HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 31, 1995TO: M. Rebecca Loader, .Library Director
FROM:
Marsha Tubbs, Children's Librarian
DATE: May 31, 1995
SUBJECT: Kids Technology and Libraries Workshop
WORKSHOP: I attended a MELSAworkshop on May I at the Hennepin County Library, southdale Branch. The workshop
.KidsI Technolo,q¥ and Librarie-~ was presented by Dr. Glen Holt and Dr. Leslie Edmunds Holt from St. Louis Public Library.
The 'Drs." presented much 'lood for thought". I found the workshop exciting and exhilarating as the focus was improving
~arviseS t0 children especlally young adults as libraries move forward in the age of technology. I saw many similarities
between Columbia Heights and St. Louis in that both have underprivileged population segments they are attempting to
serve, and both have very little success in drawing the teen population into the library. Some ol the things St. Louis Public
Library has done deserve further consideration.
1 .) Their use of computers and oft site or remote access to Library catalogs (in daycare centers, schools etc)
to generate usage among teens. The point was made that most, it not nearly all, teens must have a job
after school or are required to be at home watching siblings a~er school--thus severely handicapping them
regarding trips to the library for leisure or study. This problem is particularly predominate in areas where
large sections of the population are single parent families or lower income and both parents work.
2.) Installing computer pods (6 terminals per pod) for use in homework completion, and to promole
independent learning. These also offer a drawing appeal for older children age 10-17.
DOWNSIDE: More staff time in the explanation ol software, expense of both hardware and software,
increase in library usage equals more staff. Reviews of software are nonexistent, therefore, staff must
review, evaluate and select--again time consuming.
UPSIDE: Increase in library usage, increased usage by young adults in particular, improved public
awareness of the library, improved library to business relationships.
AGAIN: if we only had a crystal balll
My personal belief is: Technology is here and moving fast--Libraries cannot aflord to ignore it, to stand still, or even to take
baby steps. There are entire industries looking to make e~G MONEY from information access and lest we forget, inlormation
access is Library Business. We need.to be on top of it or better yet ahead of it. Thus sayeth the Sage.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director
Marsha Tubbs, Children's Librarian
May 31 1995
May Operational Report
School visits, Heights Pride Week and the close of the school year dominated the activates for the month of May.
VISITS: May 4 and 5 were "special" days for Columbia Heights pre-school. Cheryl Blinkman brought 3 separate classes
to the library for a special storytime. The children were treated to a puppet show, filmstrip (A rose lot Pinkerton), aha a
storytelling session including The Aminal. Everyone had a good time. Kelly and I saw some familiar faces, but most were
children we don1 see regularly.
HEIGHTS PRIDE WEEK: Kit and Kaboodle appeared here on Saturday May 20 for the library open house. Attendance
was much smaller than I had anticipated (34). Perhaps we should have had more activities on the lower level, or maybe
Salurday was not the best choice-the weather was great!
SUMMER PROGRAMS: All the summer brochures were printed and compiled in the nick of time for Kelly and I to make
our annual appearance at local elementary schools. We visited each classroom K-3 in the three public schools; some 45-60
classes and 1500 children. Each class received an explanation of all summer programs and the Summer Reading Club.
FUNTIME: At this time we have 38 children registered for summer Funtime. This count includes two groups of eight, ~
plan on taking registrations up to 50, consider a showing of half of the registrants. It appears "word of mouth" is at work
in the community as we are seeing more people every day who have "never been in this library" but have library cards.
Hopefully, the programming is helping to draw new users. I expanded the age limit for Funtime this year from 3-5 to 3-7.
Since the library offers Pre-school Storytime in the spring and fall, I lell we need to produce some programming for olaer
children.
STARRING TUESDAY: Contracts are arriving for these pedormances. I am just waiting on one frem the Banjo Dancers.
We have I pet registered for the Pet Show and 3 on the "interested list". Hopelully this program will catch on soon. The
kids showed great interest when we visited the schools...perhaps parents are having some difficulties with transportation?
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT: Weeding of 700's is undenNay. I am still receiving 30 - 50 discard slips each week from
the County. Most of these titles I am discarding as copyright dates are from the early 60's and 70's. JFIC slips have begun
to arrive as well and I am debating whether or not to keep old titles; especially from prominent/prolific authors. It has been
my experience that these titles remain popular lor generations. If I only I~ad a crystal ball and could read it!
My goal here is to finish weeding'the entire non-fiction collection before the book sale. If I linish the J700's this week, I
will have J000 - J499 and J800's to complete. I don't anticipate much from the J800's being discarded therefore I will leave
that section until last. Provided we can still purchase non-tic'lion in 1996 at a cost of $5,000 for collection development,
I anticipate that our non-fiction childrens collection will be in good-excellent condition by year end 1996. Through some
creative maneuvering we are still managing to get some reasonable discounts on children's books. But the front erda
process (locating, processing, placing orders) is much more time consuming.
TO: M. Rebecca Loader
FROM: Mary M. Kloss
SUBJECT: Operational Report, May 1995
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: The Friends of the Library met at the library on May 1, with 8 members present.
They discussed their involvement with the Library's Open House and their upcoming book sale. Signup sheets
were circulated for volunteering at both these events. Their book sale sorting date: Wednesday, June 7.
The Friends also parti~ipat{~d in the Library's Open House on Saturday, May 20. They provided cookies and bars
and a $15.00 B. Dalton gift certificate. They served refreshments, acted as hostesses, and kept a tally of the
number of people who attended the open house. They helped make the open house a success.
SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAMMING: On Wednesday, May 10, Don Ellingson of Elk River showed slides of his trip
to Indonesia. Fifteen people attended this program.
During the month, I arranged and scheduled programs for October and December. In October, Anthony Hall will
show slides of Africa; In December, Gareth and Janet Hiebert will show their slide program, "The Impressionists
Paris".
HOMEBOUND SERVICE: During the month I selected and arranged homebound service for 4 Columbia Heights
residents.
BOOK DISPLAY: This month's book display is: "Explore Strange New Worlds--Science Fiction".
DELIVERY OF BOOKS TO PARKVIEW VILLA: On May 5, I delivered 30 books to Parkview Villa and returned
with 31. The cimulation on those returned was 46.
BULLETIN BOARD: This month's bulletin board is "Explore Strange New Worlds--READ".
NEWSLETTER: I duplicated 300 copies of the newsletter on May 1. Copy for the June newsletter was given to
Kelly on Monday, May 22.
MISCELLANEOUS: · Sent news releases on the booksale to the Focus, Northeaster and Minneapolis Tribune
· Called Northeast State Bank to request the book sale be publicized on their marquee
· Sent posters publicizing the book sale to all the Anoka County Libraries
· Arranged for IPC to print 500 User's Guide to the Columbia Heights Public Library
· Made name tags for the library staff and Friends ot the Library to wear at the Library's Open House
· Organized the Friends of the Library and supervised the library staff at the library's Open House
on Saturday, May 20.
· Supervised library staff and coordinated work assignments while Becky was on vacation 5/18-5/26
· Completed 1995 projected budget for Senior Citizen Time
· Prepared an assessment of the 1995 Senior Citizen Time with recommendations for 1996
MMK/jms