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Library Board
Meetings
Second Wednesday of each month
Northfield Public Library
210 Washington St.
Northfield, MN 55057
Important documents
View the Library Board Bylaws.
Agendas and minutes
Members
Name | Title | Term expiration | Phone number |
---|---|---|---|
Richard Crouter | Member | December 31, 2022 | 507-645-6592 |
Thelma Estrada | Member | December 31, 2021 | 956-414-5525 |
Vacant |
Vice Chair | December 31, 2021 | 507-301-3636 |
Elizabeth Yang | Member | December 31, 2022 | 970-212-6393 |
Vacant | Member | December 31, 2020 | |
William "Bill" Johnson | Member | December 31, 2021 | 507-663-0169 |
Laura Turek | Member | December 31, 2023 | |
Mason Randall | Chair | December 31, 2023 | 512-293-7932 |
Margit Zsolnay | Member | December 31, 2022 | 218-355-0930 |
William North | Friends' Liaison | 507-645-7807 | |
Grace Casson | Youth Representative (non-voting) | 2020-2021 school year | Not available |
Paola Torres-Bermundez | Youth Representative (voting member) | 2020-2021 school year | Not available |
James Shuffleton | Youth Representative (non-voting) | 2020-2021 school year | Not available |
Staff liaisons
Name | Title | Phone number | |
---|---|---|---|
Teresa Jensen | Library and IT Director | 507-645-1801 | Email Teresa Jensen |
Judy Schotzko | SELCO Representative | ||
Becky Novotny | Clerical Liason | 507-645-1805 | Email Becky Novotny |
Overview
The City of Northfield Library Board makes recommendations regarding the library administration, policies, annual budget, operations, and maintenance of all library facilities. The board monitors and advocates for legislation concerning public libraries. The board also cooperates with other public officials and boards to maintain positive community relations.
Special meetings are occasionally called.
For transaction of business at any meeting, a majority of members constitute a quorum.
2019 accomplishments
- Hosted the second annual Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff celebration on September 14 with more than 1,100 attendees—a bilingual program of music, speakers, artists, dancers and poets made for a lively event
- Poet Laureate Rob Hardy secured his second SEMAC grant to help fund the City’s Poet Laureate initiative; the library and Content Books hosted poetry programming throughout year
- Transitioned The Link Center, serving new residents in Northfield, and hosted by HCI, to the library—work includes phone and walk-in services, as well as a monthly newsletter
- Continued the teen fine forgiveness initiative in October, forgiving $250 in fines
- Started a fine forgiveness initiative for adults, forgiving $1,649 in fines in one week in April; this was the first fine forgiveness for adults conducted in at least seven years
- Created a “Comfort Station” in our teen area consisting of a container filled with practical needed items for teens, such as toothbrushes, deodorant and tampons for kids in need; similarly, the children’s desk now caries a variety of disposable diapers for caretakers needing diapers for children
- Approved changes to library policies including the Circulation Policy that established a “Welcome Card” for patrons with no proven address to eliminate a barrier for homeless patrons to use the library
Membership requirements
The board consists of nine members as determined by the City Council. Each member serves a three-year term. Terms are staggered for continuity. There is a consecutive three-term limit. Members do not receive monetary compensation.
Since the cooperative library system serves Rice County residents, as well as those who live within the city limits, state law allows for up to four members of the board to be Rice County residents. Dakota County residents, unless living within the Northfield city limits, are not eligible for the board, as they are served by a different library system.
The mayor recommends applicants to the City Council based on their interest in maintaining a good public library for the use of citizens of Northfield, along with willingness to serve and background.
Applying
-
Apply for a board, commission, or task force
Applications are also available at:
City Hall
801 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057Northfield Public Library
210 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057