Fargo Public Library Board – April 18, 2023 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 Minutes
Board Members Present: Amy Ouren, Jenna Reno, Carlos Hawley, Wanda Mengelkoch, Carrie Peterson (virtual), Hannah James (virtual)
Board Members Absent: Kristen Schipper Hannah James
Staff: Tim Dirks, Megan Lass, Beth Postema
Others Present: Michele Anderson, Friends of the Fargo Public Library
Board President Carlos Hawley called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. A quorum was met.
Order of the Agenda Approved
Jenna Reno moved to approve the order of the agenda; Hannah James seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Minutes of the January 17 Regular Meeting
Amy Ouren moved to approve the minutes of the January 17 Regular Meeting; Wanda Mendelkoch seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Public Comment
There was no public comment
Staff Report
Megan Lass presented highlights of staff updates and events including:
• Community Engagement
– As warmer weather approaches, the library staff are building a calendar of when library staff members will be out at public events throughout the community. These events include:
• Party for the Planet at the Red River Zoo on April 22
• World Book Night at Broadway Square
• National Library Week at NDSU
• Children
– Little Squirt Earth Science will take place to celebrate Earth Day
– Recommended for ages 3-5; registration is required
– Two sessions-April 22 at the Carlson Library and April 25 at the Main Library
• Preparing for Pollinators: Samuel Devick of the North Dakota 4-H will show kids how to make seed balls to turn any patch into pollinator habitat; registration required
• Teen/Tween
– Star Wars Day Celebration on May the 4th: make your own light saber. All supplies provided, registration required
– Enola Holmes and the Case of the Bizarre Books
– April 22, 1pm, Main Library
– Mysteries to solve for ages 11-18; registration required
• Adult
– The Cropdusters, a group of local musicians, will be providing live music during the Friends booksale on Saturday, May 6
– Annual Spring plant swap on May 15, 6pm at the Carlson Library
– Local Author Chris Vondracek will be discussing his book Dancing with Welk: Music, memory, and Prairie Troubadours at the Main Library on May 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Director's Report
Director Tim Dirks summarized the written report in the Board Packet. He highlighted progress on the shade replacement process for the Main Library.
Unfinished business
No unfinished business was discussed.
New Business
A. 2024 Library Budget Requests
Tim Dirks presented the draft budget requests to the board. The staffing requests follow on the recommendations from the City HR department for minimal staffing levels. The capital requests begins to implement the facilities master plan by developing alternate use of the empty coffee shop space at the Main Library. The operational budget calls for an incremental increase, based on increased use and restoration to FY2019 levels. Jenna Reno moved to approve the proposed FY2024 budget; Wanda Mengelkoch seconded the motion. The motion carried.
B. Reference Policy
Tim Dirks presented the existing Reference Policy for board review. Amy Ouren moved to approve as presented; Jenna Reno seconded the motion. The motion carried.
C. Circulation Policy
Tim Dirks presented the draft of the updated circulation policy. The significant changes include referring accounts to a collection agency at $500 owed, rather than $125 and accounts being blocked at $30 owed instead of $15. Jenna Reno asked for clarification regarding fines; Tim Dirks replied that these amounts are from damaged or lost book fees, not overdue fines. Wanda Mengelkoch moved to approve the revised circulation policy as presented; Amy Ouren seconded the motion. The motion carried.
D. Collection Development Policy
Tim Dirks presented the draft of the revised Collection Development policy. It emphasizes the Fargo Public Library's role as a popular materials center. The facilities master planning process demonstrated how much square footage is needed for collections that will actually be used. This impacts the removal of an adult literacy collection. This policy also reiterates that the reading and viewing of teens is the responsibility of their parents. Jenna Reno moved to approve the revised Collection Development Policy as presented; Wanda Mengelkoch seconded the motion. The motion carried.
E. Programming Policy
Tim Dirks presented the draft for a new policy on library programming. Coming out of the previous strategic planning process, there was a need for a visioning document regarding library programming. Amber Emery, Lori West, and other staff members developed the draft programming policy as part of that process. They researched the programming policies of other comparable public libraries. Amy Ouren moved to approve the Programming Policy as presented; Wanda Mengelkoch seconded the motion. Carlos Hawley and Hannah James complimented the organization and the clarity of the layout of the new policy. The motion carried.
F. Legislative Update
Tim Dirks reported that both HB125 and S82360 are still alive in the legislative process. They are being discussed in committee, and there are reports of various amendments. Tim is staying in contact with City Administration, the City Attorney, and the State Library. The tentative last day for the Legislature is May 8.
G. 2022 Impact Report
All board members have received a copy of the 2022 Impact Report. Tim Dirks commented that Melisa Duncan has done a tremendous job in pulling the information together to tell effectively FPL's story of what we do for the community.
Statistical Reports
March Usage
Director Tim Dirks noted that the usage statistics continue to outpace the previous year. Even with multiple program cancellations due to severe winter weather, program attendance increased. The circulation total was the second highest March total, only surpassed by that of 2019.
March Financials
Director Tim Dirks recognized the gifts from the Friends of the Library which were used towards the Red River Valley Kids Read Program, the Seed Library, the Summer Reading program, and the One Book, One Community reading project. Many Thanks to the Friends for their continued support. The library has also received a large number of donations in memory of Donald Lindberg.
In terms of expenditures, at the end of the first quarter, 25.03% of the library's budget has been spent.
Friends of the Library Report
Michele Anderson, President of the Friends of FPL board, reported that the Friends bookstore generates the revenue used to support the programs of FPL. The sales at the bookstore are strong and continue to rise. On April 30, the Friends will be hosting a read-in as a learning event about the proposed legislation impacting public libraries and as a show of support for the library's work in the community. On May 5 and 6, the Friends will be holding one of their major book sales for the year at the Main Library.
Next Regular Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, at 4 p.m. in the Fargo City Commission Chambers.
The meeting adjourned at 4:33 p.m.