International Falls Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2021
Present: Diane Adams – Library Director, Dick Peterson, Mona Johnson, Heather Weaver, MaryJo Winkel, Paul Nevanen, Ashley Kostiuk and Darcy Sullivan.
Peterson called the meeting to order at 4:29 pm.
Motion by Johnson, second by Sullivan to approve the April minutes. All approved.
Motion by Nevanen, second by Kostiuk to approve the May bills. All approved.
Director’s Report – While April was slower than March we checked out almost 2,000 more items in 2021 than in 2020, so circulation for the year is up 3% so far. We continue to feel optimistic that we can rebound. Storytime ended on a high note with twenty three in attendance. We then had twelve at the Tuesday, May the Fourth Be With You Star Wars Fun and another 9 Thursday morning for the storytime crowd.
Carpet in the junior room will be replaced beginning Monday, May 10th. I am hopeful that they will be about done by Wednesday afternoon.
With the departure of Beth at the end of the month, I am going to pause on the policy manual. Too many other details, along with additional time at the circulation desk. Summer Reading is about ready to roll. It will run from June 7 – August 12. Our summer students will be Nora Sullivan, Lila Wood and Ellen Windels – all three are big readers and familiar with the library. I am pleased to be working with them this summer.
The library was one of seven libraries in the Arrowhead System and one of 67 across the state to be selected to participate in the initial State Park Library Pass Program. We will be receiving two one week parking passes for Minnesota State parks to loan to the community for the next 18 months. Details are still being worked out but should begin in June. I will be promoting in the column and we’ll have publicity up in the library.
I will be gone from May 17 – 30. I will be visiting parents and in-laws on the west coast. I will check email and respond as needed daily.
Old Business – upcoming programs – May take-out craft – ALS provided juggling kits, summer – no outside performers, as much programming as possible outside, weekly take home STEAM for elementary, monthly craft for teens and adults, storytime and big play for early elementary and younger, weekly family fun before concerts
Fireplace insert – still requesting bids per Ted
Legal Aid Kiosk – set up and working, beginning to get word out, it is available to use
Wall Mural – work has begun
New Business – New York Times digital access pricing would increase over 60%, we will drop. Minneapolis Star Tribune doesn’t have a group option. We can refer people to the website – no limit to number of articles you can examine each week.
Weaver moved, with Kostiuk second to accept the following donations: $50 from Gladys Brown in memory of her son Jerry Rutledge and $500 from Gene and Pat Kjellgren in memory of Harold Barber and Gene & Ruth McLinn
What are you reading? – Diane recommends Hudson Bay Bound by Natalie Warren and has started Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham, Dick recommends Dead Mountain: the untold true story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar, MaryJo says When Harry Met Minnie by Martha Teichner is a sweet, poignant tale of dog’s, death and life. Mona is reading The Same Sky by Amanda Eyre Ward, while Heather finished White by Ted Dekker and is reading Will They Stand by Ken Ham, Paul continues to enjoy Tim Dorsey in Tropic of Stupid while Darcy is enjoying Born a Crime by Trevor Noah and Ashley is reading Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis and having lots of fun with Choose Your Own Adventure books with her kids.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 at 4:30 pm.
Meeting ended at 5:05 pm.