Library Board Agenda 09-08-2020MONTICELLO LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, September 8, 2020
5:30 PM
2020 Meetings
Tuesdays at 5:30 pm
December 8
AGENDA
Zoom meeting information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/o/86295073673
Dial -in information:
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 862 9507 3673
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdg9d88dhJ
1. Approval of the minutes of the 6/9/20, Board Meeting
2. Library Report(s) —
3. GRRL Update(s)
4. Old Business —
a. Summer phased reopening
b. Facility updates: Plumbing/phone issues
5. New Business —
a. Summer Reading Program results
b. Covid-19 update and staffing situation
c. New board member applications/decision
6. Next Library Board Meeting — December 8, 2020 @ 5:30 p.m.
In response to COVID-19 and pursuant to Minnesota Statute Chapter 12. Emergency
Management, Governor Walz declared a state of emergency. In accordance with the state of
emergency and Minnesota Statute Chapter 13D.021, the Monticello Library Board and GRRL
staff will participate in the meeting by telephone or other electronic means rather than being
personally present at the regular Monticello Public Library location. The meeting will be
conducted electronically via Zoom. Members of the public may provide public comment and/or
monitor the meeting at https:llus02web.zoom.us/j/86295073673 or US: +1 312 626 6799,
Webinar ID: 862 9507 3673.
Quarter: June -August Year: 2020
Statistics
As of August 31, the Monticello Public Library circulation was at 64,020 - down 46.5% over the
same period in 2019. Check-out sessions totaled 6,885 for June; 7,988 for July and 10,845 for
August.
Programs
Unfortunately, all of our in -person, in -library programs have been cancelled for the rest of the
calendar year. We have continued offering virtual programs and encouraging participation with
reading programs (including the Summer Reading Program) with the Beanstack app. We offer 1-2
Take & Make crafts a week, and these have been very well received and have been a good way
to get people to back into the library.
Summer Reading Program 2020: "Dig Deeper at Your Library"
Baby/Toddler numbers: 6
• Kids: 107
• Teens: 35
This year's SRP was participatory, and not registration -based. Our numbers participating were
very disappointing, but early in the month of June, we were only offering curbside pick-up, so it
was very hard to interact with the patrons. We tried to encourage sign-up with some passive
programs, but honestly it was really hard this year to get people to participate. Next year,
hopefully, we'll be back to normal!
Building/Maintenance Issues
We will be moving one of our front desk computers to a new area which enables us to work and
keep socially distant. The current configuration does not allow this to happen. The central
computer station will be moved to a temporary desk location in front of the programming room.
This seemed to be the best location, as it allows us to have good sight -lines of the front door, the
computer stations and the Express Checkout station. IT will be coming soon to make this
transition. A banquet table will be used temporarily, as we will not have the right kind of desk
available to use at the moment.
COVID Closure
Phased reopening allowed us to gradually offer more services to the patrons. In July, we began to
allow patrons to come in to the facility to computer reservations, and for browsing by appointment.
We quickly learned that it was easier to just open the doors to a "Grab & Go" model, and just invite
patrons in like normal. The only difference is that we are encouraging a short stay, and we've
removed most of the chairs in the library to discourage patrons from sitting and staying. We've had
to come up with various Task Analysis for our jobs that are modified to allow for Covid-19
mitigation. Masks are required for all patrons and staff. We have had little pushback on this, and
we offer paper masks to patrons if they don't have one.
Our biggest issue has been notifying the patrons that we are, in fact, open. We purchased 2
"feather flags" to plant in the ground to say "OPEN" and "WELCOME." These will be put out near
GREAT RIVER REGIOnAL
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the corner of Walnut and 6'" Street and in front of the driveway into the library parking lot. We also have some custom made
banners and sandwich board signage that GRRL will be getting for us. This will help make it more visually obvious that we
are open
&RARY
RIVER REGIONAL
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