Fargo Public Library Board – July 18, 2023 Minutes

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 Minutes

Board Members Present: Amy Ouren, Wanda Mengelkoch, Jenna Reno, Paul Jensen, Carrie Peterson (online)
Board Members Absent: Hannah James, Kristen Schipper
Staff: Tim Dirks, Jenilee Kanenwisher, Cindy Haff
Others Present:

Board Vice President Amy Ouren 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; Wanda Mengelkoch seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Minutes of the June 20 Regular Meeting
Wanda Mengelkoch moved to approve the minutes of the June 20 Regular Meeting; Paul Jensen seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Public Comment
There were no members of the public present

Staff Report
Jenilee Kanenwisher, Collection Development Manager, presented highlights of staff updates and events including:
• Summer Reading Challenge
– Jenilee highlighted the high participation rate of individuals signed up, including almost 500 adults, 145 teens, and 1300 children
• Children
– Red River Zoo Visit on July 20 from 1-3pm. One of our more popular yearly events where the Red River Zoo brings some animals.
• Teen/Tween
– Learn to Double Dutch on July 21 beginning at 2pm at the Carlson Library
• Adult
– Summer Spice Club. Registration opens July 31 with packet pickup beginning Mon, August 14. This year’s packets contain Nigella seeds
• Multigenerational
– Summer Movies at Carlson – Free movies every other Friday at 1pm.
– July 28 – Shrek (PG, 90 minutes)
– Aug 11, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (PG, 117)

Director’s Report
Director Tim Dirks summarized the written report in the Board Packet. He addressed the July 6 shooting outside the Dr. James Carlson Library. Gunfire was reported outside in the parking lot. Security Footage and cell phone footage by a patron were collected and most of the perpetrators have been identified and/or apprehended. Director Dirks has been meeting with Facilities/Safety Management and HR representatives to develop a lockdown procedure for all locations as well as to review our current violent intruder policy. Vice President Ouren asked if we have security guards at the Dr. James Carlson Library, to which Director Dirks affirmed that we do and that he acted immediately during the incident.

Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.

New Business
A. Library Board Bylaws
Tim Dirks presented updated Library Board Bylaws Draft, which added updated language to clarify who should lead a Library Board meeting if the President and Vice President are not present but a quorum is reached. Jenna Reno moved to approve the plan; Wanda Mengelkoch seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Statistical Reports
June Usage
Director Tim Dirks noted that while June saw small gains, Year-to-Date gains are excellent.

June Financials
Director Tim Dirks noted a continued healthy trend upward. Paul Jensen asked when our all time high for visitors was. Director Dirks did not have exact time, but it was in 2019. He explained we are still in recovery from COVID but our numbers have continually climbed since we re-opened.

Director Dirks thanked the Friends of the Fargo Public Library for their continued donations which serve to enhance what we are able to provide to the community as well as to our staff. It is greatly appreciated.

Friends of the Library Report
No representatives were present to give a report.

Next Regular Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug.15, at 4 p.m. in the Fargo City Commission Chambers.

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.