International Falls Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
November 8th, 2023
Present: Diane Adams – Library Director, Paul Nevanen, Mona Johnson, William Frank, Heather Weaver, and Dick Peterson.
Meeting was called to order at 4:27 pm by Nevanen.
Minutes – Peterson moved and Weaver seconded to approve the October 2023 minutes. All approved.
Bills – Johnson moved and Frank seconded to approve November 2023 bills. All approved.
Director’s Report – October statistics were almost identical to last October. We remain 1% below 2022 year to date, but add in digital content and we are currently 1% above year to date. Storytime attendance remains below the level of the last several years. We had no one attend the presentation by the graphic memoirist. We gave out all the acrylic painting kits by mid-month. We hid mini beanie babies in the junior room for Halloween and had 35 youngsters stop by and find one to keep. The handwoven bookmarks are available for November as well as a fun Libratory kit for elementary students.
We continue to deal with a number of inadequately housed individuals who need lots of assistance or are challenging to deal with as they set up their home/office for the day.
Knudson grant was received early this week in the full amount requested. We will use it to pay for the bulk of the purchase of skis and add a handful of ‘learn to…’ kits. I will hopefully be able to get the kits ordered before the end of the year.
Old Business: The quilt guild is displaying in November and December. Storytime continues on Thursday mornings at 10:30, we will provide monthly Libratory (STEAM) bags with takeout activities for elementary students. November takeout craft is a handwoven bookmark and December will be handmade toys to create.
Building Updates – Work has been focused on city hall steps. I assume they will move over here when city hall steps are completed.
No additional word on the 2024 budget after being asked to cut 20% from non-personnel budget in September.
New Business: The Garden Girls made a $50 donation in appreciation of our meeting room space. Move by Peterson with second by Weaver to accept the donation. All approved
The director asked for permission to close the entire Thanksgiving weekend for the first time in at least 20 years. Staff are very tired and two shifts are open one for Friday and one for Saturday. Full-time staff scheduled are very willing to take Personal Leave. Move by Frank with second by Johnson to approve closing the library Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. All approved.
Next Friends of the Library book sale is Thursday, December 7th from 3 pm – 5 pm.
What are you reading? – Dick is reading James McBride’s Heaven and Earth Grocery Story, while Heather is reading The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown, Paul is reading Final Day by William R. Forstchen, Diane is reading Alebrijes by Barbara Higuera and William continues to read the Harry Potter series with his wife and they are on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 8th, 4:30 pm
Meeting adjourned at 5:05 pm.