Fargo Public Library Board - March 15, 2022 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 Minutes
Board Members Present: Scott Beaulier, Carlos Hawley Jr., Kristen Schipper, Amy Ouren, Rachael Steenholdt, Jenna Reno
Board Members Absent: Carrie Peterson
Staff: Tim Dirks, Megan Richardson, Betsy Dauer
Others Present:
President Scott Beaulier called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and a quorum was declared.
Order of Agenda
Public comment has moved up to the third agenda item due to public request. A motion was made by Carlos Hawley Jr. to approve the Order of the Agenda. Amy Ouren seconded the motion; motion carried.
Minutes of February 15, 2021 Regular Meeting
Carlos Hawley Jr. made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2021 meeting. Kristen Schipper seconded the motion; motion carried.
Public Comment
Prior Library Board Member Whitney Oxendahl requested public stakeholder input for library policies or sending the policy to the Director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the City of Fargo prior to bringing new or revised policy to the Board.
Christopher Cohen spoke for the allotted time. An item he wanted to check out was removed from the collection. He claims he asked staff to see why it was weeded but there was no record of the item removal reason. Wants to know what happens to weeded items. He also spoke about emailing Director Tim Dirks and Commissioner Tony Gehrig and not hearing back from either of them.
Staff Report
Megan Richardson presented a few highlights of staff updates and events.
Staffing Update:
• Kiki Sailsbury joined our staff as of yesterday, March 14, as a Librarian I/Adult and Teen Services.
• Jenilee Kanenwisher will be starting in the position of Collection Development/Technical Services Manager on April 4. Jenilee has been with the Fargo Public Library since 2007.
• The branch LAII position is currently in the interview stage.
Services:
• The Wiggle Room has reopened! New hours will be:
-Monday –Thursday, 9:00am-8:00pm
-Friday, 11:00am-5:00pm
-Saturday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Programming:
Upcoming Featured Events & Programs (for a full list of all upcoming FPL activities, visit FargoLibrary.org). All programs are subject to change due to COVID numbers.
Red River Valley Kids Read series:
• Remembering the 1997 Red River Valley Flood, April 3, 2:00pm – at City Hall in the City Commission Room.
• Water, Water Everywhere, April 4, 10:00am – Main Library.
• The Raging Red with Meteorologist John Wheeler, April 7, 6:30pm.
• The Flood of the Century: A Retrospective of the 1997 Red River Valley Flood by Forum Communications Photographers.
Children
• Catch a Leprechaun! March 17, 2:00pm – Main Library.
• Tech Kids Camp, March 26, 10:00am – Main Library.
• 5th Annual Battle of the Books, February 27 – April 24 – Main Library.
Teens
• Teen Time, Tuesdays, Carlson and Main Library (alternating).
-1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00pm – Carlson Library
-2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00pm – Main Library
Adults
• Organize Like a Pro!, April 4, 6:30pm – Main Library.
• Royal Icing Decorating for Beginners, April 13, 6:30pm – Main Library.
• Book Clubs
-Classics Book Club, March 16 - Man Plus by Frederik Pohl
-History Reading Club, March 29 – This is How They Tell Me the World Ends by Nicole Perlroth
-Sense of Place, April 7 – Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz
-Tea Time Book Club, April 11 – Know My Name by Chanel Miller
-Diverse Perspectives, April 14 – Unbound by Tarana Burke
-Senior Book Club, April 19 – Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor
Multigenerational
• Loki Trickster Hunt, April 9 – Main Library. Sessions start at 2:00. 2:15, and 2:30.
• Northern Narratives.
• Northern Narratives Jr
• Library Card Design Contest.
• Northern Focus Photography Project.
Director’s Report
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to his written report in the Board Packet and gave a library covid update. No staff are currently impacted by covid.
Unfinished Business
No unfinished business.
New Business
Library Board Letter to City Admin
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to the action item summary sheet and letter from the Board in the Board Packet. At the February 15 Board meeting it was decided that the Board would write a letter to City Admin in support of the 4 FTE’s that the library is requesting.
A motion was made by Kristen Schipper to approve the draft letter to be sent to City Admin. Jenna Reno seconded the motion; motion carried.
Computer Use Draft Policy
Director Tim Dirks referred the Board to the Computer Use Draft Policy in the Board Packet. A line was added that states, “A guest pass is available to individuals for 60 minutes of computer use per day at no charge.” This change is being requested to reduce barriers for patrons needing to use the computer who may not proper ID to get on the computers.
A motion was made by Carlos Hawley Jr. to approve the Computer Use Policy as drafted. Amy Ouren seconded the motion; motion carried.
Statistical Reports
Usage
The Library had 27,850 registered patrons for the month of February. Program attendance was 1,103. Circulation was up 4.82% compared to the same month of the previous year. Overall circulation year to date is 138,044.
Financials
There was $35 of incoming donations. There was $366 expenditures of donations. The year is 17% lapsed while the budget is 19.95% expended. Revenue is at $2,342.43 year to date.
Friends of the Library Report
No Friends report. Director Tim Dirks reported the Friends are planning a book sale this summer.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, 2021 at 4 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.