Rochester Library Board Meeting – June 17, 2026

The Library Board met on June 17, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting Room of the Rochester Public Library. The meeting included updates from the Library Foundation, Friends of the Library, SELCO, and the Advocacy Committee, approval of the consent agenda, discussion of a board retreat and United for Libraries conference, approval of a proposal to purchase a delivery and outreach van using library reserves, and receipt of the 2026-27 Action Plan. The meeting adjourned at 4:56 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda unanimously.
• Accepted the minutes of the May 20, 2026 meeting.
• Approved accounts payable for June 11, 2026, in the amount of $110,840.34.
• Accepted the May 2026 monthly reports.
• Accepted contracts signed by the Library Director.

Updates & Reports

• Rochester Public Library Foundation Report: Received and filed. Foundation Executive Director Brenda Kardock was absent; the report was summarized by staff. Notable gifts included a significant estate from Dr. J. Keith Campbell (following a prior donation from Dr. R. Jean Campbell in 2012), gifts in appreciation of bookmobile staff, a gift in memory of homebound delivery, a gift related to the parking pilot project, a gift honoring a book club's 25th year, and a Mayoral Clinic grant for WIT sponsorship. The Foundation launched the Summers Pro fundraising initiative, with contributions from Atlas Insurance and Vobles City for youth services, and an anonymous donor gift targeting a rotating Imagination Station launching this fall.
• Friends of the Rochester Public Library Update: Received and filed. Sandy George presented on behalf of Friends Board President Val Kaliszewski. The Friends bookstore has made $38,164 since the beginning of 2026, slightly ahead of the same period last year but with a recent drop attributed to construction. A half-price sale during a garage sale event generated over $1,000 in one day. The black box donation system on the circulation desk has collected over $1,000 this year and over $12,000 since its start five years ago. The bookstore has about 54 active volunteers, with some aging out and some high school/college students. More volunteers are needed. George shared anecdotes of customers, including regular visitors from Iowa and a librarian from Northern Minnesota, emphasizing the bookstore's welcoming atmosphere.
• Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) Update: Received and filed. The SELCO directors advisory group discussed how to count library service areas, a topic stemming from broader conversations. The Library Director is meeting with Olmsted County libraries and SELCO staff to learn how other federated regional library systems divide service area populations.
• Advocacy Committee Update: Received and filed. Board member Nicholas Goetzfridt reported on the committee's meeting of May 28, 2026. Topics included county funding and a new funding formula that would redistribute resources among Rochester, Stewartville, St. Charles, Pine Island, and Chatfield. A letter approved by the board has been sent to Olmsted County commissioners; some progress has been made. The committee refined a working contact list for advocacy efforts, adding notes about personal relationships, similar to the master plan community engagement process. A new column will track relationships with each contact. Additional contacts for local institutions such as RCPC and UMR were noted. Discussions also covered sustainable funding, potential partnerships with major local institutions, and what constitutes a hard ask, particularly regarding Mayo Clinic and its funding priorities (access to care and mental health). The committee acknowledged that any eventual hard ask could be constructed as a win-win. Preliminary satellite location options in the northwest and southeast were briefly discussed, tied to future master plan planning.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Board, Foundation, and Friends Activities: The board discussed plans for a board retreat, which had not been held recently. Staff recommended a two- to three-hour retreat in August or September to focus on succession planning, board engagement, and reviewing action plan items from the library master plan. The retreat would inform asks for friend and foundation funding priorities and budget requests due by January/February 2027. The board also discussed participating in the United for Libraries conference in July, with a group watch party. Board members expressed preference for August (after a board meeting) over September, and the retreat was tentatively scheduled for August. Staff will provide further details and a sign-up sheet for the virtual conference.
• Library Delivery & Outreach Van: Staff presented a proposal to replace an approved passenger van (budgeted at $42,000) with a custom-built outreach/delivery van costing $90,000, including purchase, build-out, wrap, and equipment. The van would support pilot projects like pop-up library locations and satellite service as outlined in the master plan. Three funding options were presented: (1) use library reserves ($2.2 million current balance), (2) use bookmobile replacement funds, or (3) request a budget adjustment from City Council via city reserves. Board members expressed support for option 1, noting it avoids delaying bookmobile replacement. A motion to approve option 1 (use library reserves) passed unanimously. The proposal will be forwarded to City Council at its first meeting in July for final approval.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (6 ayes, 2 absent).
• 2026 Board, Foundation, and Friends Activities: Approved a plan for engagement and provided input on scheduling. The board retreat will be held in August after a regular board meeting. The United for Libraries conference participation will be organized with a group viewing session.
• Library Delivery & Outreach Van: Approved a motion to recommend a budget adjustment to City Council using library reserves (option 1) to fund the $90,000 van. The motion passed unanimously (6 ayes, 2 absent). Staff will seek City Council approval in July.
• 2026 Action Plan: Received and filed the 2026-27 Action Plan, which outlines operational initiatives tied to the library master plan. Staff will provide quarterly updates beginning in September/October.