Library director briefs board on finances, staffing, SMS notifications and carpet replacement

Jenna, Library Director, told the West Fargo Library Board on Sept. 11 that library finances are on track and several service and staffing updates are underway.

“Through August, month to date we were about 60% expended,” Jenna said, adding the library had “a little over a million dollars left in our appropriation.” She also said interviews for an adult services manager concluded and the library expects to announce a hire soon.

Director Jenna described operational changes and new communication tools. “You may have noticed that you've been getting some text messages, if you have your cell phone number in our system. We have a new SMS system that is sending our users updates about their account, their holds, if they have items that are up for renewal,” she said. The director said staff workshops and a survey for library staff and board members are underway to implement a recently approved strategic plan; management will translate staff ideas into measurable annual goals and bring them back to the board.

Jenna presented usage figures for the library’s satellite location and compared them with the main library: in August the satellite recorded 779 physical circulations, 453 door counts and 10 new library cards; the main library recorded just over 14,000 physical circulations, just under 6,000 people through the doors in the same period and about 266 library cards created that month. She said the system has issued 2,186 new library cards so far this year.

The director also told the board that contractors are scheduled to begin a carpet replacement project at the main library on Oct. 2. Contractors estimate the work could take about one to two weeks depending on removal of existing materials and adhesives; the library plans to do the work in sections, maintain walkways while work is underway and shift public hours where needed to the satellite location to preserve access. The director said staff will close sections or relocate services as required for safety and to reduce odor or access issues.

On a related financial note presented earlier in the meeting, staff described a small correction to the preliminary FY26 budget: an erroneous carryforward in the furniture and equipment non-depreciated line was moved into collection lines, with $3,000 reallocated to eResources and $5,079 to books. Board discussion focused on how the strategic plan process will align with annual budgeting and on making measurable objectives visible to the board.

The director’s report included a calendar of upcoming programs and noted higher, more-stable circulation and meeting room usage compared with prior years.