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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgendaPacket-Library Board 2026-03-04 LIBRARY BOARD Library—Community Room, 3939 Central Ave NE Wednesday, March 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 February 4, 2026 3. Review 2026 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. OLD BUSINESS 4. Staffing Update NEW BUSINESS 5. New Supervisor Introduction 6. 2025 Year-in-Review 7. Library Metrics Comparison 2020-2024 DIRECTOR'S UPDATE 8. January 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, February 4th, 2026 Drafted 2/5/2026 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 5:33pm. Members present: Melanie Magidow; Theresa Strike; Chris Polley; Olga Herrera; Amina Maameri. Members remotely present: N/A. Members absent: Laurel Deneen (City Council Liaison). 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 January 7, 2025, Library Board Meeting were moved and approved. 3. Review of 2026 Operating Budget: 8.5% of the year completed and 6.95% of the budget expended. a. (42183): Melanie mentioned the current legislation in Connecticut regarding e-book pricing for public libraries, which in the future could lower e-book prices if enough states enact similar legislation. 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. Staffing Update: After an employee resigned last month, we posted the position of part-time library supervisor. Thirteen applications were received; seven applicants were invited to interview (six accepted). Two finalists were extended offers of employment; both have accepted. One will begin February 17 and the other on March 2. Both have advanced degrees and relevant experience. New Business: 5. City Comprehensive Plan Update: The City will start drafting the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, which could take two years to complete. This time around the City requests a member of each of the City Boards and Commissions join the committee to bring their specialized knowledge to the process. 6. Community Messaging: A Board member asked whether we could post signs communicating welcome to everyone and support for immigrants in the community. a. A MOTION was made to approve the displaying of posters in support of our immigrant neighbors and families; it was seconded and unanimously approved. 7. Community Support: Included in the agenda, at the request of another Board member, was a request to discuss how the Library might offer additional support to community members who may not feel comfortable visiting in person due to the actions of the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration & Customs Enforcement in our city and state. The Board discussed whether we could increase our at-home deliveries or offer any other services that may help impacted groups. Some families may be sheltering in place and not have access to reading material. Are there opportunities to work with mutual aid groups or the school district to distribute library materials. Renee assured the Board that we will do what we can to help individuals and families who reach out and ask for help. 2 Item 2. a. Impacts: On a related note, the Mayor asked city departments how they, or the people they serve, have been impacted by the ongoing federal immigration operations. These are some of the examples noticed at the Library: patrons sheltering at home have called worried about overdue materials; visits to the Library by Spanish speakers have noticeably decreased, as well as requests for Spanish language service. Seven of fifteen Library staff members are people of color (all U.S. citizens, some teenagers) and have expressed concern about ICE entering the building and what to do. Attendance at three weekly Conversation Circles ESL Groups have been halved; programs celebrating the Vietnamese Lunar New Year have been cancelled, as well as school field trips. Multiple groups have cancelled room reservations due to fear of ICE interfering with their events and attendees. Snatchings and attempted abductions have been witnessed from library windows, and concerned citizens call to let us know when agents are lurking in the area. Director’s Update: 8. December Board Report: Provided as an FYI. a. The price of printing increased at the beginning of this year (B+W changed from 10¢ to 20¢); printing was updated right away, but it took some extra time for IT to get photocopies to reflect the change. b. A Board member noticed the mention of stolen sports section from the newspapers; we never figured out who was doing it, but it has since stopped. 9. Board Books (what we’re reading, watching, playing, listening to, or simply recommend): a. Theresa: Elatsoe Darcie Little Badger b. Chris: The Summer I Ate the Rich Maika & Maritza Moulite; Green Room Jeremy Saulnier (streaming on Kanopy) c. Melanie: The Ward Witch (Unholy Island series) Sarah Painter; The Man Who Wore All His Clothes (The Gaskitts youth illustrated series) Allan Ahlberg d. Amina: The Monk of Mokha Linda Åkeson McGurk e. Olga: What Moves the Dead (Sworn Soldier series) T. Kingfisher f. Renee: How to Let Things Go: 99 Tips from a Zen Buddhist Monk to Relinquish Control and Free Yourself Up for What Matters Shunmyo Masuno & Allison Markin Powell; If We Were Dogs (youth) Sophie Blackall g. Nick: The Magicians and The Magician King and The Magician’s Land (The Magicians series) Lev Grossman There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:37pm. Respectfully submitted, Nick Olberding Recording Secretary, CHPL Board of Trustees 3 Item 2. Fund 240 - LIBRARY 2026 YTD MONTHLY AMENDED BALANCE ACTIVITY AVAILABLE % BDGT ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION BUDGET 2/27/2026 2/28/2026 BALANCE USED 240.5500.41010 REGULAR EMPLOYEES 550,200.00 85,189.81 42,179.88 465,010.19 15.48 240.5500.41011 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 113,200.00 15,431.77 6,548.59 97,768.23 13.63 240.5500.41020 OVERTIME-REGULAR 800.00 171.94 85.97 628.06 21.49 240.5500.41050 ACCRUED LEAVE ADJUSTMENT 0.00 886.23 0.00 -886.23 240.5500.41070 INTERDEPARTMENTAL LABOR SERV 500.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00 240.5500.41210 P.E.R.A. CONTRIBUTION 49,700.00 7,141.57 3,510.12 42,558.43 14.37 240.5500.41220 F.I.C.A. CONTRIBUTION 50,800.00 7,633.83 3,721.49 43,166.17 15.03 240.5500.41300 INSURANCE 90,000.00 14,889.42 7,438.97 75,110.58 16.54 240.5500.41410 MN PAID LEAVE TAX 2,900.00 497.97 239.24 2,402.03 17.17 240.5500.41510 WORKERS COMP INSURANCE PREM 2,300.00 362.21 176.73 1,937.79 15.75 240.5500.42000 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,400.00 176.58 0.00 1,223.42 12.61 240.5500.42010 MINOR EQUIPMENT 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 240.5500.42011 END USER DEVICES 6,500.00 0.00 0.00 6,500.00 0.00 240.5500.42030 PRINTING & PRINTED FORMS 1,300.00 0.00 0.00 1,300.00 0.00 240.5500.42170 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 1,000.00 19.18 0.00 980.82 1.92 240.5500.42171 GENERAL SUPPLIES 7,700.00 1,689.66 767.04 6,010.34 21.94 240.5500.42175 FOOD SUPPLIES 100.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 240.5500.42180 BOOKS 50,000.00 5,574.69 2,591.23 44,425.31 11.15 240.5500.42181 PERIODICALS, MAG, NEWSPAPERS 8,000.00 1,020.62 798.62 6,979.38 12.76 240.5500.42183 E-BOOKS 28,000.00 0.00 0.00 28,000.00 0.00 240.5500.42185 COMPACT DISCS 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 240.5500.42187 BOOK/CD SET 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 240.5500.42189 DVD 6,000.00 31.48 0.00 5,968.52 0.52 240.5500.42190 DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO 4,000.00 0.00 0.00 4,000.00 0.00 240.5500.42280 CENT. GARAGE REPAIR AND PARTS 700.00 0.00 0.00 700.00 0.00 240.5500.42990 COMM. PURCHASED FOR RESALE 200.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 0.00 240.5500.43050 EXPERT & PROFESSIONAL SERV. 10,000.00 158.25 158.25 9,841.75 1.58 240.5500.43105 TRAINING & EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 800.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 0.00 240.5500.43210 TELEPHONE 2,900.00 0.00 0.00 2,900.00 0.00 240.5500.43220 POSTAGE 100.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 240.5500.43250 OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS 3,100.00 385.20 192.60 2,714.80 12.43 240.5500.43310 LOCAL TRAVEL EXPENSE 200.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 0.00 240.5500.43600 PROP & LIAB INSURANCE 13,400.00 1,116.67 0.00 12,283.33 8.33 240.5500.43800 UTILITY SERVICES 7,700.00 1,917.35 0.00 5,782.65 24.90 240.5500.43810 ELECTRIC 44,800.00 2,782.63 2,589.19 42,017.37 6.21 240.5500.43830 GAS 12,200.00 5,200.76 2,664.49 6,999.24 42.63 240.5500.44000 REPAIR & MAINT. SERVICES 22,400.00 11,697.69 272.15 10,702.31 52.22 240.5500.44010 BUILDING MAINT:INTERNAL SVCS 47,800.00 3,983.33 0.00 43,816.67 8.33 240.5500.44020 BLDG MAINT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 31,000.00 808.04 708.82 30,191.96 2.61 240.5500.44030 SOFTWARE & SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS 25,000.00 932.00 0.00 24,068.00 3.73 240.5500.44040 INFORMATION SYS:INTERNAL SVC 90,900.00 7,575.00 0.00 83,325.00 8.33 240.5500.44050 GARAGE, LABOR BURD. 1,100.00 0.00 0.00 1,100.00 0.00 240.5500.44330 SUBSCRIPTION, MEMBERSHIP 900.00 0.00 0.00 900.00 0.00 240.5500.44375 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION 300.00 0.00 0.00 300.00 0.00 240.5500.47100 OPER. TRANSFER OUT - LABOR 24,100.00 2,008.33 0.00 22,091.67 8.33 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: 1,317,000.00 179,282.21 74,643.38 1,137,717.79 13.61 EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - PUBLIC LIBRARY PERIOD ENDING 2/28/2026 Fiscal Year Completed: 16.16% *NOTE: Available Balance / % Budget Used does not reflect amounts encumbered. 4 Item 3. 3939 CENTRAL AVE NE, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN 55421 ▪ 763-706-3690 ▪ CHPLMN.ORG 5 Item 6. Columbia Heights Public Library Key Operating and Usage Metrics Reported 2020 through 2024YearOperating Metrics 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Library Trend State Trend Population Served 21,124 21,973 21,859 21,592 21,567Operating Revenue $1,059,717 $1,066,911 $1,097,572 $1,201,543 $1,298,567 Operating Expenditures $1,040,594 $1,033,698 $1,324,166 $1,120,832 $1,197,901 Staff FTE 9.22 9.07 9.07 9.07 8.97 Hours Open 1,450 2,056 2,333 2,299 2,423 2020 2024 2020 2024 YearUsage Metrics 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Library Trend State Trend Residents w/Library Cards 12,307 11,845 10,898 11,072 11,548Library Visits 50,380 58,861 71,909 78,912 90,594Reference Transactions 10,413 10,777 9,373 17,238 22,620Computer Sessions 18,527 14,537 14,774 16,951 21,215Wireless Sessions 20,083 18,639 21,371 23,279 38,096Physical Circulation 90,225 108,256 112,373 135,635 133,119Digital Circulation 13,549 19,581 26,126 37,957 43,685Program Attendance 1,783 1,305 3,346 4,080 5,446Use of Self-Directed Activities 888 1,440 1,129 975 546 2020 2024 2020 2024 Key Ratios Compared to Peer Group and Statewide Ratios, 2024 Red and green indicate years with the highest and lowest data points. Libraries in Group 5 serve populations of 12,000-23,999. See list of Group 5 libraries on page 2. 4.20 3.82 3.30 3.01 ColumbiaHeights Group 5 MELSA Minnesota Library Visits per Capita Data source: Minnesota Public Library Annual Report, collected and maintained by State Library Services in the Minnesota Department of Education. 8.20 7.88 11.95 9.22 ColumbiaHeights Group 5 MELSA Minnesota Circulation per Capita 54%37% 56%46% ColumbiaHeights Group 5 MELSA Minnesota % Population w/Library Cards 0.42 0.43 0.38 0.38 ColumbiaHeights Group 5 MELSA Minnesota Staff FTE per 1,000 $56 $48 $53 $47 ColumbiaHeights Group 5 MELSA Minnesota Operating Expenditures per Capita 1 6 Item 7. Pop. ServedSELCORed Wing Public Library 22,068 PCLS Marshall-Lyon County Library 22,006 PCLS Nobles County Library 21,728 MELSA Columbia Heights Public Library 21,567 ALS Grand Rapids Area Library 21,071 TDS St. Peter Public Library 20,847 TDS Martin County Library 19,657 MELSA Stillwater Public Library 19,426 VLS Fergus Falls Public Library 19,271 UNAFF Crosby: Hallett Memorial Library 18,636 SELCO Kasson Public Library 17,848 TDS North Mankato Taylor Library 16,600 ALS Hibbing Public Library 16,028 TDS New Ulm Public Library 14,083 SELCO St. Charles Public Library 13,799 ALS Cloquet Public Library 12,667 SELCO Cannon Falls Library 12,562 Regional SystemsALSArrowhead Library SystemGRRLGreat River Regional LibraryKRLKitchigami Regional LibraryLARLLake Agassiz Regional LibraryMELSAMetropolitan Library Service AgencyNWRLNorthwest Regional LibraryPCLSPlum Creek Library SystemPLSPioneerland Library SystemSELCOSoutheastern Libraries CooperatingTDSTraverse Des Sioux Library SystemVLSViking Library SystemUNAFFIndependent library Source: Minnesota Public Library Annual ReportMinnesota public libraries submit annual reports to the Minnesota Department of Education as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 134.13. Data is also submitted to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for its Public Libraries in the United States Survey. Statistics include input and output measures related to facilities, services, programs, collections, staffing, hours of operation, and income and expenditures. Statistical information is used by public libraries and policymakers to plan and implement services that meet the needs of their communities. Data for 2024 was submitted February through April 2025 using an online survey. All regional library systems and 99 percent of public library administrative entities in Minnesota completed the survey. (Hanska Community Library did not report.) For more information about the Minnesota Public Library Annual Report, please contact State Library Services at mde.lst@state.mn.us. Libraries in Group 5,serving populations of 12,000 to 23,999 Hibbing Stillwater North Mankato St. Peter Red Wing 2 7 Item 7. Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Report – January 2026 BUILDING • Northland Refrigeration maintained building and snowmelt boilers throughout the month despite numerous malfunctions. New boilers will be installed at the end of the heating season. • The fire alarm system panel began to randomly alarm at the end of the month. TECHNOLOGY • Software updates were made to the Bibliotheca self-check kiosks. • A new keyboard was installed for public computer #6. • An upgrade to the Sirsi-Dynix integrated library system software was installed. • Five staff desktop computers were replaced with laptops and docking stations. • The cost of printing black and white documents increased to $0.20 per page. The cost for copying should have increased too but took additional time to implement. COLLECTION • New books were selected from reviews in the July, August, September or October issues of Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal and School Library Journal. Standing orders and other items not received in 2025 were reordered. Youth requests and replacements included additional books from the Pig the Pug series, a book by local Minneapolis author Trung Le Nguyen Angelica and the Bear Prince, additional manga titles in the immensely popular Blue Lock series, and books from a variety of “Best of 2025” lists. • Weeding started in adult mysteries, continued in youth picture books, and was completed in adult audiobooks. • Adult displays featured “short reads for short days,” books by Palestinian authors or about Palestine, international and world language films, job seeking books, and exercise or strength training books. Youth displays highlighted science fiction books and immigrant stories PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE English Language Conversation Circle 1/3 Adult 4 Community Craft Night 1/5 Adult 0 EL Conversation Circle 1/5 Adult 4 EL Conversation Circle 1/7 Adult 5 Daycare Storytime 1/9 Children (0-5) 15 EL Conversation Circle 1/10 Adult 3 EL Conversation Circle 1/12 Adult 5 Tinker Time: Watercolor Winter Forest 1/13 Children (6-11) 18 EL Conversation Circle 1/14 Adult 3 Mayor’s Book Club: The Power of Bridging 1/14 Adult 7 Active Agers Book Club: Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club (Murzyn Hall) 1/16 Adult 7 EL Conversation Circle 1/17 Adult 4 Library Book Club: The Lager Queen of Minnesota 1/21 Adult 9 EL Conversation Circle 1/21 Adult 2 Fulcrum Health: Pain Management with Chiropractic 1/22 Adult 0 EL Conversation Circle 1/24 Adult 3 EL Conversation Circle 1/26 Adult 3 EL Conversation Circle 1/28 Adult 3 8 Item 8. Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – January 2026 Mayor’s Book Club 1/28 Adult 6 EL Conversation Circle 1/31 Adult 3 Making Whisk Brooms with the Textile Center 1/31 Adult 12 STAFF Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian: • Met with the Friends of the Library. • Met with Sam Sleeman of Faith Community Nurse Network on health outreach possibilities for seniors in the community. • Met with the MELSA adult programming interest group. • Co-facilitated (with Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula) a book club centered on the Bush Foundation book club, The Power of Bridging by john a powell. • Began Winter Reads, a self-directed program for all ages, on January 5. Participants receive a card which is stamped/punched every time they visit the library, check out books, or attend a program. Once the card is completed, adults receive a bookmark or a MELSA-provided hat or earmuff. Adults can also enter a grand prize drawing. Youth participants receive a snowflake bookmark and sticker upon completion. • Made four deliveries to At-Home patrons. Renee Dougherty, Library Director: • Attended regular meetings of city division heads, communications committee, library staff, the Anoka County Library Public Service team and the Minnesota Library Association Board of Directors. • With HR Director Kelli Wick, I interviewed six finalists for the Library Supervisor position. Two were invited for a second interview. • Met with the city manager about policy and procedures surrounding Immigrations and Customs enforcement activity within the library. • Met with the ACL Director. • Facilitated the adult book club discussion of The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal. • Participated in webinars on filing the 2025 Minnesota Public Library Annual Report and preparing for ICE enforcement within the library. • Attended the retirement party for recreation director Keith Windschitl. • Met with Youth Services Librarian Eliza Pope for her annual performance review. Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian: • Worked with staff at Valley View and Highland Elementary Schools to plan field trips to the library for kindergartners. Trips were cancelled because of weather and immigration and customs enforcement activity in the city. Both will be rescheduled later in the spring. Matthias “Rin” Gorman, Library Supervisor, resigned his position. MISCELLANEOUS • Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on January 22. • Numerous incidents resulted in calls for police assistance including o A physical fight in the lobby on January 7. o Shawn Pioske was trespassed from library on January 17 for creating a public nuisance (yelling, swearing, using xenophobic and racially charged language, spitting/coughing in 9 Item 8. Columbia Heights Public Library 3. Library Board Monthly Update – January 2026 faces of library and police personnel.) He returned on January 17, and when reminded that he had been trespassed and needed to leave the building, started yelling about his first amendment rights being violated. He was arrested and removed a second time. o Evidence of drug use was found in the men’s restroom. o A citizen called about an individual wielding a machete or ax in the area, and police entered the library to search. • Conversation Circle leaders noted a decrease in attendance, especially from Spanish speakers. • Nine adult volunteers donated 29.25 hours. One teen volunteered for 2 hours. • There were weather-related newspaper delivery issues. • Immigrations Enforcement agents staged in the parking lot on January 10. 10 Item 8.