Okay, we're recording. Welcome everybody. Welcome to the library board meeting. It's 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 9th, 2026. We're in the city hall council chambers here in New. And uh our first agenda item is to uh to approve
the agenda. We got the agenda by uh email. So um uh can I have a motion to approve the agenda or comments about the agenda? >> I'll move to to approve the agenda. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any any discussion? Hearing none. All in
favor signify by by saying I. >> I post same sign. We have an agenda now. We have to approve the minutes from our March meeting. Again, we have those uh in email. Any comments or any little little tweaks to make to those? Does it
look fine to me? Anybody? Motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Any other discussion? Hearing none. Uh all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. We have minutes. Now
let's go to the money financial report. >> We are 26.3% through 2026 and our budget is approximately 2020 excuse me 22.75% expended. Some notable expenses during March included $324
to ALA um the American Library Association and $114 to the Newm Journal Journal to advertise the librarian posting. Okay. $5,450 to Ingram for books, which included $474
worth of donation spending. $988 to library ideas for Vox books. Those are the um the physical print books that have the audio component built into the cover. Um those are very
very popular in our children's room. And that was from the Kitty Leeb fund. Um that spending was approved at the July 2025 board meeting. Um a total of $2,000. So we're just finishing up spending that that fund. um $267 to
Metro Sales for the service contracts on our two copers and then $2,118 to the Minnesota Historical Society to have microfilm reels printed of the new M journal from 2021 to 2024. Um and we did budget that in the audiovisisual
supplies for 2026. So that was an expected expense that we wanted to um make sure we had everything that had been um digitized so far for the journal. and then $517 to Uline to purchase new a new heavy duty vacuum.
Um, the one we've been using for I think decades now finally has given up. >> Um, and then I just wanted to note there are a couple lines that we haven't discussed yet that are over spent as compared to where we are in the year. Um, the first one is the general supplies and that's because we've made
multiple orders of paper and cleaning product supplies. Um, and we do just do those a few times during the year. And then also that vacuum. Um, and then we also, um, purchase new floor mats for in the entrances, which I think I mentioned
last month. And then also the, um, printing, advertising, and promo line is um, spent at 46.03% right now. Um, and the reason for that are those two ads that I mentioned for the librarian position.
and I would be happy to answer any questions you have. Anyone have any questions or comments? Um, I would just like to say thank you for continuing to use the Vox books. As a former teacher, I those were so beneficial for students.
So, I appreciate that you're continuing to do that. They are incredibly popular. Um, we have over a hundred in the collection now. And when you go look at the shelf, there's six or seven sitting there. >> Yeah.
Well, along those same lines, I knew Kitty Lee and I know she would just be thrilled to have this new technology uh helping kids uh learn to read books. No, she it's just good. You know, it's all good. It's all good. Any other
comments about the financial report? Otherwise, we'll move on to the department activities report. >> Okay. Library assistant Isabella Ty joined the library team on March 11th and then library page Leah Mensel joined the library yesterday, April 8th. So,
welcome to Isabella and Leah. They're both doing great so far. Um, the city is in the process of making an offer to to a candidate for the librarian position. We interviewed seven candidates and they were all excellent candidates. Um, so
I'm feeling positive about our prospects there and I'll we'll let you know when we have more of an update there. Great. The Minnesota Elevator and Precision Alarm vendors finished their work on the elevator in the older building. So, the lock storage and Minnesota Music Hall of
Fame floors can now be accessed via the staff ID badges and badges have also been issued to the Minnesota M music hall of fame board members so that they can use can access those floors since they also have um space in our storage
area. In the board packet, I noted that um Traverse Due Regional Library is not renewing its membership or excuse me, a subscription to Mango Languages, which is a language learning tool similar to Duolingo.
>> Um and that was on the recommendation of the member libraries use was low compared to the the overall expense. Um, our access was supposed to end March 31st this year, but since the board packet went out, I had an update from TDS that they missed the cancellation
window. They have to give a 30-day notice for it. >> So, access will actually end March 31st, 2027. Um, and that's not an expense that was included in our member fees. It comes from other portions of the TDS budget. So, there's no additional cost to New Library for that additional year.
but our patrons will retain access until the end of next March. And then um I just wanted to note that we've limited our memory lab appointments to returning memory lab users only. Um these users have already completed their training on the equipment and can use the memory lab
more independently. Um appointments for new users will be reopened once the librarian has been hired and trained. Um, and that's just due to the staffing time we have available for the memory lab. And then, um, myself and Megan, our
assistant library director, completed the strategies for supervising part-time employees online course. This was offered through the University of Wisconsin. And um course topics included communication and access to information for part-time employees, effective
onboarding opportunities for advancement, and then formal and informal power structures in the workplace that would affect those part-time employees. And then just um some recent updates on the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Um the Trump administration
just dropped their appeal in the Rhode Island um versus Trump case on April 7th. Um the judge had issued a permanent injunction in January and um that directed that the administration could not further dismantle the Institute of
Museum and Library Services. Um but they had appealed that but that appeal was dropped now. And then the second court case um ALA ver the American Library Association versus Sanderling who is the interim director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and that was
settled today. So the Institute of Museum and Library Services can't be further dismantled under executive orders and must continue to do its work supporting libraries. So those two cases are are settled at this point. But however, the 2027 budget
proposal again defunds IMLS altogether. >> Um, so library supporters must once again call on Congress to protect the funding for for libraries through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Um, moving on to our statistics.
Um, similar to Feb, similar to February, our foot traffic was down 7.6% 6% over March um due to the tax preparation program reloc relocating to the community se center but still again even though our foot traffic was down our
physical circulation was up slightly um 2% over March 2025 we have helped patrons with the appointment line phone number for tax preparation or picking up their intake forms at the library over 60 times in March and those are just the times we
remember to tick a statistic we don't always do that. So, >> um, so that's just notable that even though we don't have those extra patrons in our building, um, we're not seeing a downturn in our other services.
And then, um, this month I removed the YouTube and Facebook statistics from the report that I send out in the board packet. And there's a couple reasons for that. Um the when I did the annual report for 2025,
um the state library services noted that in 2026 they're no longer going to be asking us to report our virtual programs. Um only 20% of libraries were still offering virtual programs or recorded programs of any kind. Um that
was more of a pandemic practice. And so because the the use of that has dropped, this state library services is no longer going to track it. Um so I decided that I would discontinue tracking that information through YouTube. Um for that
reason, but also because it is very timeconuming and difficult to pull those statistics and some of that comes because we're cross posted with new cat. So I have to look at their stats and our stats and compare. and it um compared to the information I'm getting from it,
it's I don't think it's a good use of my time to to do that. Um and similarly to that, we're we've never been required to report our Facebook or social media statistics and um they are similarly hard to pull and um change the location
of where to find them and the platform about every other month. So um unless you feel strongly about that, I can add them back in, but otherwise I would just recommend that we don't track them at this point. Um and then just a couple notable programs that we had offered during
March. The dementia friends information session had 34 attendees and they shared information about what dementia is, signs of dementia and how to support people living with dementia or supporting caregivers and they are also working with the CAS senior center to
offer more programs um related to those topics. So if that's of interest um watch the cast schedule as well. And then our Wanda Gogg birthday party had 40 attendees and they enjoyed a storytime reading of Wanda Gogg's Gone is Gone, which is the smallest book in
our collection of hers. Um, cupcakes, crafts, and games. And then many of those attendees joined us for the unveiling of the community collage banner in the hallway outside the children's room um preceding the party. And I just want to thank Ivonne Weber um
for her work on the downtown action team to um get that banner banner created and installed in the library. Um Randy Horsch also was there from Fuel Graphics and he shared how he had created the banner. And then photographer Josh
Madson wasn't able to attend but he shared a statement with Avon that she read out um during the unveiling. Um, and we had some nice journal articles about um, before the event and after talking about um, why it's meaningful.
And the collage that it's in the library uses the same portraits as the collage that's on the side of the thimblebox store um, across from the Chamber of Com commerce. And our library installation of the banner was made possible with an arts and cultural heritage fund grant.
>> I'd be happy to answer any questions on the report. >> A lot going on at the library. Right, Ivonne. >> A lot that I I watched the uh replay of Ivonne getting the kids all jazzed up to pull
down the papers. It was real It was a thrill, you know. It really was. It was a lot of fun. A lot of fun. Um I ju just something that that stuck that jumped out with me um in going to the senior living center. Um, and I apologize for
not having looked at this much before, but um, I noticed that uh, there's, you know, 20 people at uh, Oak Hills, five people at Ridgeway on 23rd, six people on on Ridgeway on German, but only one at Orchard Hills. Is that common that
that there's just one person or is that, you know, >> Orchard Hills has, I think, overall been our um, lowest attended senior living center. We've been in talks with their programming coordinator about how we could better do that there. Um, you know, sometimes the numbers change a
little bit vary based on who has moved in to the facility or who's no longer there. So, you know, that can change a little bit, but that consistently has been our most attended one. >> Well, and yeah, it's it's not it's something you're aware of. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yep. um we hear a lot when we visit
those senior living facilities how um important those services are to them and how welcomed they are and you know a big thank you to us for bringing those services. So it's not something we would take lightly in changing. Um but we you
know we also have to think about the staff time that's invested in those visits as well. And >> we're looking at ways that we could um still serve those patrons, but maybe not invest so much staff time in the actual visit part of it. >> Right. Any other uh comments or
questions? I just happened to be there when the needle group was all was uh on needle work day and I said my husband and I drove up, what are all these cars doing here? My goodness gracious, those that is a very popular program.
>> Yes, it is. and a lively group. Many many laughs, you know, many laughs. So, any anyone else have any questions or comments? Some things you want to bring up. Otherwise, we'll go on to programming.
>> Uh the film society will wrap up Steven Spielberg series with its April 14th meeting. Um they're watching the Fablemans and then um they will begin a new series, the musical film series on May 12th. and they've I think selected
nine movies for that series. So that'll go through January of next year, >> right? >> And all of those are um if you're looking for um information about movie titles, that's all on our website on the library events page uh new library.org.
We have a special story time on Friday, April 24th at 10:00 a.m. So, in addition to a traditional story time where we have um stories and songs um at special time story time, we also do a craft
related to the topic of the day. And then our youth services staff are busy preparing for the summer reading program. Um during May, the staff takes a break from regular programming so that they can put the final touches on the summer reading program and take a breath
before the the busyiness starts. Um but our youth services librarian, Katherine Tatnol, will join us at the May 14th M meeting to share a preview of the summer reading program. >> Okay, good. Good. anything uh anybody want to uh
bring up anything important or >> I've I've heard uh rave reviews on the um uh wacky wonders uh classes that are offered. >> So go library. >> Yeah, they do a lot of fun activities. I
I wish I had the time to go down and um they were doing graffiti the other day. I thought that was kind of fun. Uh great, great, great, great. Anything else? Otherwise, we'll move on to our one action item. Uh this is always um
it's always affirming to understand how many people feel strongly enough about the library to give money. You know, it's really nice. It's really nice. So um this is um resolution number 20265
accepting January 1 to March 31 2026 donations uh and memorials and I will because it's important I will read this list. Um there's an anonymous uh donation of
$20. Uh they put them in the in the box, right? I usually note if it's the cash box. Okay. >> Um sometimes we do receive um mail donations or someone will just hand us and not want any >> rec. $20. We'll take we'll take $20 and
then uh uh from the the book club uh care of Judy McClean uh in the memory of Mara Zeta uh $159.40 40 cents uh for uh adult books and a book bag kit. Uh eat your ice cream. Is
that right? >> Yes. >> Um and then uh Nick and Helen Haley uh in honor of Tootsz Culse uh $25 in cash uh for adult books. Uh Dale and Mickey Wit also in um memory of Tutts Culse,
$25 for adult books. Bonnie Bod uh in in memory of Tootszkall's $10 for adult books. Jerry and Carol Pearson um in honor and memory of Tuttsk's $10 for adult books.
Uh Maryanne Culz and Leo Guggisburg uh again for uh Toots Cults. She must have been a great reader. Uh $30 in cash for adult books. and Jill Cultz. Um, again for Tootsz Cults, $100 in cash for adult
books. Moving on, uh, Brian Matawitz, $50, uh, for, uh, book, adult books, uh, Matit's construction uh, 100th anniversary book. >> And that that was a donation of the book itself. >> That was a donation of the book itself.
Okay. Well, that's u they they must have pub self-published that book. Oh, okay. Interesting. That's in. I'll look at that. Um, then the Prairie Peacekeepers uh donated $160 uh for adult books, specifically
quilting six quilting books. >> And again, that was the books themselves that they >> Okay, good. Thank you. Um, then an anonymous uh in the do this was in the donation box, $30 cash undesated. And then friends of the new public library
$150 cash uh for the national library. >> Yep. National library week staff. >> Oh, I see. I see. I see. Okay. Oh, there it is on the other side. Um good. And
now um Sylvia off. Oh my. Sylvia After Heidi donated $1,000 in cash uh for and unde we can use it however we want to. That's lovely. Lovely. So, the total cash donations are $1,559.40
and then the total physical donations have a value of of $210 for a total of $1,76940. And as always, the library board of New Public Library accepts these donations with gratitude to the donors. So
again, generosity. It's wonderful generosity and an indication that we're we're do the library itself is doing a good job out in the community. And I need someone to uh offer that resolution.
>> So moved. >> I have a Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Any other comments or questions or >> just a big thank you to the community? >> Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. Interesting. Very interesting. All right. Anything else? Otherwise, let's
call the roll. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Dustin, yes. Caitlyn, >> yes. >> Ruth Anne, >> yes. >> Yvonne, >> yes. >> Lynn, >> yes. >> All right. We have a We have money and cash in a couple of books. Is there any other business to come before this
board? will be looking forward to uh greeting a new assistant, a new uh librarian, a new >> um depending on start dates and all of that. Um at some point I would like them to come meet the library board at a meeting. Um I can't promise which it might fall on.
>> Dog gone it. I'm just I'm so anxious. Anything else otherwise? Wait a minute. Meeting adjourned. Thanks everybody.