HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-2020 Library Board Minutes
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020
Approved
8/5/2020
The meeting was called to order in the Columbia Heights City Council Chambers by Chair, Catherine Vesley at 5:30pm.
Members physically present: Catherine Vesley; Patricia Sowada; new member, Teresa Eisenbise; and Connie Buesgens,
substituting as City Council Liaison. Members remotely present: Christopher Polley; and Tricia Conway. Also present:
Renee Dougherty (Library Director); Nick Olberding (Recording Secretary); Stephen Smith (Former Member); and Amáda
Márquez Simula (Community Member/Advocate, Mayoral Candidate).
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.
Quick Introduction to new member, Teresa Eisenbise; Eight-year resident of Columbia Heights, and frequent patron of
CHPL (with her two children). She loves the Library, and wants to get more involved to help guide its future.
The Minutes of the May 6th, 2020 Board Meeting were approved.
The Bill Lists dated May 13th and 27th, 2020 were reviewed; They were moved, seconded, and approved.
Questions and discussions based on Bills and Accounting:
Budget: Tricia inquired about how under-budget we might be due to COVID-19 repercussions? At least 18%
under in part-time staff payroll (due to 2+ months of furlough), but an increase in e-book spending, and other
supplies related to Coronavirus, including sneeze-guards, signs/decals, and disinfection supplies.
Expenses: Have expended 30% of the budget in 42% of the year (not including May payroll/utilities).
Old Business:
1. Meeting Room Policy (Tabled): Currently not relevant; when the library does re-open to the public, meeting
rooms will remain unavailable for the foreseeable future (due to the constant disinfecting they would require).
2. 2021 Proposed Budget (Tabled): Renee is diligently working on this; the preliminary due date to turn into City
Finance is June 8th. The Board will have it for review by the July Board Meeting. One thing mentioned is that
salaries should stabilize in 2021, since most staff members have reached the top of their pay -scale.
3. Collection Development Policy (Tabled): No update at the moment; Renee would like to redline and rewrite this
policy (hasn’t been revised since 2007 under Board Chair, Barb M iller). Due to its importance in guiding our
Collection, they would like to devote their full attention, which cannot be given today. Until then, it is suggested
that members research the corresponding policy of other Libraries near and far.
New Business:
1. CHPL Re-Opening Plan: Library building was closed to the Public starting on March 17 th, 2020.
a. Services
i. The book-drop has remained opened the whole time, and will continue. This will be the only way
to return items when we re-open (the indoor book drop is too close in proximity to the printer
and copier to maintain social distancing)
ii. Virtual Programming & StoryTimes will continue for as long as necessary, with several in -
person/outdoor activities, if able to safely. Story Strolls (self-guided walks in the parks) and up to
5 potential in-person programs (if allowed).
iii. Increased and added e-book titles in the CloudLibrary & RBdigital.
iv. Promotional instructional videos on YouTube for E-Resources.
v. Curbside Pickup started April 13th, and will have served 600+ patrons at this point. It is
anticipated to continue for the foreseeable future to accommodate patrons who would not feel
comfortable entering the building.
vi. Quarantine/Sanitizing procedures are planned. Materials will be quarantined for 72 hours;
sanitizing of common surfaces will be done throughout the day and in between uses, while other
items/surfaces will be done each evening.
vii. Virtual Summer Reading Program (with BeanStacks app); printed copies will also be available.
Also, adults may participate this year (although not for prizes) to help Anoka County to exceed
the goal of 50,000 hours of reading.
viii. Youth Summer Lunch pick-up location (by YouthPrise); this year families will be able to take
seven lunch es for the week for each youth, Mondays from June 15-August 10 (10am-noon).
ix. Additional signage, floor decals, and plexiglass shields.
x. Limited Touch Self-Checks (no pin required), touch-free with your physical library card or
scannable barcode.
xi. Browsing, Newspapers, and Magazines At -Your-Own-Risk.
xii. Deliveries from ACL are now back to normal (M-W-F). Currently no MELSA/Minitex deliveries.
xiii. The Library’s Facebook page is being updated with new content/posts daily.
xiv. Computer/Printing Appointments for 1.5-2 hours coming soon. 4 appointments at a time.
xv. No touchables (pens, pencils, stapler, toys, early literacy games, etc).
xvi. No booksale cart or donations.
b. Staffing
i. Part-time staff was furloughed when we closed. Re-opening meetings with part-time staff
occurred last week, and today was the first day back for some of them. Staff will need a shift or
two to get reacquainted with old procedures and understand the new procedures.
Items from the Floor:
Stephen Smith’s Retirement from the Library Board: Very happy to have served the Library for these last 8 years;
now is the time to relax a little bit more after years of being deeply involved with the CHPL, SACA, ICS School,
Eastside Co-op, and Meals on Wheels. Also of note, Stephen is a 50-year resident of Columbia Heights, and it is
also his 50-year marriage anniversary as well. As a Board Member, he has a lot of insight, asks tough questions
and always pushes us to be better. Modestly says though,”The Strength of the Library lies in its Staff”. Renee is
very thankful for Stephen’s contributions over the years (he was a member when Renee became Director); he
knows a lot about budgets, building maintenance, utilities and more from his previous/current work experience,
and knew a lot of shortcomings of the old building (which made him instrumental in the planning of the new
Library). He will be missed on the Board, but we know he will not be a stranger. The other Board members invited
him out for a patio lunch next week in his honor (details to be determined).
Be well, and stay safe .
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made at 6:11pm by Catherine Vesley, and seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
Recording Secretary, Library Board of Trustee