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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 29, 1996COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLII LIBRARY 820 - 40th AVENUE N. E. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN 55421-2996 PHONE: (612) 782-2805 FAX: (612) 782-2804 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Mark Winson, Acting City Manager M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director ]~-- March operational report DATE: March 29, 1996 Significant Accomplishments A. The Board met on 3/4 with four members present. B. The Friends met on 3/4 with six members present. C. Eight sessions of preschool storytime were held in March with a total attendance of 228. D. Senior Citizen Time drew 14 people on 3/13. E. Three Family Night programs were held in March: 3/11 ("Kids and Chemistry"--103), 3/18 ("Scavenger Hunt"--58), and 3/25 ("Tall Tales"--17). These programs were very well received. II. Departmental Goals III. A. The library collected canned goods for Minnesota Food Share Month. B. One page review class was held on customer service. C. Adam Burgi was hired as the library's new choreperson. D. Marsha and Becky went to Bookmen to buy paperbacks. E. Marilyn Gray was trained as a suprevisor substitute. F. The router and frame relay hardware was delivered on 3/13. A test terminal was connected on 3/13, and on 3/18 the rest of the change-over was completed. The upgrade on the mainframe is scheduled for 4/10-4/11. G. Mary placed a library-related display in the case at City Hall on 3/29. H. Jeanine participated in a cable shoot on 3/26. I. Jeanine participated in an Information Management meeting on 3/14. J. Plans were made for the library's open house on 5/16, as part of Heights Pride. Issues and Problems A. The roof leaked on 3/11. Central Roofing responded on 3/18. Repairs were made. B. On 3/21 the police had to be called to remove some children from the roof of the library. FEBRUARY Circulation 1995 1996 LIBGIS 1995 1996 Adult 6147 6165 Reference 2386 2960 Juvenile 5411 5316 Dir.A 318 898 11558 11481 Dir.B 75 86 Work days 23 24 Work days 23 24 recycled paper TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director Marsha Tubbs, Children's Librarian March 29, 1996 March Operational Report FAMILY NIGHT PROGRAMS: When the concept/idea of these programs first began germinating in my over-active mind, I did not even imagine that they would be as successful as they turned out to be. We held a total of four programs. The first with author David LaRochelle had around 15 in attendance; the second, Chemistry for Kids, well, I stopped counting at 103 - 15 minutes into the program. Many more arrived later. The Scavenger Hunt was a big success - I stopped e0urltir~{] t~al: ~wnJng at 58 (we may have had another 20+). The terminals were very, very slow that evening and there were people frustrated with the system, but not many. I was very encouraged to see so many families (varying ages) scavenging the library for clues. It was a lot of fun. Even the Family Storytime during the big ice/snow storm brought in 17 people! While these programs were each wonderful, I would like to point out that they were selected with specific objectives in mind. Kids and Chemistry - to draw attention to the updated and increased size of our science collection. The Scavenger Hunt had questions or clues designed to show the participants pads of the collection they may not have discovered on their own. The big hit of this evening was "Where do you keep the 1995 issued of kids' magazines?" and "What is an EJ book?". I had hoped that Family Storytime would draw a "new" clientele, families with older children or whose children are not available during the daytime hours. What l discovered is that I have a very faithful following of regulars! This too is good, though not what I was hoping to achieve. Overall, I am pleased with this venture. STORYTIME: We finished the winter session of storytime (eight sessions total). Despite the cold weather, attendance was nearly always 20 - 30 per session. The children are becoming much more comfortable around me and "Marni" gets lots of hugs when storytime ends. The big hit is getting your hand stamped after storytime. I hadn't better forget that part, tears may follow. INVENTORY/WEEDING: Kelly and I have progressed to "M" in the juvenile inventory/weeding project. This is taking some 'ime, as I hesitate to discard a title based solely on its lack of circulation or the fact that we have the only remaining copy. I truly believe a great collection is not only wide, but deep. That means a good author's early or lesser known works have as much merit as their award-winners and current best sellers. In today's world of "give 'em what they want" and "fiscal accountability", this philosophy may be unpopular, but I believe that over time it will prevail. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: We began recruiting volunteers this month as well. The first announcement appeared in Heights Happenings. I received three phone calls the day the newsletter hit mailboxes and at least two of the three teens picked up applications. As of yet, I have not had any applications returned. I have had several adults ask about volunteering and will contact them as well. I think the key to success in this program will be a delicate balance of work and fun. The appropriate form(s) of recognition will also be important. STAFF/SCHEDULES/SUPERVISION: I spent a fair amount of time this month on clean-up and reorganization. I have wanted to reorganize the circulation area since I began 2+ years ago. But other items took precedence until this month. Kelly's desk and furniture have been moved to allow more space behind the desk. There is a form distribution center under the desk (reduces the clutter at the terminals). On April 10, I hope to reorganize the file drawers and create a file for each Page. These Page files will hold directions for on-going tasks assigned to each individual, notes from me to them, and important memos (their personal copy). We created a phone message center which includes the calendar with the day's tasks and note pad. I moved a single-sided cart behind the desk for shelving. Eventually I would like two of these carts enabling us to create two work stations. Overall, I think it will work out well, though change always meets with resistance. The Family Night programs were wonderful and fun, but, I feel it is also important to note that the 3.5 hours I spent each Monday evening were devoted solely to the program, and the afternoon from 12:30 - §:00 was largely set-up and preparation. I figure at least 6-8 hours each week were devoted to these programs. I am somewhat behind in preparation/planning for the summer as a result. I hope to make up this time over the next 4-6 weeks. COMING UP IN APRIL: ~lational Library Week Keeping in Touch Carpeting? Planning for Funtime Booklist (Family Activities) Computer upgrade Brochures for Funtime, SRC, and Tuesday Specials Magic Workshop (April 20 & 27) Kelly to workshop (Jim Trelease) TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director Marsha Tubbs, Children's Librarian March 29, 1996 April Operational Report April has been an eventful month! Highlights of the last 30 days include: National Library Week, Diversity Training, Children's Librarian meeting at Northtown, Budget for 1997, Magic Workshop, Tornado Drills, Computer Upgrade, and Volunteer (teens) Recruitment! Needless to say, things have been busy in the Children's Department. COMPUTER UPGRADE/REORGANIZATION: The computer upgrade was accomplished-on April 10 and 11. Everything went very we~l, response time has improved greatly, though we still have some difficulty With the PAC's. Kelly and I were both able to reorganize our personal desk files. We established storage files for both positions (2 - 5 years). Storage time varies depending on the individual file. We also reorganized the circulation desk, making it more task efficient and established a series of"task" shelves for pages in the magazine storage areas. I hope that this will eliminate some of the clutter in and around the circulation area. Many of the tasks the pages perform require "clutter.'. I would like to devise a place/way of taking these tasks away from the circulation desk. It is not very customer friendly to have a service desk "cluttered" with tape, paper, glue, scissors, etc. when the customer is attempting to check out materials. Floor space is limited, however, and I'm at a loss at this time as to a solution. WINTER READING CLUB: This was a major success. There were 280 individuals registered and 34 families. Many thanks to those companies and businesses who donated prizes for the club. The museum passes and Sports Spree passes were big hits. MAGIC WORKSHOP: This got off to a slow start. I'm convinced that news releases in the local papers are insufficient as "getting the word out". The most effective vehicle seems to be flyers/announcements at the schools. We did get a full registration for this workshop, however. The children each received magic props and booklets to take with them. MEETINGS: I attended two separate meetings this month. A Children's Librarian meeting on April 10 (see attached report) and Diversity Training on April 18. The Diversity Training workshop proved to be a lesson in diversity for me. I was surprised to learn that many stereotypes are still alive and well. BUDGET 1997: I submitted my 1997 budget proposals to the Director on April 8. Except for some capital expenditures (shelving) which would go a long way toward opening up floor space, I think the requests were modest, although I have begun growing a money tree. VOLUNTEERS: I have received three volunteer (teen) applications. All look very promising. I would like to visit 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes to recruit volunteers before school gets out. Ideally, I would like to have 20 individuals. Work shifts of 4 hours, 2 shifts per day, 2 volunteers per shift. Assuming one-third of the initial recruitment continues throughout the season - we could have a good support group. I am developing posters to advertise "volunteering". This might help. SUMMER READING CLUB: The flyers for Summer Reading Club are being printed, performers have been booked, and contracts received. Performers for this season include: the Zoomobile, Kit & Kaboodle, Norm Barnhart (magician), Como Zoo, Wonder Weavers, Bobo the Clown, Rick Ponzio (storyteller), and Gary Vice (juggler). J FICTION INVENTORY/WEEDING: Kelly and I completed this project. We matched J Fic to the database and made necessary changes on shelf list/spines/pockets etc. We found a number of EJ titles and YA titles. We also made sure that all accession numbers matched barcodes. A huge project we were both glad to complete. COMING IN MAY: Registration for Funtime Heights Pride School visits Volunteer meeting/organization Preparation for Funtime Tdp to Bookmen (summer paperbacks)