HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-06-2020 Library Board Minutes
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 6th, 2020
Approved
6/3/2020
The meeting was called to order in the Columbia Heights City Council Chambers by Chair, Catherine Vesley at 5:37pm.
Members physically present: Catherine Vesley; Patricia Sowada; and City Council Liaison, Nick Novitsky. Members
remotely present: Stephen Smith; Christopher Polley; and Tricia Conway. Also present: Renee Dougherty (Library
Director); and Nick Olberding (Recording Secretary).
Due to the current Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent Peacetime Emergency Declaration, Catherine Vesley
started the meeting by reading aloud the “Notice of Conducting Meeting by a Combination of In-Person and Electronic
Means”, pursuant to MN Statute §13D.021.
The Minutes of the March 4th, 2020 Board Meeting were approved.
The Bill Lists dated March 4th and 18th, 2020 were reviewed; They were moved, seconded, and approved.
The Bill Lists dated April 1st, 15th and 29th, 2020 were reviewed; They were moved, seconded, and approved.
Questions and discussions based on Bills and Accounting:
• Books: The Board, Conway in particular, was happy to see the Library spent just over $10,000 on books between
all the Bill Lists that were reviewed at this meeting.
• Expenses: Positive to see that after Q1, we have only expended 23% of the budget.
Old Business:
1. Update on Library Operations: Library building was closed to the Public starting on March 17th, 2020.
a) Services
i. The book-drop has remained opened the whole time, and will continue.
ii. Programming moved online at the beginning of April with virtual StoryTimes, promotional
instructional videos for several E-Resources, and Steve Smith’s “Organizing Important Documents”
presentation…with more to come.
iii. Curbside Pickup started April 13th, and will have served close to 300 patrons by the end of this week.
iv. Quarantine/Sanitizing procedures are being planned.
v. ACL’s Summer Reading Program will be virtual (with BeanStacks); Bri is planning summer
programming, mostly virtual, except for Story Strolls (self-guided walks in the parks) and up to 5
potential in-person programs (if allowed). Also, the Library will be a Youth Summer Lunch pick-up
location.
vi. Re-Opening: Planning on additional signage, floor decals, and plexiglass shields; No Study Rooms;
Limited Touch Self-Checks (no pin required); 1-Hour Computer Limits; Browsing, Newspapers, and
Magazines At-Your-Own-Risk. Reduced Hours possible, depending on staffing availability/health.
vii. Deliveries between ACL now twice a week. Currently no MELSA/MNlink deliveries.
viii. The Library’s Facebook page is being updated with new content/posts daily.
b) Staffing
i. Part-time staff was furloughed when we closed. Renee is in the process of contacting them to
prepare for re-opening. Only four have not responded, but may have not checked their e-mail.
c) Kanopy (not discussed)
New Business:
1. Review and Approve 2019 Annual Report to the State Library (MN DOE): The report was submitted on March
31st, 2020, but still needed Board approval (which the State is allowing after submission, due to the pandemic).
Reflected in the report is a slight increase in gate count and room usage, a slight decrease in Circulation, and a
pretty steady amount of PC/internet use compared to last year. The Board felt the report was very thorough and
well-presented.
2. Collection Development Policy: This was brought up, but revisions were not discussed. It was mentioned that the
last revision from 2007 addresses issues that no longer exist, has nothing related to e-material, and contained
negative language. Renee anticipates a full re-write; she is currently waiting for ACL to share their version with us
for a basis.
3. 2021 Budget: Budgeting for 2021 is underway. With the current pandemic and subsequent strained
budgets/resources we anticipate no increases to the library budget. Budgetary direction from the City has not yet
been received, but Nick Novitsky said the City is in a relatively good fiscal standing under the circumstances, as
the city does not have as many businesses that will be affected, and Columbia Heights has weaned off Local
Government Aid since the 2008 recession (when shortfalls of this fiscal support was realized).
Items from the Floor:
• Organizing Important Documents: Steve Smith’s presentation will premiere on May 7th. He says it contains a lot
of great information, but the look/editing could be a little better; worth the watch…
• Virtual Programming: The Library will continue producing online content to stay connected to the community.
• Be well, and stay safe.
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made at 6:26pm by Catherine Vesley, and seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
Recording Secretary, Library Board of Trustee