Fargo Public Library Board – March 20, 2018 Minutes
Informational Meeting: Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Board Members Present: Rachael Steenholdt, Jan Ulferts Stewart, Mary Dickson
Board Members Absent: Carlos Hawley Jr., Scott Beaulier
Staff: Tim Dirks, Lauren Johnson, Betsy Dauer
Others Present: Bob Jansen
President, Rachael Steenholdt began the meeting at 4:05 PM. Due to no quorum present this was an information only meeting. All action items were saved for the next meeting.
Order of Agenda
Agenda will be an action item at next meeting.
Minutes of February 20, 2018 Regular Meeting
Minutes of February 20, 2018 meeting will be an action item at next meeting.
Staff Report
Staff updates and Staff development activities:
• Megan Richardson is the new Librarian I. She will begin on March 26th, and we are excited to have her join the library team.
• A conditional offer has been made to an applicant for the part-time Library Associate I for Tech Services. They will hopefully be starting soon.
• On Feb 23rd, library staff attended an impromptu meeting and discussion with Mike Mitchell and Luke Lindberg from HR about safety in the library. This was very well received by staff.
• The volunteer appreciation event will be coming up on Tuesday, April 24 11-1 at the Red River Zoo. Board members are volunteers and we’d love to have them all join us!
Programming:
Upcoming events (a partial and incomplete list):
• The library’s Wizard of Oz performance will be on Tuesday, March 27th at The Stage at Island Park at 6:00pm. Tickets are currently sold out.
• Local author Danielle Teigen will visit the downtown Main Library on Tuesday, March 27 – Main Library at 7 p.m. for a presentation featuring her recently published book, Hidden History of Fargo. Teigen’s book reveals the intriguing true stories behind many of Fargo’s most engaging people and what continues to make the city unique. A book signing will follow the event; books will be available for purchase.
• On Monday, April 2 at 2 p.m., members from the Center for Avian Adoption, Rescue, and Education (C.A.A.R.E.) will visit the Main Library. There will be an African Gray parrot, Blue Macaw, and other parrots at this event! Learn how the C.A.A.R.E. volunteers help rescue exotic birds, and find out how to care for them as pets. Then make a parrot craft. No pre-registration is required.
• Join cast members of the NDSU production of Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! On Saturday, Apr. 7 11 a.m. at the Main Library as they give us a sneak peek at their upcoming show. Meet the characters, and make a craft. This event is open to all ages, but best suited to children ages 4 and up. No pre-registration is required and all materials will be provided.
• Prairie Roots Food Co-op, along with the Fargo Public Library, invite you to enjoy some family fun while learning what the Co-op is all about. Join us on Saturday April 14th at 11am at the Main Library, where we'll have activities fun for the whole family. All ages are welcome, but these events are most appropriate for children ages 4-12. No pre-registration is required.
• On Titanic Remembrance Day, April 15 2 p.m. at the Main Library, help us explore the inner workings of the Titanic. Using the S.T.E.A.M. method, we will conduct experiments with science, technology, engineering, art, and math in attempt to understand the mysteries of the Titanic. Children ages 6 – 12 are invited to pre-register beginning March 15.
Notable Past events & programs (again, a partial list):
Children’s Programming:
• The Winter Read-a-thon concluded on March 4th. The participation numbers for the Children’s department were up from last year with 300 (272) children participating and 709 (671) book logs turned in.
President, Rachael Steenholdt opened the floor for comments, stating that library staff is doing an awesome job. No other comments.
Director’s Report
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to his written report in the Board Packet. He focused on meetings held with City Administration as well as Downtown Resource Officers. From these meetings he is requesting additional contract security as well as two additional Library Associate II’s, one for Main and one for Northport to help eliminate sole staffing situations. He is working with City Administration to get funding for these positions. Additional contract security has already begun due to security needs at both Main and Carlson.
President, Rachael Steenholdt opened the floor for comments. Jan Ulferts Stewart commented that Northport seems well staffed when she is there. Director Dirks stated that at least 3 hours per day are sole staffed at Northport. President, Rachael Steenholdt commented that it is hard to wait for funding when there is a problem now. Adding that making the library as safe and secure as possible is what we need to do now.
Statistical Reports
Usage
The library had 38,878 registered patrons for the month of February. Attendance was up 1% from February 2017 and up 4% year to date. Program attendance was down 20% from February 2017 and down 4% year to date. Internet signups were up 2% year to date. Print circulation is up 1.14% year to date while nonprint circulation is down 5.05%. Total circulation is down 0.13% year to date.
Financials
Incoming donations totaled $611 and expenditures of donations totaled $973. The year is 17% lapsed while the budget is 15.87% expended.
President, Rachael Steenholdt opened the floor for comments. No comments.
Friends of the Library Report
Friends representative Bob Jansen reported that revenue is ahead of schedule. Friends authorized $400 to the Northern Narratives project depending on the final price. The Friends Bookstore has one paid position. This position has had turn over and is accepting applicants. Depending on inventory the Friends might hold a hallway sale rather than a large sale in the Community Room. This Friends group has constant sales whereas some Friends groups only do sales a few times per year and don’t get as constant sales.
President, Rachael Steenholdt opened the floor for comments. No comments.
Old Business
Strategic Plan Update
Director Dirks stated the consultants will be present for the April Board Meeting to present the plan to the Board.
President, Rachael Steenholdt opened the floor for comments. No comments.
New Business
All action items will be taken up at the next meeting.
Information was given about the Dusek Estate donation that was received. $91,836.60 was received from Theophil Walter Dusek’s estate. The library, among other organizations was named in Mr. Dusek’s estate. Director Dirks commented that this is a humbling gift to receive. President, Rachael Steenholdt stated that Mr. Dusek must have seen the importance of the service that the library offers. Director Dirks stated that the action item will be what the Board would like to do with the donation. His recommendation is to put it towards the endowment fund. Jan Ulferts Stewart would like the library to acknowledge the donation. Director Dirks stated that he had ordered the acknowledgement plaque. This action item will be taken up at the next meeting.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
President, Rachael Steenholdt commented that the Annual Reports looked very well done and professional. Stating she could see a lot of hard work went into creating them.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, 2018.
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 PM.