The Mission of Lake Agassiz Regional Library

The Mission of Lake Agassiz Regional Library is to share resources in order to provide access to quality library services that meet lifelong learning needs, and enrich the lives of those we serve.

LARL BOARD OF TRUSTEES FULL BOARD MEETING MINUTES

A meeting of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library Full Board was held on Thursday, June 16, 2005 at the Detroit Lakes Branch. Vice-President Perry called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.

Board Members Present: Conzemius, Eid, Ellingson, Gunaratne, Gunderson, Hooper, Iverson, Jacobson, Kolke, Larson, Lindgren, Melby, Nelson, Perry, Saar.

Board Members Absent: Dufault, Hovedenes, Kochmann, Mooney, Sauvegeau, Swanson, Waller, Winterfeldt-Shanks.

Others Present: Fredette.

PUBLIC INPUT. None.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA.

(Conzemius/Nelson) Moved to approve the agenda as presented. MCU.

INTRODUCTION OF DETROIT LAKES HUB SUPERVISOR AND STAFF.

Mary Haney, Detroit Lakes Hub Supervisor, was introduced to the Board. Haney then introduced some of her staff including Library Assistants Eileen Mooney, Suzanne Stenerson, Erin Lage, Ria Young and Carol Kempenich, and Librarian Marilyn Hedberg.

MINUTES OF THE MAY 19, 2005 FULL BOARD MEETING.

(Kolke/Jacobson) Moved to approve the May 19, 2005 Full Board Meeting Minutes as presented. MCU

(over) Minutes of the June 16, 2005 Full Board Meeting – Page 2.

FINANCIAL REPORT – Fredette.

At the end of May we are 41.67% through the year and have received the second quarter payment from all of our signatories. Total General Fund Revenues are at 38.63%. Personnel, Automation/Cataloging, Other Operating Expenses, and Capital Expenditures are below budget while Library Programming/Staff Development, Mileage/Board Meeting Expenses, Transportation Expenses and Material Expenses are slightly high. Overall, Total General Fund Expenditures are at 39.66%.

Due to time constraints, we have not had time yet to research the purchase of new vans for the system. With an employee now making weekly deliveries to LINK sites and a couple branches, it is tying up the van so that employees are having to use their personal vehicle more often.

No official bids have been received to date on the sale of the Mobile Library even though two parties had shown interest. One party asked if we would accept $5,000 for it but it was decided that was too little to accept at this point. They were going to try to raise more funds and get back to us.

(Larson/Lindgren) Moved to approve the application for State FY06 Regional Library Basic System Support Funds. MCU

ADOPT 2006 PRELIMINARY BUDGET – Ellingson, Chair, Finance Committee

For the 2006 Preliminary Budget we are asking Signatories for a 3.68% increase after not having asked for an increase for the last few years. Discussion was held on how much of an increase was being budgeted for health insurance. The preliminary budget includes a 7% increase for health insurance.

This proposed budget includes funding for materials at a rate of $2.69 per capita whereas the statewide average is $4.21 per capita and the regional public library systems administrators suggest at least $3.00 per capita for materials. Areas of the collection that are in great demand are books on tape and DVD’s.

(Conzemius/Hooper) Moved to adopt the 2006 Preliminary Budget as presented. MCU

DIRECTOR’S REPORT.

LARL will seek the assistance of consultants with several upcoming special projects. EideBailly Technology Consulting will perform a Technology Review/Audit which will be a gap analysis of documentation and practices in place at LARL against industry best practices to ensure that

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2 Minutes of the June 16, 2005 Full Board Meeting – Page 3. information systems used to support services at LARL and Northwest Regional Library, are operating as intended to provide the necessary amount of security and can be readily understood and recreated by management. There will also be a library consultant hired to conduct a Technical Services/Collection Development study which starts in August. By the end of the year, LARL needs to update its 3-year Strategic Plan and a facilitator will be used to assist with that process.

A LINK site get-together is being planned for August 19th. This is a chance for all eight LINK Site Coordinators to meet each other and exchange ideas.

A state wide early literacy grant (“Every Child Ready to Read @ Your MN Library”) has been awarded to MELSA and will provide statewide training for library staff and partner agencies on the importance of early literacy, working with parents and helping them know what the library can offer, selecting age appropriate materials for young children, and how to provide library programming which enhances early literacy.

The City of Moorhead has requested that LARL help contribute toward the cost of a feasibility study for the Moorhead Branch .

(Gunderson/Larson) Moved to contribute up to $5,000 towards an estimated $15,000 Feasibility Study for the Moorhead Branch. MCU

Due to the impending possible shutdown of state government, LARL’s funds from the state may be delayed and/or cut.

(Jacobson/Iverson) Moved to authorize the LARL Director to cut library hours and/or to use reserve funds if needed in the event of a state shutdown. MCU

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS:

Becker County. (Hovdenes-absent, Kolke, Nelson, Sauvegeau-absent). The Cormorant Community Center hosts several Lake Association meetings which are a great place to spread the word about the Cormorant LINK site.

Breckenridge. (Conzemius). The Breckenridge Library is back up to full staff after hiring a new part-time Library Assistant.

Clay County/Barnesville/Hawley. (Melby, Mooney-absent, Waller-absent). The Barnesville Branch is very busy with the Summer Reading Program. The children loved Rick Chrustowski, the author/illustrator that visited each branch this summer.

(over) Minutes of the June 16, 2005 Full Board Meeting – Page 4.

Clearwater County. (Larson). An excellent Grand Opening was held at the Gonvick LINK Site. The Friends of the Library, Clearwater County Library Foundation, and local library advisory Board are talking to each other and to a local group which is considering a joint use facility – a library and a childcare center next to each other. There are a lot of questions and discussion at this point but no decisions have been made.

Crookston. (Lindgren). None.

Detroit Lakes. (Hooper). The Detroit Lakes staff does an excellent job. The Summer Reading Program is having good attendance and participation.

City of Mahnomen. (Kochmann-absent). None.

Mahnomen County. (Eid). Enjoyed having everyone in Mahnomen for the May meeting. Branch Librarian Lois Schaedler has a lot of activity at the library.

Moorhead (Gunaratne, Iverson, Saar, Swanson-absent, Winterfeldt-Shanks-absent). The Summer Reading Program is seeing increased activity and program attendance. The City Administrator met with the local library board and the City of Moorhead is planning to move forward with a building feasibility study.

Norman County/Ada (Gunderson). None.

Polk County/Climax/Fertile/Fosston/McIntosh (Dufault-absent, Ellingson, Jacobson). It looks real good for Polk County being able to meet LARL’s request. Polk County is discussing a regional jail with several other counties.

Wilkin County. (Perry). None.

Northern Lights Library Network. (Ellingson, Melby). The Director of the White Earth Child Care Program is scheduled to make a presentation at the upcoming NLLN meeting.

VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT. None.

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. * * *