Fargo Public Library Board - February 16, 2021 Minutes
Regular Meeting: February 16, 2021 Minutes
Board Members Present: Mary Batcheller, Rachael Steenholdt, Carrie Peterson, Scott Beaulier, Kristen Schipper, Whitney Oxendahl
Board Members Absent: Carlos Hawley Jr.
Staff: Tim Dirks, Sunny Branick, Betsy Dauer
Others Present:
President Mary Batcheller called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. and a quorum was declared. This meeting was attended virtually. Whitney Oxendahl was not present at roll call but was present
Order of Agenda
A motion was made by Kristen Schipper to approve the Order of the Agenda. Rachael Steenholdt seconded the motion; motion carried.
Minutes of January 19, 2021 Regular Meeting
Rachael Steenholdt made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2021 meeting. Scott Beaulier seconded the motion; motion carried.
Staff Report
Sunny Branick presented a few highlights of staff updates and events.
Staff updates and Staff development activities:
o LAI Position: The position is in the hiring process currently.
o LAII Position: the position is in the hiring process currently.
Programming:
All in-person programs have been suspended indefinitely. For a full list of all upcoming FPL activities visit FargoLibrary.org
Upcoming Events & Programs (a partial and incomplete list):
Children's
• Virtual Trivia for Kids. Groups and individuals are welcome and pre-registration is required.
Sunday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. – Disney
• Going Places Virtually Book Club. Registration is required and begins the first of the month.
Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.
• Battle of the Books Tournament.
-Feb. 28 to Mar. 14: Round 1 voting
-Mar. 15 to Mar. 28: Round 2 voting
• Crafts to Go for Kids!
-Feb. 22 – Egg Carton Goldfish
-Mar. 8 – Paper Straw Tulips
-Mar. 13 – Online. Paws for Reading.
• Storytime To Go.
-March 1 – We’re Roaming in the Rainforest by Laurie Krebs
-March 15 – Scowl by Steve Smallman
-March 29 – Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
Teens
• Mar. 15 – Online at 12 p.m. Virtual Escape Room for Teens.
• Crafts to Go for Teens.
-Feb. 22 – Bottle Cap Pins
-Mar. 8 – Barometric Glass Jars
Adult
• Spice Club
-February 15 – 22: Caraway
-March 15 – 22: Spice to be announced
Multigenerational
• Go & Grow Houseplant Series.
-Monday, March 1 – Beefsteak Begonia or Cane Begonia
-Monday, March 15 – Hoya (pet safe)
-Monday, March 29 – Golden Pothos
• Northern Narratives 2021 writing project.
• Adult Winter Read-A-Thon 2021.
• Jan. 21 – Discord at 6:00 pm. Virtual Board Games for Teens and Adults.
• Virtual Movie Discussion Group.
-Feb. 16 – Life-Changing Movies
-Mar. 16 – The Oscar Awards
-Feb. 22 – Online at 6:30 p.m. Trivia Events for Adults and Teens - Schitt's Creek.
-Feb. 25 – Online at 6:30 p.m. Online Book Discussion of "A Fireproof Home for the Bride" with Author Amy Scheibe.
Director’s Report
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to his written report in the Board Packet.
Unfinished Business
No unfinished business.
New Business
Face Covering Policy Draft
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to the draft Face Covering Policy in the Board Packet. President Mary Batcheller read briefly through the draft. After discussion, President Mary Batcheller suggested adding language at the end of the first paragraph that the policy would be revisited. Kristen Schipper agreed. Director Tim Dirks stated the vaccination level in the community is his main deciding factor.
A motion was made by Kristen Schipper to approve the Face Covering Policy with the added language to revisit the policy as community vaccination levels change. Scott Beaulier seconded the motion; motion carried.
Statistical Reports
Usage
The Library had 32,780 registered patrons for the month of January. Attendance was 1,373, which includes virtual and passive programming. Circulation was down 39.88% compared to January of the previous year. Overall circulation year to date is 49,975.
Financials
For period 13 of fiscal year 2020 there was $85 in incoming donations and $992 donations expended. There was $1,000 of incoming donations. There was $2,006 expenditures of donations. The year is 8% lapsed while the budget is 9.54% expended. Revenue is at $558.86 year to date.
Friends of the Library Report
No Friends report.
Public Comment
No public comment.
Whitney Oxendahl asked a few questions, answered by Director Tim Dirks. The last question was where Board Members should ask random questions if they don’t fit into the agenda. President Mary Batcheller and Director Tim Dirks agreed that if possible any concerns or questions should be brought to them prior to the meeting to be added to the agenda for the next meeting. President Mary Batcheller suggested that a covid updates section could be added as a standing agenda item. Director Tim Dirks agreed that could be added to his Director’s Report.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 4 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 4:29 p.m.