Fargo Public Library Board – July 15, 2025 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Minutes
Board Members Present: Amy Ouren, Hanna James (online), Paul Jensen (Online) John Rodenbiker, Kristen Schipper (Online) and Wanda Mengelkoch
Board Members Absent: Jenna Reno
Staff: Tim Dirks, Cindy Haff, Melisa Duncan
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; Wanda Mengelkoch seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Minutes of the June 17 Regular Meeting
John Rodenbiker moved to approve the minutes of the May 20 Regular Meeting; Kristen Schipper seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Public Comment
There was no one present for public comment.
Staff Report
Melisa Duncan presented highlights of staff updates and events including:
• Staffing
– Training for 3 LA1’s is nearly complete
– Briar Harris joined the staff this week as an LA1
• Community Engagement
– Be My Neighbor event, Aug. 5 from 10-2 p.m. in the Fargo Civic Center Plaza
– Pride in the Park, Aug. 9 from 10-2 p.m. in the Fargo Civic Center Plaza
• Programming
– Summer Reading Challenge Highlights
• 31,786 Days Read
• 533 Adult Registrations
• 189 Teen Registrations
• 1,305 Child Registrations
– Back to School Bingo on Aug. 12 & 13
• Aug. 12, 10 a.m. – Northport
• Aug. 12, 2 p.m. – Carlson
• Aug. 13, 11 a.m. – Main
– Galactic Bowling (SRC Wrap-up Party) – July 28, 10 a.m. at The Bowler
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Fargo Public Library
– Time Capsule opening on June 26 had 135 attendees
President Amy Ouren asked if the items from the Time Capsule are displayed anywhere. Melisa Duncan explained that while some were heavily damaged by water that seeped into the capsule, the remainder are currently displayed at the Main Library thru the end of July.
– Life-Sized Candyland event July 7 had 170 attendees
– 3 Author events are scheduled
• Zach Sollie, July 21, 6 p.m. – Carlson
• Francis Gary Powers Jr., July 29, 1 p.m. – Main
• Frank F Weber, Aug. 6, 6 p.m. – Main
Director’s Report
Director Tim Dirks highlighted ongoing meetings with City Cabinet, City Budget Team and the City Administration on the 2026 Budget
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
• 2026 Budget Update
Director Dirks explained the City Budget Team asked for mock up scenarios of mid (3%), moderate (5%) and extreme (10%) budget cuts. While all would include a reduction in collection and electronic resources, the extreme (10%) would also include the closure of the Northport Branch. He indicated that the Commissioners indicated that this was not a direction they wanted to move toward in the Monday, July 14 informational meeting. Director Dirks said he was encouraged by the conversation, but recognized that there will be significant impacts no matter how the budget ends up. It’s currently a waiting game.
– Paul Jensen asked if the Federal Budget cuts were impactful to us.
Director Dirks explained that those funds are received directly by the ND State Library. They announced earlier this month that they had received full funding. The impacts were are feeling currently are more related to the property tax reforms by the State Legislature.
– John Rodenbiker asked if there were further actions needed before the next Board Meeting.
There are no next steps except to wait
– Amy Ouren asked what the best way to show support for Northport and for the Library in general.
Director Dirks encouraged the Board Members to contact their elected officials to offer their thanks for supporting the Public Library and ask them to continue. He encourages all concerned citizens to do the same.
• Fee Increases
It was proposed to increase fees for the following beginning in 2026:
– Non-Resident Cards increase from $20 to $60 per year
– Community Room usage fees
• For-Profit organization increase from $100 to $300 for up to 4 hours
• Non-Profit organization will now pay $40
• Conference Rooms will now be $50 for for-profit organizations
• Meeting Room Technology will increase from $20 to $50
John Rodenbiker moved to approve the fees as recommended. Wanda Mengelkoch seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously
• Overdrive Access Change
Due to the lack of additional funding, it is proposed to limit access to Libby (Overdrive) to only City of Fargo Residents in order to ensure the viability of the resource.
Director Dirks noted that all non-COF residents can still access Libby through the North Dakota State Library.
John Rodenbiker moved to approve the fees as recommended. Wanda Mengelkoch seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Statistical Reports
June Usage
Director Tim Dirks noted steady numbers for June.
June Financials
Director Tim Dirks with 50% of the year complete, our budget is at 47.57% spent. He noted continued gifts from the Friends of the Fargo Public Library with our sincere thanks.
Friends of the Library Report
There was no representative in attendance.
Next Regular Meeting
The next regular Board Meeting is Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 4 p.m. in the Fargo City Commission Chambers.
The meeting adjourned at 4:33 p.m.