Fargo Public Library Board – September 20, 2022 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 Minutes
Board Members Present: Carlos Hawley, Wanda Mengelkoch, Jenna Reno, Amy Ouren, Carrie Peterson (virtual)
Board Members Absent: Hannah James, Kristen Schipper
Staff: Beth Postema, Megan Lass, Cindy Haff
Others Present: Whitney Oxendahl
President Carlos Hawley called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and a quorum was declared.
Order of the Agenda Approved
Wanda Mengelkoch made a motion to approve the Order of the Agenda. Jenna Reno seconded the motion; all the members voted aye and the motion carried.
Minutes of the August 16 Regular Meeting Approved
Amy Ouren made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 16, 2022 meeting. Second by Wanda Mengelkoch; all the members voted aye and the motion carried.
Public Comment
Former Library Board Member Whitney Oxendahl welcomed the newest board members and thanked everyone for their service. She stated that board members may request items for the agenda that might involve staff reports or discussion of library policies. Ms. Oxendahl also brought to their attention the Code of Conduct in reference to the trespass policy and questioned if there would be a replacement for the homeless liaison. Deputy Director Postema addressed the question by explaining that, while the partnership continues, staffing issues prevent us from having an active advocate on the premises at this time.
Staff Report
Megan Lass presented highlights of staff updates and events including:
• New Library Card designs are now available at all libraries
• Crafternoons has resumed at the Carlson & Northport branches.
• Author Alison Pearce Stevens will be visiting Main Library on Sep 28
• Dr. Graeme Wyllie of Concordia will be joining teens at the Great Science for Teens event Oct. 6 at the Main Library. Registration opened Sept. 19
• Doll expert Carol McDaniel from the Red River Valley Doll Club will be at Carlson on Oct. 8 to discuss dolls & their history. Attendees will have an opportunity to have one doll from their own collection appraised.
• Family Trivia Night will be happening on Sept 29 at the Main Library. The theme is Solar System and Space. Registration is required.
• One Book One Community events continue around the community.
– Oct 5, Fargo Commission Chambers: Dr. Erik Gooding will discuss US-Indigenous relations during the Period of Termination in the 1940’s – 1960s
– Author Louise Erdrich will present at Concordia College on Oct. 27
• The 13th Annual Design a Bookmark contest has begun at locations. Entries due before close on September 30
Director’s Report
Deputy Director Beth Postema summarized the written report in the Board Packet, highlighting the visit by JLG Architects and Library IQ Consultants on Sept. 15 & 16.
Unfinished business
No unfinished business was discussed.
New Business
Service Hours Update – Deputy Director Beth Postema explained that the process has been delayed. Because the budget has not yet been finalized (scheduled for Oct. 3), the four half-time, or two full-time equivalent, positions have not yet been posted. While the entire staff recognizes the need for Sunday hours, we have struggled with how to do this well in light of our diminished availability of staff hours. Library Administration is carefully auditing library usage hour by hour in relation to staff hours. Taking hiring and training time and upcoming holiday schedules, out best estimated target date for re-opening on Sundays will be January 8. We hope to have a more solid plan by next board meeting.
Statistical Reports
August Usage
Deputy Director Beth Postema said we have not reached 2019 numbers, but they do continue to climb. Programming numbers may look lower, but Deputy Director Postema explained the numbers may look skewed due to last year’s programming was a take-and-go situation so numbers appeared higher than a normal in-attendance program would look.
August Financials
Deputy Director Beth Postema said the library received $4779 in donations, with a bulk of that being slated for One Book One Community. The Expenses of $1392 were also for the One Book One Community Book giveaway. At this point in the year, 66% of the budget has been spent.
President Carlos Hawley inquired why we don’t currently have any Grants. Deputy Director Beth Postema explained the answer is multi-fold. First, grants are not available to cover our biggest need which is staffing. Secondly, grants take a large amount of time to both research and write. Given current staffing limitations, we do not have the staff-hours available to devote to grant research and writing at this time.
Friends of the Library Report
No report.
Next Regular Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022 at 4 p.m. Note: President Hawley will not be in attendance. Meeting will be moderated by Vice President Amy Ouren.
The meeting adjourned at 4:21 p.m.