Metropolitan Library Service Agency
Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 12, 2026
Virtual Meeting via Teams
10:00am-12:00pm
Advisory Board Members/Representatives Present:
Anoka: Colleen Haubner Ramsey: Pang Yang
Carver: Jodi Edstrom Saint Paul: Joshua Schaffer
Dakota: Jennifer Reichert Simpson Scott: Jen Schultz
Hennepin: Scott Duimstra Washington: Jacquie Kramer
Staff Present: Jennifer Baker, Abigail Dillon, Nan Her, Gina Goettl, Kathleen James, and Sherry Wichitchu
I. Call to order
Chair Duimstra called the meeting to order at 10:02am.
II. Introductions and Welcome
Joshua Schaffer is attending on behalf of Maureen Hartman for Saint Paul Public Library.
III. Consent Agenda
a) Approval of agenda
b) Approval of May 8, 2026 meeting minutes
Motion to approve the agenda and minutes by Haubner. Second by Schultz.
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) Youth Services Community Connections request
The MELSA Youth Services Team is seeking MELSA Advisory Board approval to use regional Legacy funds from the Community Connections Fund to host MN author Monica Rojas & MN illustrator Emiko Rainbow to highlight their book NANA and ABUELA through storywalks and programs.
There will be 16 programs, 2 in each system, along with the storywalks. This programming will occur in fall 2026 and cost about $20,400.
Motion to approve the use of regional Legacy funds for the Community Connections Fund to host MN author Monica Rojas and MN illustrator Emiko Rainbow. Motion by Haubner. Second by Reichert Simpson.
Roll call vote:
ACL – aye HCL – aye SCL – aye
CCL – aye RCL – aye WCL – aye
DCL – aye SPL – aye
Motion carried.
b) OverDrive communications
A tentative timeline was shared with the group. There will be a joint meeting next week between the Communications and the Collection Development teams, and more details will be solidified after that meeting, including the change date.
c) Round table sharing
ACL had a wrestling event last Saturday, and around 300 people attended. The event was intended to attract people of all ages and backgrounds and to kick off the Summer Reading program, and both objectives were successful. The Crooked Lake and Mississippi branches will be remodeled at the same time, most likely starting in the fall.
RCL will be transitioning to a new ILS starting next week. They will be having a Pride celebration on Saturday.
DCL had a visit from Sherry Wichitchu at their board meeting to talk about MELSA and the collaborative literacy project.
WCL is in the middle of two construction projects for the Park Grove Library and the RH Stafford Library. They are also working on a strategic facilities plan for the next 15 years.
CCL just put out their new Vox books in time for summer reading. They have been interviewing architects for the new Chaska building. Bob Lincoln, the library systems administrator, will be retiring at the beginning of July.
SCL is working on putting together a staffing schedule, and they are hoping to release this in the fall.
HCL is celebrating Pride month. They will be at Twin Cities Pride at the end of the month, along with MELSA. They are also working on their budget, which is due at the end of June.
V. Reports & Communications
a) State Fair Day
TPT contacted MELSA about having us at their booth for one day and offering an activity. James worked with Youth Services and will be having “Make Your Next Stop the Library” button making as their activity. It will be on August 28th and MELSA is looking for staff from member libraries to assist with staffing the booth.
b) E-Resources
The E-Resources team has been working with The Star Tribune to offer paper access in library only. They are continuing to negotiate with the paper on price. They have also been working with Newsbank on some pricing issues. LinkedIn has been approved for the next three years.
c) Teen Lit Con report
The Teen Lit Con report was distributed in the meeting packet. The attendance estimate was around 400. Survey results were included, and they were overwhelmingly positive.
d) Executive Director update
The Executive Director update was distributed in the meeting packet.
The Statewide Read Event will be happening September 18-20, 2026, and libraries can sign up to host.
CRPLSA meeting updates: The group is interested in a reciprocal borrowing program through OverDrive.
The legislative wrap-up was a part of the report. DC was able to pass e-book legislation this session.
The Big Issues Summit is on Monday, June 22nd at Brookdale Library. The virtual Legislative Forum is coming up on Monday, July 20th.
Duimstra adjourned the meeting at 11:04am.