HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 28, 1995TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director
Marsha Tubbs, Children's Librarian
July 28, 1995
July Operational Report
SUMMER READING CLUB: Registration for Summer Reading Club is still coming in - total to date 609. We have given
away 125 wave pool passes and 609 Planetarium passes. We have given away 84 prizes ($1 - $15 each). Regrettably,
however, registration figures are down from 773 last year at this time.
STARRING TUESDAY: We began this program in July with Doodles the Clown, 97 children and 29 adults attended; July
18 brought the Walker West Academy Drum Ensemble, 78 children and 26 adults; Sean Brown Storyteller appeared July
25 for 107 children and 31 adults. Average attendance for children - 94. Average attendance 1994 - 142.
Why are theSe stats down? I wish I knew, but here are some theories:
We began registration for Summer Reading Club one week later (to conform with Anoka County Library's
registration date). I believe we missed the "window of opportunity" for a number of registrations, particularly since
Columbia Heights schools dismissed the first week in June. This was a mistake.
Due to a shortage of funds in the donation account, I cut back on the number of paid professional performers.
We did two in-house programs in June (these were not very successful) and began the professional performances
in July. Again, we missed the "window", I believe the first two programs were of little interest and patrons found
something else to occupy the children. With the wide variety of activities available to children today, it is very
difficult for a pet show or movie to compete. At a minimum we need $1,000 each year to draw a crowd for these
programs. I have another donation letter ready to send and plan on contacting local businesses as well as clubs
and organizations. Hopefully I will have better luck this year.
Funtime has been very well-received. Attendance has been extremely high, 38 - 42 children each session. This program
should be expanded in 1996 - two sessions of 30 children each. We turned many away after registrations reached a fill-
level of 54.
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT/DISCARDS (ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY): The discarding portion of this project has been
extremely time consuming. The number of white slips being forwarded from Anoka County seems to have increased, and
I feel that the priority has shifted from a logical and methodical process to a quick, speedy process. Thus far I have
discarded from white slips - J900's, J600's, J700's, J500's, and J FIC (this area is nearly complete). The slips are arriving
50 - 125 per week. At this time, I am discarding those items with copyright dates prior to 1980 and 0-2 circulations since
1987 .a.n..d~ that are not award winners or reading list titles or notable authors. I'~1o not understand the
objective/reasoning/goal behind this, but I suspect that there may become variation between our goals and the counties
in this regard.
BOOK ORDERS: Due to the amount of discarding from J FIC, I have decided I need to devote more time/money in this
section. My understanding is that the county has decided to greatly reduce its hardcover J FIC and add largely paperbacks
to this collection. Gateway currently shows 50+ titles as NEW easies and 8 as NEW J FIC. CHILDLIB people are
expressing concern. The paperbacks are, at this time, not going to be cataloged - therefore no retrieval strictly browsing.
I have been looking at circulation stats and doing some comparisons. I hope to have a report ready soon illustrating our
current position. Thus far it appears that our J FIC hardcover does not circulate. However, I cannot imagine servicing
children or adults without being able to retrieve a book by title and author. This is an issue for future discussion.
PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Planning for Fall and Winter Storytime.
Planning for Holiday Storytime & Crafts.
Children Services brochure - writing, design, and layout.
Puppet plays (write and produce).
Production of book props.
Bulletin boards for September.
Rewrite Procedures Manual.
Letters/schedule of class visits for Fall.
TO: M. Rebecca Loader
FROM: Mary M. Kloss
SUBJECT: ' Operational Report, July 1995
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: The Friends of the Library met on Monday, July 3 with 4 members present.
I tried to persuade president, Rita Norberg to change the meeting date to the following Monday, July 10 because
I thought that a lot of the members would be out of town on the 3rd because of Independence Day. She wanted
it on the 3rd. Their next meetin$ will be held on Monday, Augus! 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the library boardroom.
SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAMMING: On Wednesday, July 12, David Allan presented his slide program on
Ireland. Thirteen senior citizens attended this program. The Friends of the library served purchased treats.
The slide program for August needed to be rescheduled because the presenter Steve Tharaldson cancelled. Mr.
Tharaldson's eyesight is failing, and he can no longer drive. 1 talked with Mr. Allan when he was at the library
in July, and he said he would be available in August. I sent Mr.. Allan a contract for August, and he returned it
promptly.
To publicize this change, I sent a news release to the Northeaster and ,Focus newspapers.
HOMEBOUND SERVICE: During the month, 3 homebound patrons requested books.
BULLETIN BOARD: The bulletin board this month is "Cool reads for summer dog days". This theme ties in
with the current adult book display. After seeing my bulletin board and book display, Rita Norberg arranged a
display of her dog collection in the library's showcase. She titled this display, "Dog days of summer".
DELIVERY OF BOOKS TO PARKVIEW VILLA: Before I went on vacation, I pulled a selection of books
for delivery to Parkview Villa. Heather Cook delivered these on Friday, July 7. She returned with 44 books with
a circulation of 103 on those returned.
NEWSLETTER: I gave the copy for the August newsletter to Kelly on Monday, July 24.
DEPARTMENTAL GOALS: The staff has made a real effort to record supplies used on the sign-out sheets.
I tried to make this an easy process and also located the sign-out sheets in convenient locations. This has worked.
I will record the supplies used on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. If supplies are needed 1 will order them as soon as
possible after that.
OTHER AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: During the week of July 10, I completed my shelf list filing.
During the week of July 17, l selected and ordered audio-cassettes for the collection. This order consisted of both
fiction and non-fiction books-on-tape with at least half of them already in the database.
During the week of July 24-July 28, I supervised the staff and coordinated work assignments while Becky was
on vacation.
MISCELLANEOUS:
I was on vacation June 30 - July 7.
I submitted information on the upcoming senior citizen programs, Friends meeting, and adult
reading clubs for publication in the next edition of Heights Happenings.
MMK/jms
Operational Report (cont.)
PROCEDURES MANUAL: I have begun the rewrite/changes in the Procedures Manual for the Children's Librarian position.
Much of what is currently being done has changed dramatically over the last 18 months. Therefore, the rewrite of this
manual is somewhat time consuming. I am almost halfway through the project and expect to complete it in August.
COLLECTION: We have begun mending of the easies (complete through B) and are labeling the spines for easier
identification of special collections i¢, ADC (alphabet book~), 1-2-3 (counting books), Halloween, Valentine's Day, Holiday
books, and Easter. This is an ongoing project which probably will not be complete for several months. Thanks to the work
provided by the Pages (lead by Shari Briley) - it is moving along quite well.
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