Saint Paul Library Board Meeting - August 5, 2026

The Saint Paul Library Board met on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 1:00 PM in Council Chambers. Six members were present (Board Members Noecker, Yang, Bowie, Johnson, Jost, and Coleman), with one absent (Board Member Kim). The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, a staff report on newcomer services that was laid over, a presentation on a $1 million Mellon Foundation grant, and adoption of a resolution amending the library's spending plan by $920,000 to accept those grant funds.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (Min 26-23): The minutes from the July 8, 2026 Library Board meeting were approved unanimously (6-0).

Discussion Items

• Staff Report 26-154 – Newcomer Services: This item was laid over to the October 7, 2026 meeting because the presenter was unavailable. The motion to lay over passed 6-0.
• Staff Report 26-156 – Strengthening Libraries as Spaces of Belonging Project: Rebecca Ryan presented an overview of a three-year, $1 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded to the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. The grant aims to build trust in public institutions, address learning and information needs, and provide safe, welcoming spaces. Specific activities include hiring a Spanish-speaking community specialist and a specialist for the Karen/Keren community, supporting digital literacy materials (CellEd, adult basic education, North Star Digital Literacy Assessment), funding one FTE library safety specialist for 2027–2028, expanding Family Literacy Nights, and exploring new bilingual children's books in Karen and English. Board Member Johnson praised the investment as a "big deal." Board Member Noecker asked for an exit strategy to avoid relying on the general fund for grant-funded positions; staff noted the positions will be posted as three-year grant-funded and clearly labeled as such. Chair Jost expressed excitement about the impact on libraries, including the new Hamlin Midway Library.
• Resolution PH 26-178 – Amending the Financing and Spending Plan: This resolution amended the Saint Paul Public Library Agency's spending plan by $920,000 to reflect the multi-year transfer of grant funds from the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, sourced from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The resolution was adopted unanimously (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Approved the July 8, 2026 minutes (6-0).
• Laid over Staff Report 26-154 (Newcomer Services) to October 7, 2026 (6-0).
• Received and filed Staff Report 26-156 (Strengthening Libraries as Spaces of Belonging Project) with no formal vote; it was presented as an informational update.
• Adopted Resolution PH 26-178, amending the spending plan by $920,000 to accept the Mellon Foundation grant funds (6-0).
• Chair Jost announced the opening of the Hamlin Midway Library and the upcoming library budget address at that location on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM. The next Library Board meeting will include the budget presentation from the director.

The meeting adjourned after the announcements.