Library Board meeting minutes - May 17, 2023

The public is welcome at all library board meetings

The Hennepin County Library Board met on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Edina Library, Meeting Room.

Attendees

Present: Jane Brissett, Erin Carney, Amal Karim, Adja Kaba, Lynn Stetler, Gordy Aune, Jr., Jessica Kraft, Ashley Krohn, Randy Klauk, and Mike Hogan.

Hennepin County Staff: Dan Rogan, J.R. Genett, Amy McNally, Ali Turner, Kevin Lian-Anderson, Dana Bjerke, Katrina Dombrowsky, Samantha Jekot-Graham, and Jeannette Lewis.

Call to Order

President Adja Kaba called the Hennepin County Library Board meeting of May 17, 2023, to order at 5:30 p.m. and welcomed all in attendance.

Attendance of Library Board Members

Library Board Clerk Jeannette Lewis took the roll call. The board met the quorum with 10 members present.

Approval of Agenda

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

Approval of Consent Items

Motion: Mike Hogan
Second: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Motion passed.

Public Comment

One public comment was made on Interfiling children’s and adult nonfiction materials.

Commendations

President Adja Kaba presented Commendations for past board members Erin Vrieze Daniels, Timothy Dolan, Keegan Xavi, and Kimberly Urig for their board service. Commendation resolution approved by the board.

Motion: Jane Brissett
Second: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Motion passed.

Election of Officers

Nominating Committee chair Amal Karim led the discussion in the 2023 election of officers. The committee submitted nominations as Jane Brissett for board President, Lynn Stetler for board Vice President and Amal Karim for board Secretary. The board approved each nomination as submitted.

Adja Kaba turned the meeting over to newly appointed board President Jane Brissett.

President’s Report

President Jane Brissett referenced the Hennepin County Library events document featured in the packet as a part of the announcements.

The board president appointed board members and chairs.

Amal Karim was appointed chair of the Nominating Committee, and Briana Eicheldinger and Gordy Aune, Jr. were appointed members of this committee.

Ashley Krohn was appointed chair of the Policy Committee, and Gordy Aune, Jr. and Mike Hogan were appointed members of this committee.

Gordy Aune, Jr. was appointed chair of the Budget and Long-Term Planning Committee and Briana Eicheldinger and Ashley Krohn were appointed members of this committee.

2023 – 2025 Meeting Schedule

The board reviewed and discussed the meeting cadence for the 2023 – 2025 board meeting schedule. The new meeting schedule was approved with one amendment. The January 25, 2024, meeting will be on January 24, 2024.

Motion: Erin Carney
Second: Adja Kaba
Motion passed.

Interim Director’s Report

Interim Library Director Dan Rogan discussed Library, Community, and County updates.

Director Search

The board approved the Director’s search Screening Committee members as Jessica Kraft, Lynn Stetler, and Mike Hogan. The approved Interview Committee members are Adja Kaba, Randy Klauk, and Jane Brissett.

Library Staff Dialogue

Dana Bjerke and Katrina Dombrowsky presented “Early Literacy Spaces.”

Bylaws 1st Read

Board President Jane Brissett led the discussion on one proposed Bylaws change. The board voted and approved the Bylaws as presented.

  1. The President, with the concurrence of the Library Board, may appoint standing and ad hoc committees. The President shall designate the Chair who shall preside at all meetings of the committee. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall preside. In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, the committee shall elect Chair pro tem. No committee shall consist of less than three members or more than five members. Committee members who fail to attend two or more committee meetings in a calendar year may be replaced by the President upon the request of the committee Chair.
  2. The Executive Committee shall consist of five members: the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the immediate Past President, and an additional member or members selected by the President.

Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Second: Erin Carney
Motion passed.

Committee Reports

The next Executive Committee meeting is on August 9, 2023, at Ridgedale Library.

Friends of the Hennepin County Library (FHCL) ex officio Jane Brissett provided an update.

The Budget and Long-Term Planning Committee chair shared the next meetings are scheduled for June 21, 2023, at Brookdale Library, and September 20, 2023, at Minneapolis Central Library.

The Nominating Committee had no new updates.

The next Policy Committee meeting is on May 24, 2023, at East Lake Library.

Unfinished Business

No unfinished business.

New Business

No new business.

Adjourn

There being no further business, Adja Kaba made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 p.m.; seconded by Amal Karim. Motion passed. The next meeting of the Hennepin County Library Board will be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Brookdale Library, Meeting Room.