HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-2025 Library Board Packet
LIBRARY BOARD
Library—Community Room, 3939 Central Ave NE
Wednesday, February 05, 2025
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 271 987 908 772, Passcode T2uo3T8N. 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.
CALL TO ORDER
1. Approve the Agenda
2. Review/Approve Library Board Minutes from January 8, 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.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Anoka County Library goes Fine-Free
5. Upcoming Spring Programs and Events
6. MNDOT Central Avenue Open House: Tuesday, February 4th, 5-7pm (CHPL Community Room)
DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
7. December Board Report
8. Board Books
ADJOURNMENT
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A COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, January 8, 2024
Drafted
1/9/2024
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 Rachelle Waldon at 5:32pm.
Members present: Rachelle Waldon; Melanie Magidow; Chris Polley; Carrie Mesrobian; Justice Spriggs (City Council Liaison).
Members remotely present: N/A. Members absent: Amina Maameri. Others present: Renee Dougherty (Library Director);
Nick Olberding (Board Secretary). Public present: N/A.
1. The Meeting Agenda was approved.
2. The Minutes of the December 4, 2024, Library Board Meeting were moved and approved.
3. Review of 2024 Operating Budget: 99% of the year and 88.85% of the budget expended; we will still be paying
2024 bills through the first week of February.
a. E-Books (42183): We have not been invoiced for e-books by Anoka County Library.
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.
New Business:
4. 2024 Year-End Highlights: The Board was shown a preview of the year-end stats (see below). Most totals
surpassed last year and some had significant gains. The Board was excited to see the numbers continuing to grow
and they expressed hope of surpassing 100,000 visits in 2025. On a related note, it’s great to be receiving the
parking lot expansion in the spring because the lot has been frequently full over the last year (including tonight)
and if visitors keep increasing, we’ll need that space even more often.
5. Update on Strategic Directions: Renee provided the Board with a sample progress on the Strategic Directions set
by the Library Board last year.
a. Collections: Implementation of merchandising strategies; more books on display;a 5.8% increase in library
cardholders; and piloting one-on-one technology help by appointment…
b. Communications: New website launched in November; All Are Welcome signs added to entrances;
prayer/meditation/sensory space table tents placed around building; Spanish language basic training for
staff…
c. Outreach: Increased school visits and introductory open houses with CH Public Schools, Immaculate
Conception, Metro North Adult Basic Ed, Prodeo Academy, Bultum Academy, and the Dwelling Place
(domestic violence shelter)…
d. Space: Upcoming parking lot expansion (and the CHPL Foundation grant); headphones added to public
computers; device charging stations; expansion of open hours on Friday/Saturday…
Director’s Update:
6. November Board Report: Provided as an FYI.
a. Puzzles: Elizabeth Ripley and Carrie Mesrobian are working on planning our next Puzzle Contest with a
puzzle swap session to follow.
7. Board Books:
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Item 2.
a. Chris: Gideon Green in Black & White Katie Henry; Peculiar Woods: The Mystery of the Intelligents Andrés J.
Colmenares; The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine Rashid Khalidi; You Hurt My Feelings (2023) Nicole
Holofcener (streaming on Kanopy)
b. Carrie: A Mind to Murder P.D. James
c. Melanie: Emily’s House Amy Belding Brown
d. Renee: Remarkably Bright Creatures Shelby Van Pelt
e. Rachelle: Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone Benjamin Stevenson; Brave New World Aldous Huxley
f. Justice: Excluded: How Snob Zoning, NIMBYism, and Class Bias Build the Walls We Don’t See Richard Kahlenberg
g. Nick: If Beale Street Could Talk James Baldwin
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:21 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 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 YEAR-TO-DATE BALANCE USED
41010 REGULAR EMPLOYEES 515,400.00 483,653.79 38,169.76 0.00 31,746.21 93.84
41011 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 144,300.00 101,413.29 8,700.74 0.00 42,886.71 70.28
41020 OVERTIME-REGULAR 700.00 987.89 90.84 0.00 -287.89 141.13
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 43,941.24 3,472.34 0.00 4,058.76 91.54
41220 F.I.C.A. CONTRIBUTION 50,500.00 44,541.87 3,570.62 0.00 5,958.13 88.20
41300 INSURANCE 82,800.00 82,051.26 6,831.90 0.00 748.74 99.10
41400 UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION 0.00 66.54 0.00 0.00 -66.54
41510 WORKERS COMP INSURANCE PREM 5,000.00 2,707.48 167.82 0.00 2,292.52 54.15
42000 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,200.00 1,293.77 90.16 0.00 -93.77 107.81
42010 MINOR EQUIPMENT 100.00 2,108.78 0.00 0.00 -2,008.78 2108.78
42011 END USER DEVICES 3,300.00 2,954.44 0.00 2,979.69 -2,634.13 179.82
42012 OTHER TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT 0.00 2,337.94 0.00 0.00 -2,337.94
42030 PRINTING & PRINTED FORMS 700.00 882.00 0.00 0.00 -182.00 126.00
42170 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 1,000.00 857.47 156.14 0.00 142.53 85.75
42171 GENERAL SUPPLIES 7,300.00 7,194.34 453.09 0.00 105.66 98.55
42175 FOOD SUPPLIES 100.00 13.97 0.00 0.00 86.03 13.97
42180 BOOKS 55,000.00 47,915.79 3,737.34 0.00 7,084.21 87.12
42181 PERIODICALS, MAG, NEWSPAPERS 7,800.00 7,102.09 0.00 0.00 697.91 91.05
42183 E-BOOKS 15,000.00 0.00 0.00 10,301.52 4,698.48 68.68
42185 COMPACT DISCS 4,700.00 1,418.33 145.90 0.00 3,281.67 30.18
42187 BOOK/CD SET 800.00 794.57 0.00 0.00 5.43 99.32
42189 DVD 6,500.00 5,622.80 395.79 0.00 877.20 86.50
42280 VEHICLE REPAIR AND PARTS 0.00 752.00 95.94 0.00 -752.00
42990 COMM. PURCHASED FOR RESALE 300.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 300.00 0.00
43050 EXPERT & PROFESSIONAL SERV. 5,400.00 5,408.57 329.15 300.00 -308.57 105.71
43105 TRAINING & EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 700.00 709.00 0.00 0.00 -9.00 101.29
43210 TELEPHONE 900.00 805.41 0.00 571.78 -477.19 153.02
43220 POSTAGE 200.00 24.42 8.97 0.00 175.58 12.21
43250 OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS 3,200.00 3,015.46 199.27 0.00 184.54 94.23
43310 LOCAL TRAVEL EXPENSE 500.00 210.25 102.65 0.00 289.75 42.05
43600 PROP & LIAB INSURANCE 12,300.00 12,300.00 1,025.00 0.00 0.00 100.00
43800 UTILITY SERVICES 7,000.00 5,129.42 0.00 0.00 1,870.58 73.28
43810 ELECTRIC 46,300.00 40,241.04 4,208.94 0.00 6,058.96 86.91
43830 GAS 16,600.00 8,892.06 3,529.60 0.00 7,707.94 53.57
44000 REPAIR & MAINT. SERVICES 18,700.00 17,292.23 356.74 800.00 607.77 96.75
44010 BUILDING MAINT:INTERNAL SVCS 43,800.00 43,800.00 3,650.00 0.00 0.00 100.00
44020 BLDG MAINT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 29,000.00 32,369.18 4,581.75 2,493.20 -5,862.38 120.22
44030 SOFTWARE & SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS 18,800.00 18,227.04 3,717.48 0.00 572.96 96.95
44040 INFORMATION SYS:INTERNAL SVC 87,800.00 87,800.04 7,316.67 0.00 -0.04 100.00
44050 GARAGE, LABOR BURD. 300.00 1,135.50 7.50 0.00 -835.50 378.50
44330 SUBSCRIPTION, MEMBERSHIP 700.00 411.00 0.00 0.00 289.00 58.71
44375 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION 200.00 86.43 50.71 0.00 113.57 43.22
45180 OTHER EQUIPMENT 0.00 491.86 0.00 0.00 -491.86
47100 OPER. TRANSFER OUT - LABOR 18,600.00 18,600.00 1,550.00 0.00 0.00 100.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES: 1,262,000.00 1,138,198.06 96,712.81 17,446.19 106,144.67 91.59
EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
PERIOD ENDING 12/31/2024
Fiscal Year Completed: 99.9%
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Item 3.
Columbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – December 2024
BUILDING
• Adams Pest Control made a regular monthly inspection.
• Northland Refrigeration was called to repair a leak on one of the heating boilers which resulted
in no heat early in the month.
TECHNOLOGY
COLLECTION
• Final yearend book orders were placed, mostly for youth requests for Pokémon, Minecraft, Ms.
Rachel and Roblox and series replacements. Some new books were selected from reviews in the
August issues of Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. Adult and youth DVDs were ordered.
• Weeding was completed in adult fiction A-B. Weeding of mysteries began.
• Adult displays celebrated the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, baking, and crafting.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED
AUDIENCE
ATTENDANCE
English Language Conversation Circle 12/2 Adult 5
EL Conversation Circle 12/4 Adult 5
EL Conversation Circle 12/5 Adult
Daycare Storytime 12/6 Children (0-5) 12
Clay Snowflakes 12/9 Children (0-5) 37
EL Conversation Circle 12/9 Adult 5
Adult Services Librarian visits the Dwelling Place
(offsite)
12/10 Adult 16
Tinker Time: Waterless Snow Globes 12/10 Children (6-11) 54
EL Conversation Circle 12/11 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 12/12 Adult 1
ICS 1st Grade Field Trip 12/12 Children (6-11)
EL Conversation Circle 12/16 Adult 5
Community Craft Evening 12/16 Adult 15
Book Club 12/18 Adult 11
Mystery Book Club 12/18 Adult 5
EL Conversation Circle 12/18 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 12/19 Adult
EL Conversation Circle 12/23 Adult 1
EL Conversation Circle 12/26 Adult
EL Conversation Circle 12/30 Adult 5
STAFF
Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian:
• Led the Mystery Book Club discussion of “The Firekeeper’s Daughter.”
• Met with the Friends of the Library.
• Made deliveries to four At-Home patrons.
• Hosted a community craft night.
• With Library Supervisor Rin Gorman, launched a Tech Help program on Tuesday afternoons.
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Item 7.
Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – December 2024
Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian:
• Hosted Erin from eHolt Art to teach a clay snowflake class for preschoolers and parents.
• Engaged 54 adults and kids in creating “waterless” snow globes with sculpted elements.
• Attended Valley View Elementary School’s English Language Family Night to share information
about upcoming library programs and to engage kids in button-making.
Renee Dougherty, Library Director:
• Participated in the Anoka County Library public service team and city division head meetings.
• Attended the Columbia Heights Public Schools Communications Advisory Council meeting.
• Met with the Anoka County Library Director; the outgoing Minnesota Library Association
Secretary; and a former Library Board member.
• Met with the adult book club for a discussion of “Remarkably Bright Creatures.”
All Staff:
• Began basic Spanish language lessons with Brenda Pliego-Geniz from the Police Department.
• Attended the City Holiday Luncheon.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on December 26.
• A Tiny Art Show, consisting of 32 pieces created by community artists, continued.
• A karst and water pollution exhibit from the Minnesota Pollution Contral Agency continued.
• Eight adult volunteers donated 26.75 hours.
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Item 7.