09-20-2020 LIBM Library Board Meeting
September 21, 2020
Note: After an extended furlough from in-person meetings, Library Board members met, socially
distanced, at the Pavilion in Library Square, at 4:30 pm, on the 21 st. Katy Hiltner,librarian, kept the
Board well-informed of all Library activities during the months without meetings.
Board President, Carolyn Ulrich, and members expressed their appreciation of the many creative efforts
taken by library staff to continue appropriate (within pandemic guidelines) services to the citizens of
Hutchinson.
Members Present: Carolyn Ulrich, Mary Christensen, Margaret Hoffman,Kay Hultgren,Dianne
Wanzek, and Katy Hiltner, Ex-officio.
Excused: Jared Golde and Julie Lofdahl
Minutes from the February 24, 2020, meeting were reviewed and accepted.
Old Business:
1. Overview of Library Services and Happenings (March-September): Bd members again
expressed their appreciation for Katy's frequent updates about services, staff, etc.
Staff Changes: Carol Koehler, Library Assist. II,retired in June. Two new Library
Assistant I staff have been hired. Rachelle Golde is now Children's Librarian for both Hutchinson and
Litchfield, spending 2 days a week at each location,with one "digital"day. This gives her full-time
status,with her salary split between the two library budgets.
COVID Safety Measures: Katy reported that library staff feels supported by good
safety measures such as: installation of plexiglass at desk, a good cleaning crew, quarantine room
(meeting room) for materials, and other actions (appointments, etc.).
2. Board Terms: Carolyn has accepted her second term on the Board and will remain President.
All other officers are staying on in their positions(Dianne Wanzek,v-pres.; Kay Hultgren, sec.; Julie
Lofdahl,back-up secretary).
3. Program Reports and Updates:
Digital Programs: Several opportunities have been offered and taken advantage of by
the public throughout past months.
Online Book Discussion: A large number, of the 38 registered,participated in reading
and discussing the book, How to Be an Anti-Racist.
Summer Reading: A total of 16 adults participated in the Adult Summer Reading
Challenge. Six grand prize winners were rewarded with certificates for Culver's custard. The library is
greatly appreciative of Culver's donation of prizes.
Youth Services: Board members received an extensive report from Rachelle Golde,
describing all the programs offered for children,teens/YA during the summer, as well as those being
offered this fall. Summer programs ranged from digital book programs, cable TV story times,take and
make kits,posts about ideas and activities for Coding and Lego clubs, etc. Fall programs will extend
summer offerings,with the addition of a digital bedtime story time,book clubs, etc. (Please see the
attached report for detailed information.)
Grants: A grant applied for, from Kiwanis Club,resulted in the library receiving$900
for purchasing early literacy and sports books. A grant for$2000, from the I.J Burich Foundation,will go
towards purchasing books in Spanish for all collections.
Page 2
New Business:
1. 2021 Budget Request:
Katy reported that there will not be an increase in the budget request to Pioneerland for
2021. The library has funds in reserve to apply toward salary increases and other planned expenditures.
2. Phases of Library Services:
Appointments: appointments for in-library services will continue.
Access: Doors remain locked to better monitor access for appointments and services.
This will be reviewed from time to time.
3. Virtual Programs for Fall/Winter:
Youth Services: Detailed in Rachelle's report.
Adults: Katy plans to submit two Legacy grants for the McLeod County Libraries. The
One Book, One Community committee is planning a virtual program for the selected community read
book. Friends of the Library continue with their table of books for sale inside the library. In addition,
they are considering putting a cart outside(free-will donations)with a selection of books from their
abundant stock.
4. Library Buzz: Board members shared one book title from the many they have read over the
past few months:
Katy: Anxious People(F)by Fredrik Backman
Margaret: The Splendid and the Vile(NF)by Erik Larson
Kay: There, There(F)by Tommy George
Dianne: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek(F)by Kim Michele Richardson
Carolyn: Cross of Snow(NF)by Nicholas Basbanes
February-September Donations and Grants:
Kiwanis Club Grant $900.00
Friends of Library $5,555.92(payment for DVDs and audio books in 2019)
I.J. Burich Family
Foundation grant $200.00
3M Grant $500.00(summer reading program)
American Legion Aux. $100.00(book memorials)
Everett"Les"Young
Family donation $100.00(book memorial)
Anonymous Donations $20.00
Total=$9175.92
Next Meeting: TBD
Minutes submitted by Kay Hultgren, Secretary