Library Board meeting minutes - November 12, 2025

The Hennepin County Library Board met Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Golden Valley Library, Meeting Room, 830 Winnetka Ave N., Golden Valley, 55427.

The public is welcome at all library board meetings.

Attendees

Library Board members: Gordy Aune, Jr., Jane Brissett, Erin Brudvik, Erin Carney, Mike Hogan, Amal Karim, Randy Klauk, Jessica Kraft, Ashley Krohn, Lynn Stetler.

Hennepin County Staff: Director Scott Duimstra, Lillian Albrecht, Michael Boe, Tonya Depriest, J.R. Genett, DeMaris Johnson, Chantra Hok, Char Kimber, Kelli Koob, Amy McNally, Ayanna Muata, Christy Mulligan, Kate Nelson, Jesse Sawyer, Gwen Wasmund, Ann Woodson-Hicks, Josh Yetman.

Call to Order

President Jessica Kraft called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and welcomed attendees.

Attendance of Library Board Members

Library Board Clerk Lillian Albrecht took roll call. The Board met quorum with ten members present.

Approval of Agenda

Motion: Randy Klauk
Second: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Motion passed.

Approval of Consent Items

September 17, 2025, meeting minutes and donations.

Motion: Lynn Stetler
Second: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Motion passed.

Public Comment

None.

Welcome from Golden Valley Library Staff

Golden Valley Library supervisor Chantra Hok provided a staff welcome and shared information about Golden Valley's service demographics, programming, book clubs, and partnerships.

President’s Report

Kraft highlighted upcoming Hennepin County Library and Friends of the Hennepin County Library events featured in Board packets. She informed members of PocketTalkers, which are devices they may use to improve hearing each other during meetings. Members can contact the Clerk if they’re interested in using this device. Finally, she noted that 2026 Library Board applications are open and any members with expired terms should reapply if they wish to continue serving on the Board.

Director’s Report

Library Director Scott Duimstra discussed Library, Community, and County updates. Topics included service statistics, Westonka, Southdale, and Northeast events, Prince library cards, 2026 budget information, and insights from the Library Youth Advisory Committee’s recent meeting.

Staff Dialogue

Community Engagement coordinator Jesse Sawyer provided a staff dialogue on library programming. He shared about the library’s outcomes based approach to developing programs and how programs and partnerships are developed and tracked using service plans. He overviewed programming types and highlighted impactful 2025 programs and events.

Committee Reports

The Executive Committee’s next meeting is Thursday, January 8, 2026, 5:30-6:30pm at Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room.

The Budget and Long-Term Planning Committee noted the 2025 budget update from their recent meeting and their 2026 meeting schedule. Their next meeting is Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 5:30-6:30 pm at Ridgedale Library, room 174.

The Policy Committee discussed their October meeting’s agreements regarding how information is presented to the committee and shared their 2026 meeting schedule. Their next meeting is Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 5:30-7:30 pm at Ridgedale Library, Room 174 to discuss the Patron Use of Library Spaces Policy.

The Friends of Hennepin County Library had no updates to share.

Community Connections

Board members shared ways they connected with Hennepin County Library outside of their existing Board duties. Stories shared included groundbreaking events, the Minneapolis Central chess club, author events, and appreciation for weekend family programming and the unique characteristics of each library.

Unfinished Business

None.

New Business

Gordy Aune, Jr. shared he will step down from the Board at the conclusion of his term and expressed appreciation for the Board, Hennepin County Commissioners, and library staff.

The Board discussed a recent set of emails they received regarding a display at Ridgedale Library regarding international solidarity with Palestinian people day. They discussed existing display guidelines and ideas for the displays administrative policy that is currently in development to ensure the library remains neutral and welcoming.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Library Board is Wednesday, January 28, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 pm, Brooklyn Park Library, Mississippi meeting room.

Adjourn

There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 6:53 pm.

Motion: Lynn Stetler
Second: Mike Hogan
Motion passed.