Fargo Public Library Board - August 17, 2021 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 Minutes
Board Members Present: Scott Beaulier, Carlos Hawley Jr., Rachael Steenholdt, Whitney Oxendahl, Kristen Schipper, Jenna Reno, Carrie Peterson
Board Members Absent:
Staff: Tim Dirks, Amber Emery, Megan Richardson, Betsy Dauer
Others Present:
President Scott Beaulier facilitated introductions to new Board member Jenna Reno.
President Scott Beaulier called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. and a quorum was declared. This meeting was attended virtually and in person.
Order of Agenda
A motion was made by Kristen Schipper. to approve the Order of the Agenda. Carlos Hawley Jr. seconded the motion; motion carried.
Minutes of July 20, 2021 Regular Meeting
Carlos Hawley Jr. made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2021 meeting. Scott Beaulier seconded the motion; motion carried.
Staff Report
Megan Richardson presented a few highlights of staff updates and events.
Staff updates and Staff development activities:
• Recently hired Library Page positions: Austin Bieri, Tammy Dixon, and Mya Miller.
Community Engagement Events:
• Library staff will be at the Red River Market – Senior Day, August 21, at Broadway Square
Programming:
Upcoming Featured Events & Programs (for a full list of all upcoming FPL activities, visit FargoLibrary.org):
Children
• StoryWalk®: Fall 2021— Main Library Sodbuster Plaza
• Baby Rhyme Time
-Live: Thursday Sept. 9 & 23 10 am— Dr. James Carlson Library. No registration required
-Virtual: Tuesday, Sept. 7 & 21 6:30 pm. Registration required
• Birding for Kids with Audubon Dakota: Saturday, Sept. 11th 10 am — Main Library
Teens
• Teen Time
-First Tuesdays: STEM
-Second Tuesdays: Arts and Crafts
-Third Tuesdays: Book Nerds
-Four Tuesdays: un-themed
Adults
• Fresh Air Crafts: Bleach T-shirts – August 21
• New Book Club: Sense of Place.
• “Silent” Reading Party at Fargo Brewing Company
-Sunday, September 19 at 2 p.m.
• Book Clubs.
-Senior Book Club, August 24 – Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
-Diverse Perspectives, September 9 – Sex Object by Jessica Valenti
-Tea Time Book Club, September 13 – Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
-Classics Book Club, September 15 – David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
-History Book Club, September 28 – The Trouble with Taiwan by Kerry Brown
• Go & Grow: Houseplants – September 6
Multigenerational
• Design a Bookmark Contest
• Northern Focus 2021 Photography Exhibit
• World Yoyo Champion John Narum Exhibition – September 18
• Friday Movies at Carlson
-September 10: News of the World (PG-13)
Director’s Report
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to his written report in the Board Packet and gave a library covid update. Currently one staff out due to daycare covid exposure. Signs are going up encouraging masking.
Of the requested $118,260 for the 2022 Budget the library was approved $67,100.
Unfinished Business
No unfinished business.
New Business
Material Challenge
Jason DeShaw, Collection Development/Technical Services Manager, directed the Board to the Statement of Concern Committee’s recommendation in the Board Packet regarding the material challenge of Fairy Science by Ashley Spires, When Aiden Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff and Max on the Farm also by Kyle Lukoff.
After Board discussion, a motion was made by Carlos Hawley Jr. to retain the titles in question per the Statement of Concern Committee recommendation. Kristen Schipper seconded the motion; motion carried.
Meeting Rooms Policy Review
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to the Meeting Room Policy in the Board Packet. No changes were recommended for this review. It was noted that this policy will likely come back with changes as the technology in the rooms is updated.
A motion was made by Carlos Hawley Jr. to approve the Meeting Room Policy as is. Kristen Schipper seconded the motion; motion carried.
Media Relations Policy Review
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to the Media Relations Policy in the Board Packet. No changes were recommended for this review.
A motion was made by Kristen Schipper to approve the Media Relations Policy as is. Carlos Hawley Jr. seconded the motion; motion carried.
Statistical Reports
Usage
The Library had 29,566 registered patrons for the month of July. Program attendance was 1,613. Circulation was up 56.76% compared to July of the previous year. Overall circulation year to date is 488,554.
Financials
There was $3,180 of incoming donations. There was $1,032 expenditures of donations. The year is 58% lapsed while the budget is 54.74% expended. Revenue is at $9,294.21 year to date.
Friends of the Library Report
No Friends report.
Public Comment
Christopher Coen spoke about action not being taken on his previous public comments at Library Board meetings and wanted to know why Director Tim Dirks and Deputy Director Beth Postema haven’t responded to his requests. After the allotted three-minute time was up President Scott Beaulier continued the meeting.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 4 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 4:33 p.m. The annual meeting followed immediately after the regular meeting.