Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgendaPacket-Library Board 2026-02-04 LIBRARY BOARD Library—Community Room, 3939 Central Ave NE Wednesday, February 04, 2026 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 245 476 655 774 13, Passcode bY2b8Mf7. 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 7, 2026 3. Review Operating Budgets 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. OLD BUSINESS 4. Staffing Update NEW BUSINESS 5. City Comprehensive Plan Update 6. Community Messaging 7. Community Support DIRECTOR'S UPDATE 8. December 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, January 7th, 2026 Drafted 1/8/2026 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 245 476 655 774 13 and passcode bY2b8Mf7 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 5:32pm. Members present: Melanie Magidow; Theresa Strike; Chris Polley; Olga Herrera; Amina Maameri. Members remotely present: Amáda Márquez Simula (City Council Liaison). Members absent: N/A. Others present: Renee Dougherty (Library Director); Nick Olberding (Board Secretary). Public present: N/A. 1. The Agenda was approved as is. 2. The Minutes from December 3, 2025, Library Board Meeting were moved and approved. 3. Review of 2025 Operating Budget: 100% of the year completed and 93.4% of the budget expended. a. Regular Employees (41010) & COLA Allowance (41810): When last year’s budget was approved union contracts had not finished negotiations yet, so deficits in the employment lines (41010 -> 41510) will be offset by the COLA Allowance addition. b. We will continue paying 2025 bills through the end of January; these are not the final totals for the year. For example, Anoka County Library has yet to invoice us for ILS software, E-Books, and Kanopy streaming for the second half of the year, and some book orders submitted to Finance have not yet been paid. Community Forum: Opportunity for public input. No correspondence and no public in attendance. The CHPL website hosts the contact form to submit questions or concerns: https://chplmn.org/board Old Business: 4. Review and Approve Revisions to the Collection Development and Management Policy & the Request for Reconsideration Form: The Board reviewed the policy which Renee revised with additional input from last month’s meeting and comments from our Librarians (who assist with Collection Development). Between the two documents, there were only a few suggestions related to grammar to still resolve. A MOTION was made to approve the revisions to the Collections Development and Management Policy, as well as the Request for Reconsideration Form, it was seconded and approved. New Business: 5. Staffing Update: Recently our Library Supervisor, Rin, submitted his letter of resignation due to a decision to return to Florida; very unfortunate for us because he has been incredible in many areas including Collection Development, Weeding, Tech Support, Reference, and Customer Service; his last day will be next week.A job posting was published and drew in 13 applicants, 7 of which were offered interviews, 6 accepted; these will commence tomorrow morning, and we hope to bring someone onboard by early to mid-February. 6. Upcoming Programs: Renee wanted to highlight a few upcoming programs including the return of Storytime on February 2nd, Introduction to Chiropractic Care for Pain Management with Fulcrum Health (as an alternative to opioid painkillers) on January 22nd, and the Mayor’s Power of Bridging Book Club which will span 3 sessions (January 14 & 28, and February 11). There will be limited copies of the book available at the first meeting, or community members may request a free copy of their own from the Bush Foundation website (but they are on back order due to high demand). Each session will engage in a discussion that explores themes of community, belonging, and meaningful action. The Mayor wanted to mention that she has received feedback on how 2 Item 2. appreciative community members are of the types and volume of programs our Library provides people. Director’s Update: 7. November Board Report: Provided as an FYI. a. The Board asked if there has been a decrease in Conversation Circle participation with the threat of ICE activity rising, but it hasn’t been noticed yet. As a public space there is no way to prevent ICE from entering this building if they decide to do so. Conversation Circles is promoted in the seasonal event flyer, city newsletter, and on the digital display along Central. There was a question about reducing its visibility in advertising. b. This is Mayor Amáda’s last meeting as Library Board liaison as she is rotating to the Sustainability Commission, not yet sure who is replacing her on the Library Board. c. It was mentioned that the Library’s new website has reached the top of web search results now that it’s gaining regular visitors. It was asked if we can gather web traffic statistics; we will investigate. d. Helsinki’s Helmet Reading Challenge was promoted by Theresa, who participates each year with her friend group; this challenge doesn’t dictate specific books, but instead lets you pick your own books matching certain prompts or details, for example: a British classic, story featuring a hockey player, part of a trilogy, the book’s protagonist is over 60, or the book cover is mostly blue. 8. Board Books (what we’re reading, watching, playing, listening to, or simply recommend): a. Amáda: The Power of Bridging: How to Build a World Where We All Belong john a. powell b. Theresa: The Witch of Willow Hall Hester Fox c. Chris: I Want to Burn This Place Down: Essays Maris Kreizman; This Book Won’t Burn Samira Ahmed d. Melanie: Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure Rhys Bowen; The Jasmine Sneeze (youth book) Nadine Kaadan e. Amina: There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids Linda Åkeson McGurk; The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution Problem (youth book) Colleen Paeff & Nancy Carpenter f. Olga: Daughters of Arraweelo: Stories of Somali Women Ayaan Adan g. Renee: The Lager Queen of Minnesota J. Ryan Stradal h. Nick: Mal Goes to War Edward Ashton; Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Playstation 5) Machine Games Sweden (available via Anoka County Library) There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:31pm. Respectfully submitted, Nick 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 12/31/2025 12/31/2025 YEAR-TO-DATE BALANCE USED 41010 REGULAR EMPLOYEES 493,700.00 507,464.41 40,314.30 0.00 -13,764.41 102.79 41011 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 148,700.00 105,654.01 9,028.61 0.00 43,045.99 71.05 41020 OVERTIME-REGULAR 700.00 883.75 70.88 0.00 -183.75 126.25 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 46,264.15 3,259.40 0.00 1,135.85 97.60 41220 F.I.C.A. CONTRIBUTION 49,200.00 46,637.41 3,757.17 0.00 2,562.59 94.79 41300 INSURANCE 83,500.00 85,392.00 7,116.00 0.00 -1,892.00 102.27 41510 WORKERS COMP INSURANCE PREM 2,500.00 2,250.63 176.95 0.00 249.37 90.03 41810 COLA ALLOWANCE 31,900.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 31,900.00 0.00 42000 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,500.00 1,586.94 63.18 0.00 -86.94 105.80 42010 MINOR EQUIPMENT 100.00 1,564.98 0.00 0.00 -1,464.98 1564.98 42011 END USER DEVICES 13,300.00 13,181.51 0.00 0.00 118.49 99.11 42030 PRINTING & PRINTED FORMS 1,000.00 1,002.00 87.00 0.00 -2.00 100.20 42170 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 1,000.00 994.24 78.28 0.00 5.76 99.42 42171 GENERAL SUPPLIES 7,000.00 7,764.43 754.19 0.00 -764.43 110.92 42175 FOOD SUPPLIES 100.00 160.68 0.00 0.00 -60.68 160.68 42180 BOOKS 52,000.00 46,504.75 3,508.15 0.00 5,495.25 89.43 42181 PERIODICALS, MAG, NEWSPAPERS 8,000.00 8,092.05 0.00 0.00 -92.05 101.15 42183 E-BOOKS 16,300.00 28,723.16 16,295.53 (16,295.53)3,872.37 76.24 42185 COMPACT DISCS 1,000.00 1,026.11 84.50 0.00 -26.11 102.61 42187 BOOK/CD SET 1,500.00 1,375.61 0.00 0.00 124.39 91.71 42189 DVD 6,700.00 6,473.21 757.91 0.00 226.79 96.62 42190 DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO 3,000.00 3,347.00 1,409.00 (1,409.00)1,062.00 64.60 42280 CENT. GARAGE REPAIR AND PARTS 0.00 3,883.67 0.00 0.00 -3,883.67 42990 COMM. PURCHASED FOR RESALE 200.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 0.00 43050 EXPERT & PROFESSIONAL SERV. 11,300.00 6,643.90 1,136.45 0.00 4,656.10 58.80 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 59.70 14.06 0.00 240.30 19.90 43250 OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2,800.00 2,494.08 215.96 0.00 305.92 89.07 43310 LOCAL TRAVEL EXPENSE 500.00 254.27 0.00 0.00 245.73 50.85 43600 PROP & LIAB INSURANCE 13,500.00 13,500.00 1,125.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 43800 UTILITY SERVICES 7,500.00 7,493.02 0.00 0.00 6.98 99.91 43810 ELECTRIC 39,600.00 41,828.54 5,777.48 0.00 -2,228.54 105.63 43830 GAS 11,800.00 9,911.86 1,591.25 0.00 1,888.14 84.00 44000 REPAIR & MAINT. SERVICES 20,000.00 21,326.01 385.77 800.00 -2,126.01 110.63 44010 BUILDING MAINT:INTERNAL SVCS 46,400.00 46,400.04 3,866.67 0.00 -0.04 100.00 44020 BLDG MAINT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 30,700.00 42,014.19 6,347.84 2,491.70 -13,805.89 144.97 44030 SOFTWARE & SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS 24,600.00 20,845.87 7,815.08 0.00 3,754.13 84.74 44040 INFORMATION SYS:INTERNAL SVC 90,900.00 90,900.00 7,575.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 44050 GARAGE, LABOR BURD. 0.00 3,879.19 0.00 0.00 -3,879.19 44330 SUBSCRIPTION, MEMBERSHIP 800.00 230.00 0.00 0.00 570.00 28.75 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 19,299.96 1,608.33 0.00 0.04 100.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: 1,293,000.00 1,250,753.99 124,219.94 -13,841.05 56,087.06 95.66 EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PERIOD ENDING 12/31/2025 Fiscal Year Completed: 100% 4 Item 3. Fund 240 - LIBRARY 2026 YTD ACTIVITY FOR AMENDED BALANCE MONTH ENCUMBERED UNENCUMBERED % BDGT ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION BUDGET 1/29/2026 1/29/2026 YEAR-TO-DATE BALANCE USED 41010 REGULAR EMPLOYEES 550,200.00 43,009.93 43,009.93 0.00 507,190.07 7.82 41011 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 113,200.00 8,883.18 8,883.18 0.00 104,316.82 7.85 41020 OVERTIME-REGULAR 800.00 85.97 85.97 0.00 714.03 10.75 41050 ACCRUED LEAVE ADJUSTMENT 0.00 886.23 886.23 0.00 -886.23 41070 INTERDEPARTMENTAL LABOR SERV 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00 41210 P.E.R.A. CONTRIBUTION 49,700.00 3,631.45 3,631.45 0.00 46,068.55 7.31 41220 F.I.C.A. CONTRIBUTION 50,800.00 3,912.34 3,912.34 0.00 46,887.66 7.70 41300 INSURANCE 90,000.00 7,450.45 7,450.45 0.00 82,549.55 8.28 41410 MN PAID LEAVE TAX 2,900.00 258.73 258.73 0.00 2,641.27 8.92 41510 WORKERS COMP INSURANCE PREM 2,300.00 185.48 185.48 0.00 2,114.52 8.06 42000 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,400.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,400.00 0.00 42010 MINOR EQUIPMENT 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 42011 END USER DEVICES 6,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6,500.00 0.00 42030 PRINTING & PRINTED FORMS 1,300.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,300.00 0.00 42170 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 42171 GENERAL SUPPLIES 7,700.00 238.99 238.99 0.00 7,461.01 3.10 42175 FOOD SUPPLIES 100.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 42180 BOOKS 50,000.00 1,764.27 1,764.27 0.00 48,235.73 3.53 42181 PERIODICALS, MAG, NEWSPAPERS 8,000.00 222.00 222.00 0.00 7,778.00 2.78 42183 E-BOOKS 28,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 28,000.00 0.00 42185 COMPACT DISCS 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 42187 BOOK/CD SET 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 42189 DVD 6,000.00 31.48 31.48 0.00 5,968.52 0.52 42190 DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO 4,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,000.00 0.00 42280 CENT. GARAGE REPAIR AND PARTS 700.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 700.00 0.00 42990 COMM. PURCHASED FOR RESALE 200.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 0.00 43050 EXPERT & PROFESSIONAL SERV. 10,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 0.00 43105 TRAINING & EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 800.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 0.00 43210 TELEPHONE 2,900.00 0.00 0.00 571.78 2,328.22 19.72 43220 POSTAGE 100.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 43250 OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS 3,100.00 192.60 192.60 0.00 2,907.40 6.21 43310 LOCAL TRAVEL EXPENSE 200.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 0.00 43600 PROP & LIAB INSURANCE 13,400.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13,400.00 0.00 43800 UTILITY SERVICES 7,700.00 1,917.35 1,917.35 0.00 5,782.65 24.90 43810 ELECTRIC 44,800.00 193.44 193.44 0.00 44,606.56 0.43 43830 GAS 12,200.00 2,536.27 2,536.27 0.00 9,663.73 20.79 44000 REPAIR & MAINT. SERVICES 22,400.00 11,271.70 11,271.70 800.00 10,328.30 53.89 44010 BUILDING MAINT:INTERNAL SVCS 47,800.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 47,800.00 0.00 44020 BLDG MAINT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 31,000.00 0.00 0.00 2,491.70 28,508.30 8.04 44030 SOFTWARE & SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS 25,000.00 932.00 932.00 0.00 24,068.00 3.73 44040 INFORMATION SYS:INTERNAL SVC 90,900.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 90,900.00 0.00 44050 GARAGE, LABOR BURD. 1,100.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,100.00 0.00 44330 SUBSCRIPTION, MEMBERSHIP 900.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 900.00 0.00 44375 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION 300.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 300.00 0.00 47100 OPER. TRANSFER OUT - LABOR 24,100.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 24,100.00 0.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: 1,317,000.00 87,603.86 87,603.86 3,863.48 1,225,532.66 6.95 EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PERIOD ENDING 1/31/2026 Fiscal Year Completed: 8.49% 5 Item 3. Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Report – December 2025 BUILDING • The workroom fire panel was alarming at random. It was inspected by fire suppression and low- voltage electrical techs; one tightened a loose wire. If the minor repair doesn’t correct the false alarms, the panel will need replacement. TECHNOLOGY • IT staff programmed the history room computer to clear cached downloads daily and to disallow video gaming. Public patron computers are available for gaming. • Staff also Initiated changes to increase fees on the print kiosk which will start in 2026. COLLECTION • New adult books were selected from reviews in the August issues of Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal. Updated adult reference books were ordered. Juvenile purchases included young adult manga series Black Clover and Apothecary Diaries. • Weeding was completed in adult audiobooks, adult DVDs and Reference. • Adult displays featured books on Native American heritage, aging, mysteries, family relationships/dealing with conflict/boundaries, football and card making. Juvenile displays highlighted books about snow, winter sports, Christmas and Hannukah. PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE Family Storytime 12/1 Children (0-5) 28 EL Conversation Circle 12/1 Adult 6 Community Craft Night: macrame key chains 12/1 Adult 5 Tinker Time: Snowflakes 12/2 Children (6-11) 25 EL Conversation Circle 12/3 Adult 8 Daycare Storytime 12/5 Children (0-5) 12 EL Conversation Circle 12/6 Adult 3 Family Storytime 12/8 Children (0-5) 32 EL Conversation Circle 12/8 Adult 8 Cardmaking Open House with ACCAP 12/8 Adult 12 EL Conversation Circle 12/10 Adult 6 Evening Storytime 12/11 Children (0-5) 6 EL Conversation Circle 12/13 Adult 5 Needle-Felted Ornaments 12/13 Children (6-11) 23 EL Conversation Circle 12/15 Adult 6 Mystery Book Club: Lightning 12/16 Adult 3 Book Club: The Women 12/17 Adult 9 EL Conversation Circle 12/17 Adult 6 EL Conversation Circle 12/20 Adult 4 EL Conversation Circle 12/22 Adult 4 EL Conversation Circle 12/27 Adult 4 EL Conversation Circle 12/29 Adult 3 EL Conversation Circle 12/30 Adult 1 STAFF Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian: • Met with the Friends of the Library. • Met with community members about hosting programs related to gardening and food security. 6 Item 8. Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – December 2025 • Facilitated discussion of Lightning by Dean Koontz at the Mystery Book Club. • Partnered with the Anoka County Community Action Program to host a card making session. While making cards, ACCAP staff talked about ACCAP services, ways to volunteer to help in the community (Chores and More,) and how to sign up to be a recipient of volunteer help. Participants also learned about the ACCAP Senior Kinship program, which is where the cards were sent. • Made three deliveries to At-Home patrons. Renee Dougherty, Library Director: • Attended regular meetings with city division heads, library staff, and the city communications coordinator. • Joined Elizabeth and Eliza and Anoka County Library staff to determine how to handle Columbia Heights patron suggestions within the Aspen Discovery public catalog which launched in September. • Attended the adult book club discussion of The Women by Kristin Hannah. • Attended online meetings of the CHPS Communications Advisory Council meeting and the MN DNR/Library State Park Pass program. Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian: • Reports that although the Tinker Time group was slightly smaller this month, participants still had a great time creating beaded snowflakes to hang in windows or on trees, as well as cutting paper snowflakes. One family shared that they attended last year’s snow globe program, which became part of their winter decorations, and returned this year to make additional seasonal decorations to add to their growing family collection. • Contracted with eHolt Art to teach a full house of kids and their grown-ups how to create needle felted ornaments and baubles. • Notes that K, a teen volunteer, learned to complete the hold list quickly, asked thoughtful questions when needed, and consistently demonstrated kindness and professionalism. Her help was invaluable to the Columbia Heights Library. Staff attended the city’s holiday lunch for employees. MISCELLANEOUS • Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on December 18. • Nine adult volunteers donated 31 hours. One teen volunteered for 2.5 hours. • There were loads of weather-related newspaper delivery issues. • A couple of cars were abandoned in the parking lot for extended periods. • The sports section of the local newspaper was repeatedly stolen. 7 Item 8.