HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 30, 1996TO: M. Rebecca Loader
FROM: Mary M. Kloss
SUBJECT: Operational Report, May 1996
DATE: May' 30, 1996
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: The Friends of the Library met on Monday, May 6, with 8 members present.
They discussed the upcoming book sale and the open house for Heights Pride. The Friends will make
cookies and bars for the open house, serve refreshments, and conduct a mini book sale of paperbacks.
They will sort books for the annual sale on Wednesday, June 5.
SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAMMING: On Wednesday, May 8, the last senior citizen time was held. John
Farber showed slides of Alaska and 18 senior citizens attended. Several of the seniors said they would
miss the program because they have been attending for many years.
DISPLAYS: This month's display featured books of summer activities such as fishing, boating, golfing,
sailing, grilling, skateboarding, etc.
HOMEBOUND SERVICE: I selected books for three homebound patrons and arranged delivery.
BULK LOANS: On Thursday, May 2, I delivered 30 books to Parkview Villa and returned with 29. The
circulation on those returned was 37.
GRAPHICS: This month's graphics included a wide range of projects: posters, prize drawing entry forms,
badges, and handouts for our open house, book sale signs, and signs announcing the library closing for
Memorial Day.
OPEN HOUSE: I organized the Friends for the open house which included setting up the refreshments
and the mini book display of paperbacks. I also purchased the gift certificates to be given away in the
prize drawing and had the idea of giving away book bags and bookmarks.
BULLETIN BOARD: The bulletin board, "Celebrate Libraries" continued throughout the month. I plan to
begin June's bulletin board the week of May 28.
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS: · Prepared copy for the library's monthly newsletter
· Sent news releases to the Focus, Northeaster, and Star Tribune publicizing the book sale
· Took the annual inventory of office and library supplies
· Ordered office and library supplies
· Sent signs to all ACL branch libraries for posting to advertise the book sale
· Withdrew cards and filed in the shelf list
· Completed pasting 1995's news clippings in album
· Labeled photographs in our photo album
· Prepared Welcome packets for City Manager candidates
· From May 20-24, I supervised the library staff and coordinated work assignments while
Becky was on vacation
MMK/jms
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director
Marsha Tubbs, Children's Librarian
May 30, 1996
May Operational Report
Summer is upon us - for awhile I didn't think it would get here, but I was wrong!
'NEW CARPET: May began with the recarpeting of the Children's Department. The Director and I outlined a plan for the
move, then Kelly and I labeled 200 banana boxes and 200 shelves. May 1 arrived with volunteers and staff eagerly filling
box after box. The entire department was empty by 2:00 P.M. that afternoon. Carpet was laid on May 2. The books and
shelving were returned on Friday, May 3. My thanks to the staff, volunteers, library board, and city officials. The new
carpeting has greatly improved the "look" of the Children's Department.
FIELD TRIPS: Little Explorers and Little School (Columbia Heights Preschool, Community Education) arrived May 9 and
10 for their annual storytime field trip. Approximately 60 children attended.
BOOK ORDERS: The Director and I went to Bookmen on May 14 to purchase paperbacks for this summer. I purchased
$500 - $600 worth of juvenile paperbacks. The price of these books has gone up! It's amazing what paper is worth these
days. Teens prefer the paperback format and I am hopeful that ihcreasing this collection will also draw more teens.
HEIGHTS PRIDE OPEN HOUSE: The open house was held on May 16 this year. Kelly and I and two pages staffed the
Children's Department for the evening. We had an increase in adult activity. Many comments were heard to the effect:
"1 didn't know there was a Children's Department", or '1 never knew you were down here". I'm convinced that while
Columbia Heights is an "old" community, a good percentage of today's population has probably not grown up within the
community. Being new arrivals, they do not know about this library, its history, or its services. Perhaps we need to
investigate ways of becoming more visible.
'VOLUNTEERS: We have five volunteers registered for 1996. I met with three of the five on May 29 for an initial training
session. I outlined the procedures involved in keeping a time sheet, calling for substitutes, appropriate dress, conduct,
etc. Each volunteer received a folder with tip sheets, letter and volunteer phone list. I was very pleased with the
enthusiasm and pleasantness exhibited during the meeting. It was very refreshing.
SUMMER PROGRAMS: I spent the remainder of the month finalizing plans for our summer programs. The Summer
Reading Club supplies have arrived, prizes were purchased. Wave pool passes arrived - we are still awaiting the
Planetarium passes. Funtime crafts have been researched and four of the necessary six models have been assembled.
We have 40 children registered for Funtime. Craft parts are being cut by pages and volunteers, though reduced staffing
has slowed this process down. Last year at this time, all crafts were complete, all parts ready to assemble.
TUESDAY SPECIALS: All performers are booked, confirmed, and have checks waiting. I am excited about the
cooperative programming between the library and Parks and Recreation. This should be a very successful summer. I will
contact Parks and Recreation later this summer to discuss fall/winter programming possibilities.
STAFF: Work direction for Kelly' this month included:
1. Preparation for recarpeting: labeling, maps, storage of furniture, books, and shelving (completed).
2. Development of new filmstrip catalog (completed).
3. Print new filmstrip catalog and booklist (in process).
4. Typing Summer Reading Club flyers, Funtime flyers, Summer Performer flyers (completed).
'5. Establish schedule for school visits (completed).
6. Typing and copying of volunteer materials (completed).
Kelly has accomplished all tasks set out for her. The Children's Department is on schedule as per our 1996 department
calendar.
Work direction for pages this month included:
1. Processing of 200 paperbacks (completed).
2. Cutting of patterns for Funtime Crafts. This project was given out the beginning of May. The first craft items were
cut Wednesday, May 29 by Shari Briley and Riann Meyer.
3. Shelf reading - Many sections remained incomplete until May 29 when Shari.Briley completed the majority of easy
shelf reading while straightening. Pages who completed their assigned sections were Shari Briley and Jenni Lofy.
Due to the shortage of staff this month, I assigned myself three sections of shelf reading. I completed these on
May 29, May 30, and May 31.
COMING IN JUNE:
Summer Reading Club registration
Funtime begins June 13
First Tuesday Performance begins June 18
Volunteers begin summer hours June 11
Puppet plays and production