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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-05-2025 Library Board Packet LIBRARY BOARD Library—Community Room, 3939 Central Ave NE Wednesday, November 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 ID 254 921 776 562 0, Passcode QP35BK9R. 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 October 1, 2025 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. 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. Annemarie Lewis Correspondence (10/13/2025) OLD BUSINESS 5. Staffing Update 6. Budget Update NEW BUSINESS 7. Review and Recommend Revisions to the Collection Development Policy DIRECTOR'S UPDATE 8. September Board Report 9. Board Books ADJOURNMENT 1 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY 3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 1, 2025 Drafted 10/2/2025 ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC Members of the public who wished to attend could do so in-person, or via Microsoft Teams by entering Meeting ID 254 921 776 562 0 and passcode QP35BK9R at the scheduled meeting time. For questions, please contact Administration at 763-706-3610. The meeting was called to order in the Library Community Room by Melanie Magidow at 5:33pm. Members present: Melanie Magidow; Olga Herrera; Theresa Strike. Members remotely present: Amáda Márquez Simula (City Council Liaison). Members absent: Chris Polley; Amina Maameri. Others present: Elizabeth Ripley (Adult Services Librarian); Nick Olberding (Board Secretary). Public present: N/A. 1. The Agenda was approved as is. 2. The Minutes from September 3, 2025, Library Board Meeting were moved and approved. 3. Review of 2025 Operating Budget: 74.8% of the year completed and 67.5% of the budget expended. 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 Old Business: 4. Staffing Update: 107 applications were received for the part-time Library Page position during the one week the posting was open, of them 10 were offered interviews (9 accepted), and among them 3 were presented employment offers—now awaiting acceptance. New Business: 5. Great North Star Read-Together Review: It was reported the official count for the event was 54 attendees (although it could have been higher due to some attendees not stopping into the Community Room to be counted). Staff took photos of attendees with the handheld whiteboard and posted them to the Library’s Facebook, and visitors commented on the “Library Stories” Board (which was left up in the Library for the next couple weeks for additional participation). Of the staff and board members who attended they had favorable opinions of the event, saying it was comforting to read silently together in an organized event like this. For a first-time event of this nature the Board was pleased with the results, and were already thinking of things that could be expanded on if it were to happen again next year (e.g. additional promotion, increased diversity, more comfy seating, extended hours, more activities like an adult story time/arts & crafts); if the organizers continue this again next year we should keep evolving the event here in Columbia Heights to suit our community. 6. Library Building Tour: This agenda item was pushed to after adjournment of the meeting in consideration of our virtual attendee. Elizabeth and I showed the three Board members the staff area including the youth play space storage closet, staff workspaces, and the automated materials handler attached to the drive-up book drop. The tour lasted 10 minutes and no official business was discussed. Director’s Update: 7. August Board Report: Provided as an FYI. a. Melanie shared that federal IMLS funding currently remains intact for 2026, but under this unprecedented administration nothing is guaranteed. 2 Item 2. b. Saturday Conversation Circles session has been very popular; all sessions have stable attendance. c. The Board was happy with the youth turnout for the Summer Reading Program. With adults now eligible for some of the prizes, many more of them joined this year. The Board liked the option to read 20 books or 20 hours (because 20 hours of reading picture books sounds exhausting). d. Dungeons & Dragons (YA Edition) was well attended. Some Board members would like to see an adult session occur in addition to the family version happening on November 1. Amáda thought it might be beneficial to have one in conjunction with HeightsNEXT’s CoHi Con next March, allowing cross- promotion and collaboration. e. 2026 Budget planning is moving along with Renee presenting to the City Council on October 6; recommendations from the Council for the Library and Parks & Recreation to increase budgets to accommodate the loss of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant funding. Are there any needs not being met that we should think about? f. Renee facilitated the August Library Book Club (featuring The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt); she is not always the host/facilitator but does regularly attend the monthly event. The next few months feature The Wright Brothers (David McCullough) on October 15, The Big Sugar (Mary Logue) on November 19, and The Women (Kristin Hannah) on December 17. Book Club is in the Library Community Room at 10:30am on the third Wednesday of each month. 8. Board Books: a. Olga: Accidentally on Purpose Kristen Kish b. Theresa: The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London Christopher Skaife c. Chris: Masterminds (youth series) Gordon Korman; Jaws Peter Benchley; Jaws Steven Spielberg (available on DVD via ACL) d. Melanie: Catwings (youth series) Ursula K. LeGuin; Why We Meditate: The Science and Practice of Clarity and Compassion Daniel Goleman & Tsoknyi Rinpoche e. Elizabeth: The Tale of Despereaux Kate DiCamillo; The Dutch House Ann Patchett f. Amáda: ZEN: The Art of Simple Living Shunmyō Masuno g. Nick: All Systems Red and Artificial Condition and Rogue Protocol and Exit Strategy (Murderbot Diaries series) Martha Wells There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:11pm (behind-the-scenes tour followed—see Item 6). 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 10/28/2025 10/28/2025 YEAR-TO-DATE BALANCE USED 41010 REGULAR EMPLOYEES 493,700.00 406,845.28 40,079.81 0.00 86,854.72 82.41 41011 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 148,700.00 84,149.84 8,092.08 0.00 64,550.16 56.59 41020 OVERTIME-REGULAR 700.00 730.18 82.69 0.00 -30.18 104.31 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 37,539.97 3,619.09 0.00 9,860.03 79.20 41220 F.I.C.A. CONTRIBUTION 49,200.00 37,361.94 3,664.31 0.00 11,838.06 75.94 41300 INSURANCE 83,500.00 71,160.00 7,116.00 0.00 12,340.00 85.22 41510 WORKERS COMP INSURANCE PREM 2,500.00 1,814.86 172.73 0.00 685.14 72.59 41810 COLA ALLOWANCE 31,900.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 31,900.00 0.00 42000 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,500.00 1,279.11 0.00 0.00 220.89 85.27 42010 MINOR EQUIPMENT 100.00 1,564.98 0.00 0.00 -1,464.98 1564.98 42011 END USER DEVICES 13,300.00 59.99 0.00 13,121.52 118.49 99.11 42030 PRINTING & PRINTED FORMS 1,000.00 790.00 0.00 0.00 210.00 79.00 42170 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 1,000.00 607.01 0.00 0.00 392.99 60.70 42171 GENERAL SUPPLIES 7,000.00 6,295.79 322.74 0.00 704.21 89.94 42175 FOOD SUPPLIES 100.00 139.69 0.00 0.00 -39.69 139.69 42180 BOOKS 52,000.00 30,892.57 0.00 0.00 21,107.43 59.41 42181 PERIODICALS, MAG, NEWSPAPERS 8,000.00 4,928.46 184.95 0.00 3,071.54 61.61 42183 E-BOOKS 16,300.00 12,427.63 0.00 0.00 3,872.37 76.24 42185 COMPACT DISCS 1,000.00 303.58 0.00 0.00 696.42 30.36 42187 BOOK/CD SET 1,500.00 1,375.61 0.00 0.00 124.39 91.71 42189 DVD 6,700.00 3,189.76 0.00 0.00 3,510.24 47.61 42190 DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO 3,000.00 1,938.00 0.00 0.00 1,062.00 64.60 42280 VEHICLE REPAIR AND PARTS 0.00 1,112.19 0.00 0.00 -1,112.19 42990 COMM. PURCHASED FOR RESALE 200.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 0.00 43050 EXPERT & PROFESSIONAL SERV. 11,300.00 4,987.45 116.50 0.00 6,312.55 44.14 43105 TRAINING & EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 800.00 364.00 0.00 0.00 436.00 45.50 43210 TELEPHONE 1,200.00 111.74 0.00 571.78 516.48 56.96 43220 POSTAGE 300.00 21.78 0.00 0.00 278.22 7.26 43250 OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2,800.00 1,898.22 0.00 0.00 901.78 67.79 43310 LOCAL TRAVEL EXPENSE 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00 43600 PROP & LIAB INSURANCE 13,500.00 10,125.00 0.00 0.00 3,375.00 75.00 43800 UTILITY SERVICES 7,500.00 7,493.02 2,687.92 0.00 6.98 99.91 43810 ELECTRIC 39,600.00 33,555.46 4,101.54 0.00 6,044.54 84.74 43830 GAS 11,800.00 7,641.10 248.10 0.00 4,158.90 64.76 44000 REPAIR & MAINT. SERVICES 20,000.00 20,113.44 0.00 800.00 -913.44 104.57 44010 BUILDING MAINT:INTERNAL SVCS 46,400.00 34,800.03 0.00 0.00 11,599.97 75.00 44020 BLDG MAINT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 30,700.00 27,997.06 0.00 4,983.20 -2,280.26 107.43 44030 SOFTWARE & SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS 24,600.00 11,737.88 0.00 7,815.08 5,047.04 79.48 44040 INFORMATION SYS:INTERNAL SVC 90,900.00 68,175.00 0.00 0.00 22,725.00 75.00 44050 GARAGE, LABOR BURD. 0.00 3,371.94 0.00 0.00 -3,371.94 44330 SUBSCRIPTION, MEMBERSHIP 800.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 0.00 44375 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION 200.00 43.10 0.00 0.00 156.90 21.55 45180 OTHER EQUIPMENT 0.00 745.02 0.00 0.00 -745.02 47100 OPER. TRANSFER OUT - LABOR 19,300.00 14,474.97 0.00 0.00 4,825.03 75.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: 1,293,000.00 956,345.45 70,488.46 27,291.58 309,362.97 76.07 EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PERIOD ENDING 10/31/2025 Fiscal Year Completed: 83.29% 4 Item 3. From Annemarie Lewis via Library Board Contact Link on website: Have you ever thought about having merch for the CHPL? I know I would love to wear a shirt in support of my library, or put my kids in something. Maybe even a library tote? Just an idea, since the library is so cool. 5 Item 4. COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT PURPOSE: The purpose of the following policy is to provide guidelines for librarian selectors and to inform the public as to the principles upon which decisions are made concerning the library’s permanent collection. The Columbia Heights Public Library affirms the principles of the Library Bill of Rights (Appendix 1); the Freedom to Read Statement (Appendix 2); the Freedom to View Statement (Appendix 3) of the American Library Association. DEFINITIONS: The words “library materials”, or other synonyms that occur in this policy have the widest possible meaning to include every format of permanent record. SELECTION: The library, as a major source of informational, educational, and recreational materials for the community, accepts the responsibility to provide an extensive balanced collection for its patrons. Every effort will be made to select a full range of materials representative of all points of view concerning a subject. A material under consideration for inclusion in the collection will be judged on its merits in relation to the following: 1. Materials will be considered regardless of the writer’s race, nationality, or political and religious views. 2. Materials of sound factual authority will be considered regardless of either partisan or doctrinal disapproval. 3. No book will be excluded because certain passages may prove offensive to some patrons. 4. Materials on controversial issues that present only one side of a question and are written in a violent, sensational, and inflammatory manner will not be selected. 5. Textbooks used in the schools and colleges will not be supplied on demand, but a book will not be excluded because it is a textbook. 6. Materials under consideration will be judged in reference to reader interest and the need for the particular item in the library’s collection. 7. Materials on subjects of high current interest should meet the same requirements as other materials under consideration. 8. Materials of an ephemeral nature will be considered for selection if there is either a high demand or if the item contributes to the record of local history. 9. Physical format of materials under consideration should be suitable for heavy wear received through circulation. 10. Expensive or low-demand materials will be considered on the basis of availability elsewhere in the metropolitan area. 11. Basic religious books will be selected. 12. Materials of local and regional history and events of interest will be a focus of the collection. 6 Item 7. The library will attempt to provide the best library materials available within the limitations of its budget, and if the requested materials are not available on-site, the library will either institute inter-library loan procedures or make a referral to another institution. The library will attempt to select children’s materials which represent a wide range of interests and viewpoints, and the staff will not restrict the reading of these books by any child on the premises. The censorship, if any, of child’s reading shall be and remain a parent or guardian responsibility. The following reputable reviewing services may be consulted for book reviews. 1. Booklist 2. Kirkus Reviews 3. Library Journal 4. School Library Journal 5. New York Times Book Review 6. Minneapolis Star Tribune book review section 7. VOYA 8. Numerous individual lists of a special nature, publisher’s catalogs, award winners, etc. Recommendations from patrons will be accepted, but a recommendation must meet the same standards for purchase as a professionally-selected material. Systematic removal from the collection of materials outdated in factual content or physically in need of replacement is essential in maintaining the quality of the resources available for use. USE OF MATERIALS: The library recognizes that many books are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Materials will not be marked to show either approval or disapproval of the contents, and no catalogued materials will be sequestered, except for the express purpose of protecting them from theft and/or physical defacement. The use of rare items of value may be controlled to the extent required to preserve them from harm. Materials will be stored in their usual classified location on open shelves with related materials. Free access to materials on open shelves will be maintained. GIFTS: The library welcomes gifts, and the collection has been enriched by many donations of materials. Gift materials must meet the same standards as items purchased by the library, and the library reserves the right to reject, to evaluate, or to dispose of gift materials in accordance with the criteria applied to purchased materials. Two types of gifts are encouraged: 1. Monetary: The selection of materials to be purchased will be made the library staff. 7 Item 7. 2. Informal: Certain materials (paperbacks, periodicals, audiovisual materials, old hardcover books) are donated on an informal basis for use in the catalogued collection, for replacement of missing issues of periodicals. Materials not of general use are added to the library’s book sale cart. The library reserves the right to add those materials deemed proper into the permanent collection. If it is so desired, the items may be identified by a bookplate. COMPLAINTS: The library respects the right of persons to express their opinions, negative as well as positive, with respect to materials purchased by the library. Persons wishing to express their opinions may complete a Request for Reconsideration Form. Materials in question will be reviewed by one of the professional staff members. The materials will then be discussed by the staff member and the director, and a written response will be supplied to the complainant. If necessary, the material may also be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and the City Manager. No material will be arbitrarily removed from the collection because of a negative complaint from a patron. No material will be reconsidered without a written Request for Reconsideration. Approved: 8/8/2007 Revised: 10/7/2020 8 Item 7. Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Report – September 2025 BUILDING • The building was inspected for pests and the exterior windows were washed. • The broken window on the Central Avenue façade was replaced. TECHNOLOGY COLLECTION • New books were selected from reviews in the April issues of Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal. Juvenile requests and replacement titles were ordered. • Weeding was completed in adult fiction S-Z and adult audiobooks. • Adult endcap displays highlighted the healing power of nature, science fiction and fantasy, books made into movies, and Spanish-language books. The main adult display furniture featured Hispanic Heritage Month and favorites from the summer reading program. Juvenile displays celebrated Hispanic heritage and the first books of juvenile series. PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE English Language Conversation Circle 9/3 Adult 4 Daycare Storytime 9/5 Children (0-5) 10 ELL Conversation Circles 9/6 Adult 4 Storytime 9/8 Children (0-5) 52 ELL Conversation Circle 9/8 Adult Mapping Prejudice 9/10 Adult 3 ELL Conversation Circle 9/10 Adult 5 Evening Storytime 9/11 Children (0-5) 4 ELL Conversation Circle 9/13 Adult 6 Storytime 9/15 Children (0-5) 25 ELL Conversation Circle 9/15 Adult 8 Tinker Time 9/16 Children (6-11) 58 Book Club: Somewhere Beyond the Sea 9/17 Adult 7 EL Conversation Circle 9/17 Adult 6 Discover the Healing Power of Nature 9/17 Adult 3 Active Agers Book Club: The Dutch House 9/19 Adult 8 EL Conversation Circle 9/20 Adult 10 Great North Star Read Together 9/20 Adult 54 Storytime 9/22 Children (0-5) 51 EL Conversation Circle 9/22 Adult 10 Preschool Yoga 9/23 Children (0-5) 20 Adult Basic Education Tour 9/24 Adult 12 EL Conversation Circles 9/24 Adult 7 EL Conversation Circle 9/27 Adult 7 Let’s Draw Pokémon Cards 9/27 Children (6-11) 8 Storytime 9/29 Children (0-5) 43 EL Conversation Circle 9/29 Adult 12 Library Databases Open House 9/30 Adult 0 9 Item 8. Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – September 2025 STAFF Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian: • Hosted Rebecca Gillette to discuss the history and importance of the Mapping Prejudice and Just Deeds projects on racial covenants on metro-area properties. • Invited the Anoka County Master Gardeners for a program on the healing power of nature. • Facilitated the Active Agers book club discussion of “The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett. • Collaborated with the youth services librarian to offer an introduction to library databases for parents featuring library resources for students and learners. • Attended meetings of the Friends of the Library, Anoka County Library Adult Programmers, the MELSA Adult Programmers and Jobs and Small Business interest groups. • Made three deliveries to At-Home patrons. Renee Dougherty, Library Director: • Met with Katelyn Steeler of Fulcrum Health about a potential partnership to promote public health and alternatives to prescription pain medication. • Attended a City Council meeting with Olga Herrara to promote the Great Minnesota Read Together. • Met with Patti Constant of the Anoka County Opioid Solutions Initiative about naloxone distribution, informational material distribution, and educational programming around opioid harm mitigation. • Joined city division heads for a retirement luncheon for Public Works Director Kevin Hansen. • Reviewed one hundred and seven applications for Library Page and interviewed nine finalists. Three conditional offers were extended. • Participated in the Adult Book Club discussion of “Beyond the Sea” by T.J. Klune. • Met with the city communications director. • Attended meetings of city division heads, the Library Board, and the Minnesota Library Association Board. Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian: • Attracted large, high-energy crowds for storytime which is intended for toddlers but also welcomes younger siblings and caregivers. Eliza also offers a dedicated storytime for a local daycare, as well as an evening storytime option. • Hosted Elham from Yogilli for a preschool yoga storytime featuring a yoga doll, breathing exercises, yoga asanas, and movement activities. • Welcomed kids and parents to a Tinker Time devoted to creating backpack charms. • Hired Erin from eHolt Art to lead a Saturday program for kids to design and compose their own Pokémon cards. MISCELLANEOUS • Library Page Yuliana Morocho Calderon resigned to accept a full-time surgical nursing position. • Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on September 25; he assisted four people. • Six adult volunteers donated 24 hours, and two teen volunteers donated 10 hours. 10 Item 8.