HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-2023 Library Board MinutesCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 1st, 2023
Approved
3/1/2023
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 Gerri Moeller at 5:31pm.
Members physically present: Teresa Eisenbise; Gerri Moeller; Chris Polley; Carrie Mesrobian; Rachelle Waldon; Justice
Spriggs (Council Liaison). Members remotely present: N/A. Members absent: N/A. Also present: Renee Dougherty
(Library Director); Nick Olberding (Recording Secretary). Public remotely/physically present: N/A.
1. The Minutes of the December 7, 2022 Board Meeting were moved and unanimously approved.
a. The Board proposed that future meetings have a standing “Approve Agenda” agenda item to allow
amending of the agenda at the beginning of each meeting.
2. Review Operating Budget (2022): 100% of the year and 94.1% of the budget encumbered.
a. FT/PT Payroll (41010/41011): FT was overspent; PT was underspent; due to pay increases related to FT
Employees and understaffing of PT Employees. Part-time staff can be hard to retain, and when illness
occurs shifts regularly cannot be covered by other staff.
b. Gas (43830): Increases in gas prices; minimal use of fireplace.
c. Building Maintenance Contractual Services (44020): Unplanned boiler repairs.
Community Forum: Opportunity for public input. No Public in attendance, and no correspondence.
Old Business:
3. Community Outreach: The Board was provided with a list of local community groups by City Communications
staff. The Board will reach out to these groups to see if they’d be interested in having Library Board members
present an overview of Library services to their groups. The Board members plan to divide up the groups amongst
themselves for our next meeting and let us know how they will proceed. These presentations would utilize the
PowerPoint presentation compiled for outreach purposes.
New Business:
4. Photo & Video Policy Draft: Renee has drafted a Photography & Video Policy for the Library This policy will be
supplemented by a notice at the entrance stating that the library is a public space and that you may be captured
in photo or video (more likely during events, programs, and classes). Captured images may be used in
promotional materials. Permission would still be gathered to publish names along with a picture, or if a child is
present in the photo/video. A patrons may notify staff if they do not wish for a photo/video to be used by the
Library for promotional purposes, but may not opt out of security monitoring video. MOTION to approve and
adopt the Photo & Video Policy; moved and unanimously approved.
5. Decision on a Book Sale in conjunction with the Citywide Garage Sale (June 9-10, 2023): The Library Board
discussed the outcomes they would like, and the pros & cons of hosting a book sale. The Board was not
interested in making money ; it would be more about promoting the Library, and potentially bringing in people
that are not regular Library users. The alternative idea of a book swap was brought up, possibly with a theme like
cookbooks or children’s books. One issue with holding a sale e is gathering enough books to stock it, as well as
the limited amount of storage space at the Library. Additionally it would take a large amount of work (both staff
and volunteers) to run a sale, and could occupy the Community Room for a full week, preventing use of the space
for programs. This item will be tabled for now in order to put some more thought into it and will be brought up
again at a future meeting.
6. Staffing Update (Library Page position): The Library recently posted for a Library Page position which garnered
51 applicants; Renee and Cortni are currently reviewing applications. We anticipate hiring up to two persons from
the applicant pool. These are entry level positions and designated for a max of 14 hours per week. Renee is
considering how to offer more, regularly scheduled hours to small numbers of staff.
7. Discussion on Library Use of TikTok: Chris Polley suggested this topic as he has seen Library-related TikTok
accounts go viral and use could be a way to attract more teens to the Library. A New York Times article was
supplied in the packet which put TikTok Library accounts in a positive light, but it’s possible the State of
Minnesota could restrict governmental TikTok accounts in the future (due to security concerns), and
municipalities would likely follow suit. The Board discussed alternative ideas like a Teen Video Contest that could
utilize other platforms, a BeReal selfie station, and BookTok speedy reviews. A comprehensive social media
presence would require additional staff, a social media intern, or dedicated set of VolunTeens.
8. Discussion on CHPL Support for Columbia Heights Public Schools: For the past 20 years, school ibraries
availability has been in decline; currently there is only one Media Specialist supporting all Columbia Height Public
Schools with limited access, hours, budget, and support. For the past few years CHPL has been providing digital
access E-Cards to schools as requested (as a pilot program). Chris Polley has tried to encourage usage within the
schools, but there is only so much the teachers can do with limited resources and heavy workload. For the next
school year we will look into the use of SORA (by Libby/Overdrive) to provide a curated digital library of materials
to students accessible with their student ID cards rather than a public library card. Justice mentioned he is also
the City Council liaison to the School Board so he will try to find out if there are more effective ways we can
support Columbia Heights students.
9. Director’s Update: Operational reports, general updates, event reminders, and items from the floor.
a. November & December Board Reports: Provided as an FYI; not discussed at this meeting.
b. Annual Report: Renee is currently compiling the 2022 Annual Report for submission to the Minnesota
Department of Education in March. The Board will be asked to review and formally approve at the April
meeting.
c. Renee Vacation: Renee will be absent from the March meeting, and Cortni O’Brien will be filling in.
10. From the Floor:
a. Community Room Rental Fee: The Board is still concerned that the Community Room rental fee is
deterring the community from using the room. The Library Board would like to see the rental fee
removed (at least for open-hour bookings) to increase accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Multiple groups (including book clubs) have relocated to other places due to the cost associated with the
Community Room. The room is under-utilized and vacant most of the time. Library Staff will draft a new
version of the Room Usage Policy for the Board to review before changes could be proposed to the City
Council.
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded at 6:47 pm; the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
Recording Secretary, CHPL Board of Trustees