International Falls Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
May 8th, 2024
Present: Diane Adams – Library Director, Maggie Horning, Mona Johnson, Will Frank, Heather Weaver, Sasha Moss, Dick Peterson, Mary Jo Winkel and Amber Hemstad, Friends president
Meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Frank.
Minutes – Weaver moved and Peterson seconded to approve the April 2024 minutes. All approved.
Bills – Winkel moved and Johnson seconded to approve the May 2024 bills. All approved.
Director’s Report – Circulation continues to be slightly below 2023 numbers. Attendance is all over the map. We have no clue what to expect. No one showed up for the Grief writing workshop (which I wasn’t too surprised at) but also had no one for Saturday storytime. Both got quite a bit of buzz on Facebook and in the building with people expressing interest, but it didn’t translate into participation.
I am working on the annual plan and will email it to board members on Monday evening along with last year’s plan, so you can look at it before the meeting on Wednesday. I will have print copies of the plan available at the board meeting.
Summer reading preparations are in full-swing. We have copies of the booklets back from the printer, have class visits scheduled and are working on program planning now. This is Olivia’s first summer and we are working together on plans. She has been able to take the PLIX (Public Library Innovation Exchange) training this past year which has helped her learn how to plan programs.
Old Business: Storytime is on hiatus until June 6th. The May takeout craft is a tile coaster playing with the Barn quilt theme. May libratory bag is watching seeds sprout. Crafting time and silent book club continue. Minnesota Barn Quilt tour presentation is Monday, May 13th at 6pm before the silent book club. Class visits are beginning and will occur throughout much of May.
New Business: Peterson moved and Horning seconded to accept a $200 donation from Lori Walz in memory of her father Gene Skoglund, $10 from Onida Kocinski in memory of Sandy Sakry and $500 from Gene and Pat Kjellgren. All approved.
Friends of the Library book sale is Friday, June 7th from 11am – 1pm.
What are you reading? –MaryJo read The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud and says it is weird even though it was about an elementary school teacher. Maggie just started The Women by Kristin Hannah and is really looking forward to reading it, while Heather is reading Christy by Catherine Marshall for the first time and enjoying it. Diane recommends The Postcard by Anne Berest, Mona just picked up Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid and Sasha is reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Dick read The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson before passing it on to his sons, Amber is reading Belles on Their Toes the sequel to Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreath but doesn’t find it as good and Will is reading Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and watching the tv series.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12th, 4:30 pm
Meeting adjourned at 5:10pm.