Northfield Library Board Meeting – March 11, 2026

The Northfield Library Board met on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. Chair Kate Carlson called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. Seven members were present, one absent. The board approved the agenda and the minutes from the January 14, 2026 meeting, received a staff presentation on mental health well‑being funds, reviewed the 2025 Minnesota Public Library Annual Report, and discussed advocacy and strategic planning.

Consent Calendar

• No items were listed under the Consent Agenda section.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Presentations

• Library Services Manager Laurie Kodet presented on how to spend the $1,000 honorarium received for an honorable mention in staff mental health well‑being. No decision was recorded on the use of the funds.

Regular Agenda

• 2025 Minnesota Public Library Annual Report: Vice Chair Laura Turek asked whether the report could capture data on patrons who use the library as a shelter. A suggestion was made to annotate the times when the library appears busiest. The board formally thanked Tyler Gardner for his work on the report. A motion to approve the report carried unanimously (7‑0, with additional “yes” votes recorded for Douah and Alaniz in the minutes).
• Library Advocacy Update: The board received an update on library advocacy efforts; no further details were provided in the minutes.

Staff Updates

• Library Strategic Plan Report: A staff update was presented on the library’s strategic plan; no specific actions or outcomes were recorded.

Board Member and Commissioner Reports

• A board member noted significant turnover in the public schools and suggested that this could be an opportunity to remind new school leadership of the library’s past relationships with schools and the library’s willingness to help.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the January 14, 2026 Library Board draft minutes (motion by Randall, seconded by Schotzko; all present voting yes, plus two additional names recorded as yes).
• Approved the 2025 Minnesota Public Library Annual Report (motion by Randall, seconded by Schotzko; vote identical to minutes approval).
• Adjourned at 7:18 PM (motion by Randall, seconded by Schotzko; all present voting yes).

Note: The minutes record “Douah and Alaniz” as voting yes on all motions, although these individuals are not listed among the board members present. This may reflect a recording anomaly.