Library Board meeting minutes - May 5, 2021

The public is welcome at all library board meetings

The Hennepin County Library Board met on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Attendees

Present: Jonathan Gaw, Amal Karim, Tim Dolan, Adja Kaba, Labelle Nambangi, Erin Vrieze-Daniels, Gordy Aune Jr, Keegan Xavi, Lynn Stetler, and Jane Brissett

Hennepin County Staff: Janet Mills, Jeannette Lewis, Johannah Genett, Dillon Young, Sarah Cooper, Daniel Marcou, Sarah Buechel, Commissioner Chris LaTondresse and Commissioner Debbie Goettel

Public:

Call to Order

Chair Erin Vrieze Daniels called the Hennepin County Library Board meeting of May 5, 2021 to order at 5:30 p.m. and welcomed all in attendance.

Approval of Agenda

Amendment Agenda item #6, President’s Report replaced with Library Dialogue
Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr
Seconded: LaBelle Nambangi
Motion passed.

Approval of Consent Items

Motion: Adja Kaba
Seconded: Tim Dolan
Public Comment
No public comment.

County Commissioner Update

Newly elected Hennepin County Commissioner Chris LaTondresse, who represents District 6, introduced himself to the Library Board. Commissioner LaTondresse also gave an overview of his current and future work.

Library Dialogue

Library staff members from Outreach Services gave a presentation on the work they do to make sure patrons facing barriers to accessing services in the 41 libraries stay connected and informed. The team’s work strengthens individuals and families, improves quality of life, creates community and increases understanding of library resources. The Outreach Services team includes At Home by Mail Services, Services to Senior Housing and Service to Corrections.

Director’s Report

Deputy Director Janet Mills spoke to the Library Board on Library, Community, and County Updates.

Meeting Schedule 2021 - 2022

Board members approved the 2021 – 2022 meeting schedule.

Motion: Adja Kaba
Seconded: LaBelle Nambangi
Motion passed.

2021 Policy Review

Board members discussed the first read of the Internet Public Use Policy, Library Board Per Diem and Expense Policy and the Patron Services Policy presented by the Policy Committee Chair. The Board voted on proposed amendments to the Internet Public Use Policy and the Library Board Per Diem and Expense Policy. The Board tabled the Patron Services Policy until the next Board meeting for a second read.

Internet Public Use Policy

Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr
Seconded: Tim Dolan
Motion passed.

Library Board Per Diem and Expense Policy

Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr
Seconded: LaBelle Nambangi
Motion passed.

Committee Reports

The February 2021 Executive Committee meeting was cancelled, and there are no updates from the Executive Committee.

The Nominating Committee recommends the following slate of Executive Officers: Adja Kaba as President, Jane Brissett as Vice President, Tim Dolan as Secretary and Lynn Stetler as Member at Large. The Board voted on and approved the Nominating Committee’s recommendation. Executive Officer approvals are immediate.

President – Adja Kaba
Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr
Seconded: Tim Dolan
Motion passed.

Vice President – Jane Brissett
Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr
Seconded: Tim Dolan
Motion passed.

Secretary – Tim Dolan
Motion: Gordy Aune, Jr
Seconded: LaBelle Nambangi
Motion passed.

Upcoming programming from the Friends of the Hennepin County includes events in their Pen Pals and Talk of the Stacks series.

The Budget Committee has no updates.

Unfinished Business

No unfinished business.

New Business

Newly appointed Board President Adja Kaba nominated Lynn Stetler as a Member at Large of the Executive Committee. Lynn Stetler accepted.

Adjourn

There being no further business, Erin Vrieze Daniels made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:16 p.m.; seconded by Jonathan Gaw. Motion passed. The next meeting of the Hennepin County Library Board will be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 23, 2021, virtually via Microsoft Teams.