April 2, 2025 Board Minutes
The meeting was called to order by Jacque Swanson at 5:13 p.m. Present were Taylor Spronk, Dan Wildermuth, Sharon Wolff, Emily Williamson, Jody Wacker, Mary Ann DeGroot, Danielle Thompson, and Jacque Swanson. No one was absent.
The agenda was approved with a motion by Wildermuth, a second by Wolff, and passed unanimously. There were no community concerns. Prior minutes from the February meeting were distributed for approval. One sentence with a mistake on the budget will be corrected. The minutes were approved with a motion by Wolff, a second by Thompson, and passed unanimously.
Next Wacker presented the financial report as of March 5. (Wacker will check the rest of the numbers once they are finalized to update the report.) A motion was made to file the financial report by DeGroot, a second by Wildermuth, and passed unanimously.
Wacker started her director’s report by distributing an updated statistics report. This report included numbers of several recent programs such as the Paul Horsted evening program (attended by 47 people) and school program (attended by 320 students). The library also collaborated with the school and had a program with local Minnesota author C. M. Alongi at the library (attended by 12 people) and at the school (attended by 30 students). Additionally, there has been a good turnout for the classic book club where they pick a new classic to read each month. The statistics report also includes four ongoing sample weeks; there will be another sample week conducted in May. Next week is National Library Week 2025 where the theme is “drawn to the library.” Wacker discussed the various programs that will be going on for this event (including mini golf on Saturday) and passed out flyers. There will be several other upcoming programs such as an Easter egg hunt on April 18-19 and a cozy mystery potluck picnic on April 23 to coincide with national picnic day.
Wacker continued her director’s report by discussing several other updates. Herman Meinders passed away on March 30, and the board will be sending out a card with condolences to his family. The library received an accessibility grant and purchased a translator that can translate around 107 languages.
Next the board went through several items under old business. The board decided to table policy 307 for the next meeting. The board reviewed policies 101-103 where most of these policies are taken from the American Library Association (ALA). These policies were approved with a motion by Spronk, a second by Thompson, and passed unanimously.
Next the board went through several items under new business. The board discussed policies 104-106. Policy 104 refers to public comments and complaints; policy 105 refers to record and disposal; policy 106 refers to public relations for the library director, staff, and board such as in regards to social media presence. Policies 104-106 were approved with a motion by Wildermuth, a second by Thompson, and passed unanimously. Then Wacker discussed the state report which is essentially a recap of the same financial reports the board sees at every meeting, and it shows how the money is being spent and where the funding comes from. As chairperson, Swanson will sign the state report. (No other action was necessary.) Then the board discussed the executive order in regards to the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the impact this will have on our libraries as shown on ALA’s website: https://www.ala.org/news/2025/03/ala-statement-white-house-assault-institute-museum-and-library-services. Lastly, Wacker discussed how Bob Meinders owns the library facilities but is hoping to turn this over to the city this summer. (In regards to remodeling, the library is still waiting for the patio furniture to arrive.)
The meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m. with a motion by DeGroot, a second by Spronk, and passed unanimously.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 5:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Emily Williamson, Secretary