Metropolitan Library Service Agency
Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Friday, January 9, 2026
Savage Library
10:00am-12:00pm
Advisory Board Members/Representatives Present:
Anoka: Colleen Haubner Ramsey: Pang Yang
Carver: Jodi Edstrom Saint Paul: Maureen Hartman (virtual)
Dakota: Jen Reichert-Simpson Scott: Jen Schultz
Hennepin: Scott Duimstra Washington: Jacquie Kramer
Staff Present: Jennifer Baker, Abigail Dillon, Gina Goettl, Kathleen James, Mona Scott, and Sherry Wichitchu
I. Call to order
Chair Duimstra called the meeting to order at 10:02am.
II. Introductions and Welcome
Tami Lee and Catherine Durivage from State Library Services are visiting.
III. Consent Agenda
a) Approval of agenda
b) Approval of meeting minutes (December 5, 2025)
Motion to approve the agenda and meeting minutes by Haubner. Second by Yang.
All in favor signified by saying aye.
ACL – aye HCL – aye SCL – aye
CCL – aye RCL – aye WCL – aye
DCL – aye SPL – not present
Motion carried.
IV. Discussion/Action Items
- State Library Services
State Library Services has been doing regional reach-outs around the state and visiting libraries, and this month they are visiting MELSA libraries.
Some updates were provided about LSTA funding at the federal level, and Lee and Maggie Snow will be traveling to DC soon to meet with legislators. For state funding, there should not be any major changes.
Hartman entered the meeting at 10:14am.
Durivage manages the Braille and Talking Book Library in Minnesota, and they provide audio, braille, large print materials. One of the services that they provide to libraries is that libraries can certify applications on behalf of patrons, and they can come and share information with library staff about their services. They have been focusing on outreach and have hired an outreach and public services librarian.
b. Discussion and consideration of Saint Paul Legacy expense request
MELSA’s Legacy guidelines state that single contract/single artist Legacy programs that exceed $15,000 requires the approval of MELSA’s board. In accordance with those guidelines, the following is a proposal from Saint Paul Public Library for a Legacy expense:
Saint Paul Public Library requests Legacy funds to pay for a Cheeriup Thicket to be installed outdoors in the storytime garden of the new Hamline Midway Library. The cost of Thicket production and final product is estimated at $17,000.
A local artist named Kelly Hutchinson custom builds interactive outdoor structures called Thickets – they look like little huts. These structures are made of steel and natural materials (wood, branches/sticks) and are meant to go outdoors. Users can go inside to sit, read, or play together. They are meant to engage users with the natural world and inspire wonder and imagination.
Motion to recommend Saint Paul’s proposal for the Cherriup Thicket for Trustee Board Approval by Haubner. Second by Edstrom.
All in favor signified by saying aye.
ACL – aye HCL – aye SCL – aye
CCL – aye RCL – aye WCL – aye
DCL – aye SPL – abstain
Motion carried.
c. Discussion of the MELSA Professional Development Allocation Policy
MELSA is currently reviewing the criteria for eligible use within our Professional Development Allocation guidelines. While our procedural requirements for documentation and submission remain the same, we are specifically evaluating the types of activities that qualify for reimbursement to ensure they remain justifiable and impactful. To help us refine these categories, we are interested in learning how your systems are currently utilizing these allocations. Furthermore, as professional development needs evolve, we would like to discuss whether the scope of eligible expenses should be expanded to include tuition costs. The current procedural guidelines were distributed in the meeting packet.
The directors expressed an interest in keeping the parameters as open as possible, and some systems were interested in allowing staff to take library service-adjacent courses (such as ASL, leadership and language learning) at the masters, bachelors, and associates level. Currently, each system has a process to verify that the reimbursed training or conference attendance has taken place. It would be expected that class attendance/completion verification would happen at the system level as well. Wichitchu will update the current policy to include college-level tuition and provide further clarification. She will distribute it to the Advisory Board once it is updated.
d. Discussion of the Collaborative Initiative Project
The directors had homework over the holiday break to outline their literacy projects and priorities. At the February meeting, the funding picture will come together, and at a later time a marketing strategy will be established.
DCL, HCL and CCL are interested in using a consultant for early literacy (decodable books, school partnerships, HCL’s Let’s Read program). ACL is interested in expanding the reach of after-school programs, Reading Bridge at home, and providing an online SORA (student reading app) for Anoka County Schools. RCL would like to focus on early literacy and digital literacy. WCL is interested in the birth to kindergarten age range (this would include caregiver education) and the importance of reading aloud, including expanding storytime out into the community. SCL is interested in expanding their tutoring/mentoring program related to early literacy and emerging adults. SPPL is focusing on digital literacy with adults. Lee mentioned that there could be potential for cost savings in working with the Minnesota Department of Education on some of these efforts.
e. Round table sharing
i. ICE incidents around libraries
Duimstra provided some background on ICE activities at Ridgedale and the events of this past week. The county has provided resources to staff about what to do in these situations. Haubner shared that Anoka County will be providing guidelines as well. Other systems shared that patrons and staff have had questions and have been advised to follow safety procedures and local laws. MELSA has been working with local organizations to advertise library services that can be accessed at home without having to leave the house.
ii. Staff recording of ICE
In general, the guidance is that staff should not use personal devices to record video while they are at work.
iii. Library Legislative Day February 25th planning
Many directors have plans to attend and have various plans for reaching out to legislative representatives. Lee requested that directors share with Wichitchu their one-pagers that they plan on distributing to legislators.
V. Reports & Communications
a. Discussion about guest speakers and joint CRPLSA meeting for 2026
MELSA has money in their budget to bring in guest speakers, and Wichitchu is looking for guidance from the directors on who they might like to invite. The directors liked having State Library Services and Minitex present in the past. CRPLSA will be meeting in the Twin Cities 2 days before PLA, which does not line up with the Advisory Board meeting. There could be a separate meeting set up with CRPLSA and the Advisory Board while they are here. The directors were open to this option.
Duimstra adjourned the meeting at 11:58am.