Library Board meeting minutes - September 20, 2023
The public is welcome at all library board meetings
The Hennepin County Library Board met on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Minneapolis Central Library, Doty Board Room.
Attendees
Present: Jane Brissett, Erin Carney, Amal Karim, Lynn Stetler, Gordy Aune, Jr., Michael Hogan, Ashley Krohn, Randy Klauk, Briana Eicheldinger, and Jessica Kraft.
Hennepin County Staff: Dan Rogan, Amy McNally, Ali Turner, Patti Hetrick, Josh Yetman, Jeannette Lewis, Ayanna Muata, and Andrea Bartlett.
Call to Order
President Jane Brissett called the Hennepin County Library Board meeting of September 20, 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: Randy Klauk
Second: Lynn Stetler
Motion passed.
Approval of Consent Items
Minutes of May 17, 2023; June 21, 2023; July 19, 2023; August 21, 2023, and Donations.
Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Second: Ashley Krohn
Motion passed.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Welcome from Minneapolis Central Staff
Toni Miller and Elizabeth Cole welcomed the Board and provided highlights of the Minneapolis Central Library facility including the Federal Depository Library, Patent and Trademark Resource Center, Best Buy Teen Tech Center, and more. They also provided insight into the range of services that the Central Library staff provide.
President’s Report
- President Jane Brissett drew attention to a list of upcoming events noted in the Board packet.
- She also drew attention to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training sessions that will be made available for Board members to attend in the spring.
- She passed around Archiving the Pandemic from Saint Paul Public Library.
- She named representatives for 1% Art Committees for libraries being renovated: Jessica Kraft, Lynn Stetler, and Mike Hogan.
2023-2024 Executive Committee Meeting Schedule
One correction to the Board packet version is that the January meeting is January 24, not January 25.
Motion: Amal Karim
Second: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Motion passed.
Interim Director’s Report
Interim Library Director Dan Rogan discussed Library, Community, and County updates.
Library Staff Dialogue
Bernie Farrell presented on “Let’s Read” as the Library Staff Dialogue. Elements of the Let’s Read program include:
- K-5 reading support
- Building a home library
- Library cards for students
Committee Reports
The Executive Committee discussed the DEI trainings and other offerings for the full board. The next committee meeting is October 19, 2023, at Ridgedale Library.
The Policy Committee is next meeting on September 27, 2023, at Ridgedale Library.
The Budget Committee met September 20, 2023, and were updated on the budget by Patti Hetrick.
Friends of the Hennepin County Library (FHCL) ex-officio Jane Brissett provided an update.
Unfinished Business
- Update on Marie Tran letter and comment – Library staff have interacted with Councilmember Tran and resolved any outstanding issue.
- How meeting minutes are recorded – Gordy motioned that minutes be written to reflect as historical reference. Amal motioned to amend the motion so that the minutes reflect subject of meeting discussion.
Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr.
Second: Mike Hogan
Motion passed.
New Business
- Randy Klauk requested some additional AV support to ensure the mics are working sufficiently.
- Ashley Krohn asked about pathways for new and diverse employees to join the system as librarians.
Adjourn
There being no further business, Lynn Stetler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m.; seconded by Randy Klauk. Motion passed.