HomeMy WebLinkAboutOperational Report from Marsha
To: M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director
From: Marsha Tubbs, Children’s Librarian
Subject: August 2004 Operational Report
Date: August 30, 2004
I. PROGRAMS
A. Track it Down (MELSA summer reading program) 509 children signed up for the MELSA summer reading program
in 2004.
B. Gear Up at the Library (ACL teen reading program) 209 teens registered for the teen reading program in 2004. The
following graph is a comparison of reading club totals for the past three years.
Total 2004 2003 2002
MELSA plus Teen 717 730 746
C. August Programming Counts
Field Trip 8/2/2004 30 8
Field Trip 8/16/2004 30 8
American Girl 8/17/2004 42 18
Volunteer Recognition 8/26/2004 18 11
II. COLLECTION
A. Staff has begun weeding single copies out of the easy collection Single copies are those entries where Columbia
Heights has the only existing copy in the system. At my request, the County supplied a computer generated listing
of easy materials that have not circulated since 2002. Pages are pulling these titles for possible discard. Cristy
Tombarge is overseeing the transaction portion of the project. She and the Pages are noting the number of
transactions per title on our shelf list. After taking into consideration the number of transactions and the number of
copies in the system, I will be determining whether or not to retain the title. Phase two of this project will be an
analysis to the system’s (ACL) easy collection in comparison with Columbia Heights holdings with an eye to
replacing basic and standard titles that have been withdrawn due to damage, age, and/or general condition. Thus far,
staff has completed the process through the Letter B.
B. I placed several small orders for new materials through Baker and Taylor.
C. The staff also added a number of donated titles thanks to book donations received through Library Supervisor, John
Brosnahan.
PROJECTS
A. Storytime registration for Fall 2004 begins September 7. I am pleased to announce that Columbia Heights will be
offering an additional Storytime program every other Saturday beginning September 25. Library Supervisor, Dana
Weigman, (also of the MELSA performing duo Bells and Whistles) has agreed to conduct these storytimes. I am
excited about the additional programming option. This will give households where both parents work the
opportunity to take advantage of a Columbia Heights storytime. Saturday supervisors have told me that they see a
large number of families on Saturday mornings. Hopefully the 11:00 time frame will encourage families to attend.
B. Balloons Around the World, a celebration of balloon art, laughter and good humor will be represented at the library
on October 6 when Library Supervisor, Dana Weigman volunteers her time in creating balloon art for library
patrons. Dana is currently practicing her balloon hats, animals, and sculptures in preparation for the event. She will
be on hand from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. giving away her talented creations to interested patrons.
C. We will be offering a number of new programs this fall. As a result, staff has chosen to develop a program
calendar similar to the summer programming flyer we currently use. (To be handed out at the Library Board
meeting.) Part of the new fall programming is our “School’s Out” Series. (Added to coincide with days when
school is not in session).
Underwater Adventures, Scrapbooking for Teens, Julie’s Traveling Story Bag, and Merry Wiggly Holiday are a few
of the school’s out programs being offered.
D. We will also be offering a special Holiday Storytime series featuring tales from each of the following holiday
(
seasons: Halloween (Spooktacular Halloween), ThanksgivingIt’s Turkey Gathering Time), Holidays (Merry,
Merry Holiday!).
E. Finally, we have added a few programs of interest in the evenings related to library events.
I Was a Teenage Nobody and Look at Me Now. Pam Nelson of Nelson Success Group will take the "no" out of
"nobody" and recharge us into "somebody special"! (Program recommended for grades 6-8.)
Pam is the local author of The Recharged Woman, Success Strategies for Energizing Your Life, national speaker,
educator, internationally certified success coach, and former Heights graduate. Pam will weave her own story of
growing up as a teenage "nobody" with several entertaining interactive activities that will reveal the "somebody
special" in YOU. She will be meeting with area teens at the library on October 26 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Death Gets a Red Card; Who Would Want to Harm the Star of the High School Soccer Team? Death gets a Red
Card is a mystery dinner for young adults (grades 6 to 9). Kids will have the opportunity to share pizza and snacks
as they solve a murder mystery.
VOLUNTEERS
A. 2004 summer volunteers were officially recognized for their efforts on August 26. Library Board members
Catherine Vesley, Nancy Hoium, and Mayor Julienne Wyckoff distributed certificates of recognition. President
Barbara Miller joined the group as 14 volunteers and their families shared refreshments and good humor.
Volunteers donated over 800 hours to the library this summer.
STAFF
A. Pages have been busy with the easy single copy project, weeding the J non-fiction, and preparing order cards.
B. Library Aide, Cristy Tombarge, aided in preparations for the American Girl Program. Cristy is also aiding in
the juvenile non-fiction weeding project, easy single copy and transactions project, and preparing statistical graphs for
end of summer programming reports.
C. Library Clerk, Kelly Olson placed and received two book orders, prepared a layout for fall programming calendar,
prepared the Library Sampler for printing, and aided in the preparations related to the American Girl program.
Magazine Report for June-July-August 2004: I completed the review of the Renewal Checklist from EBSCO for our
2005 order. There were only two minor changes to the checklist; we had two titles we normally subscribe to that did
not appear on the list. Becky will also be looking at it for any adds/drops. We continue to receive good service
from EBSCO.