Library Board meeting minutes - May 14, 2025

The Hennepin County Library Board met Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Minneapolis Central Library, Doty Board Room, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

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, Shannon Adkins, Lillian Albrecht, Elizabeth Cole, Tonya Depriest, J.R. Genett, Commissioner Debbie Goettel, Char Kimber, Kelli Koob, Toni Miller, Amy McNally, Ayanna Muata, Christy Mulligan, Jess Shaykett, Jeff Wojciechowski, 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 and the Board met quorum with eleven Board members present.

Approval of Agenda

Motion: Randy Klauk
Second: Lynn Stetler
Motion passed.

Approval of Consent Items

Minutes from the March 19, 2025, meeting, and donations.

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

Public Comment

There was one public comment.

Welcome from Minneapolis Central Staff

Minneapolis Central Library Supervisors Toni Miller and Elizabeth Cole provided a staff welcome discussing their unique departments including Special Collections, the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, Patent and Trademark Research Center. They also overviewed the variety of programs and events hosted at Minneapolis Central including weddings, the opioid response program, the Coming Home Resource Fair, and more.

Commendations

Kraft presented Commendations honoring former Library Board members Briana Eicheldinger and Xaiyo Chang for their service to the Board.

A motion was made to approve the Commendation for Briana Eicheldinger.

Motion: Lynn Stetler
Second: Amal Karim
Motion passed.

A motion was made to approve the Commendation for Xaiyo Chang.

Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Second: Ashley Krohn
Motion passed.

Election of Officers

Nominating Committee chair Amal Karim led the 2025 election of officers. The committee nominated Jessica Kraft for President, Lynn Stetler for Vice President, and Amal Karim for Secretary. The Board approved each nomination as submitted.

President’s Report

Kraft highlighted upcoming Hennepin County Library and Friends of the Hennepin County Library events featured in Board packets.

Kraft reminded Board members to reply individually to messages from Library Administration regarding library business to avoid violation of open meeting laws.

Director’s Report

Library Director Scott Duimstra discussed Library, Community, and County updates. Topics discussed included capital project timelines, the Appreciation of Service and State of the County events, and a brief budget update regarding the Board conference fund.

Duimstra welcomed Maggie Snow, Director of Minitex Library Services, to discuss the history and importance of Minitex in facilitating interlibrary loans and information access, especially for rural libraries. A motion was made to accept the Resolution in Support of Minitex Library Services.

Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Second: Ashley Krohn
Motion passed.

Staff Dialogue

Library Data Practices Contact Shannon Adkins presented a staff dialogue on data practices and information requests. Adkins reviewed the data request process and timeline and common types of requests.

Committee Reports

The Executive Committee’s next meeting is June 3, 2025, 5:30-6:30pm at Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room.

The Budget and Long-Term Planning Committee’s next meeting is June 11, 2025, 4:30-5:30 pm at Ridgedale Library, room 174.

The Policy Committee’s next meeting is June 11, 2025, 5:30-7:30 pm at Ridgedale Library, Room 174 to review the Patron Services Policy. Chair Mike Hogan led the review of the Internet Public Use Policy, noting the updated mission statement and language explicitly permitting the establishment of time limits for public computer use. A motion was made to approve the policy as proposed.

Motion: Kimberly Connolly
Second: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Motion passed.

The Friends of the Hennepin County Library ex officio Jane Brissett shared the Friends are considering creating an endowment fund to facilitate continued donations. Duimstra noted that he is now the primary library contact for the Friends.

Unfinished Business

None.

New Business

Commissioner Goettel provided brief remarks regarding her experience touring the renovated Augsburg Park Library, expressing appreciation for the resolution in support of Minitex, and reassurance that County Commissioners will continue supporting the library.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Library Board is Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 pm, Augsburg Park Library, Meeting Room.

Adjourn

There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:09 pm.

Motion: Amal Karim
Second: Lynn Stetler
Motion passed.