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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOperational Report from Marsha To: M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director From: Marsha Tubbs, Children’s Librarian Subject: January 2001 Operational Report Date: 01/28/01 I. PROGRAMS A. Winter Reading Program began on January 29. We registered 30 people on the first day of the program. Each person reading five books will receive a packet of hot chocolate and a snack to help make their next reading session even more pleasurable. The children’s department is also offering a prize drawing for parents to read and “tuck in” a child. The Hot Reads for Cold Nights theme seems to have hit the spot. th. B. Winter Storytime begins February 7 We have had a limited number of registrations for this session. The large group session planned for Tuesdays has been cancelled due to the lack of registrations. Most of the Daycares are reluctant to transport the children in inclement weather. We are also noticing a difference in the number of registrations directly related to the all day kindergarten. The majority of the children attending last session were 3 years of age with very few five year olds. Expanded programming at ECFE has also affected attendance at our storytime programs. C. Class Visits Children’s Program Counts for January 2001 Program Title Date Children Adults ND 2 GRADE JANUARY 8 13 2 ND 2 GRADE JANUARY 8 14 2 KINDERGARTEN JANUARY 8 19 1 TH 8 GRADE JANUARY 8 18 1 RD 3 GRADE JANUARY 8 19 1 TH 7 GRADE JANUARY 9 14 1 TH 7 GRADE JANUARY 9 14 1 th 5 GRADE JANUARY 22 24 1 TH 4 GRADE JANUARY 22 24 1 TH 6 GRADE JANUARY 23 19 1 KINDERGARTEN JANUARY 23 8 1 II. COLLECTION A. Placed a large book order for those items remaining from the 2000 selection tools. B. We are continuing the re-labeling of the EJ paperback racks and the J paperback racks. Staff shortages are affecting the completion of these types of tasks but we are progressing. C. Collection development continues in the J600’s. We have had minimal discarding from this section and I am anticipating that we will have minimal upgrading costs as well. D. Weeding of the Easy collection and the YA paperbacks continues. The Easy collection has progressed through the letter E. My goal is to have this project complete by May 15 thereby making the discarded items available for the Book Sale. III. PROJECTS A. The Storytime Kits project is progressing. Theme booklets have been typed, proofread and sample copies made for kits #1- #40. The entire kit packages for these numbers will be assembled at a meeting on February 13 at Anoka County LSS. The final printing of the booklets is being reserved until the last kit has been assembled (kit #81). Cataloging will be receiving the first of the Kits for cataloging and processing on February 13. This will be the next to last step in having this service available to the public. This project began in June of 2000 and I don’t anticipate it will be complete before June of 2001. B.CHASE approved the mini-grant application for this summer’s LIBRA program. The Library has received $4,000 from CHASE for the 2001 LIBRA reading program. A copy of the budget submitted is attached to this report. The CHASE steering committee had some questions regarding the cost of the program and was reluctant to fund the program at this level but reconsidered based on the funds that we had returned to CHASE last month. We will need to consider some alternative funding for this program for 2002 if we choose to continue the project. The largest cost of the program is the staffing (seasonal) and the end of the program party. I have had conversations with both Cindi Wilprecht and Judy Yantos regarding this program and it’s funding. As a result of these conversations I will be submitting to Judy a st request for 21 century Grant funds to cover the cost of the end of the season theme party. If this request is granted (and I st have reason to believe it will be) then we will be returning some funds to CHASE. Both CHASE and 21 Century feel it is important to collaborate on these programs, both are aware of the fact that we will be submitting 2 separate applications for the LIBRA program. C. Super Tuesday Performers have been booked for the upcoming summer. We can look forward to appearances from: MN Zoomobile (June 12), Kit and Kaboodle (June 19) Magician, Norm Barnhardt (June 26), Doctor Science, Janice McKinnie (July 10 ), Bells and Whistles, Dana Weigman (July 17), Ventriloquist, David Sleeper (July 24), Super Duper Duo, Tim Reddy (July 31), Juggler, Bill Wiard (August 7). D. Planning is underway for National Library Week. We are talking with the Heights Theater about another fundraiser. Dave Holmgren is investigating the possibility of a showing of the 1949 film Secret Garden with a possible guest appearance from the star Maureen O’Brien. We have also discussed the possibility of a cartoon or movie short festival that would appeal to children within the community. Heights Theater has been getting a lot of excellent publicity and programs like this could draw Metro-wide which would bring in outside dollars for the library. National Library Week is April 1- 7, 2001. E. I completed a draft of a marketing plan for the year 2002 and submitted it to the Library Director. At this time, the plan is a discussion document only. As final decisions are made, more information regarding the plan will follow. . STAFF A. Pages continue to keep up with the shelving, though we have had a back log on a few occasions this month. I have reorganized the method of assigning tasks for these staff members and have received favorable comments for several supervisors and pages. The reorganization requires more effort on my part but seems to ensure that the final product is accurate and accomplished in those hours when I am absent from the department. Overall it is making us more efficient B. Kelly Olson, Children’s Clerk has been busy with a number of tasks this month. She has completed the contract packages for all of our super Tuesday Performers, completed the City’s Annual Report, completed year end statistics, reviewed magazine holdings, sent and received 1 book order, prepared Sampler for publication, prepared winter reading club materials, aided in the bulk loan distribution, and aided in the weeding and discarding of easy materials. C. The Children’s Department has a new staff member, Michelle Smith, Children’s Aide. I began training th Michelle on the 29. She is a quick study and we are very glad to have her. I anticipate that her appearance will help considerably with the work load in the department.