Library Board

AGENDA Library Board Meeting 4:00 PM - Thursday, December 11, 2025 City Hall Council Chambers Page 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2.1. Approval of Minutes from the November 13, 2025, Library Board meeting 2-4 Minutes from the November 13, 2025, Library Board meeting 3. FINANCIAL REPORT 3.1. November 2025 Financial Report and Summary 5 - 12 November 2025 Financial Report 4. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT 4.1. Library Department Activities Report and Statistics 13 - 20 November 2025 Library Department Activities Report and Statistics 4.2. Programming 21 - 22 December 2025 Programming Calendar 5. ACTION ITEMS 5.1. Resolution 2025-29 Approving Disposal of Surplus Equipment 23 - 24 Resolution 2025-29 Approving Disposal of Surplus Equipment 6. OTHER BUSINESS 6.1. Library Board Recognition - Mignon Fraiser and Hope Friese 7. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 24 New Ulm Public Library Board Thursday, November 13, 2025 City Council Chambers Meeting called to order at 4 p.m. by Ruth Ann Webster Library Board members in attendance: Sarah Berger, Nancy Byrne, Mignon Fraizer, Hope Friese, Kaitlin Houlihan, Lynn Henle, Dustin Sauter, Yvonne Weber. Others in attendance: Library Director April Ide, Assistant Library Director Meggin Kitterman, New Ulm Public Access Television (NUCAT). I) APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Dustin Sauter Second: Lynn Henle Approved II) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Mignon Fraizer Second: Nancy Byrne Approved III) FINANCIAL REPORT We are 84.38% through 2025 and our budget is approximately 84.09% expended. Bills paid during October included $6,735.70 to Ingram for books and CD audiobooks (Books, AV supplies, miscellaneous donations); $454.17 to Metro Sales for two printer contracts (Contractual maintenance equipment); $111.15 to River View Sanitation for trash service (Contractual maintenance building); and $305.46 to Verizon Wireless for service for eight hotspots (Contractual maintenance equipment). Ide notes: • Although fund balance was used for the badge entry cabling ($7,373.60), it is still coded to the Contractual maintenance building line. When considering that expense, the line is spent at approximately 59.7%. • The Subscriptions and memberships line is overspent because the library’s department header website license ($980.42) and Libdata license ($900), as well as a couple other small technology subscriptions, were budgeted in the Computer supplies & equipment line. They have been budgeted to the Subscriptions & memberships line in the 2026 budget, on the recommendation of the City’s auditor. The library is still expecting an invoice from Ebsco for the annual magazine subscriptions, so the line will be overspent due to the change in coding. Computer supplies and equipment will be underspent. Page 2 of 24  • The budget is approximately 77.5% expended when the spending for the Mellon Foundation Grant (in Library technology-grant and Library furniture-grant lines) and the badge cabling project are removed. IV) LIBRARIAN’S REPORT • Two Pages and a Maintenance Technician start November 24. Library Aide posting closes Sunday, November 16. • The library was closed on Friday, October 24, to allow staff to attend a full day of training. The Library Board approved this closure at its August 14, 2025, meeting. Police Chief Dave Borchert and Brown County Human Services Intake Social Worker Erin Kissner and Housing Resource Specialist Mark Bullen presented “Brown County Services for Homeless People.” Deborah Saari from North American Alliance for Mental Illness – MN presented “Dealing with Difficult Interactions.” Other topics, which were presented by library staff, included readers advisory service, troubling shooting patron devices, and integrated library system (ILS) best practices. The ILS is the software the library uses to manage and track its collections and patron accounts. Readers advisory service encompasses the expertise and tools library staff use to help patrons explore and select reading materials. • The library planned to have a visit with Minnesota author Amy Gregg but must reschedule due to the author being sick. • A new episode of Tales of the Town has been released: “Tornado of 1881.” • The Friends of the Library Book sale was November 7-8. The door counts were nearly doubled those days. The Friends have not yet reported the final figures for the sale. • IMLS – At this point, IMLS funding is still included in the Federal budget, which has yet to pass. Statistics • The door count was down slightly from 2024, due to closing one day for staff training. Physical circulation was also down because of the closure. • Computer use continues to trend above last year, due to teens using the space after school. • Patrons have viewed over 2,000 hours of library content on YouTube. Programming • Author Frank Weber speaks Thursday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m. Weber is a forensic psychologist and true crime author. He’ll walk attendees through profiling a case that lacked evidence. He’ll also discuss his 2025 book, “The Sun,” which is based on a MN mystery that was once called the crime of the century. He’ll be available to sign books and answer questions before and after the event. • “Tales of Crime and Corruption in Brown County in the 1930s” with Carla Fjeld takes place on Monday, November 17, at 6:30 p.m. Fjeld will share secret stories of counterfeiting rings, bootleggers, holdups, and gangsters, as well as discussing the experiences of Brown County residents during Prohibition. • The Teen Video Club meets on Saturday, November 15, at 2 p.m. • The Junior Video Game Club meets on Tuesday, November 18, at 3:30 p.m. Page 3 of 24  • A No School Movie plays on Wednesday, November 26, at 2 p.m. The movie is “The Year Without a Santa Claus.” • The library closes at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, and is closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, for Thanksgiving. • Looking ahead to December: o A St. Nicholas Eve Celebration takes place on Friday, December 5, at 3:30 p.m. o The Noon Year’s Eve Party is on Wednesday, December 31, at 11 a.m. at the Civic Center. The event includes open skating, photo booth, refreshments, crafts, and a ball drop at noon. Brown County Library Board Update • The Board met on Monday, November 10 in Comfrey • Libraries received the second half of 2025 disbursement: $9,675.30. (The 2025 total was $19,350.60). • The Board discussed the August appropriations meeting and representatives from individual libraries gave updates. • The next meeting is Monday, June 8, 2026, in Hanska. V) ACTION ITEMS Resolution 2025-28 Approving Library Closure on Saturday, July 4, 2026 Motion: Lynn Henle Second: Mignon Fraizer Approved VI) OTHER BUSINESS No other business VII) ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 4:16. Respectfully submitted by Meggin Kitterman, Assistant Library Director. Page 4 of 24 New Ulm Public Library Board 2025 Summary Financial Report Prepared December 3, 2025 We are 92.33% through 2025 and our budget is approximately 90.74% expended. Bills paid during November included $1,582.80 to Ebsco for annual magazine subscriptions (Subscriptions & memberships); $242.59 to Hy-Vee for programming supplies (Friends donation, Special events programming); $3,029.86 to Ingram for books and audiobooks (Books, AV supplies, miscellaneous donations); $328.55 to Precision Alarm for annual fire alarm test (Contractual maintenance building); $188.10 to Minitex for barcodes (Contractual maintenance books); and $341.44 to Verizon for service to eight hotspots (Contractual maintenance equipment). REVENUES % OF BUDGET Copy fees 90.20% Meeting room rental 99.97% Lost & damaged item fees 106.34% Miscellaneous 312.43% Book sale 99.00% EXPENDITURES ____ % OF BUDGET SPENT Salaries regular 88.51% Salaries part-time 86.25% Office supplies 32.94% General supplies 46.64% Audiovisual supplies 68.91% Books 86.95% Electronic resources 96.53% Computer supplies & equipment 54.21% Cataloging & processing 100.00% Communications 61.30% Travel conferences & schools 25.24% Printing advertising & promo 61.70% Contractual maintenance building 105.67% Contractual maintenance equipment 69.12% Contractual maintenance books 40.39% Subscriptions & memberships 146.24% Miscellaneous 8.16% Special events programming 70.23% Page 5 of 24  Budget Report New Ulm, MN Account Summary For Fiscal: 2025 Period Ending: 12/31/2025 Variance Original Current Period Fiscal Favorable Percent Total Budget Total Budget Activity Activity (Unfavorable) Used Fund: 211 - LIBRARY FUND Revenue 211-5500-31010 Taxes general 1,108,035.00 1,108,035.00 0.00 588,775.61 -519,259.39 53.14 % 211-5500-31020 Taxes delinquent 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,326.90 3,326.90 0.00 % 211-5500-31030 Mobile home tax 0.00 0.00 0.00 90.27 90.27 0.00 % 211-5500-33631 Brown County payments 17,100.00 17,100.00 0.00 19,350.60 2,250.60 113.16 % 211-5500-33700 Other local grants 0.00 0.00 0.00 239,849.00 239,849.00 0.00 % 211-5500-34760 Copy fees 4,000.00 4,000.00 172.50 3,607.95 -392.05 90.20 % 211-5500-34761 AV rentals 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.00 6.00 0.00 % 211-5500-34762 Meeting room rental 4,100.00 4,100.00 0.00 -4,098.70 -8,198.70 99.97 % 211-5500-35103 Library fines 0.00 0.00 0.00 131.45 131.45 0.00 % 211-5500-35104 Lost & damaged item fees 1,000.00 1,000.00 2.00 1,063.39 63.39 106.34 % 211-5500-36200 Miscellaneous 500.00 500.00 27.50 1,562.16 1,062.16 312.43 % 211-5500-36210 Interest operating pooled cash 16,200.00 16,200.00 0.00 7,827.52 -8,372.48 48.32 % 211-5500-36229 Increase (dec) in fv of invmts 0.00 0.00 0.00 19,753.03 19,753.03 0.00 % 211-5500-36293 Book sale 500.00 500.00 7.75 495.00 -5.00 99.00 % 211-5500-36501 Donations misc 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,392.86 2,392.86 0.00 % Revenue Total: 1,151,435.00 1,151,435.00 209.75 884,133.04 -267,301.96 76.79 % Expense 211-5500-110001 Salaries regular 506,833.00 506,833.00 0.00 448,593.19 58,239.81 88.51 % 211-5500-110006 Salaries parttime seasonal & t 174,000.00 174,000.00 0.00 150,073.06 23,926.94 86.25 % 211-5500-110600 Salaries overtime 100.00 100.00 0.00 31.38 68.62 31.38 % 211-5500-112100 Social Security 42,257.00 42,257.00 0.00 35,339.39 6,917.61 83.63 % 211-5500-112150 Medicare 9,883.00 9,883.00 0.00 8,264.93 1,618.07 83.63 % 211-5500-112210 PERA 51,070.00 51,070.00 0.00 44,796.23 6,273.77 87.72 % 211-5500-112275 Employer deferred compensation 625.00 625.00 0.00 1,205.47 -580.47 192.88 % 211-5500-113100 Insurance group medical 105,000.00 105,000.00 0.00 89,013.13 15,986.87 84.77 % 211-5500-113140 Insurance group life 860.00 860.00 0.00 674.59 185.41 78.44 % 211-5500-113150 Insurance group dental 2,600.00 2,600.00 0.00 2,136.64 463.36 82.18 % 211-5500-115100 Insurance workers compensation 2,500.00 2,500.00 0.00 1,835.00 665.00 73.40 % 211-5500-220010 Office supplies 3,800.00 3,800.00 0.00 1,251.79 2,548.21 32.94 % 211-5500-221005 General supplies 8,000.00 8,000.00 0.00 3,731.08 4,268.92 46.64 % 211-5500-223027 Audio visual supplies 7,500.00 7,500.00 0.00 5,167.89 2,332.11 68.91 % 211-5500-223060 Books 57,500.00 57,500.00 0.00 49,994.96 7,505.04 86.95 % 211-5500-223065 Electronic resources 10,000.00 10,000.00 0.00 9,653.45 346.55 96.53 % 211-5500-224100 Computer supplies & equipment 10,000.00 10,000.00 0.00 5,420.89 4,579.11 54.21 % 211-5500-224105 Library technology - grant 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,128.14 -3,128.14 0.00 % 211-5500-331028 Cataloging & processing 29,760.00 29,760.00 0.00 29,760.12 -0.12 100.00 % 211-5500-332100 Communications 3,400.00 3,400.00 0.00 2,084.27 1,315.73 61.30 % 211-5500-333050 Travel conferences & schools 3,500.00 3,500.00 0.00 883.45 2,616.55 25.24 % 211-5500-334100 Printing advertising & promo 1,200.00 1,200.00 0.00 740.38 459.62 61.70 % 211-5500-338100 Electricity 24,000.00 24,000.00 0.00 17,409.23 6,590.77 72.54 % 211-5500-338200 Gas 10,200.00 10,200.00 0.00 5,053.24 5,146.76 49.54 % 211-5500-338300 Water 650.00 650.00 0.00 472.41 177.59 72.68 % 211-5500-338400 Steam low pressure 1,200.00 1,200.00 0.00 22.90 1,177.10 1.91 % 211-5500-338500 Sewer 515.00 515.00 0.00 329.12 185.88 63.91 % 211-5500-340050 Contractual maintenance buildi 17,000.00 17,000.00 0.00 17,964.17 -964.17 105.67 % 211-5500-340110 Contractual maintenance equipm 10,000.00 10,000.00 0.00 6,912.15 3,087.85 69.12 % 211-5500-340275 Contractual maintenance books 4,500.00 4,500.00 0.00 1,817.71 2,682.29 40.39 % 211-5500-341160 IT support 16,282.00 16,282.00 0.00 13,568.50 2,713.50 83.33 % 211-5500-347040 Subscriptions & memberships 4,500.00 4,500.00 0.00 6,580.80 -2,080.80 146.24 % 211-5500-350010 Miscellaneous 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00 81.62 918.38 8.16 % 12/3/2025 2:25:57 PM Page 1 of 4 Page 6 of 24 Budget Report For Fiscal: 2025 Period Ending: 12/31/2025 Variance Original Current Period Fiscal Favorable Percent Total Budget Total Budget Activity Activity (Unfavorable) Used 211-5500-350050 Sales Tax 700.00 700.00 0.00 374.94 325.06 53.56 % 211-5500-350070 Cash short or over 0.00 0.00 0.50 -6.40 6.40 0.00 % 211-5500-363101 Special events programming 5,500.00 5,500.00 0.00 3,862.49 1,637.51 70.23 % 211-5500-550010 Office furniture & equipment 25,000.00 25,000.00 0.00 11,455.00 13,545.00 45.82 % 211-5500-550013 Library furniture - grant 0.00 0.00 0.00 65,166.61 -65,166.61 0.00 % Expense Total: 1,151,435.00 1,151,435.00 0.50 1,044,843.92 106,591.08 90.74 % Fund: 211 - LIBRARY FUND Surplus (Deficit): 0.00 0.00 209.25 -160,710.88 -160,710.88 0.00 % Fund: 212 - LIBRARY BOARD FUND Revenue 212-5500-36210 Interest operating pooled cash 2,500.00 2,500.00 0.00 1,242.77 -1,257.23 49.71 % 212-5500-36211 Interest restr pooled cash 2,600.00 2,600.00 0.00 1,151.49 -1,448.51 44.29 % 212-5500-36229 Increase (dec) in fv of invmts 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,914.45 5,914.45 0.00 % 212-5500-36501 Donations misc 0.00 0.00 50.00 5,159.38 5,159.38 0.00 % 212-5500-36506 Donations childrens memorial 0.00 0.00 0.00 350.00 350.00 0.00 % Revenue Total: 5,100.00 5,100.00 50.00 13,818.09 8,718.09 270.94 % Expense 212-5000-223027 Audio visual supplies 0.00 0.00 0.00 11.19 -11.19 0.00 % 212-5000-223060 Books 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,208.38 -2,208.38 0.00 % 212-5000-223113 Children's memorial books 0.00 0.00 0.00 281.06 -281.06 0.00 % 212-5000-223115 Rudolf Good Memorial Libr Mate 0.00 0.00 0.00 254.21 -254.21 0.00 % 212-5000-223161 Lieb Memorial books 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,005.47 -1,005.47 0.00 % 212-5000-350010 Miscellaneous 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,462.09 -3,462.09 0.00 % Expense Total: 0.00 0.00 0.00 7,222.40 -7,222.40 0.00 % Fund: 212 - LIBRARY BOARD FUND Surplus (Deficit): 5,100.00 5,100.00 50.00 6,595.69 1,495.69 129.33 % Report Surplus (Deficit): 5,100.00 5,100.00 259.25 -154,115.19 -159,215.19 -3,021.87 % 12/3/2025 2:25:57 PM Page 2 of 4 Page 7 of 24 Budget Report For Fiscal: 2025 Period Ending: 12/31/2025 Group Summary Variance Original Current Period Fiscal Favorable Percent Account Typ… Total Budget Total Budget Activity Activity (Unfavorable) Used Fund: 211 - LIBRARY FUND Revenue 1,151,435.00 1,151,435.00 209.75 884,133.04 -267,301.96 76.79 % Expense 1,151,435.00 1,151,435.00 0.50 1,044,843.92 106,591.08 90.74 % Fund: 211 - LIBRARY FUND Surplus (Deficit): 0.00 0.00 209.25 -160,710.88 -160,710.88 0.00 % Fund: 212 - LIBRARY BOARD FUND Revenue 5,100.00 5,100.00 50.00 13,818.09 8,718.09 270.94 % Expense 0.00 0.00 0.00 7,222.40 -7,222.40 0.00 % Fund: 212 - LIBRARY BOARD FUND Surplus (Deficit): 5,100.00 5,100.00 50.00 6,595.69 1,495.69 129.33 % Report Surplus (Deficit): 5,100.00 5,100.00 259.25 -154,115.19 -159,215.19 -3,021.87 % 12/3/2025 2:25:57 PM Page 3 of 4 Page 8 of 24 Budget Report For Fiscal: 2025 Period Ending: 12/31/2025 Fund Summary Variance Original Current Period Fiscal Favorable Fund Total Budget Total Budget Activity Activity (Unfavorable) 211 - LIBRARY FUND 0.00 0.00 209.25 -160,710.88 -160,710.88 212 - LIBRARY BOARD FUND 5,100.00 5,100.00 50.00 6,595.69 1,495.69 Report Surplus (Deficit): 5,100.00 5,100.00 259.25 -154,115.19 -159,215.19 12/3/2025 2:25:57 PM Page 4 of 4 Page 9 of 24  Balance Sheet New Ulm, MN Account Summary As Of 12/03/2025 Account Name Balance Fund: 211 - LIBRARY FUND Assets 211-101000 Invest pool operating 303,294.90 211-101090 Invest pool Somsen, Holz/Child 0.00 211-101094 Invest pool Wanda Gag collecti 0.00 211-101990 Invest Pool Mkt Value Adj 0.00 211-102001 Petty cash 174.18 211-107000 Taxes receivable delinquent 13,769.91 211-115010 Accounts receivable miscellane 215.47 211-115020 A/R Miscellaneous 0.00 211-126060 Due from Brown County 0.00 211-130000 Due from City funds 0.00 211-143010 Prepaids 0.00 211-143011 Prepaid insurance 0.00 Total Assets: 317,454.46 317,454.46 Liability 211-202000 Accounts payable 0.00 211-202002 Accounts payable misc 0.00 211-202005 Accounts payable charity book 0.00 211-202051 Sales tax payable miscellaneou 0.00 211-203000 Accrued salaries payable 0.00 211-203010 Federal income tax withheld 0.00 211-203011 Social security withheld 0.00 211-203012 Medicare withheld 0.00 211-203015 Minnesota income tax withheld 0.00 211-203020 MN PERA withheld 0.00 211-203025 Vacation purchase withheld 0.00 211-203029 Computer loan withheld 0.00 211-203030 Health insurance withheld 0.00 211-203035 Employer paid life insurance 0.00 211-203036 Other insurance LT disability 0.00 211-203037 Other insurance Pera 0.00 211-203038 Other insurance MBA 0.00 211-203039 Other insurance Aflac 0.00 211-203040 Cafeteria plan withholdings 0.00 211-203041 Other insurance Assurant - dental 0.00 211-203042 Other insurance vision 0.00 211-203050 Deferred comp withholdings Gre 0.00 211-203051 Deferred comp withholding ICMA 0.00 211-203052 Deferred comp withholdings St 0.00 211-203053 Deferred comp withholding MN 0.00 211-203054 Def comp withholdings HCSP 0.00 211-203060 Union dues AFSCME 0.00 211-203070 Child support withholdings 0.00 211-203072 Garnishments 0.00 211-203073 NU Fitness Center withholdings 0.00 211-203074 Savings bonds 0.00 211-203075 United Way withholdings 0.00 211-203076 Employee Incentive withholding 0.00 211-208000 Due to City funds 0.00 211-222000 Deferred revenue 0.00 211-222001 Deferred revenue property tax 13,769.91 12/3/2025 2:25:33 PM Page 1 of 3 Page 10 of 24 Balance Sheet As Of 12/03/2025 Account Name Balance 211-222002 Deferred revenue A/R 0.00 Total Liability: 13,769.91 Equity 211-247055 Fund balance res for prepaid e 0.00 211-253030 Fund balance design for other 0.00 211-254000 Fund balance unreserved undesignated 464,395.43 Total Beginning Equity: 464,395.43 Total Revenue 884,133.04 Total Expense 1,044,843.92 Revenues Over/Under Expenses -160,710.88 Total Equity and Current Surplus (Deficit): 303,684.55 Total Liabilities, Equity and Current Surplus (Deficit): 317,454.46 12/3/2025 2:25:33 PM Page 2 of 3 Page 11 of 24 Balance Sheet As Of 12/03/2025 Account Name Balance Fund: 212 - LIBRARY BOARD FUND Assets 212-101000 Invest pool operating 84,065.16 212-101013 Invest pool childrens memorial 6,277.61 212-101033 Invest Pool Good, Rudy 1,179.15 212-101044 Invest pool HUB Club 0.00 212-101056 Invest pool Lions Club 29.07 212-101057 Invest pool Landscaping & sculpture 554.15 212-101061 Invest pool Lieb Memorial 65,758.02 212-101087 Invest pool purchase books 5,841.13 212-101990 Invest Pool Mkt Value Adj 0.00 212-115020 A/R Miscellaneous 0.00 212-130000 Due from City funds 0.00 212-143010 Prepaids 0.00 Total Assets: 163,704.29 163,704.29 Liability 212-202000 Accounts payable 0.00 Total Liability: 0.00 Equity 212-247055 Fund balance res for prepaid e 0.00 212-254000 Fund balance unreserved undesignated 157,108.60 Total Beginning Equity: 157,108.60 Total Revenue 13,818.09 Total Expense 7,222.40 Revenues Over/Under Expenses 6,595.69 Total Equity and Current Surplus (Deficit): 163,704.29 Total Liabilities, Equity and Current Surplus (Deficit): 163,704.29 12/3/2025 2:25:33 PM Page 3 of 3 Page 12 of 24 New Ulm Public Library Board Library Department Activities Report November 2025 Library Pages Allie Dalluge and Sara Wendinger and Maintenance Technician Tim Anderley started on November 24. Welcome, Allie, Sara, and Tim! Reference Aide Sue Ullery has submitted her retirement after 16 years at the library. Her last day with the library will be December 17. We wish her well! The Friends of the New Ulm Public Library held its annual used book sale on November 6-8, earning a total of $2,189.50 from sales, membership renewals, and donations. Thank you to all the Friends of the Library volunteers who generously donated their time! The Reference Librarian delivered books to area Senior Living homes serving 33 patrons. The Reference Librarian proctored three student exams in November. The Programming and Technology Services Librarian represented the library on KNUJ, Something Artsy, and at the City’s Emergency Management Committee meeting that also included a cybersecurity training with Brown County information technology personnel. Filming for Stories for the Season began at The Grand Center for Arts and Culture, and the latest Tales of the Town episode about the 1881 tornado was released. The Memory Lab saw good usage in November and the library’s regular weekly and monthly programs had steady attendance. The library hosted Minnesota author and forensic psychologist Frank Weber this month, and he gave a fascinating presentation including multiple real life case studies on profiling in addition to talking about his newest book. Local Brown County Historical Society volunteer and former Youth Services Aide Carla Fjeld gave a great presentation about crime and corruption in Brown County during the 1930s. Both programs were able to be recorded on New Ulm Community Access Television and will be on the library’s YouTube channel in future. Seedswomen of Minnesota 1890s-1900 is a three-part traveling banner display created by the Minnesota Historical Society and the Anderson Horticultural Library at the University of Minnesota. It is on display on the main floor of New Ulm Public Library through the end of January 2026. The display features three pioneering women in Minnesota history that built successful seed-selling businesses. This month the Youth Services Librarian planned and presented 15 programs with over 180 in attendance. In-house crafts and scavenger hunts have been popular this month: children created 82 crafts and completed 112 scavenger hunts. The Youth Services Librarian is enjoying taking storytime out of the library for daycare outreach. The children are incredibly attentive and very welcoming. Planning and preparations for next month’s traditional St. Nicholas Eve Celebration are underway. The event will take place on Friday, December 5, at 3:30 p.m. in the children’s room. The Assistant Director helped with outreach at Oak Hills Assisted Living Center. She attended the Minitex Technical Services Symposium Navigating Unchartered Waters in St. Paul. The Page 13 of 24 Assistant Director attended the following November meetings: Library Board and library supervisors. The Library Director worked with vendors on various furniture and equipment projects, completed her annual performance self-evaluation, met with new library staff, and participated in Library Aide interviews. She attended the following November meetings: After Council, TdS Hot Topics, library staff, Brown County Library Board, Library Board, CAST Board, library supervisors, and Safety Committee. She attended online training from Traverse des Sioux Regional Library on using the ReShare interlibrary loan software, and on the Evergreen integrated library system. She also met with Amazon representatives about the new Amazon for Libraries service. LIBRARY DEPARTMENT STATISTICS – NOVEMBER 2025 Reference Reference Statistic Total Reference Questions (Service Desk) 443 Reference Questions (Children’s Desk) 69 Proctored Tests 2 Microfilm Usage 14 Microfilm/Scanner Help 2 Memory Lab Questions 80 3D Printer 6 Public Computer Questions 36 Bound Newspaper Use (Plat Books) 0 Setting Up/Troubleshooting Mobile Devices 19 Aspen Help (online catalog) 0 Copier/Fax/Scanning to Email Help 38 Calls for Library Card Renewal 5 Tax Form Questions 1 Tax Prep Phone Number/Forms 0 Libby Help 14 Discovery Station Help 0 Collection Development Collection Development Statistic Total Total items added to collection 420 Total items catalogued by TdS 339 Items Weeded Adult Fiction Items Weeded 94 Adult Non-Fiction Items Weeded 64 Young Adult Items Weeded 4 Children’s Items Weeded 26 Total Items Weeded 188 Page 14 of 24 Outreach Senior Living Centers Total Oak Hills 20 Ridgeway on 23rd 5 Ridgeway on German 4 Orchard Hills 4 Total Outreach Attendance 33 Library Space Use Meeting Room Total Total number of non-library reservations 1 Total users for non-library reservations 13 Study Rooms Total study room reservations 24 Recorded Programming Program Type Date Attendance/Video Views Online Tutorials and Information Adult Throughout the month 53 Game Demonstration Show Family Throughout the Month 124 Chad Lewis Presentations Adult Throughout the Month 16 Author and Arts Events Family Throughout the Month 675 Tales of the Town Family Throughout the Month 382 Total Recorded Program Attendance 1250 Live Programming Date Program Title Attendance Audience 11/3 Teen Pathfinder Group 3 Young Adult 11/3 Lit Wits Book Club Discussion 3 Adult 11/4 Knippling Group 6 Adult 11/4 Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Session 5 Adult 11/4 Chess Club 4 All Ages 11/4 New Ulm Film Society 10 Adult 11/4 Online Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Session 3 Adult 11/5 Needleworking Group 12 Adult 11/10 Storytime 33 Children 11/10 Teen Pathfinder Group 4 Young Adult 11/10 Poetry Group 6 Adult 11/12 Daycare Outreach 8 Children 11/12 Needleworking Group 12 Adult 11/12 Art Group 6 Adult 11/12 Pajama Party Storytime 14 Children 11/13 Creative Kids 3 Children Page 15 of 24 Date Program Title Attendance Audience 11/13 Author Visit with Frank Weber 20 Adult 11/14 Senior Movie Matinee 15 Adult 11/15 Teen Video Game Club 7 Young Adult 11/17 Storytime 26 Children 11/17 Teen Pathfinder Group 4 Young Adult 11/17 Tales of Crime and Corruption with Carla Fjeld 25 Adult 11/18 History Book Club Discussion 4 Adult 11/18 Knippling Group 6 Adult 11/18 Jr. Video Game Club 10 Children 11/18 Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Session 6 Adult 11/18 Chess Club 4 All Ages 11/18 Minnesota Valley Civil War Round Table 4 Adult 11/19 Needleworking Group 12 Adult 11/19 Art Group 7 Adult 11/19 Pajama Party Storytime 8 Children 11/20 Sensory Playtime 11 Children 11/20 Wacky Wonders 7 Children 11/20 Genealogy Club 2 Adult 11/21 Friday's Special Storytime 16 Children 11/21 Online Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Session 2 Adult 11/21 Senior Movie Matinee 16 Adult 11/24 Storytime 7 Children 11/24 Teen Pathfinder Group 4 Young Adult 11/24 Mystery Book Club Discussion 11 Adult 11/25 Knippling Group 6 Adult 11/25 Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Session 6 Adult 11/25 Chess Club 3 All Ages 11/25 Online Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Session 5 Adult 11/25 Evening Sensory Playtime 5 Children 11/26 No School Afternoon Movie 6 Children 11/26 Needleworking Group 6 Adult November Memory Lab Appointments 8 Adult Total November Live Program Attendance 411 Page 16 of 24  Door Count by Month 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2022 5064 5732 7363 6632 5996 8698 7908 7560 5848 6527 5688 4977 2023 5369 5815 7115 7346 7943 8257 7890 7148 6345 8139 5934 5901 2024 6186 7099 7353 7669 7101 9399 8481 7400 6605 7131 7055 5863 2025 6678 7099 7723 7779 7321 8600 9757 7567 6786 7027 6222 Physical Circulation by Month/Year 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2022 9564 8891 10357 10400 9041 12778 12791 12073 9331 9906 8926 8621 2023 9447 8867 9920 9583 10500 12285 12122 11324 9560 9859 8828 8828 2024 9569 9596 10666 10333 10667 12583 13442 11272 9390 10361 9778 8713 2025 9365 9548 10446 9738 10071 13159 13540 11029 10166 10246 9068 Page 17 of 24  Libby Circulation by Month/Year 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2022 1253 1164 1202 1157 1197 1215 1227 1326 1198 1112 1229 1298 2023 1453 1365 1278 1355 1560 1585 1665 1647 1547 1618 1466 1555 2024 1800 1673 1770 1790 1693 1772 1780 1782 1753 1868 1712 1856 2025 2082 1849 1958 1973 1893 2000 2070 2155 2009 2094 1805 Patron Computer Use Per Month 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2022 438 526 676 690 765 825 847 937 627 643 583 558 2023 666 575 803 838 829 1005 1007 972 824 826 671 815 2024 877 872 888 888 892 1063 1020 905 831 847 795 728 2025 688 717 941 990 819 1226 1560 1245 906 992 770 Page 18 of 24  Wireless Stats, Total Clients by Month 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2022 3498 3408 4423 4422 4737 4456 4237 4664 5553 5896 4591 4395 2023* 1080 829 610 597 796 723 904 2024 5625 5267 5369 5598 5132 4673 4832 5337 4457 6421 3848 4247 2025 9473 5822 5797 6945 4633 9861 7949 4731 10967 7962 9769 *Access to UniFi stats down January-May 2023. Used "traffic" as metric in 2023; changed to "past connections" in 2024 to remain consistent with TdS. Website Page Views by Month 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2022 2,408 4,237 4,455 4,033 3,683 4,984 4,054 4,667 3,949 4,346 4,134 4,574 2023 6,529 4,640 5,628 4,705 4,555 4,772 4,698 4,366 3,983 4,429 4,575 3,516 2024 2,752 2,819 2,768 3,764 3,132 3,548 3,032 2,629 2,587 2,661 3,055 2,910 2025 3,133 3,405 2,594 3,198 2,190 3,048 2,601 2,078 2,209 3,068 2,635 2022 2023 2024 2025 Page 19 of 24  Number of Views Total Number of Number of Photo Number of Video People Reached All Post New Page Total Page Programming Photo Video Engagement (Children's) Posts Posts Posts Engagements* Follows/Likes Follows/Likes Programming Engagements Engagements 2025 Facebook Engagement Statistics (Other) January 61 54 202 1 2 207 1 2198 25697 24240 48 106 February 58 51 208 1 1 211 19 2217 17667 11729 136 18 March 57 46 223 0 0 270 7 2224 13704 9336 73 151 April 72 66 404 0 0 414 1 2225 27043 17203 33 334 May 63 53 144 1 15 172 2 2227 17509 11574 11 75 June 61 56 172 0 0 178 9 2236 20231 14264 50 96 July 65 55 426 0 0 468 6 2242 20260 13976 103 356 August 62 52 334 0 0 374 10 2252 15827 10699 9 315 September 64 57 559 0 0 608 3 2255 20551 13540 50 455 October 67 56 607 0 0 635 2 2257 25064 15949 219 321 November 68 60 1820 0 0 1915 13 2270 50351 29314 63 1599 December Annual Total 698 606 5099 3 18 5452 73 253904 171824 795 3826 Starting in July, Facebook made data on another type of engagement available, so that data is now included. 2025 Recorded Unique Resource Videos Programming Total Total YouTube Total Views Program Viewers Added Videos Added Subscribers Impressions Statistics Views January 159 967 124 1 0 171 2644 February 228 630 187 1 1 171 6813 March 139 1377 114 2 0 170 2877 April 175 1140 129 1 1 172 3198 May 228 1020 177 2 1 172 3281 June 198 816 169 1 1 173 2563 July 214 856 166 2 0 173 5477 August 164 931 108 2 0 175 1799 September 161 867 123 0 1 176 1971 October 155 1158 92 1 1 178 3449 November 148 1181 104 1 2 180 1628 December Annual Total 1969 10943 1493 14 8 1911 35700 Page 20 of 24  DECEMBER 2025 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 StoryTime with Ms. Pajama Party Nicholas Eve Kathryn 10:30a Storytime Celebration Teen Pathfinder 6:30p 3:30p Roleplaying Game 3:45p 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 StoryTime with Ms. Jr. Video Game Club Pajama Party Creative Kids* Kathryn 10:30a 3:30p Storytime 3:30p Teen Pathfinder 6:30p Roleplaying Game 3:45p 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 StoryTime with Ms. Pajama Party Wacky Wonders* Friday’s Special Teen Video Game Kathryn 10:30a Storytime 3:30p Storytime Club Teen Pathfinder 6:30p 10a 2p Roleplaying Game 3:45p 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Teen Pathfinder Sensory Playtime* Roleplaying Game 10a Library Closes Library Closed 3:45p at 1:30p for Christmas 28 29 30 31 Teen Pathfinder No School Movie: Noon Year’s Eve Roleplaying Game Frozen Party(at New Ulm All Programs are free and open to the public. Page 21 of 24 3:45p 2p Civic Center) Visit www.newulmlibrary.org or 11.30a Library Closes call 507-359-8331 for more information. at 5p *Registration Required  DECEMBER 2025 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lit Wits Book Club Senior Movie 6:30p Matinee: Christmas with the Kranks 1p 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Poetry Group Knippling 1p Needlework Group Senior Movie 6:30p Pathfinder RPG 4:15p 9:30a Matinee: NU Chess Club 6p Art Group Christmas Vacation NU Film Society: 1:30p 1p Steven Speilberg Directs 6:30p 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 History Book Club 12 Needlework Group Genealogy Club Senior Movie Knippling 1p 9:30a 6:30p Matinee: Pathfinder RPG 4:15p Art Group A Christmas Story NU Chess Club 6p 1:30p 1p MN Valley Civil War Round Table 6:30p 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Knippling 1p Needlework Group Pathfinder RPG 4:15p 9:30a Library Closed NU Chess Club 6p for Library Closes Christmas at 1:30p 28 29 30 31 Mystery Book Club Knippling 1p Needlework Group All Programs are free and open to the public. Page 22 of 24 6:30p Pathfinder RPG 4:15p 9:30a NU Chess Club 6p Art Group Visit www.newulmlibrary.org or 1:30p call 507-359-8331 for more information. Library Closes *Registration Required at 5p New Ulm Public Library Board Resolution Number 2025-29 Approving Disposal of Surplus Equipment First Reading and Adoption In November 2025, the Library Director signed an agreement with Metro Sales for a 60-month lease of a new Ricoh RS-IM C2510 copier. The new copier is scheduled to be installed at the library’s service desk on December 16, 2025, and Metro Sales will recycle the old copier as part of installation services. The new copier offers printing, copying, fax, and scan-to-email capabilities. The current Ricoh MP C3503 was purchased in 2015. The City’s IT Director recommended replacing it due to age and decreasing availability of replacement parts. Replacement also allowed the library to lock in the State contract pricing before it increased at the end of November. The old machine has no residual value to the library. The Library Director recommends that it be declared surplus and recycled by Metro Sales. A photo of the old copier is included below. In August 2025, the Library Director ordered replacement shelving for the picture book collection. The shelving will replace the current picture book browsing bins, which are worn, becoming unstable, and have no residual value to the library. The Library Director recommends that the twelve browsing bins be declared surplus and disposed of once the new shelving is installed. A photo of the browsing bins is included below. Page 23 of 24 Approved at a meeting of the New Ulm Public Library Board on December 11, 2025, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: APPROVED: _____________________________ Lynn Henle, Vice-Chair Page 24 of 24