert “Bobby” Williams). Also
in attendance: Renee Dougherty (Library Director), and Nick Olberding (Recording Secretary).
The Minutes of the August 1st, 2018 Board Meeting were approved.
Bill List dated June 1st, 15th, and 22th, 2018, were reviewed. All were individually moved, seconded, and approved.
Accounting Sheet as of September was reviewed, and approved (55% spent in 67% of the year).
• Questions and discussions based on Bills and Accounting:
• Modern Heating & Air vs. Cool Air: Vendor choice for repair was a made by Public Works, reasons unknown.
• Pioneer Press: $717?! Could we look into the price difference for weekday delivery only, as opposed to 7-
day/week? Library will check on price options, but patrons who read our newspapers may not appreciate the lack
of weekend editions.
• Payroll/Utility Expenditures: Why are we always a month behind in stats at the Board Meeting? Not sure what
City Hall’s timeline for reporting is, but it’s likely because we meet so early in the month.
• Credit Card (4310): City hasn’t figured out a process/vendor, so still no plans to implement credit card processing
at the library in the near future. Also, not sure if it’s more trouble than its worth.
• Vehicle Repair (2280): Lingering line item from when the library had a lawnmower for the old building.
• Advertising (3430): Over-budget because we spent a little extra for a larger bulletin in the CH Jamboree Booklet,
in honor of our 90th Anniversary year.
• Labor & Burden (4010): Library’s portion of Public Works salaries for Facilities Maintenance and Custodial.
Old Business:
• Northeaster Photo Contest Update: Renee was not able to reconnect with Margo Ashmore (Northeaster) since her
return from vacation, so we don’t know how many entries have been submitted. To the Board…please encourage
people you know to enter. Reminder…you need not be a resident of Columbia Heights, but the photos need to be
taken of Columbia Heights.
• Monument Sign Update: As far as we know, installation is still on schedule; which is mid-October, so we should see
some preliminary work soon. The LED panel has been ordered and should arrive mid-August.
• 2019 Budget Update: Budget has been accepted so far, but has yet to be formally presented to the Council. Council
must set the City tax levy amount by the end of September, so we should have a better understanding then. Renee,
Library Director, received advice from the Finance Director on how to address the Council regarding the budget.
New Business:
• Change in Procedure for Rental DVDs ($1 fee for Fiction DVDs released in current year, plus one previous year
(formerly previous two years): This is a change by Anoka County Library, and it would be best to follow suit. They are
doing it to increase circulation on items; the $1 fee can be a deterrent to many (most library systems do not charge
for any DVDs). If it were up to the Renee, Library Director, we wouldn’t charge for any DVDs either; circulation is
more important than the fee collected for them (we average about $1500/year, but we are likely going to come up
short this year anyway). The fee barrier may also encourage more theft. MOTION: Columbia Heights will align the
DVD Fee Schedule with Anoka County’s revised schedule: Conway moved, Smith seconded…Approved.
• Approve Youth Read Down programs for October 2018, June, July and October 2019: Bri Belanger would like to
keep the Youth Read Down Program going with the Board’s permission. MOTION: Approve Youth Read Down for
October 2018, and June, July, October of 2019: Smith moved, Conway seconded…Approved. Also brought up was the
idea to allow Youth Read Down all year long (rather than certain months) for children to eliminate fines; may need
an opportunity for adults as well.
Items from the Floor:
• Libraries eliminating fines. St. Paul just announced no fines; Washington County has already implemented the
change; Hennepin County is considering it.
o This means eliminating late fees, but patrons still need to return items, and they will still be billed for
lost/damaged items (billed after 30 days past due, but can still return the item with no fine).
o In St. Paul it was determined that 1/5 of patrons have fines excessive enough to prevent checkout (and fines
adversely affect lower income patrons); they want to lift that barrier to encourage patrons to come back to
the library, and increase circulation.
o Fines can account for a substantial portion of library income, so eliminating them means a decreased budget
or offset with more tax money. We don’t know if these policies will create the changes they intend to, but
we have some time to learn from the counties who’ve already done so.
o It would be difficult for Columbia Heights to enact this kind of policy without Anoka County being onboard,
and we don’t yet know their opinion on the subject. It could come in stages…starting with eliminating fines
on juvenile material.
• Spaghetti Dinner occurs next week; spaghetti is still catered by Tasty Pizza, as well as custard from Culver’s, and will
feature pianist, Tara Brueske. Tricia mentioned that she won’t be able to work her volunteer shift because now she
needs to be out of town; Pat Sowada said she would cover the shift.
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made at 6:28pm 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.