HomeMy WebLinkAboutOperational Report from Marsha
To: M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director
From: Marsha Tubbs, Children’s Librarian
Subject: March 2002 Operational Report
Date: March 26, 2002
I. PROGRAMS
Program Title Date Children Adults
KINDERGARTEN 3/4/02 15 1
ST
1 GRADE 3/4/02 13 1
ST
1 GRADE 3/4/02 14 1
KINDERGARTEN 3/4/02 15 1
TH
8 GRADE 3/5/02 28 1
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6 GRADE 3/5/02 21 1
ND
2 GRADE 3/6/02 12 1
TH
4 GRADE 3/6/02 18 1
TH
7 GRADE 3/6/02 20 1
TH
5 GRADE 3/6/02 24 1
ND
2 GRADE 3/7/02 13 1
TH
4 GRADE 3/7/02 15 1
FIELD TRIP 3/14/02 16 8
FIELD TRIP 3/14/02 14 8
FIELD TRIP 3/18/02 20 10
II. COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
A. Circulation of children’s materials continues to increase in most areas. The recent analysis of
circulation figures shows that the EJ paperback area set a new 13-year high in 2001, YA circulation totals are
near the 13-year high and YA fiction set a record in 2001. The newly updated and expanded Easy Nonfiction
section set a record in 2001 as well, while the Juvenile Fiction section missed the record by only 72 items.
These figures illustrate the success we have had in collection development within the areas mentioned.
Unfortunately, our Easy picture book circulation has shown only a fraction of the circulation we once had. This
could be due to a decreased population amidst the Pre-K clientele or it could be that the collection needs major
development. The last four years have seen heavy weeding in the picture book section which has resulted in
many popular titles being discarded due to wear and tear. Circulation figures show a decrease over this same
time period. Replacement of these titles would cut into the budget deeply and restrict the purchase of new titles,
however, we may be able to replace favorite titles if I can divide the Easy collection into two to four sections
and replace titles over the next 3 to 4 years. Ideally this replacement program should happen over 2 years
however, as the wear and tear on these books is tremendous and any attempt to keep up with replacements
would be nearly futile given 4 years of wear and tear on the first ¼ of the collection. I plan on investigating
some options over the summer and will report my findings at the end of the summer.
B. We have begun transactions on the QJ section and will be upgrading this section in upcoming book
orders. This area gets a lot of use and abuse. I estimate that nearly 1/3 of the collection will be discarded due to
wear.
C. We placed an order for new paperback shelving for the YA section utilizing funds from the donation
account. Once this shelving arrives we will be placing it in the YA area and using the existing YA shelving to
expand the EJ and J paperbacks. I have completed the weeding of these two sections and am awaiting the new
shelving before weeding the YA paperbacks.
D. I placed two large orders for new materials to B&T this month, met with publisher’s representative
Jack Kubitz and updated the BWI paperback standing order.
III. PROJECTS
A. Reorganization of the workroom storage areas is nearly complete. Again thanks to the generosity of
the Friends we received $300.00 to purchase storage containers for this project. It was a mammoth project
complicated by the fact the cabinets in this room were custom built to accommodate items no longer used in
libraries therefore standard size storage units often times did not fit within the cabinets or drawers. The project
is nearly complete however and with the help of Library Clerk Kelly Olson we will soon have an inventory of
the items stored in this room.
B. Reorganization of the Storytime closet has also been completed. It became necessary to do this
project at the same time as the workroom project because items were moved from the workroom into the
Storytime storage. Kelly Olson will also be inventorying the Storytime collection. I hope to have these
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inventories in place before June 1.
C. I have been asked by ACL to help plan and organize a “Stump the Librarian” quiz/trivia program. I
will be partnering with Steve Miller from the Rum River Library to put the program together. We hope this
program will entice teenagers into the libraries this summer. The event is expected to become part of the
upcoming summer program and would be available at various libraries within the system probably sometime in
August.
D. We have again received funding through CHASE for teen programming. I am in the process of
setting up the annual budget and locating a seasonal aide to help with the organization and planning of the
programs. This year’s programs were expanded to include the American Girl program, Libra Reading Club,
Teen Read Week, special after school programs such as BMX bike demonstrations, a medieval jousting
demonstration, and possibly a Meet the Author program or two.
E. National Library Week plans are well underway. The theme on both floors this year is Read and
Bloom @ the library. We will have the normal contests and prizes in-house; Kelly and I are hoping to be able
to provide puppet plays at least one morning during the week. Heights Theater will again provide a fundraiser
for the Library. Mr. Pat Proft will host a program on April 21beginning at 6:00 pm. Tickets will be $12.00.
We hope to sell out the house. Proceeds to go to the Children’s Department.
F. I participated in training and testing of the new pages this month and am conducting refresher
courses, along with the Director, each Monday for those staff members needing additional help.
IV. STAFF
A. Pages have been aiding in the reorganization of the storage areas, processing of the incoming new
materials, preparation of the bulletin board for National Library Week, preparations for summer programming
and weeding of J paperbacks.
B. Library Clerk, Kelly Olson placed and received 4 large book orders this month, completed layout and
design for the Sampler, aided in the reorganization of the storage areas, aided in training incoming pages,
prepared publicity materials for National Library Week fundraiser and in-house programs, and provided the
research for the craft patterns for Summer Funtime.
C. Our Library Aide position is unfilled at this time thought the director tells me that an offer has been
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made and accepted. I hope to begin training the new person April 8.