The Taconite Capital of the World

City of Mountain Iron, Minnesota



LB Minutes 111418

City of Mountain Iron Library Board Meeting

November 14th, 2018 4:00 PM

The November meeting was called to order at 4:00 by Shannon Petersen. Members present: Kathy Witzman, Peggy Anderson, Shannon Petersen and Anna Amundson. Absent: Shirley Congdon, Carolyn Olsen and city liaison, Al Stanaway.

Motion was made by Kathy Witzman and seconded by Peggy Anderson to approve the October 24th, 2018 meeting minutes.

The Taste of Mountain Iron event was discussed – how the night went, not enough people, vendors were asked to bring samples for 350 and only approximately 200 attended, etc. Very little money was made, if any, for all the work that was involved. We will be seeking a lot of input if we attempt this again. Concerns were raised by attendees that $20 was high especially for families.

Anna gave her director’s report and said that she and Julie have been busy learning from each other. Anna had no idea how many people visited or how much materials went through this library. With the school building closing here in downtown, the library staff will work on bringing the teens back to the library. Anna has some good ideas for all ages for coming to the library. Instead of doing Toddler Tuesdays, Anna is going to try a couple of pilot events beginning with a “National Roof Over Your Head” day reading time and project (December 4th) . A 2nd family reading activity will be held on Tuesday, December 18th• Regular programming will start in January. Also, in January, the library will begin its Winter Reading Program for both adults and children. The youth program will follow a ALS recommendation that reading TIME is counted rather that the number of titles. Everyone agreed that this was a better idea as it is how the programs go in schools. January reading time activities will kick off with the story, “The Mitten”. The Friends of the Library has been asked to provide up to $200 to support this new chapter at the library.

Correspondence: There was 255 lbs of food collected at the Halloween Carnival and donated to the Quad City Food Shelf, along with a $17 cash donation.

Sue Tuomela assisted with organizing all the yearbooks stored at the library, from 1929 to present. Only a few were missing – 1944 and 1945, 1976 and 2007. A 2007 copy was found at the high school and made available to the library. Many thanks to Sue.

We had much discussion regarding the photo boards of the library. It was agreed that the city should have them framed. Anna will follow up with securing quotes. The hiring of a library assistant and library substitute was also discussed. Anna will follow up with the City Administrator. The issues with the phones and ability to lock the doors from within the library were also discussed again. This needs immediate attention. Anna will contact the City Administrator for more information.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 at 4:00 PM.

Motion to adjourn was made by Kathy Witzman and seconded by Shannon Petersen.

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