Afternoon. It is 4 pm on July 9th, 2026 and this is the new public library board meeting in the city council chambers. Um you have your agendas and the first item of business is to approve the agenda. Do we
have a motion? >> I'll move. >> Second. All in favor of approving the agenda say I. >> I opposed. All right. On to the agenda. The first item is approval of the
minutes from the June 11th, 2026 meeting. Do we have a motion to approve last month's meeting? >> So moved. >> A second. >> Second. >> All right. Um any discussion on that?
All right. All in favor of approving the minutes say I. >> I. I. >> All oppose. Nay. All right. The minutes are approved. Um, next we have the financial report and expenses. Um,
all right. Oops. I'm in the to go back to the correct page here. All right. Um any questions or comments about the um report or um the financial report or the
expenses? >> Did you want me to go through some of the notable expenses? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> So, we're about 50% through 2026 and our budget is approximately 42.44% expended. Some of the notable expenses that we had during June included $1,189
to CDW for um a scheduled replacement of the youth service librarian's laptop and the three-year warranty to go along with that. We replace our staff computers every four years. Um $744 to CTS for a replacement camera and the installation for that camera for
the children's room. Um one of the fisheye cameras in the middle of the room died. We had three $374 to um go sheet metal for work on the contactor on the children's hallway HVAC unit. We're having some issues. Um it
keeps burning out the thermostats that we put there. So they're trying to figure out where the short is currently on that um unit. We paid $6,575 to Ingram for book and audiovisisual format purchases, and that included $460
from miscellaneous donations, $720 to Precision Alarm for annual fire alarm monitoring for the library, $585 to Swank Motion Pictures for our annual film license, and then $15,797
to TDS for the second half of our annual fees. At your June meeting, Dustin had asked about the balance sheet, which noted that fund 211 was out of balance by $24.98. I checked in with the finance director and she couldn't find a specific account
that was causing that issue, but she recommended that when I run the budget and balance sheet reports that I run them for the end of the month. She thought that that was the issue with clearing out accounts because I was running them just the day that I ran the reports. and she said that should fix
the issue. And so on this month the that out of balance amount isn't there any longer. So um and then I plan at your August meeting to present the public computer furniture and door counter projects that
I've talked a little bit about for approval. So I'll bring some quotes for those projects for you to look at. Okay. >> I'd be happy to answer any questions about the financial report. Thanks for clearing up that question. Okay,
no questions. Let's go on to the librarian's report. Right. So, our new librarian, Khloe Dixon, has joined us. I've asked her if she would just say a few words introducing herself. Um, so if you don't mind going over to the microphone for
that. >> Thank you. Welcome, Chloe. Hello. Hello. So, my name is Chloe. Um, I started June 15th, so I'm getting trained, getting settled. I was hired to focus on adult programs and our tech
services. So, the memory lab, tech education, digital literacy. Um, and those kind of can go handinhand with different programs and classes we can offer as well. So, that is why I am here. Um, I spent the last six years in
Columbus, Ohio in a suburb at uh the Grove City Library there. I was an information assistant. Got my master's degree while I was doing that. Um, so I'd say kind of my specialties are um programming, adult program, adult
programming, and then historical collections. I was the manager of our local history collection. I did an oral history project. Um, so some of that past experience might be coming into play here soon. Um, before that I went to school in Pennsylvania, but I grew up
in Maryland, so I've been having a lot of words when people say, "Where are you from?" Because I'm not from Ohio. I just spent six years there. >> Right. Nice to meet you. >> Thank you. >> Nice to meet you. Welcome. >> Glad to have you.
>> Thank you. um she's been already been working with community partners and making contacts and um helping patrons in our memory lab and with tech questions. So, I think she's off to a great start. >> Wonderful.
Um any other items you'd like to respond to in the librarian's report? Sure. Um our summer reading program is in full swing and it continues through August 3rd. So far, we've handed out
over 500 reading logs to kids um both um the under fifth grade and um through um senior year of high school. And then we have had roughly between 50 to 70 kids attending our Monday story time. So,
it's been really busy. We've moved those down to the meeting room just to accommodate the crowds. We've had the children's room can't quite have the enough space for that. Um >> that's a good problem to have. >> Yes, exactly. >> Um Chloe and I attended a meeting of the
new memory lab community collaboration. Um and this was organized by librarians at the central Arkansas library system which also has a memory lab. And the purpose of the group is to create a network for libraries who have memory labs um to so that they can share
resources and recommendations. So that I think that'll be a great resource for us to have. And then I met with representatives from the heart of Newm and Region 9 to discuss a community freezer located at the library. So region 9 already has a
food recovery program in place and would like to expand to new. So, um they are their work is to um capture some of the potential food waste from local grocery stores. Um and then in some instances
repackage it or package it smaller or um you know maybe change potato potatoes to potato salad or something like that and then package it in individual containers and then make sure that that's getting out in the community. Um they targeted
new home because we have our emergency food shelf but the hours are somewhat limited and so they identified the library as a potential partner because of our accessibility and the hours that we offer to the community. Um, so we'll be pursuing a statewide health
improvement partnership um, grant through the through Brown County to fund the cost of the freezer itself. And then region 9 with their program that's already in place would take care of stocking the freezer. Um, they have some either freezers or fridges um, in a
couple clinic locations in Mano. I think there were three or four that they they mentioned. Um so the responsibility on the part of the library would really be to offer the space to be the grant recipient and then the electricity for
the fridge which is um I talked with our maintenance person and he said that it would take less to run the fridge than the vacuum he uses. So >> so so fairly minimal for us. >> Where and where would we keep that? Um the the spot we've identified is in the
hallway that's outside the children's room, that entrance into the library. Um the reason we picked that one is because of the tile floor in case the fridge ever leaked, but also it's a visible spot, but not so visible that those wanting to take advantage of it would
feel like they're being watched. Um cuz sometimes there's some stigma with using those kind of resources. So, we didn't want to create something where they felt like they were being watched by the staff at the service desk or anything like that. >> And it's um you know, it's open to the
community. Each individual decides if their need meets you know, taking something from the fridge, we're not going to have any qualifications to need to to check anything like that. >> So, u a person could just come and check what's in there and take something that they could use. That is wonderful.
>> Yeah. and items would vary based on um what's available through the food recovery program. >> So um we would also library staff beyond the space and the the electricity our only responsibility would just need to take um daily temperature readings for
the fridge just to make sure it's operating as expected. So, someone else will be bringing food to the fridge, monitoring for expiration, I'm assuming, and keeping it stocked however Yeah. >> they want it stock.
>> So, is it going to be a fridge or a freezer? Cuz here you've got a >> Yes. Um, that's kind of up for debate at this point. Um, it could be either one. Um, as we work through the grant process, we'll narrow down which it'll
be. Um the the I think the fridge is what's out there currently, but a freezer is appealing because of just the extended expiration dates for things then. >> So my um we're working on the grant this
month and then just kind of depending on the timeline of the approval process um you would need to accept that grant should we be awarded it. So that would maybe be August or September depending. >> Um but and library personnel aren't
aren't involved in in anything other than you said it was the space and the electricity that >> the library >> Yep. And then we just have to take daily temperature readings and mark them on a log. Yep. >> All right. That sounds wonderful. That
could be a real lifesaver for families. I hope it works out. >> Yeah. Okay. Um, as far as statistics go, I just wanted to note that when I put the report together, I transposed the meeting room numbers. So, the it should actually read that there were three
non-li reservations and 20 users. I just mixed up those two numbers. And then I wanted to note that we had 31 study room reservations in June. Um, that's one of our higher statistics for the study room so far. They're being used for Zoom meetings, quiet work, and then um a
couple of the in the uses that I hadn't identified when we put them in there, but I that I think is great are for supervised family visits with the county. And then we also have um city commissions using them for some of their subcommittee meetings when the meeting room isn't available. Those rooms offer
enough space for a smaller group of people. >> Oh, good ideas. We had 60 attendees for the imagination theater performance and 11 for the comic book workshop. And I just wanted to note that arts and cultural heritage fund grants through um TDS made those
programs possible. And then we had 20 attend the World War II homeront program presented by Carla Feld and a recording of that program will soon be available on YouTube. Um and I just wanted to recognize Carla for her work putting that presentation together. That was a
volunteer effort for her in partnership with the Brown County Historical Society. >> It It was a good It was a good lecture. >> It was really interesting. >> Learned a bunch of things. >> Okay. Um
and now I guess we're on to the um action items. >> Did you want me to talk about programming at all? >> Oh, yes. Yeah. I'm sorry. Um we we have the Mirandola Ensemble performing tomorrow um at 3:30 p.m. and
they are present their program is called the Yankee Toonmiths and it features music from the time of the American Revolution. Then we have our junior and teen video game clubs meeting this month. Um junior is on Tuesday, July 14th and teen is on
Tuesday, July 21st 1st. both meet at 2 p.m. No registration needed for those. We have pintsized poka with Mike Schneider on Thursday, July 21st at 1 p.m. And that's also an arts and cultural heritage fund grant. And this is a returning performance for Mike. We
really enjoyed him the last time he visited the library. and voter 101 at Turner is at Turner Hall on Wednesday, July 29th at 5:30m. Um, the library is partnering with Turner Hall and the League of Women Voters of Newm to host Melanie Heslip,
who is the voter outreach director with the Office of Minnesota Secretary of State, Seve Simon. Um, they have a social with free drinks and snacks at 5:00 p.m. And her presentation is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. And she'll discuss
Minnesota voting and election procedures, voter law changes made over the last few years, and steps that ensure safe, secure, and fair elections. Um, the Turner Hall and League of Women Voters are requesting that people RSVP
if you're able to. Um, that information can be found on the libraries website or on the League of Women Voters website. And that just helps them make sure that they have the refreshment supplies that they need for that event. And then New Alm Night Out is at German Park on Thursday, July 30th from 5:30 to
8:30 p.m. And the library will have a booth with an activity. Um, and that's in addition to other local organizations who will be represented. And there will be food trucks, an emergency vehicle fair, and more. So everybody should join us for that. >> A busy week.
>> Yes. >> All right. And then I just wanted to note that the Brown County Library Board's 2027 appropriations hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 17th at 11:30 a.m. at the Brown County Courthouse on the second
floor. Um that is open to the public if anyone would like to come hear our request and support the library or be heard by the commissioners. Thank you. Okay, now we get to go into the action
items. All right. Um the uh resolution number 2026-08 approving preliminary 2027 budget. This is the first reading and adoption. The
attached 2027 preliminary library budget was prepared by the library director and must be submitted to the finance director by July 24th, 2026. The library director will attend a budget work session in the city council, si city
manager, finance director, and other department heads date to be determined. She will keep the library board informed about the decisions affecting the library. Most of the libraryies revenue comes from taxes general, which will be entered by the city finance department
and approved by the city council. The Brown County Library Board is scheduled to meet with the Brown County Commissioners on August 17th at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the 2027 county library appropriations request. The library
director has estimated revenue under the categories of charges for services and fines and fees based on previous year's actual revenue and revenue generated so far in 2026. The library's primary expense is personnel services which
include salaries and insurance and these line items are set by the finance department. These numbers are not yet finalized and changes to these numbers are not shown on the attached preliminary library budget. The Traverse
to Sue board approved a 24.2% decrease $7,646 in New Public Libraries 2027 membership fees reflecting in the cataloging and processing budget line. Excuse me.
Travers to sue fees are based on a formula included includes all TDS member libraries. Electronic resources line includes the new on public libraries 2027 overdrive fees which total $8,951.
The library director has noted explanations for her recorded line item changes in the attached budget chart. The changes total an overall increase of $46 or 0% in the lines overseen by the
library board. For comparison, in 2026, preliminary library expenses showed an overall increase of $8,734.88 or 0.78%. The 2025 preliminary library expenses
showed an overall increase of $35,537 12 or 3.52%. The reason for the larger increase for 2025 was the $25,000 budgeted for the office furniture and equipment line for shelving pro for line shelving for
shelving projects. Okay. Could we have a motion to approve this budget? >> Can I ask a question? >> Um, what was the reasoning for the 24% decrease with TDS? Are we losing
anything with that or that's just how it worked out this year? >> So TDS um kind of went through their budget with a fine tooth comb this year because the state um funding calculations had changed over the last few years. And so based on the increase
that they were receiving for the state when they went through they were able to um reduce fees based on that funding. And so um on average libraries got about a 22% decrease in their fees across the board because of that. And so we're not
anticipating a wild jump up again next year or anything because of that change. Do we have a motion to accept the preliminary budget? And I just wanted to note that the budget you're seeing here is the same budget that was presented in your packet last month as well. I
haven't made any changes to it. I move we approve it. The budget as presented. Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? Oh,
>> go through the role. Nancy. Yes, >> Ivonne. >> Yes, >> Lynn. >> Yes, >> Caitlyn. >> Yes, >> Dustin. Yes. >> Okay, we are um are there any uh um
opposed? All right, we have approved the preliminary budget. Excuse me here. This is Thank you very much. All right. Now we have the new on public
library board. This is a testimony to the generosity of our community here. Resolution number 20269 accepting April 1st through June 30th, 2026 donations and memorials. First
reading and adoption. The list below describes donations by the library from April 1st through June 30th, 2026. On April 27th, the Prairie Peacemakers made a donation of $170
in the um type of uh gift as quilting books. Five quilting books designated for adult books. Uh, April 28th, Friends of the Newm Public Library donated $1,000 cash for children's programming,
specifically the summer reading program prizes and giveaway books. On April 28th, Friends of the New Library, donated $150 cash, designated as other for the National Library Week staff
recognition. On May 1st, the New Elm Foundation um donated a memorial in memory of Emma Gibbser in the amount of $130 cash for children's programming, specifically the
St. Nicholas Eve celebration. On May 1st, the Newam Foundation uh also gave a in a donation in memory of Emma Gibbser in the amount of $332.30 30 cents cash for adult books.
May 1st, an and Craig Anderson donated in the in memory of Edna Lions $50 cash for adult books. On May 6th, Sue Olie donated in memory of Edna Lions $30 cash
for adult books. On May 6th, Doug and Betty Royer donated in memory of Edna Lions, $100 cash adult books. On May 17th, Carol Kramer donated in memory of Gerard Schneider, $100 cash
adult books. On May oops, May 20th, Brenda Portner donated $50 cash for children's programming. On May 29th, Katherine Frederick's
donated in memory of Nancy Stark $75 cash in an undesated category. On June 30th, there was an anonymous donation in the donation box of $85 cash undesated.
There were total, excuse me, a uh total cash donations of $2,12.30, 30, a total physical and item donations of $170 for a total cash and physical item
donation of $2,27230. The library board of the New Public Library accepts these donations with gratitude to the donors. Uh, do we have a motion to accept these donations? >> I'll move.
>> Second. Second. All in favor of accepting these donations. >> Oh, that's right. You have to do a roll call. >> Sorry. >> Yes. >> Ivonne, >> yes. >> Lynn, >> yes. >> Caitlyn, >> yes. >> Dustin, yes.
>> Thank you. Uh, thank you. We accept the donations. >> Lynn, can I make a note about one of the donations? >> Yes. So, the Newm Area Foundation lines that are donated in memory of E. Emma Gzer, um, she had an like an endowment
account that she gifted. Um, and that account, um, two portions of it come to the library, one for the St. Nicholas program and one for books. And then another portion of it goes to park and recreation, I believe. Oh. Um, so the
Newm Area Foundation manages that account and each year um gives a check to those appropriate entities for that for that donation that she made. >> Okay. >> Thank you for that clarification. >> Do they ever loop you into conversations
with Noel Mary Foundation or does that usually come after the fact of one's passing? >> Um, it's um just an ongoing thing that she as for how she had set it up in her will. So it's not anything we have to apply for. So, I haven't, you know, I usually get a a call just letting us
know that they're making, you know, that dispersement to the library each year. Um, this year they came and we um took a took a photo for the journal just to recognize Emma. >> Very nice. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. All right. Is there any other business to come before the board? Any other business? Any other business? Seeing no business, the meeting is adjourned. Thank you.