Library Board meeting minutes - September 18, 2024

The public is welcome at all library board meetings.

The Hennepin County Library Board met Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Southdale Library, Meeting Room, 7001 York Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435.

Attendees

Library Board members: Gordy Aune, Jr., Jane Brissett, Erin Carney, Xaiyo Chang, Briana Eicheldinger, Michael Hogan, Amal Karim, Jessica Kraft, Ashley Krohn, Lynn Stetler.

Hennepin County Staff: Director Scott Duimstra, Lillian Albrecht, Commissioner Heather Edelson, Bernie Farrell, J.R. Genett, Samantha Jekot-Graham, Brian Hissong, Char Kimber, Kelli Koob, Amy McNally, Ayanna Muata, Christy Mulligan, Assistant County Administrator Dan Rogan, Denise Silva, Stephanie Steinwedel, Peggy Woodling, 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 ten board members present.

Approval of Agenda

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

Approval of Consent Items

Meeting minutes of the June 26, 2024, meeting, and donations.

Motion: Jane Brissett
Second: Ashley Krohn
Motion passed.

Dialogue with Commissioner Edelson

Commissioner Heather Edelson introduced herself to the Library Board and engaged in dialogue about the importance of library services and childhood literacy.

Public Comment

Public comment was given by 6 union members.

Welcome from Southdale Staff

Southdale Patron Experience Supervisors, Brian Hissong and Stephanie Steinwedel, welcomed the Board and shared about Southdale programming, service use, and upcoming renovations.

Commendations

Kraft highlighted library nominees and recipients of two Hennepin County Employee Recognition Awards. For the Equity award, the Franklin Library American Indian Collection Project was honored as the library award winner. Project members include John Ashby, Ari Baum-Hommes, Kat Debertin, Phil Feilmeyer, Sarah Garbis, J.R. Genett, P.J. Maracle, Amy McNally, Kim Trinh-Sy, Kelly Kraemer, Gail Mueller Schultz, Ogi Ruel, Jessica Shaykett, and Kelly Stade.

For the Integrity Award, Erin Weber was honored as the nominee and the Library Strategic Plan Coordinating Committee was honored as the library award winner. Coordinating Committee members include Shannon Adkins, Tequia Brown, Tiffany Casey, Christine Clifford, Kat Debertin, Khalid Eissa, Chip Gehring, Brian Hissong, Katie Kirk, Kelli Koob, Christy Mulligan, Pat Orr, Denise Silva, Jenn Straumann, Kay Yang Cha, and Dillon Young.

President’s Report

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

Kraft reminded the Board that all committees require a quorum to conduct business and requested members to notify herself or the Committee Chair of absences well in advance.

Kraft informed the Board that Ashley Krohn and Lynn Stetler will be attending the Minnesota Library Association’s annual convention this October. Kraft also highlighted Michael Hogan’s appointment to the 1% for Art Committee for Arvonne Fraser.

Director’s Report

Library Director Scott Duimstra discussed Library, Community, and County updates. These updates included service statistics, capital projects, Library Youth Advisory Committee appointments, and the introduction of the new Budget and Finance Senior Administrative Manager, Char Kimber.

2025 Budget Presentation and Endorsement

Duimstra provided a detailed summary of the library’s proposed 2025 budget and updates on the 2024 budget status. A motion was made to endorse the 2025 budget.

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

Staff Dialogue

Community Engagement Coordinator, Bernie Farrell updated the Board on the Let’s Read! program. Farrell described the success of the program in improving K-5 literacy using updated statistics and stories from students, parents, and volunteers.

Committee Reports

The Executive Committee’s next meeting is October 24, 2024, 5:30-7:30 pm at Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room.

The Budget and Long-Term Planning Committee’s next meeting is November 13, 2024, 4:30-5:30pm at Penn Lake Library, Full Meeting Room.

The Policy Committee’s next meeting is October 23, 2024, 5:30-7:30 at Ridgedale Library, meeting room 174. They will continue to review the Collection Development and Management Policy. Committee Chair Michael Hogan echoed Kraft’s reminder for members to attend committee meetings and requested the Board add a fifth member to the committee. Kraft appointed Jane Brissett to the Policy Committee.

The Friends of the Hennepin County Library ex officio Jane Brissett highlighted the Friends events listed in Board packets, shared that the organization outperforms other Friends organizations nationally, and provided an update on the Memorandum of Understanding between local Friends chapters.

Unfinished Business

None.

New Business

Aune, Jr. asked for clarification on why Hennepin County Library no longer has a bookmobile. Duimstra will research the question and provide an answer at the next meeting.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Library Board is Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Penn Lake Library, Full Meeting Room.

Adjourn

There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 pm.

Motion: Lynn Stetler
Second: Michael Hogan
Motion passed.