Fargo Public Library Board – February 27, 2024 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Minutes
Board Members Present: Amy Ouren (Online), Paul Jensen, Wanda Mengelkoch, John Rodenbiker, Hannah James (Online), Kristen Schipper (Online)
Board Members Absent: Jenna Reno
Staff: Tim Dirks, Megan Lass, Cindy Haff, Sarah Nelson
Board President Amy Ouren called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. A quorum was met.
Order of the Agenda
John Rodenbiker moved to approve the order of the agenda; Paul Jensen seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Minutes of the January 16 Regular Meeting
Wanda Mengelkoch moved to approve the minutes of the December 19 Regular Meeting; John Rodenbiker seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Public Comment
There was no one present for public comment
Staff Report
Megan Lass presented highlights of staff updates and events including:
• Children
– Leap Year Storytime & Craft
February 29, 11 a.m. at Main
– The Iditarod
March 2, 1:30 p.m. at Main
• Adult
– Edible Landscaping for the North Plains was held on February 26
Attendance of over 60
President Amy Ouren suggested the possibility of making this a series or offering video next time given the high possibility.
This suggestion will be passed on to the Programming Team
• Multigenerational
– Designing to Stop Disaster
Postponed to April 9 due to inclement weather
– An Opera Sampler with Young Artists of the FM Opera
March 9, 2 p.m. at Main
– Northern Narratives
Accepting submissions through March 31
Director’s Report
Director Tim Dirks highlighted his Quarterly meetings with Library administrative staff
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business
New Business
• Confidentiality of Library Records
– Board Member Paul Jensen submitted notes (see attachment to minutes) to argue he is not in favor of the words “or legislative investigative power” and moved the words be struck from the document
– Director Tim Dirks explained the wording had been in existence since 1997 (pre-dating his term as director). He indicated we have never had a current environment that we do now and agreed the wording should be reviewed and/or eliminated. He will take the changes to the City Attorney for approval.
– Board Member John Rodenbiker reminded the Board that our policy is very important for Patron Privacy. He interpreted the wording as subpoena powers of legislature and, as such, may need to keep the language, while noting that this is different than free investigative powers outside of criminal subpoenas.
– Board Member Kristin Schipper reminded the Board that even without the wording, subpoena power would still override our policy.
– Board Member Paul Jensen agreed with the discussion but reiterated that Legislature should not have the power to randomly investigate patron usage without reason of criminal investigation.
– The Motion was seconded by Kristin Schipper and carried unanimously.
• Interlibrary Loan
– Motion to approve as written by John Rodenbiker. Seconded by Wanda Mengelkoch. The motion carried.
• Outreach Services
– Motion to approve as written by John Rodenbiker. Seconded by Hannah James. The motion carried.
– Kudos were given to our Outreach staff and volunteers who were out in today’s blizzard to make visits to assisted living and nursing home facilities.
Statistical Reports
January Usage
Director Tim Dirks noted strong January numbers. He highlighted the high Children’s passive events total as being a 3 month count of scavenger hunt participants. He also noted our third consecutive month of record growth in E-content. Director Dirks explained how Hoopla is a pay-per-use platform. Efforts to reduce rising costs due to increased growth has led to our reducing the number of borrows allowed to each patron, but the usage and costs continue to rise. Board Member John Rodenbiker inquired on how rates are driven for Overdrive. Tim Dirks briefly explained they are set almost exclusively by publishers with very little platform control.
December Financials
Director Tim Dirks noted gifts from a private individual as well as continued gifts from the Friends of the Fargo Public Library with our sincere thanks. Revenue for January was $3015.37.
Friends of the Library Report
No representatives of the Friends group were present for the meeting.
Next Regular Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, at 4 p.m. in the Fargo City Commission Chambers.
The meeting adjourned at 4:28 p.m.