Library Board meeting minutes - January 28, 2026

The Hennepin County Library Board met Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Walker Library, Bde Mka Ska Room, 2800 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55408.

The public is welcome at all library board meetings.

Attendees

Library Board members: Erin Brudvik, Kim Connolly, Amal Karim, Jessica Kraft, Ashley Krohn.

Hennepin County Staff: Director Scott Duimstra, Lillian Albrecht, J.R. Genett, Char Kimber, Amy McNally, Christy Mulligan, Kelly Stade, Peggy Woodling, Ann Woodson-Hicks, Josh Yetman.

Call to Order

President Jessica Kraft called the meeting to order at 5:39 p.m. and welcomed attendees.

Attendance of Library Board Members

Library Board Clerk Lillian Albrecht took roll call. The Board didn’t meet quorum but elected to listen to prepared updates without completing agenda items requiring Board action.

Public Comment

One public comment was given regarding the dreaming restorative features youth network event.

Welcome from Walker Library Staff

Walker Library’s Library Services Manager, Kelly Stade, provided a staff welcome highlighting Walker’s building history, high level of use, programming, and partnerships with local harm reduction organizations and schools.

Dialogue with Commissioner Goettel

Commissioner Goettel shared information on countywide messaging and updates to staff following recent tragedies from the surge of ICE activity. She also highlighted Operation Reconnect, county partnerships, and local mutual aid efforts to help support impacted communities.

President’s Report

Kraft highlighted upcoming Hennepin County Library and Friends of the Hennepin County Library events featured in Board packets. She notified Board members of two upcoming events: the PLA Conference in Minneapolis on April 1-3 and MLA Legislative Day on February 25. Board members should contact the clerk by February 13 if interested in attending either of these events.

Kraft appointed members to committees to serve until the May annual meeting. Ashley Krohn was appointed to the Executive Committee. Erin Brudvik and Mike Hogan were appointed to the Budget Committee. Kim Connolly and Lynn Stetler were appointed to the Nominating Committee. Amal Karim was appointed to the Policy Committee and Kraft appointed herself as the FHCL ex-officio.

Director’s Report

Library Director Scott Duimstra shared information on how ICE activity has impacted library spaces. Despite not entering libraries, surges in federal enforcement have greatly impacted library staff and community members, especially at Ridgedale, Hosmer, Roosevelt, and Eden Prairie Libraries. Administration is regularly checking in with staff, both directly and through all staff meetings, to provide support and encourage them to adjust work to ensure their safety, as needed. He also highlighted some positive news from the library, such as PLA staff presentations, the art celebration at Arvonne Fraser Library, and the award for our Coming Home Reentry Resource Fair.

Staff Dialogue

Deputy Director of Public Services Amy McNally provided a staff dialogue on Operation Reconnect, Hennepin County’s coordinated response to Operation Metro Surge. This is a collaboration across the county and with the City of Minneapolis to improve access to county services by adapting modalities and increasing community trust and engagement. For the library, this project uses a trauma informed lens to increase access to youth education programs, At Home and digital resources, and language services, including developing versions of hclib.org in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.

Committee Reports

The Executive Committee’s next meeting is Thursday, February 26, 2026, 5:30-6:30pm at Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room.

The Budget and Long-Term Planning Committee’s meeting is Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 5:30-6:30 pm at Ridgedale Library, room 174.

The Policy Committee’s next meeting is Wednesday, February 11, from 5:30-7:30pm at Hopkins library to finalize the Patron Use of Library Spaces Policy and discuss the Library Bill of Rights and Fee Policy.

The Nominating Committee is still finalizing their meeting date and anticipate sharing the form of interest at the March meeting.

The Friends of Hennepin County Library approved a $4 million donation for 2026, up from $2.5 million in 2025.

Community Connections

Board members shared ways they connected with Hennepin County Library outside of their existing Board duties. Stories shared included staff support of community meetings at North Regional, appreciation of libraries as a space to witness recent events, and encouraging more unique library cards.

Unfinished Business

None.

New Business

Kim Connolly shared information on how Board members can advocate for federal bills to codify public libraries as protected spaces, a classification that formerly prohibited federal enforcement activities from occurring there. Detailed advocacy information prepared by Kim will be emailed to the Board following the meeting.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Library Board is Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 pm, at Eden Prairie Library, Bluestem room.

Adjourn

There being no further business, the Board had a unanimous vote to adjourn at 7:00pm.