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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-2025 Library Board Packet LIBRARY BOARD Library—Community Room, 3939 Central Ave NE Wednesday, June 04, 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 May 7, 2024 3. Review 2025 Operating Budget COMMUNITY FORUM: The Community Forum is an opportunity to address the Library Board about items not scheduled for a public hearing. All speakers must provide their name and connection to Columbia Heights. In-person speakers should complete a form for Staff and introduce themselves when called on. Virtual speakers should send their information to the moderator via chat and turn on their camera when called. Comments are limited to five minutes. Disrespectful language is not allowed. The Board may ask questions or refer items for follow-up but typically does not take action during the forum. 4. Speaking at Board and Commission Guidelines and Form OLD BUSINESS 5. Proposed 2026 Budget Update NEW BUSINESS 6. Summer Programming Overview 7. Community Art & Info Fair (June 18, 4-7pm) DIRECTOR'S UPDATE 8. April Board Report 9. Board Books ADJOURNMENT 1 A COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY 3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Drafted 5/8/2025 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 271 987 908 772 and passcode T2uo3T8N 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 5:35pm. Members present: Melanie Magidow; Olga Herrera; Theresa Strike; Amina Maameri; Chris Polley; Amáda Márquez Simula (City Council Liaison). Members remotely present: N/A. Members absent: N/A. Others present: Renee Dougherty (Library Director); Nick Olberding (Board Secretary); Aaron Chirpich (City Manager). Public present: N/A. 1. An amended agenda was approved with the addition of a Statement from City Manager Aaron Chirpich. a. Aaron Chirpich introduced himself to the Library Board and thanked them for their service to the City. He assured them that City Administration was taking seriously the situation involving a hateful, racist outburst directed at a Parks/Rec Commissioner during a recent meeting’s community forum. Aaron has been speaking to the League of Minnesota Cities and the City Attorney; with the help of other city staff, they’re collaborating on plans to properly confront and de-escalate any similar incidents at city events/meetings while considering safety, freedom of speech, and other relevant factors. Their hope is to put together clear guidelines and have training sessions for board/commissioners, liaisons, and staff on how to properly handle similar situations. The City is committed to being welcoming, diverse, and inclusive while standing behind commissioners, staff, residents, and visitors who face hatred and bigotry! 2. Annual Election of Board Officers: The Board members briefly expressed their interest and/or indifference to being Chair/Vice-Chair for the next year; in the end Chris nominated Melanie as Chair and Theresa as Vice-Chair for the coming year. A Motion was made to elect Melanie Magidow as Chair of the Library Board, and Theresa Strike as the Vice-Chair, it was seconded and all in favor. 3. The Minutes of the April 2, 2025, Library Board Meeting were moved and approved. 4. Review of 2025 Operating Budget: 32.88% of the year and 29.52% of the budget expended. a. Repair & Maintenance (44000): Front-end spending on annual maintenance contracts. Community Forum: Opportunity for public input. No correspondence and no public in attendance. The CHPL website now has a contact form to submit questions or concerns: https://chplmn.org/board New Business: 5. Art Exhibit Application: The Board reviewed the included application submitted by Julie Marckel on behalf of Change Narrative for an art exhibition in the Library Community Room; the description being a series of paintings related to their project Resilient Landscapes for Reimagined Futures about cross generational stories of environmental justice and climate change. The group would install and insure the artwork in the Library’s Community Room with the knowledge that it is a public space, and the art is not to be sold on the grounds. We will partner with the group on a kick-off event in conjunction with the exhibit. A MOTION to approve Julie Marckel’s art exhibit application was made and unanimously approved. 6. General Discussion of 2026 Budget: Library Director, Renee Doughtery, opened the discussion on the upcoming 2026 Budget as a prompt for the Library Board to share their thoughts and ideas on priorities to include in budget planning. a. With the loss of the 21st Century Learning Center Grant (shared by the Library, Parks/Rec, and ISD-13) we have about ~$10,000 less to spend on youth programming, but we will try to stretch the budget as far as possible to make up the difference and not diminish our programming. The Board asked whether the Foundation could help make up this loss, but they have already committed to 3 yearly installments to 2 Item 2. cover part of the parking lot expansion costs. b. Maintaining our current service hours was a priority mentioned by Renee; there have been some tough staffing weeks due to illness and not having a large staff with back-up capacity, so it’s probably not feasible to extend hours more. Full-time staff have been flexible about modifying schedules to cover evenings when part-time staff are unavailable. Regarding part-time staffing, shifts, and coverage, Renee is working on solutions, but budget changes are not necessarily the issue. c. A library friends book sale was brought up as a supplemental revenue source. Renee said our year-round sale cart has been performing better than any of our recent book sale events so this will be ongoing. d. The print versus digital idea came up; we will continue utilizing both, but Columbia Heights has a lower- than-average adoption rate. Digital accounts for < 25% of our item circulation, and CHPL’s digital circulation accounts for <5% of the county’s digital circulation according to Anoka County Library statistics. e. Language Collections are actively growing, but there is not a dedicated budget item for specific languages; the print collection budget for a typical budget year is ~$50,000. Currently youth have a larger world language collection, but youth /adult collections will continue growing; additional vendors would help. The Board mentioned periodicals in other languages as well. The Libby eLibrary also has a selection of non- English titles, but they need to be searched for, and it may be difficult to find for a non-English reader…instructions or tutorial video translated in other languages would be helpful. Director’s Update: 7. March Board Report: Provided as an FYI. a. MN Attorney General’s Clean Slate Program was a successful event garnering over 200 attendees seeking criminal record expungement. Keith Ellison was in attendance to kick-off the event. b. The Metro HRA Housing Voucher Waitlist Application was open April 9-16 with representatives onsite several days to assist applicants in person. c. It’s time again to review library policies and it was agreed that due to the situation at the Parks/Rec meeting addressed earlier, a good idea would be to start with the Behavior Policy. 8. Board Books: a. Melanie: Eleanor and the Cold War Ellen Yardley; Safiyyah’s War Hiba Noor Khan b. Chris: Heck (graphic novel) Zander Cannon; Dragon Painter William Worthington (streaming on Kanopy) c. Aaron: F*ck Your Feelings: Master Your Mind, End Self-Doubt, and Become a More Significant Human Ryan Munsey (CHPD Roll Call Podcast guest—Episode 22) d. Amina: Pachinko Min Jin Lee e. Renee: The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth Zoë Schlanger f. Amáda: Plastic People (documentary) Ben Addelman/Ziya Tong (Public Screening @ CHPL, June 12, 6:30pm) g. Theresa: Babel, or the Necessity of Violence R.F. Kuang h. Nick: The Rainfall Market You Yeong-Gwang i. Olga: Solito: A Memoir Javier Zamora There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:43 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nicholas P. Olberding Recording Secretary, CHPL Board of Trustees 3 Item 2. Fund 240 - LIBRARY 2025 YTD ACTIVITY FOR AMENDED BALANCE MONTH ENCUMBERED UNENCUMBERED % BDGT ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION BUDGET 05/30/2025 05/30/2025 YEAR-TO-DATE BALANCE USED 41010 REGULAR EMPLOYEES 493,700.00 206,882.21 59,828.80 0.00 286,817.79 41.90 41011 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 148,700.00 43,434.16 11,705.51 0.00 105,265.84 29.21 41020 OVERTIME-REGULAR 700.00 354.38 94.50 0.00 345.62 50.63 41050 ACCRUED LEAVE ADJUSTMENT 0.00 2,182.80 0.00 0.00 -2,182.80 41070 INTERDEPARTMENTAL LABOR SERV 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00 41210 P.E.R.A. CONTRIBUTION 47,400.00 19,660.81 5,320.74 0.00 27,739.19 41.48 41220 F.I.C.A. CONTRIBUTION 49,200.00 19,056.99 5,423.88 0.00 30,143.01 38.73 41300 INSURANCE 83,500.00 35,580.00 7,116.00 0.00 47,920.00 42.61 41510 WORKERS COMP INSURANCE PREM 2,500.00 951.89 254.52 0.00 1,548.11 38.08 41810 COLA ALLOWANCE 31,900.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 31,900.00 0.00 42000 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,500.00 451.47 0.00 0.00 1,048.53 30.10 42010 MINOR EQUIPMENT 100.00 150.00 0.00 0.00 -50.00 150.00 42011 END USER DEVICES 13,300.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13,300.00 0.00 42030 PRINTING & PRINTED FORMS 1,000.00 72.00 0.00 0.00 928.00 7.20 42170 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 1,000.00 392.86 0.00 0.00 607.14 39.29 42171 GENERAL SUPPLIES 7,000.00 2,101.05 0.00 0.00 4,898.95 30.02 42175 FOOD SUPPLIES 100.00 18.33 0.00 0.00 81.67 18.33 42180 BOOKS 52,000.00 12,617.54 336.96 0.00 39,382.46 24.26 42181 PERIODICALS, MAG, NEWSPAPERS 8,000.00 4,441.51 0.00 0.00 3,558.49 55.52 42183 E-BOOKS 16,300.00 0.00 0.00 7,894.21 8,405.79 48.43 42185 COMPACT DISCS 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 42187 BOOK/CD SET 1,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,500.00 0.00 42189 DVD 6,700.00 1,606.48 0.00 0.00 5,093.52 23.98 42190 DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO 3,000.00 0.00 0.00 1,068.00 1,932.00 35.60 42990 COMM. PURCHASED FOR RESALE 200.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 0.00 43050 EXPERT & PROFESSIONAL SERV. 11,300.00 2,564.40 783.44 2,220.00 6,515.60 42.34 43105 TRAINING & EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 800.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 0.00 43210 TELEPHONE 1,200.00 111.74 0.00 571.78 516.48 56.96 43220 POSTAGE 300.00 13.11 0.00 0.00 286.89 4.37 43250 OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2,800.00 896.45 0.00 0.00 1,903.55 32.02 43310 LOCAL TRAVEL EXPENSE 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00 43600 PROP & LIAB INSURANCE 13,500.00 4,500.00 0.00 0.00 9,000.00 33.33 43800 UTILITY SERVICES 7,500.00 3,121.68 0.00 0.00 4,378.32 41.62 43810 ELECTRIC 39,600.00 11,733.15 3,495.58 0.00 27,866.85 29.63 43830 GAS 11,800.00 6,288.28 897.35 0.00 5,511.72 53.29 44000 REPAIR & MAINT. SERVICES 20,000.00 17,433.87 0.00 800.00 1,766.13 91.17 44010 BUILDING MAINT:INTERNAL SVCS 46,400.00 15,466.68 0.00 0.00 30,933.32 33.33 44020 BLDG MAINT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 30,700.00 14,725.99 0.00 7,476.20 8,497.81 72.32 44030 SOFTWARE & SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS 24,600.00 7,830.34 3,907.54 11,722.62 5,047.04 79.48 44040 INFORMATION SYS:INTERNAL SVC 90,900.00 30,300.00 0.00 0.00 60,600.00 33.33 44050 GARAGE, LABOR BURD. 0.00 187.94 0.00 0.00 -187.94 44330 SUBSCRIPTION, MEMBERSHIP 800.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 0.00 44375 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION 200.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 0.00 47100 OPER. TRANSFER OUT - LABOR 19,300.00 6,433.32 0.00 0.00 12,866.68 33.33 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: 1,293,000.00 471,561.43 99,164.82 31,752.81 789,685.76 38.93 EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PERIOD ENDING 05/31/2025 Fiscal Year Completed: 41.37% 4 Item 3. Speaking at Board and Commission Guidelines and Form Opportunities to Speak Members of the public can speak during Public Hearings and the Community Forum. Public Hearings: An opportunity to address the Board or Commission on a particular agenda topic under the Public Hearing section of the agenda. A public hearing is opened and ultimately closed after staff presentations and/or comments from the public. Community Forum: An opportunity to address the Board or Commission on subjects that are not a part of the meeting agenda. Steps: 1. Fill out the Speakers Form and turn into the Staff Liaison before speaking (those virtually will send it through the chat to the moderator). 2. Wait for the item on which you wish to speak and for the Chair to ask for comments from the public. The Staff Liason will call on you when it is your turn to speak. 3. After you are called upon, if in-person please state your name and connection to Columbia Heights (address not required). If you are attending virtually, the moderator will ask you to unmute and turn on your camera. 4. State your comments (limit of five (5) minutes). 5. If you wish to speak again, please wait until all others have had their opportunity. When the Chair asks if there are any more speakers, state your interest if in-person or if virtual send a chat message to the Staff Liaison, and you may speak again at the discretion of the Board or Commission. 6. Request to Address Board or Commission Please fill in all spaces blow and give completed form to the Staff Liaison – Thank you! Name: Address: Connection to Columbia Heights (Ex. Resident, Business Owner, Grew Up in Columbia Heights, etc.) 5 Item 4. 6 Item 6. 7 Item 6. 8 Item 6. 9 Item 6. Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Report – April 2025 BUILDING • The flagpole was adapted to allow the addition of the new Minnesota flag. TECHNOLOGY COLLECTION • New books were selected from reviews in the December and January issues of Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal and School Library Journal . A large youth manga order was placed. Juvenile requests included the new YA manga series Blue Lock, and Sign of Affection. • Weeding was completed in adult nonfiction 400-635. • Adult displays highlighted National Library Week’s theme of ‘Drawn to the Library’, financial literacy, poetry, jazz, and nature/earth. Juvenile displays also featured National Library Week as well as National Poetry month. • The display case was created by the Friends of the Library and featured fishing, including MN fishing regulations in English, Somali, and Spanish. PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE Batteries, Bulbs and Wires 4/1 Children (6-11) 17 DIY Teen: Diamond Coasters 4/1 Teen (12-18) 9 English Language Conversation Circle 4/2 Adult 2 Daycare Storytime 4/4 Children (0-5) 14 Storytime 4/7 Children (0-5) 49 EL Conversation Circle 4/7 Adult 6 Tinker Time: DIY Stickers 4/8 Children (6-11) 29 EL Conversation Circle 4/9 Adult 7 Loft: Getting Started on Your Writing Project 4/9 Adult 11 ICS 1st Grade Visit 4/10 Children (6-11) 14 Teen Poster Workshop 4/12 Teen (12-18) 6 Storytime 4/14 Children (0-5) 45 EL Conversation Circle 4/14 Adult 6 Adult Book Club: The Cruelest Month 4/16 Adult 12 EL Conversation Circle 4/16 Adult 6 Mystery Book Club: The Silent Patient 4/16 Adult 4 Storytime 4/21 Children (0-5) 39 EL Conversation Circle 4/21 Adult 6 Evening Storytime 4/22 Children (0-5) 12 Seed Mosaics 4/23 Adult 15 Conversation Circle 4/23 Adult 6 Adult Basic Education Tour 4/24 Adult 19 Storytime 4/28 Children (0-5) 40 EL Conversation Circle 4/28 Adult 4 Immaculate Conception 2nd Grade visit 4/29 Children (6-11) 23 EL Conversation Circle 4/30 Adult 7 Adult Basic Education Tour 4/30 Adult 23 STAFF Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian: • Met with the Friends of the Library. • Researched suppliers and cost for additional bookends for collection shelving. 10 Item 8. Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – April 2025 • Weeded and shifted the romance and western collections. • Coordinated a bulk loan to the Personal Care Senior Living facility and deliveries to six at-home patrons. Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian: • Hosted the Bakken Museum for “Batteries, Bulbs and Wires” during Spring Break and artist Natasha Pestich for a poster-making workshop. • Assisted children and caregivers in creating DIY stickers at a Tinker Time program. • Taught a diamond painting program for teens and tweens. • Welcomed a field trip from Immaculate Conception School 2nd graders who were fascinated by the workroom and following a book’s journey from the return slot, through the automated materials handler (AMH), onto a sorting cart and, finally back to the shelf. • Attended Valley View Elementary’s annual carnival where she shared information about the library and helped families create library-themed buttons. • Prepared bulks loans for 1st-4th grades classes at Immaculate Conception School and the Mini- Adventures program at the Family Center. Renee Dougherty, Library Director: • Participated in meetings of city division heads, Library Board, Communications Committee, city Strategic Planning, CH Public Schools Communication Advisory Council, and the Anoka County Libraries’ Public Service team. • Attended the Minnesota Library Association’s Public Library Day which focused on artificial intelligence. • Participated in a webinar with state library directors facilitated by State Library Services. MISCELLANEOUS • The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office staffed an Expungement Clinic on April 24 and sent the following thank you: “I am reaching out on behalf of the AGO to say thank you so much for hosting the expungement clinic at the Columbia Heights Public Library. It is a great space and the staff was very accommodating! We were able to see about 200 people throughout the day and connect each of them with one of our Assistant Attorneys General. This was a wonderful partnership.” Marco Hernandez, Outreach Coordinator, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General • Volunteers with the Metro HRA provided navigators to assistant people applying for the Housing Choice Voucher lottery during the April 9-16 enrollment period. • Staff participated in mandatory safety training. • Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on April 24. • Seven adult volunteers donated 40hours this month. 11 Item 8.