Fargo Public Library Board - January 19, 2021 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Minutes
Board Members Present: Mary Batcheller, Rachael Steenholdt, Whitney Oxendahl, Carrie Peterson, Scott Beaulier, Carlos Hawley Jr.
Board Members Absent: Kristen Schipper
Staff: Tim Dirks, Sunny Branick, Pam Strait, Betsy Dauer
Others Present:
President Mary Batcheller called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and a quorum was declared. This meeting was attended virtually.
Order of Agenda
A motion was made by Carlos Hawley Jr. to approve the Order of the Agenda. Mary Batcheller seconded the motion; motion carried.
Minutes of December 15, 2020 Regular Meeting
Rachael Steenholdt made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2020 meeting. Carrie Peterson seconded the motion; motion carried.
Staff Report
Sunny Branick presented a few highlights of staff updates and events.
Staff updates and Staff development activities:
• LAI Position: The position is in the hiring process currently.
• Tentatively opening Jan. 25
General curbside update:
• As of Jan. 9, we have had over 7000 curbside pickups across all three branches.
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
• Library Pen Pals. 102 3rd St. N.
• StoryWalk®.
• Storytime To Go.
-Jan. 19 – Stomp by Uncle Ian Aurora
-Feb. 1 – Veggie Soup by Dorothy Donohue
-Feb. 16 – Pete the Cat: Old MacDonald had a Farm by James Dean
• LEGO Mania Design Contest. Teens
• Jan. 19 – Online at 4:00 p.m. Virtual Escape Room for Teens.
• Crafts to Go for Teens.
-Jan. 25 – Morse Code Necklace
-Feb. 8 – Grow Your Own Geode
Adult
• Spice Club: A Take and Make Cooking Club Looking to spice things up in the kitchen?
-Jan. 19 – 25: Cardamom
-Feb. 15 – 22: Spice to be announced
Multigenerational
• Adult Winter Read-A-Thon 2021.
• Northern Narratives 2021 writing project.
• Go & Grow Houseplant Series.
-Jan. 19 – Spider Plant (pet safe)
-Feb. 1 – Jade
-Feb. 16 – Swedish Ivy (pet safe)
• Jan. 21 – Discord at 6:00 pm. Virtual Board Games for Teens and Adults.
Director’s Report
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to his written report in the Board Packet.
Director Tim Dirks added the library would be opening January 25 as the guidelines in the reopening plan have been met. Vaccine plan to be laid out by the city though no date given yet. All safety measures done previously while previously open during the pandemic will still be in place when we open.
Questions from the Board pertained to status of the wiggle room, bookstore, and café. All will continue to remain closed including all meeting rooms. President Mary Batcheller gave thanks to Tim and staff for continued efforts.
Unfinished Business
No unfinished business.
New Business
Overview of Outreach Services
Pam Strait, Outreach Services and Volunteer Coordinator, gave an overview of Outreach Services. There was only one in person program held in 2020 prior to the pandemic. When the pandemic started Outreach called outreach patrons and checked in with them since they could not see them in person. Dial a story has been going well and now added a fourth line for children. A reminisce program has just been added. Books by mail and pen pals programs to be started soon.
President Mary Batcheller replied hats off to Outreach and thanked Pam for her overview.
Statistical Reports
Usage
The Library had 24,216 registered patrons for the month of December. Attendance was 749, which includes virtual and passive programming. Circulation was down 40.26% compared to December of the previous year. Overall circulation year to date is 692,372.
Financials
There was $3,110 of incoming donations. There was $609 expenditures of donations. A grant was received from the Fargo Park District for $4,263 and has been fully expended. The year is 100% lapsed while the budget is 94.41% expended. The 13th period will close in 2021 and be rolled back to the 2020 budget. Revenue is at $16,617.00 year to date. The budget line freezes from 2020 have been lifted.
Friends of the Library Report
No Friends report.
Public Comment
No public comment.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 4 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 4:27 p.m.