HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 1, 1996TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director
Marsha Tubbs, Children's Librarian
February 1, 1996
January 1996 Operational Report
The Children's Department spent time regrouping during the month of January. We organized year-end statistics for 1995,
finalized program plans for 1996, and got moving on a great New Year!
WINTER STORYTIME: We have 48 children registered for storytime this winter compared to 104 last year at this time.
I think that the wry cold weather has been a major factor affecting registrations this season. While the drop in registration
is disappointing, I don't feel it's related to the program as comments from participants have been very positive.
STORYTIME SUPPORT MATERIALS: I completed two new storytelling props during the month of January. An apron
stow for A hat for Minerva Louise, and an apron/prop for Three baqs full. A hat for Minerva Louise consists of all felt
figures with velcro backs (to work with the storyteller's apron). Three ba.qs full is a wooden sheep who gives all his wool
away and the farmer's wife knits him a sweater for the winter. The sweater was designed and produced by Jeanine
Schmidt, staff member. My thanks to Jeanine! These props are time-consuming, but add so much to the program, I feel
they are worth it!
KEEPING IN TOUCH: The first issue of Keeping in Touch, our newsletter for area teachers, went out this month. Overall,
I think the materials included are excellent, I hope the teachers agree! It will be a challenge to meet deadlines for this
newsletter, but since it doesn't contain time sensitive information, I hope to be able to produce copy well in advance.
INVENTORY/WEEDING: Kelly and I began the inventory ofJ FIC. We have completed J FICA - J FIC C. It is slow-going
as we are double checking the entries in the database (to make material code and shelf location changes). We are also
checking our shelf list simultaneously to match accession numbers and barcodes. We hope to have this project completed
by the end of May.
'~CFE: ECFE representative, Carol Wade, approached me in December requesting a presentation for parents and children
at their facility. The subject matter requested was "Selecting books for preschoolers" and '"How to read to your
preschooler". Both are very broad topics, so we settled on a 40-50 minute presentation on "Selecting books for
preschoolers 0 - 5 years of age". The programs were held January 30. Each session had 8 parents and 8 children. I did
not receive a lot of feedback, but felt the response was positive. There were some questions raised at the end of the
second session regarding the "over emphasis of reading, and its importance for kids today", and "7 levels of intelligence",
and "perhaps reading is not your child's strong area", etc. It was a difficult presentation to make and I'm not sure that the
message was received. One can only try.
HEADSTART: I was contacted by Headstart to do a similar program (see above) for them. I agreed to repeat the
"Selecting books for preschoolers" program on February 13 at 7:00 P.M. for the parent's of preschoolers in Anoka County
meeting. The meeting will be held at NEI.
STAFF SUPERVISION/WORK DIRECTION: The part-time staff has been working on mending easy books since August.
They are making little progress. I have decided to shelve this project (temporarily) and resume it again in June during
daytime hours. I spent some evenings this month working in the Children's Department to get a picture of the work flow,
tasks accomplished, and the amount of patron business conducted evening. My conclusion: direct supervision is
necessary. I hope to give new work assignments, monitor them closely, and provide positive reinforcement whenever
possible. Perhaps a concentrated effort on my part can bring the group to a "team" before summer begins.
Coming in February:
Sneakin' a Peek - YA newsletter
J Fiction weeding
Winter Reading Club
Winter Storytime
Booking MELSA performers