[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5987017,"mediaKeyId","5771991-4ea85ec3dc734a8e1fcab5f34a2eec7e","parentId",5771991,"title","Director outlines finances, staffing search, new SMS notices, strategic plan rollout and carpet project","audioSeconds",1051,"startMs",1013000,"endMs",2064000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5771991-4ea85ec3dc734a8e1fcab5f34a2eec7e&start=1013&end=2064","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5771991-4ea85ec3dc734a8e1fcab5f34a2eec7e/thumbnail_1013000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5987017/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Director-outlines-finances-staffing-search-new-SMS-notices-strategic-plan-rollout-and-carpet-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5987017-45aeb88fc105be47857d3150cfae3b10/orig.mp4?Expires=1773284818&Signature=Wlp0OsKXrpUTE5lzoRw0qbnKDXS4G1DJ4qE7XjurWLTvS8jXeNTphw~YRYYZyph5rBT9blknyjbYErIBFOwixJHFWR10cEsHnyIHU2WLctfFUJgy4Fgyrag~7oObPHP4l1t6rDjQXbSwoP5jYTKznsXAplWwE-5TiwoUTYXjxsdtkFrWcRuthFsMtaL9F3zRTFmq9bIHzX9A3TgoY7QKLXFiQX~WxVrJefP3v0yEjnT-QgzEaPjq9YCgTFcSBouGUQkgcW9Jxehh6ghegvFg7npuSm42jfElLqjdRuaTor3L51elHb5bEjLwYegNitHzK3Bj4A1ASzt3ODsE7xc7aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Fargo","date","2025-09-12T10:39:35Z","article","WEST FARGO, N.D. — At the West Fargo Library Board meeting on Sept. 11, the library director summarized fiscal standing, personnel recruiting, communications upgrades, strategic planning work and an upcoming facilities project.

Jenna, the library director, told the board expenditures through August were “about 60% expended” and said the library has “a little over a million dollars left in our appropriation.” She said interviews for an adult services manager position have concluded and staff expect to announce a candidate soon.

On communications, Jenna said the library has launched a new SMS system that will send users text updates about accounts, holds and renewals if patrons have provided a cell number. She said, “I think this is going to add a whole new layer of communication with our library patrons.”

Jenna said the board previously approved the library’s strategic plan and staff are now conducting workshops and surveys to turn broad priorities into measurable goals. She told the board managers will compile staff input and return with specific, tangible measures for the board to review; a staff‑and‑board survey will be circulated to gather additional ideas.

Facility work: Jenna announced contractors will begin replacing carpet at the main library starting Oct. 2. Contractors estimate the work could take “a week” and possibly up to two weeks depending on how quickly the old carpet comes up and adhesive removal. Jenna said staff plan phased work “in sections at a time,” will maintain walkways where possible, and attempt to perform stairway and elevator work on a weekend to avoid accessibility impacts. She added that public computers will be temporarily removed while sections are worked on and the library will try to shift services and hours to the satellite location if closure is necessary.

Questions from board members included how long the carpet work would take and whether city staff use the satellite library; Jenna said most satellite users are community members. No formal board actions were taken on these items during the meeting.

Ending: The board received the director’s report and will await staff follow‑up on the FY26 final budget, measurable goals from the strategic plan rollout and a schedule for carpet project phases.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West Fargo Public Library Board Meeting - Thursday, September 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Director Jenna reported the library is about 60% expended through August with roughly $1 million remaining, interviews for the adult services manager position have concluded, an SMS patron-notification system launched, the strategic plan was approved and is being implemented, and a carpet-replacement project will start Oct. 2.","taxTitle","West Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota","taxId",50876,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5987022,"West Fargo reports strong summer reading turnout and expanded ‘Library on Wheels’ stops",69,319000,388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5771991-4ea85ec3dc734a8e1fcab5f34a2eec7e&start=319&end=388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5771991-4ea85ec3dc734a8e1fcab5f34a2eec7e/thumbnail_319000.jpg","/articles/5987022/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/West-Fargo-reports-strong-summer-reading-turnout-and-expanded-Library-on-Wheels-stops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5987022-024b90b55f732b4f019bf7eb8960a69f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773284818&Signature=T~RzlJUnXWw29HQjXmx2WzxEo1lhcfUXlbmJhvy-ARhriOv9cMTJkMMPMMTEhVPK98E3DfLnKs5zusL0Ro8k7kAzF-Hf-MA4DsI~li9uaDWiUKtEuqErOZScGdIDruWpYY4AOsp7LhZIzSmidckCziGt02zr9IAauNZc4r-9C3CT8ZYFHl93BT0ygS7x44~4BvnEvaaw-hq~iZ77~zKI2dNi~zfLyhIC6~SNbxzecRQTKs2Hxs3uCcNNnD4bVjtKUV2Oe88Ihw3S4TR75Hm6LGBEJouW6ezZ9sxWu~~pFTxDw9DwwkMpisWJReYS-qJDFIqsM3hOIBma-uSXUKT1zQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WEST FARGO, N.D. — The West Fargo Public Library reported high engagement for summer 2025 programs during the board’s Sept. 11 meeting, with staff highlighting steady attendance, program growth and a more efficient mobile outreach model.

Lauren, the library’s youth services manager, told the board “We had 678 total readers in our challenge with almost 526000 minutes read,” and said 76% of participants actively engaged by logging reading or completing activities. Lauren described the summer theme as “Color our world” and said staff used it to shape arts, STEM and story‑time programs.

Staff reported nearly 3,600 people attended library programs this summer. Weekly averages for recurring events were: craft programs about 45 people, STEM 31, and story times 37; teen sessions averaged about five attendees. Special events included a youth‑friendly Wizard of Oz production attended by “over a 100 people,” a Puzzle Off competition, and an Art Heist escape room that drew overflow crowds.

Lauren also described the Library on Wheels outreach as “much more efficient” after changes to the mobile setup. The route focused on three weekly evening stops (Goldenwood, Maplewood and Dakota) and added monthly visits to three elementary schools to support West Fargo Public Schools’ summer programs. Staff reported an average of 36 books checked out per stop and about 22 visitors per stop. Lauren said the Library on Wheels route’s setup time dropped from 15–25 minutes to about five–10 minutes.

Discussion only: the board received the impact report and asked questions about history and uniqueness of the outreach; Lauren said the current Library on Wheels evolved from the Little Red Reading Bus and the library “officially got” that vehicle in 2021 before transitioning to the current model.

Ending: Board members praised staff for summer programming and outreach; no formal actions were taken on program items during the Sept. 11 meeting.","Youth services manager Lauren reported 678 readers logged nearly 526,000 minutes, steady program attendance through summer, and success with the Library on Wheels route, averaging 36 checkouts per stop and adding monthly elementary school visits.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5987026,"West Fargo library reallocates small budget error into e-resources and books ahead of final FY26 draft",123,137000,260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5771991-4ea85ec3dc734a8e1fcab5f34a2eec7e&start=137&end=260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5771991-4ea85ec3dc734a8e1fcab5f34a2eec7e/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/5987026/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/West-Fargo-library-reallocates-small-budget-error-into-e-resources-and-books-ahead-of-final-FY26-draft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5987026-90231cab9bf9a17d519dc159e8fb4644/orig.mp4?Expires=1773284818&Signature=ULnrbEqIFTgPwcecpSpiuuEk0WEJyHokoHovH6hnx6AlQgNUyI4e5NO1LUuwbUqZj1LvdMNfngk1-HAQuKCw19ykZUsgJaAnhiUFyxw1p1rLvTzGawajiJRQoVhALyKTutVxOHtToA0jsqWoBjrQUfmjSCu1tdgrGWA8YS-kCCXkBY8JgLWvEN7aycNNnp~v2z6wHpKbxjGfMVwF8fGTATKO6jpEuED~afGwxPbAnAazXKhnsAqz-v03WnQ9mHI5yPnnFooU9CEOSZgMTV2UmkdZkrmc1CSeGv9g~rKnOMQREtb9ze~0CwLi7NI59jxYI92zGATJCpx1tSOuFNMXSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WEST FARGO, N.D. — West Fargo Public Library staff told the West Fargo Library Board on Sept. 11 that a small error in the preliminary FY26 budget has been corrected and the amount will be moved into collection lines in the final draft. Jenna, the library director, said the sum had been carried forward by mistake in the furniture-and-equipment non‑depreciated line.

The director said, “So we put 3,000 into e resources and $5,079 into books.” The amounts were allocated to collection sub‑lines based on circulation statistics for those categories, Jenna told the board.

The change is an informational update, not a formal board action. Jenna said the adjustment will be reflected in the draft final budget the board will see for approval later this year. She emphasized the library kept collection lines flat initially “to be in line with the efforts of the city” but that flat funding meant buying fewer materials as costs rise.

Discussion only: the board did not take a formal vote on the reallocation at the Sept. 11 meeting. Direction: staff will include the corrected figures in the final FY26 budget draft and present that draft for board approval at a future meeting.

Context: library staff framed the move as a bookkeeping correction and a modest restoration of collection purchasing power rather than a new spending increase. The director said staff divided the recovered amount among collection categories “based on how those lines are moving, how much our residents are checking out those different materials.”

Ending: The board will consider the library’s final FY26 budget when staff present the full draft for approval; no adoption occurred at the Sept. 11 meeting.","Library staff discovered a carried-forward amount in a furniture-and-equipment line and reallocated it into collection lines: $3,000 to e-resources and $5,079 to books; the change will appear in the final FY26 budget draft.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Director outlines finances, staffing search, new SMS notices, strategic plan rollout and carpet project

West Fargo reports strong summer reading turnout and expanded ‘Library on Wheels’ stops

West Fargo library reallocates small budget error into e-resources and books ahead of final FY26 draft