Library Board meeting minutes - June 25, 2025

The Hennepin County Library Board met Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Augsburg Park Library, Meeting Room, 7100 Nicollet Ave, Richfield Minnesota, 55423.

Attendees

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

Hennepin County Staff: Director Scott Duimstra, Sam Begley-May, Tonya Depriest, Jeff Desannoy, J.R. Genett, Commissioner Debbie Goettel, Samantha Jekot-Graham, Char Kimber, Kelli Koob, Amy McNally, Ayanna Muata, Ali Turner, 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

Interim Library Board Clerk JR Genett took roll call. The Board met quorum with eleven Board members present.

Approval of Agenda

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

Approval of Consent Items

Minutes from the May 14, 2025, meeting, and donations.

Motion: Ashley Krohn
Second: Jane Brissett
Motion passed.

Public Comment

None.

Welcome from Augsburg Park Staff

Augsburg Park Library Supervisor Sam Begley-May provided a staff welcome discussing the library’s programs, community, and recent renovation, including staff and patron feedback.

Dialogue with Commissioner Goettel

Commissioner Debbie Goettel reiterated the role of the Library Board, provided updates on the County’s budget approach for 2026, and shared information regarding County Administrator David Hough’s retirement.

President’s Report

Kraft highlighted upcoming Hennepin County Library and Friends of the Hennepin County Library events featured in Board packets. She notified the Board of the upcoming 2026 MLA Conference and requested members indicate interest to the Board Clerk by August 29.

Kraft updated the Board on the Library Board Conference Fund, stating there is $9,500 remaining to cover conference and training expenses in 2025.

Director’s Report

Library Director Scott Duimstra discussed Library, Community, and County updates. Topics included Westonka and Southdale capital project updates, summer learning programs, Let’s Read celebrations, Pride displays and resources, Friends of Hennepin County Library events, changes to copying machine fees, and budget updates.

Library Youth Advisory Committee Report

The Library Youth Advisory Committee provided their annual report to the Board. They discussed how they used consensus activities to develop ideas to connect students with the library, feedback on library internships, sustainability in Capital Projects, and input on the Patron Conduct Policy.

Staff Dialogue

Outreach Library Supervisor Jeff Desannoy presented a staff dialogue on outreach services. Desannoy reviewed options for patrons to connect with the library when they cannot get to the library in person, including at home services, senior services at care homes, At Home Reader, shelter collections, and services to adult and juvenile correctional facilities.

Committee Reports

The Executive Committee’s next meeting is Thursday, August 21, 2025, 5:30-6:30pm at Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room.

The Budget and Long-Term Planning Committee’s next meeting is Wednesday, November 6, 2025, 5:30-6:30 pm at Ridgedale Library, room 174.

The Policy Committee’s next meeting is Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 5:30-7:30 pm at Ridgedale Library, Room 174 to review the Patron Use of Library Spaces Policy. Chair Mike Hogan led the review of the Patron Services Policy, noting a restructured service objective, less restrictive language on service levels, and grammatical corrections. A motion was made to approve the policy as proposed.

Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Second: Amal Karim
Motion passed.

Community Connections

Board members shared ways they connected with Hennepin County Library outside of their existing Board duties. Stories shared included attending Friends of Hennepin County Library events and book sales, connecting schools with hclib.org, discussing Westonka renovations with patrons, and sharing articles encouraging straight men to read fiction novels.

The Board will continue to discuss how they would like library administration to share lists of relevant events with them at future meetings.

Unfinished Business

The Board Clerk will email information regarding the MLA Conference to the Board before the next meeting.

New Business

The Board discussed how to better engage the Library Youth Advisory Committee in addition to existing annual updates.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Library Board is Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 pm, Brookdale Library, ABC Meeting Room.

Adjourn

There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 pm.

Motion: Lynn Stetler
Second: Ashley Krohn
Motion passed.