recording. You're recording. All right. Welcome everyone. Um it's 4 o'clock on Thursday, August 14th, 2025 and welcome to the uh library board meeting. Our first uh item uh is the approval of the agenda which
we got uh earlier this week by email. Can I have a motion to approve the agenda? So moved. Do I have a second? Second. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All hearing none here. All in favor of approving the agenda. Uh signify by saying I.
I post same sign. Okay, we have an agenda. Next we have to approve the minutes from the July 10th library board meeting. And we have though we've gotten those in advance. Uh do I have a motion to approve the minutes? I'll approve. Uh do I have a second?
Second. All right. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Anything any need for clarification or improvement? Hearing none. All in favor of approving the minutes, please uh respond by saying I. I oppose. Same sign. We have minutes, agenda, and minutes. On to the financial
report and summary. April, can you help us out there? Yes, we are 59.18% through 2025 and our budget is approximately 58.72% expended. Bills paid during July included $1,3001 to Gogg sheet metal for
repairs and cleaning for the hallway and children's room HVAC units. We had some trouble with thermostats and um getting clogged up with cottonwood seeds, things like that. Um no, $533 to Hillyard for custodial supplies. um
paper towels, um disinfectants, those kind of things. $6,165 to Ingram for books. Um and that was from the books and some miscellaneous donations. $253 to Class of Mechanical for um air
filters supply purchase. $468 to Metro Sales for the um service contracts on our copy machines. $720 to Precision Alarm for our annual alarm monitor monitoring fees. That includes our fire alarms and our panic buttons.
$420 to Book Page for our annual subscription. This is a magazine that we pass out monthly um that has articles about upcoming releases, author interviews, those kind of things. So, it's um kind of a publicity thing about books for our patrons to read. and then
$399 to Traverse D to Sue for our annual Walbury subscription um which was a Friends of the Library donation. I also just wanted to note that um we received New Cat's annual rent um for
their use of the library's um meeting room space and their office space down there. And so that is shown in the meeting room rental revenue line. Um that's the only revenue we'll receive for that line throughout the year. Um, we also used to put um rental fees for the meeting room in there, but we no
longer charge those. The miscellaneous revenue line um includes things like vaccine, headphones, and coffee sales, and we've exceeded what we expected to take in for that this year. And then the special events programming line is appears overspent right now. Um
but that actually includes $8,875 um worth of um funding that will be reimbursed by Travers to Sue for um those are for the grants we received for the Riffen Griffin and Mixnut programs. So without those accounted in there um
the line is approximately 39% expended this year. And then although um the fund balance was used for the badge entry cabling for the door repairs we did um it is still coded to the contractual maintenance building line. So that's um why that one
appears over spent when we're considering that expense um pulling that expense out the line is approximately spent at 62%. So when you we um and we've also done some spending for the Melon Foundation grants um which is shown in the library
technology grant lines and the library furniture grant lines. So when we pull those items out where our budget is um overall expended at about 53%. Any questions or comments? Now you're fully using the badge system, right?
Yes. For the doors. Okay. Yep. Anyone else want to comment on any of the uh any of the finances? As I said, we're just chugging right along. They seem to know what we're doing here. So,
okay. Uh no questions or concerns about the financial report. So, let's u move on to the July library department activities report and statistics. Okay. Um just a brief update on the Institute of Museum and Library Services funding. Um, the Senate Appropriations
Committee voted to advance a federal budget bill that includes retaining funding for IMLS at the 2025 funding levels for 2026. Um, and that would include not sunsetting the department at this point. Um, a full floor vote is
tentatively slated for September. Um, and then the ALA and state attorneys general lawsuits regarding the executive order to defund IMLS are continuing on. Okay. All right, stay tuned. Um, and then just a note that um, Ruth
Anne's letter to the editor um, regarding um, contacting lawmakers about IMLS funding was published in the New Journal on July 17th and um, was given a mention in the thumbs up section by the editor on July 19th. So, it got double
exposure there. Um, the parking lot has been patched um, after the steam line works. So, we don't we no longer have that pothole. So, that's good. Um, and then Minnesota Elevator is sending out a technician next week to look at the work that we
need to do to the keypad for locking floors in the children's room elevator. So, I expect to have more of an update for you on that next month. Okay. And then our maintenance technician, Jay Hughes, retired July 31st after 18 years
as our m maintenance technician. Um, so we wish him well. We'll miss him. He was great person to work with and um I have seen him a couple times since and I know he's enjoying retirement to the fullest already. Um the position was posted internally
and externally and it has closed so they're in the process of interviews now and that's um managed by the city's building official. Um do you participate in those reviews? I have been invited to participate in the interview panel. Okay, good.
Okay. Yeah. Right. because that person will be working with you. Yes. And they also spend time at the fire department as well. Oh, okay. Okay. So, it's Okay. It's a split position. Okay. Good. Okay. And then, um, our programming and technology services librarian is
training staff from the Brown County Historical Society to use equipment in the mo mobile memory lab, which was one of our grant objectives. And so, that'll help them digitize items in their collection using that equipment. Good. Excellent. And our regional library, Traverse Due, has hired a
technical services manager. Um, and that person starts Monday, 20 August 25th. Um, they had their, um, technical services manager passed away earlier this year. So, that's been a tough process for them. So, um, some additional help will be
welcome, I know. And then library staff participated in new night out on July 31st. um our program programming and technology services librarian manned the emergency preparedness fair info tent and our
assistant library director Megan um our reference librarian and two of our library aids manned our activity tent and they um helped attendees make um buttons that they could take and you had a beautiful night. Yes, it was great. It was really Yeah.
Um and then just I wanted to note a few stats. We had 32 res room reservations in July. that was up from 26 in June. Um, we've had a drastic increase in use in our public computers. Um, and I think this is mainly due to a group of teens
whose attendance has been very consistent this this summer. They're there almost daily um using the computers and the the number of them changes each day, but they they've been very consistent this summer. So, um that's really boosted our computer use numbers.
And then our state park passes circulated seven times in July. Um they were first available July 11th. So that's pretty much each pass being checked out um um every time it was every time it was returned to us. So um
and we do have a small waiting list for that pretty consistent. I had a friend who whose grandchildren came and she checked one out. She thought it was just the greatest thing. I mean because otherwise she'd have to go buy a pass and this way she, you know, could just use
it. That's great. Yeah. Um and then I included in the librarians report uh the recap of our summer reading program report which was um compiled for us by um our youth services librarian Katherine Tatnau. So, the
Color Our World program ended Saturday, August 3rd, and finishers packets were passed out last week. Um, and um, grand prize winners were drawn. We're still stamping reading records this week and giving out weekly prizes. Um, but we're no longer handing out finishing packets
because we've done the drawing. So, overall, we handed out 503 reading logs and had 192 returned as of Monday. That's a finishing rate of about 38%. And for comparison, in 2024 we had 429
logs taken, 163 returned for a 38% finishing rate. So um very similar results. And then um we had 61 kids turn in their downtown scavenger hunts. Oh, I love that. And then um we had really great overall
program attendance. We had a total of 1,115 attend youth programs this summer. In 2024, that was 844. So, we had um a definite increase there. Um some of the standouts for us were Monday morning story time. If you look
through the list of programs, those are consistently over 50 people. And so, our our children's room felt full of activity, but it was really great. And of course, a couple of those story times came on days where the H vacuum was not working.
So it was warm up there. We did move it to the meeting room one day. Um and then our youth services librarian also conducted daycare outreach which was attended by 58 where she went and um I think it's Westridge Place um visited daycare out there to do a story story
times and then she um our youth services aid led to Wednesday morning story times for the little kids connection which was attended by 37 kids. Nice. um reach, as you can see from some of the teen program numbers, reaching teens and getting them to participate
participate in the program and attend our events continues to be a challenge that we're trying to address. Figure out what what works for that age group. Um we beat our circulation goal. Um we our goal was to check out 25,000 items
over the 8week program and this total circulation during that period was 30,789 good items. Wow. And um in 2024 it was 27,000. So we saw an increase there as well. And that um both of those numbers include Libby
circulation. Mhm. And then I just want to say a big thank you to the friends of the library for don excuse me donating the final prizes, the free books that we gave out and the um incentive prizes that we gave out weekly. Um thank you to
Traverse Due Regional Library for the grant funding for the Riff and Griffin and Mix Nuts programs. And then thank you to the Optimus Club for funding our movie license that allows us to show the the Friday movies that we do. And then I just want to say congratulations to
Katherine, our youth services librarian, and to Amy, our youth services aid, for a wellplanned and executed program. They were busy. It was non-stop for them this summer, and they handled it all with grace and made it fun for the kids. So, I just appreciate their work.
Great. We've received many positive comments from participants and parents. So, that's been nice to hear. You did. I believe that. I was sad when my niece Mary Kate aged out.
Oh well, was I suppose it's inevitable. Anyone else want to make any comments about the summer program or the activities in July? Um, my family is just so thankful for the the kid programs at the library. Um, my kids love filling out their reading
log and progressing in their reading. So, we're very thankful to Catherine. Mhm. And the librarians there. Thank you. Capella group was just outstanding. So good. April, can you uh explain more what Tales of the Town is? I know Leroy does
it. Yeah. I haven't really watched one yet, but So, Tales of the Town is um it's an online series. It's available on our YouTube um page. So, if you just search New Public Library on YouTube, it's one of the channels or um playlists that we
have. Um but it's a series in partnership with NewAt um the Brown County Historical Society and State Street Theater and they choose um a historical story related to Newm or something that occurred here um
important person who visited Newm or founded Newm and then they um Leroy, our programming technology services librarian, usually narrates the story and then um actors from the State Street Theater act out the story I know my son was in one or two of those and I haven't
seen it yet, but so that's why I was like, "Okay, you you really need to." Yeah, they're really cute. County Historical Society um has helped us, you know, verify the accuracy of the his history that's been shared. Oh, I think they're a riot.
Should promote a riot. Well, and and Leroy does such a good job. Well, and the actors are fabulous. Yeah, that's good. True. All right. Well, things are going well. You know, things are really We got a wonderful library.
Yes. And what are we doing in August? In August, um, our children's programs take a break. That's typical for us to give Katherine and Amy time to breathe a little bit, take a week of vacation, and then, um, prepare for fall programs. Um
during August though, our chess club um which is attended by a lot of young um patrons and the teen pathfinder programs do continue. Um author Ken Nurburn will be joining the history book group at Luca Books
next Tuesday, August 19th at 12:00 p.m. to discuss his book Neither Wolf Nor. Copies are available for checkout at the library and even if you haven't read the book, you're welcome to join us to hear um Ken speak about it. and historian John Haymon will present
the infamous Dakota War Trials of 1862 at the Brown County Historical Society annex on Wednesday, excuse me, August 20th at 12:00 p.m. And this is part of the um Brown County Historical Society's US Dakota Dakota War commemoration
events. And that is made possible by an arts and cultural heritage fund grant which you have in your resolutions. Okay. on to August. Oh, no, that's it for August. Yes, that's it. Right. All right. Well, we have our um recurring programs,
our need to work group, right? Book groups. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. All right. Any questions or comments about the August programming calendar? If not, uh, Brown County Library Board will present its 2026 appropriations request to the Brown County
Commissioners on Thursday, August 28th at 11:15 in the uh, third floor commissioners chambers at the Brown County Courthouse. Is that at their regular meeting? Don't they usually meet on Tuesdays? I believe it's a special meeting for appropriations where um, Brown County
departments and other agencies who receive funding each get a 15-minute slot. All right. Okay. So typically um it's attended by each library director from one of the Brown County libraries and we typically um speak on behalf of the libraries and then any patrons or board
members who want to come to support and say a few words are also welcome to do so. Well, you've certainly got a lot to report a lot to brag about in a lot of ways, you know, and other libraries are just as busy as we are with activities for Yeah. Good.
Okay. Okay, I think we're on to our action items. [Music] Speaking of action, forgive me. Yeah, I'm horrified. Oh, too bad. Oh, well, too bad, Mr.
Sorry. Happens. Next time I'll be better. All right, here we go. Uh this is a request for uh DW public library board action to receive an order filed purchase of
shelving. The library board budgeted to spend $25,000 on shelving for the children's room and service desk area during 2025. This includes replacing the children's rooms children's room picture
and board book browsing bins with traditional bookshelf bookshelf bookcase shelving. This will free up space in the storytime area. The library is also adding traditional bookcase
shelving along the wall next to the service desk. This will provide expanded shelving for some of the libraryies newer collections like board games or Spanish language books. The library has selected Library
Furniture International to complete the projects. That's LFI. LFI has completed prior projects in the children's room and service desk area and will use the same models and color
colorways as the existing shelving. And the total purchase cost is included below and in the attached quote. Materials are $18,284 and installation and freight is $4,626
for a total under budget, I might notice. Yes. Of $22,910. Uh, Library Furniture International will complete the installation. So, we've got Go ahead. Purchases already underway. Mhm.
Um the when I've talked to the city manager about purchases like this in the past, this is his recommended form for it to come to the board. Since it was a bud budgeted expense and we're under budget, you don't necessarily have to approve it. You you're just acknowledging know about it.
You know about it, right? So So we'll uh this uh do we need a resolution? No. No. Well, I'll just take a motion to receive uh and have uh acknowledge it, you know. Can I have a motion? So moved. Second. Second.
Uh and well, it's great to be under budget. Any other any other comments? So it's Where are we in the process? So I just saw specs for the metal parts of the shelving. I'm waiting on specs for the the mil pieces that will be used. Okay.
Um so we're the vendors working on manufacturing at this point. All right. I suppose next month you'll tell us in the activities report that they're in. Right. It was possible depending on their schedule. You never Well, moving books is no picnic either, you know. But no.
So, all right. All in favor of receiving then ordered file this uh report signify by saying I. I. I. Same sign. Okay. Good. Now, on to our real resolutions. Uh resolution number 202523 to approve library closure for staff
training day. Uh, the library director requests that the library board approve closing the library for the entire day on Friday, October 24th, 2025 to allow time for staff training. Topics will
include Brown County homelessness resources, safety, technology, and workplace communications. Trainers will include the Newm Police Department, Brown County Human Services, and library staff. The library director confirmed
with the city manager that the city manager has no concerns with closing the library for training on October 24th. So, busy day. Sounds like a busy day. So, uh can I have a motion? I'll make a motion
to offer that resolution. I'll make the motion. Second. I'll second. Any any further discussion? Any discussion? Those sound like wonderful topics. Yes. Yes, they do. To get it all done in one day, too. Right. Right. Good job. We um typically have a staff meeting
once a month on a Friday morning before we open. But that's an hour, an hour and 15 minutes tops that we get. And often we have other things for discussion where we can't focus on training. So, this really allows us some time to do that. Well, and this way it just it's done. Mhm. It's finished and we don't have to think
about it then. Mhm. Right. Right. Great. All right. Secretary, call the role. Dustin, yes. Caitlyn, yes. Ruth Anne, yes. Ivonne, yes. Manan, yes. Lynn, yes.
Hope, yes. We have a resolution. Now we go on to resolution number 202524 accepting arts and cultural heritage fund grant. On July 2025 meeting the Travers Due Regional Library Board awarded Newm
Public Library with an arts and cultural heritage fund legacy grant in the amount of $750. The grant will cover the cost of historian John Hammond's presentation, The Infamous Dakota War Trials of 1862,
Revenge, Military Law, and the Judgment of History. Raymond will present at the Brown County Historical Society on Wednesday, August 20th, uh, 2025 at 12 PM as part of the US Dakota
War commemorations events. I'm going to miss that and I'm sorry about that. Um, but it sounds fascinating. Okay. Can I have a motion uh offering that resolution? So moved. Second. Second. Okay. Motion and a second. Any other
discussion except it's I hope it's well attended. Those usually are. Okay. All right. Any other discussion? Hearing none. Secretary, call the role. Dustin? Yes. Caitlyn? Yes. Ruth Anne, yes. Ivonne, yes. Manan,
yes. Lynn, yes. Hope, yes. All right, we have uh we have more money. Okay, now on to resolution number 202525 accepting a TDS honorarium. During July
2025 Traverse Due Regional Library Board TDS meeting, they awarded New Public Library with an $800 honorarium to cover the cost of Minnesota Library Association uh conference attendance for the
programming and technology services director. Any costs over $800 will be covered by New Public Libraries Travel Conferences and School Budget Line. The conference will be held October 9 through 10 in St.
Cloud, Minnesota. And this year's theme is cultivating connections. The program and technology service librarian is presenting a session on partnering with your local TV station. Haha. For the
local TV station. Great. and he will be joined by New Community Access um television technicians. Oh, fun, fun, fun, fun. Great. Uh any uh do I have a motion to
accept this resolution? I'll move. Any and and a second? Second. Uh any other discussion? Oh, secretary, call the roll. Dustin, yes. Caitlyn, yes.
Ruth Anne, yes. Ivonne, yes. Manan, yes. Lynn, yes. Hope, yes. All right, we have a resolution. Is there any other business to come before this board? All right, hearing none. Meeting adjourned. Thanks
everybody. Thanks.