HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-2024 Library Board Minutes COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
Approved
8/7/2024
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wished to attend could do so in-person, or via Microsoft Teams at columbiaheightsmn.gov/join-a-meeting and entering
Meeting ID 211 422 335 081 and passcode NfgDWf 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 Melanie Magidow at 5:34pm.
Members present: Melanie Magidow; Rachelle Waldon; Amina Maameri; Chris Polley. Members absent: Carrie
Mesrobian. Others present: Justice Spriggs (City Council Liaison); Renee Dougherty (Library Director); Nick Olberding (Board
Secretary); Elizabeth Ripley (Adult Services Librarian). Public present: N/A.
1. The Meeting Agenda was approved as-is.
2. The Minutes of the May 1st, 2024, Board Meetings were moved and approved.
3. Review 2024 Operating Budget: 41.53% of the year and 36.67% of the budget expended.
a. 42010/42012 (Equipment): This line reflects costs incurred for the replacement of an interior security
camera and an exterior parking lot camera (plus wiring), and the installation of a rugged outdoor Wi-Fi
access point in the parking lot for public usage.
Community Forum: Opportunity for public input. No correspondence and no public in attendance. The City website
has a Contact Form for each Board/Commission as a new method for the public to submit questions or concerns:
https://www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/government/boards_and_commissions/index.php after clicking desired group,
scroll to the bottom of their page to find the contact form.
New Business:
4. Informational Presentation from Adult Services Librarian: Elizabeth Ripley gave an informational overview of the
essential components of her job and her impression of the diverse and accommodating community that is
Columbia Heights. Elizabeth talked about different programs such as the Tiny Art Show (that gives participating
patrons a sense of pride and inclusion); COPAL Licenses for All Bilingual Information Session (inspired by the new
state initiative and a surge of interest in Spanish driver’s license manuals); the social aspects of the Puzzle
Contests; all-ages involvement in Winter Reads/Summer Reading Programs; craft programs like Weaving Water
with Indigo Dyes in partnership with the MWMO; local author visits as part of a Saturday Scribes series. It was also
mentioned that Columbia Heights embraces the idea of the library being a “third space” of the community (a place
away from home or work where people can come together and just be--without expectations). Elizabeth
mentioned the effort to continue to diversify the collection (other languages, materials, and formats) to reflect
community needs. Also mentioned was the At-Home Delivery program offered to homebound residents and the
volunteer Technology Docent who can assist visitors with technology-related tasks.
a. The Board expressed their gratitude. Chris mentioned that he may know some upperclassmen at CHHS
who may be willing to be Technology Docents. The Board brainstormed some ideas for how to promote
some of the existing programs.
5. Proposed Elimination of the $2.00 Fee for Replacing a Library Card: Anoka County Libraries have already made
the decision to remove the fee and their Library Board has approved it; CHPL would like to follow suit. The fee may
present a barrier to youth who tend to misplace their library cards more often, and staff would like to remove as
many barriers to library use as possible. The Library Board agreed with the sentiment. A Motion was made to
eliminate the $2.00 fee for replacement library cards effective July 1st, 2024; it was unanimously approved.
6. Minnesota Ban on Book Bans Bill (HF4373/SF3567-Art.7-Sec.2): Renee made the Board aware of the recent
Minnesota legislation prohibiting the banning or removal of books on the basis of their viewpoint or the messages,
ideas, or opinions conveyed. Because CHPL and Anoka County Libraries already have solid collection development
policies and Reconsideration of Materials processes in place, CHPL is minimally affected by this legislation. In
future any formal Requests for Reconsiderations must be reported to the Minnesota Department of
Education/State Library.
7. 2-Day Book Sale during City-Wide Garage Sale: With the help of some of the Friends, the Library will host a small
book sale on Friday/Saturday of the city-wide garage sale this weekend. We did not solicit donations for the sale
due to lack of storage space but will weigh the possibility in future years.
Reports:
8. April Operational Report: Provided as an FYI.
a. No meeting in July; we should have 2025 proposed budget information ready for the August meeting.
b. New Friday/Saturday hours started last week. Went well, but there were a few issues with the automated
lighting and badge readers that are now fixed.
c. Mississippi River Pearl artwork in the lobby provided by Art to Change the World will be here for one more
week before it moves on to the next stop on its tour, the Stone Arch Bridge Festival.
9. Board Books:
a. Chris: Mutha: Stuff+Things Vincent D’Onofrio; Pluto Rocket (series) Paul Gilligan
b. Amina: Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life Richard Louv
c. Rachelle: Persepolis: The Story of an Iranian Childhood and Woman, Life, Freedom Marjane Satrapi
d. Melanie: Joy of Movement Kelly McGonigal; Shakespeare & Hathaway BBC (streaming on Kanopy)
e. Nick: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PS5) Insomniac Games (available via Anoka County Library)
f. Justice: The Color of Law: Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America Richard Rothstein
g. Renee: North Woods Daniel Mason
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:27 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
Recording Secretary, CHPL Board of Trustees