HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-02-2022 Library Board MinutesCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022
Approved
12/7/2022
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 862 5221 5747 and passcode 039390, or by
Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86252215747 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 Teresa Eisenbise at 5:36pm.
Members physically present: Teresa Eisenbise; Chris Polley; Gerri Moeller; Nick Novitsky (Council Liaison). Members
remotely present: Carrie Mesrobian. Members absent: Rachelle Waldon. Also present: Renee Dougherty (Library
Director); Nick Olberding (Recording Secretary). Public physically/remotely present: N/A.
1. The Minutes of the October 5, 2022, Board Meeting were moved and unanimously approved.
2. Review Operating Budget: 83% into the year and 82% of the budget encumbered.
a. HVAC Issues: Repairs to the HVAC system were costly this year, including replacing a pump (with another
awaiting repair), and HEPA filter replacements (which required building and installing a custom mounting
system for an alternative, less expensive filter style).
b. E-Books (42183): CHPL contracts with Anoka County Library for access to eBooks; ACL then bills for
access based on patron usage patterns and actual collection expenditures from the previous year.
Currently Columbia Heights accounts for approximately 4.14% of overall eBook usage. ACL will continue
to expand the eBook collection over time.
c. Vehicle Repair (42280): Maintenance and oil for the building’s back-up generator.
d. Minor Equipment (42010): Event Canopy/Table Cover, and other small miscellaneous items.
e. Training/Education (43105): used for training and professional development courses or conferences.
Community Forum: Opportunity for public input; no correspondence, and no public in attendance at this meeting.
Old Business:
3. Draft PowerPoint Presentation for Promoting Library Services: The Board reviewed the draft presentation based
on one used for library tours with Adult Basic Education students and provided feedback on alterations and
additions. The Board will use the slideshow for presentations to community groups. They want it to promote all
available resources and include details on Library membership and services (especially ones that are not well-
known.)
a. Customizable “Title Slide” for the presenter to tailor to their own use and to specific audiences.
b. Clarify difference between Columbia Heights and Anoka County Libraries; how to use MNLink to find
items unavailable within the Anoka County Library collection; details on library cards and membership.
c. More information on free E-Resources such as: Kanopy video Streaming, Libby (e-books, audiobooks, &
magazines), E-Books MN, Pebble GO (K-5 interactive learning), Homework HelpNow (online 1-on-1
tutoring), Learning Express (for study/practice testing), Encyclopedia Britannica, BookFLIX (video
storybooks), HealthSource (medical reference), Newsbank (Minnesota digital newspaper archive),
AllData (vehicle repair), Ancestry.com (genealogical research), Transparent Language (language
learning), CreativeBug (crafting tutorials), LinkedIn Learning (video tutorials), MN Reflections (historical
archive), SAMS (electronics schematics), ValueLine (investment research), and more!
d. Special Collections: BingeBoxes, Book-Club-In-A-Bag, Videogames, Board/Table Games,
Bakeware/Cookware, Park Pack Nature Kits, Discovery Kits (microscopes, telescopes, pickleball,
snowshoes, podcasting, metal detecting, video production, yoga, D&D, musical instruments, arts & crafts,
birdwatching, geology, etc.), American Indian Collection, Memory Maker Kits (for Alzheimer’s/dementia
patients and caregivers), Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots, books in world languages, DNR State Park Passes and
more.
e. Updated information on Fine-Free (CHPL only) and Auto-Renewal (ACL & CHPL).
f. More details on Room Reservations, City Public Wi-Fi access, Public PCs, and Wireless Printing (including
the Mobile App and online printing portal).
g. Programming: examples of events geared for youth, adults, job seekers, families, etc.
h. Volunteer opportunities for teens and adults.
4. Auto-Renewal Implementation Report: Auto-renewal began November 1, 2022. Eligible items (those with no
waiting list, available renewals, non-ILL, and the patron below fine threshold) will renew 3 days prior to their due
dates. Items not eligible include e-books, DNR Park Passes, bike locks, and Inter-Library Loans (ILL). Patrons can
elect to receive a courtesy notice via e-mail/text. Approximately 2,000 items auto renewed on the first day of
implementation.
5. Memorandum of Understanding with Columbia Heights Public Schools: The MOU is signed; staff are waiting on
a count of cards needed for Columbia Academy for the 2022-2023 school year. These digital cards provide
students access to all available e-resources including eBooks, research databases, homework help; eCards cannot
be used to borrow physical materials.
New Business:
6. Gift of Public Art from the Library Foundation: The Board was provided with background on the artist and the
artwork, then were asked where they would like to see it displayed in the library. The consensus was within the
inverted-V shaped beams at the north end of the building in the youth area. The Board was very thankful to the
Foundation and would like a formal “thank you” issued.
7. Resolution of Fraud/Theft Case: In August, our collection agency inquired about the accuracy of a high-balance
account which alerted staff to multiple instances involving expensive books borrowed from CHPL and multiple
ACL locations but not returned. An individual with similar behavior in 2018 began applying for library cards online
using numerous addresses, then using those cards to borrow items. The Anoka County Library Director consulted
with the Anoka County Sheriff, using video evidence from multiple locations. The Sheriff’s office identified the
individual, determined a current residence, executed a search warrant, and recovered 28 books. The case has
been referred to the Anoka County Attorney for prosecution.
8. Director’s Update: Operational reports, general updates, event reminders, and items from the floor.
a. September Operational Report
b. The Board expressed regret that Library staff has had to deal with multiple drunk and/or disorderly
patrons verbally harassing them, which also required police calls. The Board is very appreciative of the
staff for enduring this and being patient with the public and are concerned with staff mental health.
c. Library Programs:
i. Doug Ohman’s next Minnesota from the Road presentation is November 5th@ 11am.
ii. The 2022 Tiny Art Show is on exhibit in the Library Display Case now till the end of December.
iii. We received a glowing compliment of Eliza’s “Tinker Time” after-school program from a patron
who regularly brings her grandchildren. She was enthusiastic about how engaging they are, and
how eager the kids are to try something new each week (metalworking, slime-making, dioramas,
book art, etc.).
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded at 6:31 pm and the meeting was
adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
Recording Secretary, CHPL Board of Trustees