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Home My WebLink About05-01-2019 minutes COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY 3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 Approved 6/5/2019 The meeting was called to order in the History Room by Chair, Catherine Vesley at 5:31pm. Members present: Catherine Vesley; Patricia Sowada; Stephen Smith; Christopher Polley; and City Council Liaison, Connie Buesgens. Also in attendance: Renee Dougherty (Library Director), and Nick Olberding (Recording Secretary). Absent: Tricia Conway The Minutes of the April 3rd, 2019 Board Meeting were approved. Bill Lists dated April 3rd & 24th, 2019 were reviewed. Each was moved, seconded, and approved. The Accounting Sheet was reviewed, and approved Thus far at 23% spent in 33% of the year. • Questions and discussions based on Bills and Accounting: • Unique Management: Number of patrons entering Collections has been down for the last few months. • Computer Equipment (2011): Over because we purchased a new barcode scanner to complete the mobile desk workstation in Children’s area. • Electric (3810): On track so far this year; only 12% spend through the end of March. • Northern Clay: Hosted a ceramics class in which attendees crafted their own clay creations; to be kiln-fired and returned to the library for them to pick up. New Business: • Trespassed Patron: The patron would come in all-day, everyday starting in February—he would pace around, have vocal outbursts, and loiter around the computers…making people generally uncomfortable. Several times over the course of the last month, police were called in to deal with him. The first time was during the April Board meeting when he locked himself in the family restroom for an extended amount of time and was seemingly unresponsive. Second time he was passed out and locked in the toilet stall of the men’s restroom—this time police and medical personnel were called in and they took him in for an exam (as they assumed it may have been an overdose—and was found to have opioids in his system). The final time was while Renee was on vacation; he was hanging around - outside the entrance and harassing visitors (according to the patron who called the police). The officer informed Cortni O’Brien that the individual had been trespassed from many surrounding businesses and suggested the library be included. A certified letter informing the patron of the duration and reasons for the trespass order was sent but eventually returned as “undeliverable.” • Introduction of New Staff: Two new Pages started their training this week, Samuel Rinne and Jaqueline Olson and were introduced to the Board. o Samuel Rinne: Is currently a high school student, and has been a Volunteen at CHPL. o Jacqueline Olson: Attended college in Iowa, and is currently working at the Stillwater Public Library. • Discussion of Spending Priorites: With the donation of $35,000 from the Library Foundation, Renee wanted to know what priorities the Board felt most deserved funds (this doesn’t mean that the money couldn’t support all three). The Board expressed their priorities as: 1. Citizenship Classes (in partnership with the MetroNorth Adult Basic Education) 2. Parking Lot Extension (contributing a portion of the total cost) 3. Kanopy (providing the video streaming service to CHPL patrons) • 2020 Budget: The deadline for submission of the 2020 budget is already looming. June 10th is when it needs to be turned into Finance; from there the City Manager and Finance Department will review, and later discuss with the Department Head with their recommendations; later in the fall the City Council gets involved with their portion of the process. Renee hopes to add several items: o Pay raises for the part-time staff: Have not had a raise since 2016. o Bring back the Library Aide position: Help with programming, stats, and other tasks to relieve full-time staff (as well as provide coverage during regular staff leaves). She would like to hire in 2019 for at least 14hr/. Because the position is still listed in the budget and the part-time budget line has remained underspent during the last two years, funds are likely available. If necessary, Renee will request a budget adjustment from the Council later in the year. o Maintenance Cost for Self-Check Stations • Upcoming Programs: Deeper into Meditation (Wed, May 8, 6pm); Book Club: Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises (Wed, May 15, 10am); Minnesota From the Road w/ Photographer Doug Ohman (Sat, May 18, 1pm). • Strategic Planning for Libraries: The Board had an informal discussion of Strategic Planning. o Steve Smith emphasized how important it is that the plan reflects the Library’s Mission Statement. o Smith also offered up a critical thinking exercise that has worked well in these situations in the past: Everyone should imagine what newspaper headlines, a year or so in the future, could say about the Library—then come up with a strategy of how to get there. o Expand the Strategic planning group to include a member from the Friends, Foundation, and Staff? o Hire a facilitator to streamline the process and keep it on track? Open to the possibility, so Renee will inquire about the availability and cost of Phil Kern (who helped the City Council with their Strategic Planning in 2017. o The Board could put up an interactive display to encourage the patrons to weigh in on a strategic direction (similar to the board that Anoka Parks placed in the libraries for a month, or using surveys/questionnaires). o Brief discussion on some items to consider: Staffing (might be sufficient with the two new Pages, and the hiring of a Library Aide, but will re-evaluate later); Kanopy (educational/independent video streaming service), Police (request a more regular police presence in the Library, like random walkthroughs—by a CSO or the School District’s Resource Officer); ISD-13 Student Access Cards (should not be much of a cost involved, just need to figure out privilege/logistics/access) Items from the Floor: • Nancy Hoium: Several members of the Library Board are planning on taking Nancy out for lunch in honor of her many contributions and years of service to the Library Board. The lunch is scheduled for Thursday, May 9th; Unfortunately staff would be unable to attend, as the Library is closed for Anoka County Staff Enhancement Day at Bunker Hills. • Permanent Sister Cities Display: Pat Sowada brought forward the request by Sister Cities to curate a year-round display in the Library. It’s a nice idea, but unfortunately it is not feasible. The Sister Cities, like other community groups, is welcomed to utilize the Library’s rotating display case for a defined period, such as Polish American History Month in October, but a permanent display is not possible. • Citizen of the Year: Renee Dougherty wanted to let the Board know that she submitted a nomination for Jane Polley as the Columbia Heights Citizen of the Year. Jane has supported and volunteered at the Library for many years— serving as the first President of the Friends of the Library, and to-this-day continuing to volunteer weekly at various capacities (including in our Buddy-Up program). Through the years she has also volunteered her time throughout the community, and is currently active with HeightsNEXT. We thank her for her selfless service. There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made at 6:45pm by Patricia Sowada, and seconded. Respectfully submitted, Nicholas P. Olberding Recording Secretary, Library Board of Trustee