HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-05-2022 Library Board MinutesCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, January 5th, 2022
Approved
2/2/2022
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wished to attend could do so in-person, by calling 1-312-626-6799 and entering meeting ID 832 1433 7849 and passcode 654514, or by
Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83214337849 at the scheduled meeting time. For questions please call the library at 763-706-3690.
The meeting was called to order in the Library Community Room by Chair Tricia Conway at 5:30pm.
Members physically present: Tricia Conway; Teresa Eisenbise; Carrie Mesrobian; Gerri Moeller; Christopher Polley; Nick
Novitsky (Council Liaison). Members remotely present: N/A. Members Absent: N/A. Also present: Renee Dougherty
(Library Director); Nick Olberding (Recording Secretary); Eliza Pope (Youth Services Librarian). Public physically/remotely
present: N/A.
1. Introduction of Eliza: New Youth Services Librarian (Eliza Pope) introduced herself to the Library Board, and
highlighted her library education and career, including overseeing the Createch Labs at St. Paul Public Library: a
collaborative program by teens, for teens, to explore creative talents, pursue tech interests, and spark new
passions, (ie. lasers, VR, arts/crafts, drones, music, programming, etc).
2. The Minutes of the December 1st, 2021, Board Meeting were moved and unanimously approved.
3. Operating Budget Review: $154k remaining unspent in budget, but interdepartmental transfers have not yet
taken place. The financials will not be finalized until February, but there will be a small surplus.
Community Forum: An opportunity for community input. No Public in Attendance at this meeting.
4. E-mail from Jonathon Rehlander: Jonathon expressed his dismay about the $25/hour charge for Community
Room use, and let us know that they have found a “free” venue to hold their meetings. He felt that the
Community Room was an asset to the community, but the fee was a barrier to many community groups that
would be interested in utilizing the space. It is difficult to gauge how many groups have been deterred by the
cost, as the pandemic is likely a factor too.
5. E-mail from Rachel James (with attachment): Rachel sent a message to the Library and Councilmember Novitsky
in support of the Library Board’s recommendation to eliminate late fees; emphasizing the inequality created by
these fees, especially with children, teens, and those with lower incomes, transportation limitations, and other
factors like split custody. Her family is a heavy user of the library, and inevitably gets overdue fees because life
happens; they have the means to pay the fines, but many families don’t have that ability and in turn lose the
benefit of checking out library materials. Included with her letter was a resolution published by the American
Library Association in 2019 stating the reasons for eliminating late fees at public libraries, and asserting that
monetary fines detract from the core mission of modern libraries.
Old Business:
6. Staffing Update: Youth Services Librarian & Library Supervisor: Youth Services Librarian, Eliza Pope (who was
introduced earlier in the meeting), and Library Supervisor, Georgia Cook, have already or will start work this
month.
7. Work Session Presentation on Overdue Fine Elimination: Included in the meeting packet was the Council letter
from the work session of Monday, January 3. The resolution was intended to be on the Consent agenda of the
January 10 regular meeting, but was removed to allow for additional consideration, discussion and potential
public comment. The Board reiterated the reasons for wanting to eliminate late fees, primarily focused on the
inequity of fines and the barrier they create to using the library. Councilmember Novitsky suggested that fines
are not a barrier imposed by the library; because people get notified of due dates and have multiple options to
renew material. The Board suggested that it is not the mission of the Library to teach people responsibility by
punishing those that return items late. As long as materials are returned, there is no cost to the library . Fines
have greater impact on lower income people and those with less access to transportation and the technology to
renew items. The Library should also strive to be consistent with other city departments, such as Utilities, in
assessing late fees.
8. Request for Reconsideration Form & Collection Development Policy: This topic was tabled at the previous
meeting. The Board stressed its importance because of the recent increase in challenges to materials, especially
those addressing LBGTQ or racial issues, in public and school libraries throughout the United States. The Board
reviewed staff recommended changes to the form, and agreed with updates, including involving the Library
Board when a complainant appeals a staff response. The Collection Development Policy, approved last year, was
included as a reference for how materials are initially selected for the collection. The Board collectively agreed
that residency in Columbia Heights is required for anyone submitting a Request for Reconsideration. A motion
was made to approve the revised Reconsideration Form; it was moved and approved unanimously.
New Business:
9. CHPL Public Arts Sub-Committee: No documentation was prepared for discussion. The CHPL Public Arts Sub-
Committee will be tabled until after the Board has the chance to do strategic planning and goalsetting .
From the Floor: N/A
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made at 6:37 pm, and seconded; Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
Recording Secretary, CHPL Board of Trustee s