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Home My WebLink About03-23-2026 LIBM Library Board Meeting March 23, 2026 Members present: Dianne Wanzek, Margaret Hoffman, Betsy Czmowski, Carolyn Ulrich Ex-Officio: Katy Hiltner Minutes of November 24, 2026, were approved. Old Business: 1) 2026 Library Board Schedule The board decided to go back to meetings once a month. Because of Memorial Day and a meeting room conflict, the May 18th meeting will be held at City Hall, 4:30 p.m. 2) Renovations • End caps were installed in February and chair reupholstery project has been completed. These projects were supported by local community donations. In addition, a Prairielands marketing grant made it possible for library staff to order new collection signs from Crow River Signs as well as to add shelf labeling. Thanks to funds from the Friends of the Library, the Tranquility Nook also has added amenities. A photo was taken of the donors of the end cap project. • A$10,000 Carnegie grant was received. Katy will be working on what the money will be used for. There are no attachments to the grant, and it can be spent anyway needed. 3) Program Reports (December 2025-March 2026) • Meet the author Jim Kahmann — Dec. 3rd, 25 attendees • Songs and Stories of the American West with Kerry Grombacher— Feb. 9th 118 attendees • Mindful Meditation — Feb. 20th, 24 attendees • Harp Music— March 17th, 32 attendees • OBOC Author Event— March 21St, 68 attendees 4) Children's Program Reports— December 2025 to March 2026— see attachment 5) Friends of the Library Project Bookshelf Summary— see attachment 6) Calming Kits—the Hutchinson Health Foundation donated funding for kits for patrons of all ages; these kits are available for in-library use only. New Business: 1. There is one open board position. One application was reviewed by Board members. 2. 2026 Adult Winter Reading Program (Jan. 6 — March 28, 2026) Final figures will be available at the April meeting as the programs isn't quite ended. 3. April/May Calendar of Events • Lessons of the Holocaust presented by Brad Wilkening - Friday April 17t at 1 p.m. at the McLeod County History Museum • Telling the Climate Story in Hutchson present by Doug Hannemann - Tuesday April 21St at 2 p.m. at the library • National Library Week—April 19-25— no specific activities scheduled yet • Native Plants and Pollinators presented by Ella Horwath with Stockmen's Greenhouse and Garden Center—Thursday May 7th at 2 p.m. at the library • Childrens' Programming —along with regularly scheduled activities, Elisabeth will offer an all-ages open crafting day during National Library Week; this activity will be weather-dependent. • Summer Reading Prep (Theme— Plant a Seed, Read!) o Elisabeth has scheduled three Legacy programs this summer for the children's reading program. Climb Theatre will return in June for Dig Dinosaur, Dig (June 11th); Will Bjorndal, Will Sings Songs, will share a kids' concert in July (July 16th); and Curtis Hed, Dad Magician on a Mission, is the finale SRP event in August (Aug. 13th) o Katy is working with the Master Gardeners for a monthly help desk. Katy is also working with Historic Hutchinson for the return of the Voices from History Past speaker events. • Job Posting(s) — Katy plans to post a job notice this spring and will consider hiring one or two Library Assistant Is. • Newspaper Column with Hutchinson Station - Kay Johnson approached Katy about writing a column for the Station. Beginning in April, Katy and Elisabeth plan to submit a monthly library column. • Friends of the Library Annual meeting will be next Monday, March 30th at 6 p.m. November/December 2025 Donations and Grants Hutchinson Garden Club $50.00 Bear Lake Sunshine Society $20.00 (Memorial book for Kathryn Froemming Prairielands Teenober Grant $500.00 Stearnswood (endcaps) $5,000.00 Stearns Foundation (endcaps) $5,000.00 Goebel Foundation (endcaps) $5,000.00 Total $15,570.00 *City of Hutchinson also granted $5,000 in support of endcap project. January/Febrary Donations and Grants Kiwanis Grant for children's projects $900.00 Family of Kathy Bergs (memorial book club kit) $136.80 Total: $1,036.80 Next meeting: April 27 at 4:30 Meeting adjourned: 5:20 p.m. Submitted by Carolyn Ulrich, Back-up Secretary Children's Programming Stats: December 2025 Storytimes —2 Storytimes with 24 & 27 attendees LEGO Club —26 attendees Rockin'Around the Christmas Tree —250-300 attendees No Teen Gaming, Coding Club, or Graphic Novel Book Club January 2026 Storytimes —4 Storytimes with 37, 32, 30, and 44 attendees LEGO Club —25 attendees Graphic Novel Book Club—2 attendees Teen Gaming —5 attendees February 2026 Storytimes - 4 Storytimes with 41, 40, 19 (snow storm), and 44 attendees Graphic Novel Book Club— 1 attendee LEGO Club —21 attendees Coding Club—2 attendees Valentine Crafting —45 attendees Teen Gaming —2 attendees March 2026 Storytimes —3 Storytimes so far with 40, 59, and 47 attendees LEGO Club —20 attendees Graphic Novel Book Club— 1 attendee April: Crafting program for all ages for National Library Week 2025 Project Bookshelf Collection dates: November 1St to December 6th Chimney-decorated collection boxes were distributed to Book Keepers bookstore, Garden Nook Tea and Gift Shop, Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce, St.Antastasia School, and the Hutchinson Public Library. 195 books were collected at these locations. 75 books were purchased by the Friends 270 total books were distributed by United Community Action Partnership The purchased books included board books, picture books, assorted chapter books, activity books, and books for teens. Monetary donations: 524.10 Expenditures for 75 books: 384.10 purchased by Friends Surplus for next year: 140.00 Project Bookshelf is a part of UCAP's Holiday Project which provides families in need with toys and gifts for the holiday season in Meeker& McLeod counties. Friends of Library Report January, 22, 2026