BEMIDJI -- The Bemidji Public Library Board is looking to introduce a new way for public interaction.
At its monthly meeting, Board Chair Steve Pfleger brought forward a new public participation form created for community members. Pfleger said residents can fill out the form before the board meets and submit it.
The board would then give the individual a five minute time period on the agenda to address a topic during the meeting. Pfleger said that patrons who speak aren’t expected to receive an immediate answer to their questions or concerns voiced during the comment period, to allow for board research.
The form will require members to fill out their name, address, phone and date. Additionally, those interested will need to write a brief summary of the topic they want to discuss. The board will vote on the proposed form at its next board meeting.
Another item on Tuesday’s agenda was addressing a vacancy on the board. According to Pfleger, an individual looking to fill the position must be a city resident. As there has been interest, the board said it will check to see if it’s possible for a library staff member to fill the position.
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Those interested can fill out an application to be on the board out on the city’s website at http://www.ci.bemidji.mn.us/ . The board will then review the application during a meeting and vote on whether or not to accept the applicant. The decision then goes to the Bemidji City Council for a vote. The process, Pfleger said, takes about a month. The term is for three years.
Library Board Manager Sherilyn Brumback also addressed the board Tuesday with a report on finances and usage statistics. The library board currently has funds of $19,741. According to Pfleger, some of those funds have already been earmarked this year to be used on improvements to the library’s device re-charging stations, the children’s area and the teen area.
There were more visitors to the library in January this year than there were in January 2017 -- in January of this year, 15,380 people visited the library, while 12,900 came by in 2017. Circulation also increased, from 11,532 checkouts in January 2017 to 12,137 this past January.
As for upcoming events, a series of women’s history lectures is continuing this month through a partnership with the Beltrami County Historical Society. On Monday, March 19 at 6 p.m., Carol Ann Russell will present the work of poet Meridel Le Sueur. Then, on Monday, March 26 at 6 p.m., John Ellis will have a presentation titled “Feminism and American Religion in the Revolution’s Wake.”
