Fargo Public Library Board - April 16, 2019 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Board Members Present: Racheal Steenholdt, Mary Dickson, Mary Batcheller, Carrie Peterson, Carlos Hawley Jr.
Board Members Absent: Jan Ulferts-Stewart, Scott Beaulier
Staff: Tim Dirks, Sunny Branick, Beth Postema
Others Present:
President, Rachael Steenholdt called the meeting to order at 4:03 PM, and a quorum was declared.
Order of Agenda
A motion was made by Mary Dickson to approve the Order of the Agenda. Mary Batcheller seconded the motion; motion carried.
Minutes of March 19, 2019 Regular Meeting
Carrie Peterson made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2019 meeting. Mary Batcheller seconded the motion; motion carried.
Staff Report
Sunny Branick presented highlights from the library
Staff updates and Staff development activities:
• April 9th was National Library Workers Day! We had a taco bar at each location! It was catered from Mexican Village, and generously paid for by the Staff Development donation from the Friends of the Fargo Public Library.
We would like to invite the Library Board to join us for the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, April 30 at InspireLab in Moorhead. Please call Kirstie to RSVP.
Programming:
Upcoming Events & Programs (a partial and incomplete list):
Childrens
• Apr. 14-27 – Main Library: Battle of the Books Tournament: Round 2! Join us for the Fargo Public Library's second Battle of the Books tournament. Sixteen books will battle, but only one will win! The Battle officially kicked off on April 1. The top eight chapter books suggested by the public will battle with eight chapter books chosen by library staff. Stop by the Main Library every two weeks and vote to make sure that your favorite advances to the next round. Correctly predict the winner and you could win a prize! The winning book will be announced Monday, May 28th.
• Apr. 22 – Main Library at 6:00 p.m.: Celebrate Our EARTH: Earth Day 2019 at the Main Library. Celebrated around the world on April 22, Earth Day is an annual event highlighting environmental protection and harmony with nature. This year, along with the City of Fargo, we’ll have activities to help our community keep our Earth beautiful. There will be a tree planting expert on hand as well as a tree giveaway sponsored by the North Dakota Forestry Service. A recycling expert will show us how to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Weather permitting, we may also assist our parks department and pick up litter at a nearby park or along the river. This event is most appropriate for families with children ages 4 and up. No pre-registration is required.
• Apr. 27 – Main Library at 11:00 a.m.: Shopkins' Sweet Shop at the Main Library. Are you a little sweetie? Welcome to the Shopkins’ Sweet Shop at the Main Library where you can express your creativity, learn some cooking techniques, and satisfy your sweet tooth all at the same time! Inspired by some of your favorite Shopkin characters, we will decorate Queen Cupcake, make caramel apple slices out of Apple Blossom, and even dip Strawberry Kiss in chocolate for a special treat! This event is open to children ages 4 to 10.
• May 4 – Dr. James Carlson Library at 10 a.m.: Worms and Dirt and Gnomes, Oh My! North Dakota Master Gardeners will give the dirt at this family gardening event! Learn about the process of pollination and the food you eat. Make your own gnome hideaway, enjoy the magic of germination, and discover how to use sunlight to create fantastic foliar prints. Participants will also make their own mini-vermicomposting bottle and learn how you can compost at home. This event is open to ages 4 and up. All materials will be provided & no pre-registration is required to attend
Teen
• Apr. 16 – Main Library at 6:30 p.m.: Great Science for Teens. We’ll be hosting an all new edition of Great Science for Teens led by Dr. Graeme Wyllie of Concordia College with engaging science experiments made just for teens in grades 6-12. All materials will be provided. Pre-registration is required.
Adults
• Apr. 23 – Main Library at 7 p.m.: International Day of the Book Celebration: "Don Quixote: What Makes the Modern Novel Modern?" Celebrate International Day of the Book with the presentation, "Don Quixote: What Makes the Modern Novel Modern?” by Dr. Carlos Hawley from NDSU Department of Modern Languages. Hawley will describe how poetry, industry, and empire coalesced around author Miguel de Cervantes and gave rise to fiction, literacy, and the modern novel. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
• Apr. 24 – Main Library at 6:30 p.m.: Home. The Homelessness Crisis in North Dakota Documentary Screening. Join The Human Family, a local nonprofit promoting human rights and social justice through film and art, on Wednesday, April 24, for a screening of Home. The Homelessness Crisis in North Dakota. Understanding housing as a human right and as an inherent need to the health and happiness of all persons, the documentary examines the myths of homelessness, its causes, and identifies the statewide organizations and individuals currently engaged in the fight to end homelessness in North Dakota. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring area experts about the epidemic. The event is free and open to the public.
• Apr. 29 – Main Library at 4pm.: 10th Anniversary Celebration. We invite you to the Main Library Building’s 10th Birthday. Join the staff and Friends of the Fargo Public Library in April and May as together we celebrate the success and achievements of the Fargo Public Library since our current Main Library building opened in April 2009. What first began as a dream in 2004 of a new and bigger library to meet the needs of a growing city took shape a decade ago; now we are celebrating how that dream has become a successful reality! Reception from 4p.m. to 7 p.m. Short presentation by Fargo Mayor, Dr. Tim Mahoney, and Library Director, Tim Dirks, at 5 p.m. Light refreshments and live music featuring the Dave Ferreira Trio. This community celebration is sponsored by the Friends of the Fargo Public.
• Apr. 30 – Main Library at 6:30 p.m.: Trivia Night at the Library. Test your knowledge of library and book-related trivia. Prizes will be awarded, and pizza will be served. Groups and individuals are welcome; pre-registration is required.
• May 6 – Main Library at 7 p.m.: Author Visit with William Kent Krueger. Join us for an author visit and discussion with William Kent Krueger, best-selling writer of the Cork O'Conner mystery series and also the novel Ordinary Grace. This event is free and open to the public. Books will be for sale and a book signing will follow this event. This event is generously paid for by the Friends of the Fargo Public Library
Notable Past events & programs (again, a partial list):
Childrens
• Crafternoons at Carlson and Northport: We’re always winning. In the 6 sessions we have had since the last Library Board Meeting, we’ve had 432 people come to get crafty with us.
• Mar. 27 –Mar. 28: National Noodle Month! Fifty-eight people joined us for our noodle-riffic craft and activity sessions!
Adult
• Mar. 23: Tea Tasting at the Carlson Library: Forty-two people attended.
• Mar. 24: “From Saffron and Rosewater to Blood and Oil: Iran and Its Culture.” Sixty-two people attended.
• Mar. 24: Silent Reading Party at Wild Terra: Thirty-five people attended.
• Mar. 27: History of Mid-America Steel" & "Electric Trolleys in Fargo-Moorhead.” Thirty-eight people attended.
Rachael Steenholdt stated that if you are bored in Fargo, you just are not paying attention to what the Fargo Public Library is doing. The staff are doing a great job of drawing people in with creative and engaging programs.
Director’s Report
Director, Tim Dirks referred the Board to the Director’s Report in the Board Packet.
Statistical Reports
Usage
May Usage
Library visits in March were down, from last year, but there were storm closures. However, programming attendance has increased. Circulation is up 5% overall in comparison with this point last year, and 2018 was a record year for circulation.
Financials
There was $7,670 in incoming donations. Expenditures of donations totaled $4,660. In terms of the general fund budget, at the end of the first quarter, expenditures are on target. Revenue is at $11,562.30 year to date.
Friends of the Library Report
No Friends report.
Unfinished Business
Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
Tim Dirks reported that he has received approval from the City Attorney to move forward with this project, which came out of the strategic plan. The sponsorship amounts came from discussions with Community Relations Specialist Melisa Duncan to cover additional public relations costs. This project comes in response to two points that the library consistently heard. First, people in the community want to know what the library is doing, and secondly, they wish for a tighter connection between the library and the business community. Rachael Steenholdt stated that this also benefits the businesses involved in this partnership with the library. Tim Dirks said that once the proposal is approved, a sponsor recruitment strategy would be developed. Mary Batcheller asked to clarify that foundations and individuals would also be considered for sponsorship. Tim Dirks replied that they would also be welcomed.
Carlos Hawley moved to approve corporate sponsorship opportunities plan. Mary Dickson seconded the motion; the motion carried.
New Business
2018 Annual Report Document
Tim Dirks distributed copies of the most recent annual report. He said that it provides an opportunity to share the library’s story and work with donors and public officials. It strives to reflect the energy of the staff and the scope of activities carried out. It was a record year, not only in terms of circulation, but also in terms of support from the Friends of the Fargo Public Library with over $23,000 in support of services, programs, equipment, and staff development. Rachael Steenholdt said that she appreciates how transparent the library is in terms of its operations; the report is beautifully done.
Public Comment
No public comment.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 4:00 PM.
The meeting adjourned at 4:29 PM.