International Falls Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
May 10th, 2023
Present: Diane Adams – Library Director, Mona Johnson, Paul Nevanen, Dick Peterson, William Frank, Heather Weaver and Mary Jo Winkel
Meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Nevanen.
Minutes – Peterson moved and Winkel seconded to approve the April 2023 minutes. All approved.
Financial Report – Peterson moved and Johnson seconded to approve May 2023 bills. All approved.
Director’s Report – April circulation was down 6% compared to last year and 4% less than March 2023. We are currently down 3% for the year. Storytime ended with only 15 at the last session, but they were a rowdy bunch as the weather was cold and not very spring like. The kids definitely had cabin fever. Libratory also ended quietly with many of the families not picking up their last several bags. We still have take home bags available. 26 heard Mary Casanova speak on Saturday, April 22nd.
We have spent a lot of time planning summer reading activities for all ages. We are planning on two teen/adult takeout crafts, continue the book club, but just monthly, move the craft time to Tuesday mid-day. We will have an escape room like experience for teens that will be available anytime we are open. Kids will get to look forward to weekly STEAM workshops, storytime and Big Play.
I am also working on getting our texting with sculptures program up and running. It will be part of summer reading options and should include all four sculptures and the three Bruce Trask murals downtown. Then I’ll spend time this summer getting the history walks adapted to have a texting option as well as the map and audio files we currently have available.
Old Business: Programming in May is limited to class visits and we have a really cool takeout craft from the Duluth Folk School on Quilling, the art of paper rolling. Preparations are in full-swing for summer reading.
Building Updates – no progress on steps, doors, or shed
Annual Plan – the 2023-2024 annual action plan was shared and discussed.
New Business: New printer/copier has been ordered and we hope to have in place by the end of May. We will be moving to a five year contract with one machine doing printing, copying and scanning.
Donations: Peterson moved and Weaver seconded to accept the Bond/Skrief fund donation in the amount of $200 for Youth Award Winners. All approved.
No Friends of the Library book sale in May. Next book sale will be Wednesday, June 7th from 5 – 7 pm.
What are you reading? – Mona is reading The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, Dick is working through Allen Eskens works with Stolen Hours and Forsaken Country the two latest, Heather is reading Charlotte Mason’s classic Home Education while Paul is enjoying Joe Lansdale’s Doughnut Legion, MaryJo is reading The White Hare by Jane Johnson and Diane is reading The Big Tree by Brian Selznick.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14th, 4:30 pm
Meeting adjourned at 5:13 pm.