Metropolitan Library Service Agency
Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Friday, March 13, 2026
Golden Valley Library
10:00am-12:00pm
Advisory Board Members/Representatives Present:
Anoka: Benjamin Coburn (virtual) Ramsey: Pang Yang
Carver: Jodi Edstrom Saint Paul: Maureen Hartman
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 10:03am.
II. Introductions and Welcome
Benjamin Coburn from Anoka County Library is attending for Colleen Haubner.
III. Consent Agenda
a) Approval of agenda
b) Approval of meeting minutes (February 6, 2026)
Motion to approve the agenda and meeting minutes by Schultz. Second by Edstrom.
Roll call vote:
ACL – aye HCL – aye SCL – aye
CCL – aye RCL – aye WCL – aye
DCL – aye SPL – aye
Motion carried.
IV. Discussion/Action Items
a) OverDrive patron account report
Due to interest from some staff to limit OverDrive patron accounts, the Advisory Board requested a report on the percentage of holds that duplicate accounts and non-MELSA accounts contribute to our overall collection. These numbers were distributed in the meeting packet. The report provided data about duplicate users and non-MELSA patrons.
Some directors were interested in eliminating duplicate users on OverDrive and notifying the duplicate users ahead of time of this new policy. Other directors didn’t think this would make a large impact or fit with the mission of the systems. If the directors go in the direction of eliminating duplicate accounts, Jenn Baker can help provide communication materials and talking points for staff. Dillon mentioned that it would be ideal for the announcement of the elimination of duplicate accounts and the reduction to 8 holds should happen at the same time. Wichitchu mentioned that she would want to include e-book legislation information with these other two communication items.
Motion to discontinue ability to have duplicate accounts in OverDrive for patrons. MELSA will coordinate communication. Motion by Kramer. Second by Schultz.
Roll call vote:
ACL – aye HCL – aye SCL – aye
CCL – aye RCL – aye WCL – aye
DCL – aye SPL – nay
Motion carried.
Directors discussed restricting non-MELSA patrons from accessing MELSA’s OverDrive collection. MELSA is the only region of the state that allows OverDrive access to greater Minnesota patrons, and MELSA patrons cannot use the OverDrive collections of greater Minnesota consortiums. Some of the directors would like time to review their agreements with any outside systems and revisit this at the April meeting (as well as the meeting with CRPLSA at the end of March). Dillon will send OverDrive’s definition of who can access the collection to the directors. If this motion passes in April, it will be done at the same time as the other proposed changes.
b) Collaborative Initiative Project
Following our recent visioning sessions and consultations with State Library Services and World Education, the Advisory Board has successfully refined the scope of the collaborative literacy initiative. We are now prepared to finalize the operational framework for the Collaborative Initiative, including establishing parameters for fund utilization and reporting requirements. At this meeting, we will move toward implementation by finalizing the funding distribution formula, reviewing the draft implementation request, and discussing a regional ‘umbrella’ marketing strategy designed to amplify our collective impact and discussing supporting each local system’s unique programming.
(i) Financials
The funding formula was distributed in the meeting packet, an amount that would be distributed over the course of three years (starting in 2026 and could be spent at any time but spent by the end of 2028). A custodial fund would be needed for this fund, and the Finance Committee approved this fund yesterday. The Board of Trustees will vote on this next week at their meeting.
(ii) Implementation and reporting process
Wichitchu drafted the implementation and reporting process for the Collaborative Initiative Project, which was distributed in the meeting packet. Some directors mentioned the importance of focusing on DEI and addressing disparities. It was suggested that this could be addressed in the legislative advocacy reporting. Kramer and Coburn mentioned changing the percentage that could be used for staffing. Duimstra proposed changing it to 30 percent instead of 20 percent.
Motion to accept the collaborative literacy fund draft as written, with the exception of increasing the allowable staffing cost percentage from 20 to 30 percent. Motion by Schultz. Second by Edstrom.
Roll call vote:
ACL – aye HCL – aye SCL – aye
CCL – aye RCL – aye WCL – aye
DCL – aye SPL – nay
Motion carried.
(iii) Marketing
Baker presented some options for marketing and communications around the Collaborative Literacy Project and distributed these options to the directors. Baker proposed a MELSA website that would provide information about the literacy projects undertaken by each system. Baker will continue to work with the Communications Team to develop these resources. Baker asked the directors to work with their Communications Team representative to fill them in about the Collaborative Literacy Project.
c) Round table sharing
(i) Library Legislative Day recap
Overall, there was a lot of interest in the e-book legislation. HCL encountered some pushback from legislators, but others had an overwhelmingly positive reaction. Many of the legislators were unaware of this issue and it was an educational opportunity to get them on board.
(ii) E-material legislation
The e-book legislation has gone before the Senate and the House and is still alive. Illinois introduced their legislation last week. Five other states are in a similar position with legislation as Minnesota.
V. Reports & Communications
MELSA updates
MELSA has hired a new Business Manager, Nang Her. She will be starting on Monday.
Teen Lit Con is coming up on April 25th. MELSA has been working with Mosquito Control to hire a joint HR representative, and that new person will be starting in April.
Duimstra adjourned the meeting at 11:54am.