Fargo Public Library Board - May 21, 2019 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Board Members Present: Racheal Steenholdt, Mary Dickson, Carrie Peterson, Jan Ulferts-Stewart, Carlos Hawley Jr.
Board Members Absent: Scott Beaulier, Mary Batcheller
Staff: Tim Dirks, Sunny Branick, Betsy Dauer
Others Present:
President, Rachael Steenholdt called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM, and a quorum was declared.
Order of Agenda
A motion was made by Mary Dickson to approve the Order of the Agenda. Jan Ulferts-Stewart seconded the motion; motion carried.
Minutes of April 16, 2019 Regular Meeting
Carlos Hawley Jr made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 16, 2019 meeting. Mary Dickson seconded the motion; motion carried.
Staff Report
Sunny Branick presented highlights from the library
Staff updates and Staff development activities:
• Cheryl is hiring a Page for Main. They are reviewing applications.
• An offer has been extended for the Technology Assistant LA III position. Will start June 3rd.
• We have switched the shelving locations of the Large Print and Biography collections.
Programming:
Upcoming Events & Programs (a partial and incomplete list):
Childrens
• May 12-25 – Main Library: Battle of the Books Tournament: Round 4! 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.
Adults
• May Gardening Series. Get your green thumb ready for spring and summer with a 4-part series of informational and hands-on gardening sessions at the library. These 60-minute workshops will be held at the downtown Main Library. Attend any or all of the sessions. For more information, contact the Main Library Information Desk
• May 21 – Main Library at 7 p.m. Worm Bin Composting: Easy Composting Indoors!
• May 28 – Main Library at 7 p.m. Blossom Barter – Come with Plants to Trade! The Blossom Barter is an opportunity to share your love of gardening with your neighbors. Participants are asked to bring healthy divided or sprouted bedding plants to exchange.
• May 22 – Main Library at 7 p.m. "Weather the Storm": How the 1957 Fargo Tornado Inspired a Musical. Weather the Storm is a new musical about a fractured community brought together by disaster, inspired by the 1957 Fargo tornado – the most devastating in North Dakota history. Join us as writer Tracy Frank and composer Topher Williams talk about what prompted them to write a musical inspired by the storm, their creative process, and the upcoming debut production set for June at Bonanzaville. Plus, listen to a preview performance of some of the show’s songs.
• Restorative Yoga Sessions for Adults. The library continues to offer monthly, 90-minute “Restorative Yoga” classes for adults. Restorative yoga has potential benefits to every person, regardless of age, gender, or physical ability. Please bring a yoga mat or a large towel and wear comfortable clothing. These classes are recommended for adults and no registration is required.
• Monday, June 17 – Dr. James Carlson Library at 6 p.m.
• Monday, July 15 – Dr. James Carlson Library at 6 p.m.
• Monday, August 19 – Dr. James Carlson Library at 6 p.m.
Events for All Ages
• May 19 – Main Library at 1:30-3:30 p.m. It's a Bioblitz! Explore your backyard wilderness and become a citizen scientist at a Bioblitz! The Fargo Public Library, in partnership with Audubon Dakota, will be hosting a Bioblitz on Sunday. What is a Bioblitz? It’s a fun, intensive, short search for biodiversity in a specific location. We’ll begin at the Main Library with a welcome and orientation at 1:30 p.m. and then walk to one of Audubon Dakota’s nearby Urban Woods and Prairies sites to document the different species of birds, plants, insects, mammals and more! All ages and skill levels are welcome. (Children ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.) Species will be documented on smart phones and digital cameras. If you have a smart phone, install the iNaturalist app to record and share your findings. We’ll be joined by local naturalists and others who know the area. Following our data collection, participants are invited to join us back at the library at 4 p.m. for a wrap-up and refreshments. Pre-registration is required and all individuals (both adults and kids) who will be attending the event should register online or call Children’s Services
• May 20 – Century Cinema at 6:30 p.m. Backyard Wilderness Film Event. All ages are invited to attend a free showing of the film Backyard Wilderness in 3-D, at the Century Cinema on Monday. Backyard Wilderness follows Katie, a young girl, and her family who are absorbed by an array of electronic devices and, at first, oblivious to the natural world just outside their home. Katie gradually discovers the intricate secrets that nature has hidden so close to her front door. The film reminds us that Wi-Fi is not the only connection that matters and that sometimes in ordinary places, you can uncover extraordinary things that can transform you forever – you just need to step outside. The film arms explorers of all ages with the tools and inspiration to discover the wonders of nature at their fingertips. Pre-registration is required and all individuals (both adults and kids) who will be attending the event should register online or call Children’s Services.
• Jun. 3 – Aug. 10. Summer Reading Program. A Universe of Stories. This summer, visit any of the three Fargo Public Library locations (Main Library, Dr. James Carlson Library, or Northport Library) and participate in our exciting Summer Reading Program for kids, teens and adults.
• Jun. 3 – Aug. 10. 2019 Fargo History Hunt. The Fargo History Hunt is back for 2019 with all different buildings! Take a peek into Fargo’s past. From June 3 to August 10, pick up a map at any Fargo Public Library location and follow the trail to 12 of downtown Fargo’s historic buildings. Use the clues provided to find answers to questions about each building, along with a jigsaw puzzle piece. Complete the questions and the puzzle and return to the library. Show a librarian your puzzle to be entered into a grand prize drawing. The puzzle is yours to keep! The Fargo History Hunt is once again made possible through a donation from the Friends of the Fargo Public Library. All ages are invited to participate. One puzzle/entry per person. Please note that some buildings are businesses with irregular hours.
Notable Past events & programs (again, a partial list):
Childrens
• Apr. 22 – Main Library at 6:00 p.m.: Celebrate Our EARTH: Earth Day 2019 at the Main Library. 40 people attended
• Apr. 27 – Shopkins’ Sweet Shop. 20 attendees
• Apr. 27 – Play Day at West Acres. At this event, we made library cards, checked out books, had crafts available, and performed 4 storytimes to over 550 people!
• May 4 – Dr. James Carlson Library at 10 a.m. Worms and Dirt and Gnomes, Oh My! North Dakota Master Gardeners dished the dirt on all things botanical at this family gardening event. 64 attendees.
Adult
• Apr. 23 – Main Library at 7 p.m. International Day of the Book Celebration: "Don Quixote: What Makes the Modern Novel Modern?" 38 attendees
• Apr. 24 – Main Library at 6:30 p.m. Home. The Homelessness Crisis in North Dakota Documentary Screening. 55 attendees
• Apr. 29 – Main Library at 4pm. 10th Anniversary Celebration. 125 attendees
• Apr. 30 – Main Library at 6:30 p.m. Trivia Night at the Library. 17 attendees
• May 6 – Main Library at 7 p.m. Author Visit with William Kent Krueger. 150 attendees
• May Gardening Series
• May 7 – Main Library at 7 p.m. Microgreens and Sprouts. 20 attendees
• May 14 – Main Library at 7 p.m. Pollinator Gardens: Get the Buzz on How to Attract Pollinators.
Director’s Report
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to his written report in the Board Packet, noting a huge thank you to the Friends for the donation for the 10 year celebration.
Statistical Reports
Usage
The library had 37,931 registered patrons for the month of April. Attendance was down 4% year to date. Program attendance was up 10% year to date and 33% compared to April 2018. Volunteer hours were down 13% year to date. Internet signups were down 14% year to date. Print circulation was up 3.41% year to date. Nonprint circulation was up 4.67% year to date. Total circulation year to date is 339,245 circulations.
Financials
The year is 33% lapsed while the budget is 29.04% expended. There was $7,236 in incoming donations. Expenditures of donations totaled $5,616. Revenue is at $16,024.44 year to date.
Friends of the Library Report
No Friends report.
Unfinished Business
No unfinished business.
New Business
2020 Budget Proposal
Director Dirks referred the Board to the 2020 Budget Proposal in the Board Packet. Director Dirks is requesting an aggregate net increase of $88,909 for fiscal year 2020.
After thorough discussion a motion was made by Carlos Hawley Jr. to approve the 2020 Budget Proposal as written. Mary Dickson seconded the motion; motion carried.
Public Comment
No public comment.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 4:00 PM.
The meeting adjourned at 4:57 PM.