04-23-2024 LIBMINMembers Present:
Members Absent:
Council Liaison:
Staff Present:
Meeting of the Elk River Library Board
Held at the Elk River Library Community Room
Tuesday April 23, 2024
Vice -Chair Michelle Hegarty, Commissioners Carole Boelter, Sara Soukup, and Kelly Voss
Isaac Blaske
Mayor Dietz
GRRL Patron Services Supervisor Jeannette Burkhardt, Library Services Coordinator Margot
Barry, Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, Mayor John Dietz, Recording Secretary
Dawn Larson
I . Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Library Board was called to order at
5:30 p.m. by Vice- Chair Hegarty.
2. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Boelter and seconded by Commissioner Soukup to approve the April 23,
2024, agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
1. Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Boelter and seconded by Commissioner Soukup to approve:
3.1 October 24, 2023, minutes.
3.2 October, November, December 2023 and January, February, and March 2024 Revenue and
Expense Summaries.
Motion carried 4-0.
4. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
S. General Business
5.1 Election of Board Positions
Commissioner Boelter nominated Commissioner Soukup for the position of Chair. She accepted.
No other nominations were made.
Commissioner Boelter nominated Commissioner Hegarty as Vice -Chair. She accepted. No other
nominations were made.
Commissioner Boelter nominated Commissioner Blaske as Secretary. He was not present. No
other nominations were made.
Library Board Minutes
April 23, 2024
5.2
5.3
Review objectives and goals for 2024
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Commissioner Hegarty shared that the board has previously discussed attending outreach events such as Elk
Riverfest and the Sherburne County Fair. Mayor Dietz shared that the Fair and Elk Riverfest are back-to-
back weekends in July this year.
Chair Soukup asked why the indoor walk through was not on the agenda for the meeting. Secretary Larson
shared that the walk through was not one of the agenda items added when it was sent out for approval.
Commissioner Boelter suggested to do the inside walk through in July and then do the outside one in
October. The board agreed with this. Secretary Larson pointed out that due to the cancelation of the
January meeting, the agenda items for that meeting were moved to this one.
Mayor Dietz asked if the board was supposed to review the city ordinances that pertained to them. Secretary
Larson said she was not informed of the need for the library to review them, but she will check with the
City Clerk to confirm.
The board members discussed the possibility of being at the Sherburne County Fair this year. Mrs. Barry
said she cannot confirm if the library will have a booth or not at this time, but she is thinking about it.
Mrs. Barry did confirm that the library will have staff working a booth at Elk Riverfest, Safety Camp and
once a month at the Farmers Market.
Vice Chair Hegarty mentioned that the board had previously discussed having a table outside the library
during the parade. Mrs. Barry said she is not sure if people would stop during the parade to visit the booth '\"
Mayor Dietz asked if the library would close until noon again this year. Mrs. Barry confirmed it would be.
Mr. Stremcha suggested that it may be more beneficial if the board members would be willing to walk in the
parade and hand out bookmarks. Mrs. Barry said she is in favor of this idea but is concerned it might take
away staffing resources from the library. Commissioner Boelter suggested contacting the Friends of the
Library group to gather more people for the event to create a larger presence. Mrs. Barry said she could
reach out to them to confirm if they would be available.
After some discussion by the board members, it was determined that no one would be able to attend the day
of the parade so they will skip that event this year.
Mrs. Barry will send Secretary Larson the summer schedule for the library events to send out to the board
members. If board members are interested, they can contact the library directly to attend an event. If three
or more board members plan on attending, they would just have to notify Secretary Larson so she can post
a public announcement.
Mrs. Barry suggested the board members attend the booth with library staff at the Safety Camp event the
Parks and Recreation department is having on July 9'- Vice Chair Hegarty and Commissioner Boelter said
they will be able to make it.
Patron Services Supervisor Report
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Library Board Minutes
April 23, 2024
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Mrs. Burkhardt presented her report. She also shared that the survey referred to in her report is for kids 11-
18 years old.
5.4 Library Services Coordinator Report
Mrs. Barry presented her report. She shared that they hope to increase circulation now that the books are
more visible with shelving changes.
She is checking on an estimate to add new shelving. They are also modifying the small room in the kids'
areas to become a quiet and calming room. The Friends of the Library group is collaborating with them on
this.
The Elk River is number two behind St. Cloud in circulation numbers. During the locally growin'
fundraising campaign, the library hoped to raise $500 for play to learn kits and they came in just under
$1000.
5.5 Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha Report
Michael Hecker retired three weeks ago, and the Parks and Recreation Manager position has been posted to
the public. Mr. Stremcha is hoping to have someone in place by next library board meeting.
5.6 City Council Update Mayor John Dietz
Mayor Deitz shared that the City Council had a long discussion about the attendance policy at a recent
meeting. Board members need to attend 50% of the scheduled meetings and for absences to be excused
board members need to notify staff 24 hours in advance. Normally scheduled meeting dates will not change
to accommodate attendance requests of members.
Mayor Deitz stated that lip on the curb outside is off and needs repair. Mayor Dietz would like Mr.
Stremcha to follow up with the Public Works Director about that and the status of updating the faded signs
around the outside of the library.
Mayor Dietz commended Mrs. Barry for doing an excellent job and having a good working relationship with
the City of Elk River.
6. Announcements
7. Motion to Adjourn
Moved by Commissioner Boelter and seconded by Commissioner Hegarty to adjourn the meeting
of the Elk River Library Board. Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Dawn Larson.
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Library Board Minutes
April 23, 2024
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