International Falls Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2026
Present: Diane Adams – Library Director, Heather Weaver, Maggie Horning, Mona Johnson, Cynthia Adams, Katie Winkel, Sasha Moss
Meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Weaver.
Minutes – Horning moved and Winkel seconded to approve April 2026 minutes. All approved.
Bills
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Johnson moved and C. Adams seconded to approve the May 2026 bills. All approved.
Director’s Report – April physical circulation was a dismal 21% below April 2025. We are now 12% year-to-date compared to 2025. When digital circulation is added we are 7% below year-to-date. The number of patrons checking out is similar to where we were a year ago and patrons coming into the building are also similar to previous years. Attendance is down a bit for programs, but not 7%. So we continue to be utilized, just differently. We continue to look for additional ways to track usage. And we continue to work at encouraging reading as an important part of being a human.
Hoopla usage in April, 15 patrons tried to borrow another item and couldn’t due to limit. Two patrons found extra items to borrow from the bonus borrows the last week of the month.
The last month has been busy preparing for summer, lots of scheduling programs, class visits, and staff. We have figured out take-out crafts for teens and adults, planned storytime, libratory and are starting to organize for Big Play which will include training our new students to run that program. Storytime, Elementary Fun and Libratory Bags finished up in April (except for one last Saturday storytime on May 9). We had 7 at the amazing Shelley Getten poetry reading and printmaking showing. It was the first (and close to only) very nice evening and there were several other events in town as well. 13 attended the Mother’s Day wooden tulip gift making program.
We unexpectedly had to replace the large popcorn popper after the motor burned out. That is one of our most popular Library of Things items, especially in summer, so time was spent researching options and getting that replaced.
Old Business: May Saturday Storytime on May 9th was the last regular program of the school year. Class visits are underway with most this week. Summer reading booklets were distributed.
2026-27 Annual Action plan was presented.
New Business: The library received a $20 donation from Darrell Schmidt in memory of John Dalton. Moss moved to accept the donations and C. Adams seconded, all approved.
A discussion was had about a disruptive patron who is refusing to abide by our Patron Standards of Conduct. The Director will reach out to the city administrator and attorney to talk about options and try and have a plan in place before summer.
Friends of the Library book sale is Friday, June 5th from 11am –1pm.
What are you reading? Sasha is reading Theo of Golden by Allen Levi and Windswept by Margi Preuss with her class, Mona is reading Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes with her class, Katie is reading Giver of the Stars by JoJo Moyes and a book of Ojibwe Myths and Legends. Maggie read Astral Library by Kate Quinn, Cindy read We the Women by Norah O’Donnell, Diane is reading The Librarians by Sherry Thomas and Heather is reading Uncluttered Faith by Joshua Becker.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13th, 4:30 pm
Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.