HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-2024 Library Board Packet
LIBRARY BOARD
Library—Community Room, 3939 Central Ave NE
Wednesday, November 06, 2024
5:30 PM
AGENDA
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wish to attend may do so in-person, or by using Microsoft Teams Meeting
at columbiaheightsmn.gov/joinameeting: ID 258 492 181 742, Passcode GWnPxW. For questions, please
contact Administration at 763-706-3610.
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available when a request is made at
least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.
CALL TO ORDER
1. Approve the Agenda
2. Review/Approve Library Board Minutes from October 2, 2024
3. Review 2024 Operating Budget
COMMUNITY FORUM: At this time, individuals may address the Library Board about any item not included on
the regular agenda. All speakers need to state their name and connection to Columbia Heights, and limit their
comments to five (5) minutes. Those in attendance virtually should send this information in the chat function to
the moderator. The Board will listen to brief remarks, ask clarifying questions, and if needed, request staff to
follow up or direct the matter to be added to an upcoming agenda.
OLD BUSINESS
4. Staffing Update
5. 2025 Budget Presentation to the City Council
6. New Website
NEW BUSINESS
7. Approve 2025 Library Holiday/Closed Dates
8. Discussion of Prayer Space and Equipment at the
Library: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/religionqa
9. Approve 2025 Library Board of Trustees Meeting Dates
DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
10. September Board Report
11. Board Books
ADJOURNMENT
1
A COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Drafted
10/3/2024
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 258 492 181 742 and passcode GWnPxW 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; Chris Polley; Carrie Mesrobian; Amina Maameri; Justice Spriggs (City Council
Liaison). Members remotely present: N/A. Members absent: Rachelle Waldon. Others present: Renee Dougherty (Library
Director); Nick Olberding (Board Secretary). Public present: N/A.
1. The Meeting Agenda was approved as-is.
2. The Minutes of the September 4, 2024, Library Board Meeting were moved and approved.
3. Review of 2024 Operating Budget: 74.86% of the year and 58.59% of the budget expended.
Community Forum: Opportunity for public input. No correspondence and no public in attendance. The City website
has a contact form for each Board/Commission 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.
Old Business:
4. Staffing Update: In addition to trouble covering shifts due to changes in schedules of two student Pages, another
Page has requested a change in status to substitute without regularly scheduled shifts. The City published a
posting for part-time Page positions and received 57 application submissions. Eleven qualified for interviews and 7
were interviewed. Two conditional employment offers were made. Training will begin based on the timing of
acceptance of the conditional offers and passing a background check.
5. Preview of New Website: The Board was shown an interactive alpha build of the newly created Library website.
When it goes live (tentatively November 1), it will replace the Library page of the City website and will be a stand-
alone site. It is still a work-in-progress, but the Board was able to review, comment and make suggestions for
additions and changes. No major changes were suggested, but additional collection promotion, more description
for the links that take you outside the page and for various research databases, additional photos (with some
patrons in them if possible), a different photo on the homepage, and removal of the Share icon which covers page
options in some cases.
6. Update on Parking Lot Extension: Public Works Director, Kevin Hansen, attended the last CHPL Foundation
meeting to explain the details of the parking lot extension. A grant request will be made to the Foundation for a
portion of the cost of the project, which the Foundation may choose to fund as a multi-year gift. Costs are
unknown currently as the City is still awaiting bids for the project.
New Business:
7. Summer Adventures Reading and Learning Program Update: We saw a 10% increase in registration this year over
last year, with the largest increase in the teen age group. A total of 3,380 hours were logged this year, which was a
47% increase over the 2023 summer reading program.
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Item 2.
Director’s Update:
8. August Board Report: Provided as a FYI.
a. Prayer Space: Amina mentioned that it would be appreciated if the Library provided a space for people to
pray and consider some loanable mats. Discussion will occur at a future meeting.
b. Jigsaw Puzzle Swap Event: Carrie would like to consider a puzzle swap event at the Library. The Friends
already host puzzle competitions which have been successful so a swap may also be popular. Carrie and
staff will explore the logistics of such an event and gather some information; this will be discussed further
at a future meeting.
9. Board Books:
a. Justice: Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World Henry Grabar
b. Chris: That Way Madness Lies: Shakespeare’s Most Notable Works Reimagined Dahlia Adler; Dirty Pretty
Things (2002) Stephen Frears (streaming on Kanopy)
c. Carrie: The Stones of Florence Mary McCarthy; Rules for Camouflage Kirsten Cronn-Mills
d. Melanie: My Mother’s Secret: A Novel Based on a True Holocaust Story J.L. Witterick
e. Renee: Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People Tiya Miles
f. Amina: Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World Vicki Myron
g. Nick: God’s Country Percival Everett
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
Recording Secretary, CHPL Board of Trustees
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Item 2.
Fund 240 ‐ LIBRARY
2024 YTD ACTIVITY FOR
AMENDED BALANCE MONTH ENCUMBERED UNENCUMBERED % BDGT
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION BUDGET 10/31/2024 10/31//2024 YEAR‐TO‐DATE BALANCE USED
41010 REGULAR EMPLOYEES 515,400.00 388,325.15 37,950.64 0.00 127,074.85 75.34
41011 PART‐TIME EMPLOYEES 144,300.00 79,887.43 7,807.68 0.00 64,412.57 55.36
41020 OVERTIME‐REGULAR 700.00 806.21 79.49 0.00 ‐106.21 115.17
41050 ACCRUED LEAVE ADJUSTMENT 0.00 637.50 0.00 0.00 ‐637.50
41070 INTERDEPARTMENTAL LABOR SERV 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00
41210 P.E.R.A. CONTRIBUTION 48,000.00 35,302.08 3,378.64 0.00 12,697.92 73.55
41220 F.I.C.A. CONTRIBUTION 50,500.00 35,658.86 3,484.66 0.00 14,841.14 70.61
41300 INSURANCE 82,800.00 68,387.46 6,831.90 0.00 14,412.54 82.59
41400 UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION 0.00 22.18 0.00 0.00 ‐22.18
41510 WORKERS COMP INSURANCE PREM 5,000.00 2,290.94 163.93 0.00 2,709.06 45.82
42000 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,200.00 1,037.23 0.00 0.00 162.77 86.44
42010 MINOR EQUIPMENT 100.00 917.50 0.00 0.00 ‐817.50 917.50
42011 END USER DEVICES 3,300.00 2,954.44 0.00 0.00 345.56 89.53
42012 OTHER TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT 0.00 2,337.94 0.00 0.00 ‐2,337.94
42030 PRINTING & PRINTED FORMS 700.00 772.00 0.00 0.00 ‐72.00 110.29
42170 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 1,000.00 666.38 56.46 0.00 333.62 66.64
42171 GENERAL SUPPLIES 7,300.00 5,881.53 229.87 0.00 1,418.47 80.57
42175 FOOD SUPPLIES 100.00 13.97 0.00 0.00 86.03 13.97
42180 BOOKS 55,000.00 36,717.42 855.95 0.00 18,282.58 66.76
42181 PERIODICALS, MAG, NEWSPAPERS 7,800.00 6,872.09 2,621.36 0.00 927.91 88.10
42183 E‐BOOKS 15,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15,000.00 0.00
42185 COMPACT DISCS 4,700.00 1,272.43 0.00 0.00 3,427.57 27.07
42187 BOOK/CD SET 800.00 794.57 0.00 0.00 5.43 99.32
42189 DVD 6,500.00 4,397.90 113.93 0.00 2,102.10 67.66
42280 VEHICLE REPAIR AND PARTS 0.00 656.06 0.00 0.00 ‐656.06
42990 COMM. PURCHASED FOR RESALE 300.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 300.00 0.00
43050 EXPERT & PROFESSIONAL SERV. 5,400.00 4,100.75 215.16 300.00 999.25 81.50
43105 TRAINING & EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 700.00 380.00 0.00 0.00 320.00 54.29
43210 TELEPHONE 900.00 805.41 0.00 0.00 94.59 89.49
43220 POSTAGE 200.00 15.45 0.00 0.00 184.55 7.73
43250 OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS 3,200.00 2,616.92 199.27 0.00 583.08 81.78
43310 LOCAL TRAVEL EXPENSE 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00
43600 PROP & LIAB INSURANCE 12,300.00 9,225.00 0.00 0.00 3,075.00 75.00
43800 UTILITY SERVICES 7,000.00 5,129.42 0.00 0.00 1,870.58 73.28
43810 ELECTRIC 46,300.00 32,610.07 3,913.67 0.00 13,689.93 70.43
43830 GAS 16,600.00 4,798.93 121.65 0.00 11,801.07 28.91
44000 REPAIR & MAINT. SERVICES 18,700.00 16,735.46 0.00 800.00 1,164.54 93.77
44010 BUILDING MAINT:INTERNAL SVCS 43,800.00 32,850.00 0.00 0.00 10,950.00 75.00
44020 BLDG MAINT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 29,000.00 21,854.13 0.00 4,985.20 2,160.67 92.55
44030 SOFTWARE & SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS 18,800.00 10,214.88 0.00 7,434.96 1,150.16 93.88
44040 INFORMATION SYS:INTERNAL SVC 87,800.00 65,850.03 0.00 0.00 21,949.97 75.00
44050 GARAGE, LABOR BURD. 300.00 1,128.00 0.00 0.00 ‐828.00 376.00
44330 SUBSCRIPTION, MEMBERSHIP 700.00 411.00 0.00 0.00 289.00 58.71
44375 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION 200.00 35.72 0.00 0.00 164.28 17.86
45180 OTHER EQUIPMENT 0.00 491.86 0.00 0.00 ‐491.86
47100 OPER. TRANSFER OUT ‐ LABOR 18,600.00 13,950.00 0.00 0.00 4,650.00 75.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES: 1,262,000.00 899,812.30 68,024.26 13,520.16 348,667.54 72.37
EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
PERIOD ENDING 10/31/2024
Fiscal Year Completed: 83.33%
4
Item 3.
DATE/DAY HOURS
January 1, 2025, Wednesday; NEW YEAR'S DAY ........................................................................ CLOSED
January 20, Monday; MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY ............................................................... CLOSED
February 17, Monday; PRESIDENTS’ DAY ................................................................................... CLOSED
May 15, Thursday; STAFF DAY (IN-SERVICE TRAINING) ............................................................ CLOSED
Memorial Day Weekend
May 24, Saturday .......................................................................................................................... CLOSED
May 26, Monday; MEMORIAL DAY .............................................................................................. CLOSED
June 19, Thursday; JUNETEENTH ................................................................................................ CLOSED
July 4, Friday; INDEPENDENCE DAY ............................................................................................ CLOSED
Labor Day Weekend
August 30, Saturday ..................................................................................................................... CLOSED
September 1, Monday; LABOR DAY ............................................................................................. CLOSED
November 11, Tuesday; VETERAN'S DAY .................................................................................... CLOSED
Thanksgiving Weekend
November 27, Thursday; THANKSGIVING DAY .......................................................................... CLOSED
November 28, Friday; THANKSGIVING FRIDAY .......................................................................... CLOSED
Christmas Weekend
December 24, Wednesday; CHRISTMAS EVE .............................................................................. CLOSED
December 25, Thursday; CHRISTMAS DAY ................................................................................. CLOSED
New Year’s Day 2026
January 1, 2026, Thursday; NEW YEAR'S DAY ........................................................................... CLOSED
Drafted: October 2024
Approved:
HOLIDAY/CLOSED DATES
2025
5
Item 7.
CHPL Board of Trustees
2025 Meeting Dates
Columbia Heights Public Library ▪ 3939 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 ▪ 763-706-3690 ▪ www.columbiaheightsmn.gov
Drafted: October 2024
Approved:
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEETING DATES 2025
WHEN: First Wednesdays of each month at 5:30pm (*unless noted otherwise).
WHERE: Columbia Heights Public Library Community Room
January 8*
February 5
March 5
April 2
May 7
June 4
July 2
August 6
September 3
October 1
November 5
December 3
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC:
Members of the public who wish to attend may do so in -person, or by using Microsoft Teams Meeting
at columbiaheightsmn.gov/joinameeting: ID --- --- --- ---, Passcode ------. For questions, please contact Administration at 763-706-
3610.
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is made at least
72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.
Board of Trustees
Rachelle Waldon
Chair
Melanie Magidow
Vice-Chair
Carrie Mesrobian
Chris Polley
Amina Maameri
Members at Large
Justice Spriggs
Council Liaison
Renee Dougherty
Library Director
6
Item 9.
Columbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – September 2024
BUILDING
• Repeated clogs in men’s room toilet required plumbing repair.
TECHNOLOGY
• TechLogic performed annual maintenance on the automated materials handler, replacing various worn
components of the conveyer belt.
COLLECTION
• New books were selected from reviews in the June issues of Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal and
School Library Journal. Recent adult nonfiction in the social sciences, science, math, and
decorating/handicrafts (300 – 700), September and October publications from bestselling fiction
authors, Vox and Wonderbooks with built-in audio players, and new readers were ordered.
Missing volumes in youth graphic novel and juvenile fiction series were replaced. DVDs for youth
and adults were ordered.
• Weeding was completed in adult nonfiction 940-999, fantasy and romance, and nonfiction
DVDs.
• Adult displays celebrated Historic Black Colleges and Universities week, Library Card Sign Up
month, Cat month, and Hispanic Heritage month. Art books were displayed to encourage
participation in the Tiny Art show. Youth displays celebrated libraries and highlighted the
library’s Spanish collection and books by Hispanic authors and illustrators.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
English Language Conversation Circle 9/4 Adult 5
EL Conversation Circle 9/5 Adult 2
Daycare Storytime 9/6 Children (0-5) 12
Storytime 9/9 Children (0-5) 34
EL Conversation Circle 9/9 Adult 5
Walk & Talk Book Club 9/10 Adult 0
Tinker Time: Mosaics 9/10 Children (6-11) 52
EL Conversation Circle 9/11 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 9/12 Adult 3
Saturday Scribes: David Housewright 9/14 Adult 11
Storytime 9/16 Children (0-5) 31
EL Conversation Circle 9/16 Adult 6
Book Club: “True Biz” 9/18 Adult 13
EL Conversation Circle 9/18 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 9/19 Adult 2
Active Agers Book Club (Murzyn Hall) 9/20 Adult 7
Jane Austen Tea 9/21 Adult 11
Storytime 9/23 Children (0-5) 32
EL Conversation Circle 9/23 Adult 6
DIY Teen: Diamond Painting 9/24 Young Adult
EL Conversation Circle 9/25 Adult 5
Master Gardener: Clean Up Your Yard 9/25 Adult 8
EL Conversation Circle 9/26 Adult 3
Carve a Stamp for Families 9/28 Children (6-11) 19
Storytime 9/30 Children (0-5) 34
EL Conversation Circle 9/30 Adult 5
STAFF
• Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian
o Met with the Friends of the Library.
o Met with the youth services librarian and director about programming and volunteer
activities on Saturdays and utilizing supervisors to staff these events.
7
Item 10.
Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – September 2024
o Made four deliveries to At-Home patrons.
o Distributed Tiny Art kits to patrons who registered.
• Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Welcomed Missy Roko, Parent Educator from CHPS
Early Childhood and Family Education, to storytime to
share information about ECFE classes available in
English and Spanish.
o Taught Tinker Time: Seed Mosaics. Many parents said
they enjoy bringing their kids for seasonal activities
and were particularly inspired by the seed mosaics
after their recent visit to the State Fair to see the
stunning seed art exhibits.
o Hosted Erin Holt for a Carve a Stamp program.
Participants learned the basics of carving vinyl erasers
to create handmade stamps. Swords and other
armaments were very popular, as well as initials,
flowers, dragon eyes, and intricate skulls and pumpkins. Many asked how they could
continue carving stamps at home.
o DIY Teen: Diamond Painting was cancelled for low registration. This was the first year a
teen program was offered in September. Low registration may have resulted from teens
settling into school incorrect advertising, as there has been good attendance at teen
programs in the last few months.
o Toys and activities in the early learning play space were swapped. At the Farmer’s
Market children can sort vegetables and fruit, practice counting money, and pretend to
shop at the market.
• Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o Participated in the monthly ACL public service team and weekly city division head
meetings.
o Met with Brenda Pliego-Geniz about an elementary Spanish course for library staff; Will
Rottler about the new website; and Colleen Haubner about Anoka County Library
activity.
o Facilitated the adult book club discussion of “True Biz.”
o Reviewed 57 applications for the Library Page position and conducted seven interviews
with Adult Services Librarian Elizabeth Ripley.
o Met with the Columbia Heights Library Foundation.
o Attended the social hour for city Boards and Commissions.
o Met with Library Supervisor Rin Gorman for a six-month review.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Hosted a signboard soliciting citizen input on the redesign of city streets enabled through a
federal “Safe Streets for All” grant.
• The Law Librarian consulted with two people this month.
• Eight adult volunteers donated 25 hours.
8
Item 10.