HomeMy WebLinkAboutOperational Report from Marsha
To: M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director
From: Marsha Tubbs, Children’s Librarian
Subject: March 2006 Operational Report
Date: March 25, 2006
I. PROGRAMS
A. Drop in Storytime is a big success. Average participation has been about 40 (combination of children
and adults). I suspect the success is related more to the Spring time frame than to the change in format.
These programs require more prep time due to the varied age level within the group, but thus far have
been great fun.
B. At the request of ECFE’s preschool ESL educator, I provided a storytime and early literacy program
for Spanish language families on March 21. This was an enjoyable session that provided about eight ESL
families with an introduction to the library. It also gave me an opportunity to demonstrate my ineptness
with the Spanish language. Thankfully, many in the group were kind enough and friendly enough to
correct my pronunciation and laugh at my attempts.
II. COLLECTION
A. Weeding within the collection continues and the following areas are now complete: Easies, Easy
Readers, and J Non-fiction through J699. Transactions are also being noted on materials in all weeding
and inventory processes.
B. Inventory, weeding, and transactions are currently underway on the YA Fiction and an inventory was
completed on the Easy Reader collection.
C. Areas of the collection have been moved to make room for the J Video and J DVD collections coming
down from upstairs.
D. New shelving is in place to house the J Audio collection (AV) including books on tape and CD.
Additional YA paperbacks shelving arrived thanks to the Friends and will enable the expansion of the YA
oversized paperback collection.
E. Clerk Kelly Olson completed the annual weeding of the serials collection.
F. The weeding of the high circ materials listing received from ACL was abandoned due to an inaccurate
reflection of the high circ numbers. Any materials in need of discard will be caught during the weeding
of the entire collection.
G. A large book order was placed through B&T for YA and J fiction and some easy materials.
H. Re-labeling of shelving will commence in April.
III. PROJECTS & MEETINGS
A. Publicity materials for the teen summer reading program were reviewed and comments forwarded to
ACL. The results of the committee’s comments are unknown at this time.
B. Donation letters were sent to area businesses requesting donations to the teen summer reading
program. No responses as of yet.
C. Jean Kuehn was contacted regarding potential cable taping of some, if not all, of the summer
performances. She has noted the schedule and will be talking to the local public access channel
representatives. Nearly all of the performers have given video release permission for summer 2006. All
contracts have been returned with one exception. We are still awaiting return of Bill Wiard’s contract.
IV. MRAC
A. We continue to distribute applications for the Neighborhood Bridges project. Two applications have
been returned.
B. A PSA was forwarded to local radio stations advertising the Summer Theatre Workshop. A second
news release is being prepared and will be forwarded to local newspapers and the metro north edition of
the Star Tribune the first week in April
V. SIRSI
A. Staff continues to work on database clean up projects related to the migration. Clean up of the serial
entries is nearing completion, estimated to be complete by mid to late April.
Based on a meeting with ACL/TSD management and technology people, staff reorganized our existing
book ordering and receiving process. The new process may require additional time at least for the short
term, until staff becomes familiar with the new process. The changes will require some additional data
clean up and catch up on acquisition entries.
VI. MISCELLEANEOUS
A. Bulk loan materials were distributed to area schools on March 2. Thanks to the Public Works
department for the loan of a vehicle and the use of staff member Tim Lund.
B. Classes from Immaculate Conception visited the week of March 20.
C. Girl Scouts met in the activity room on March 28.
VII. STAFF
A. Pages spent the month of March aiding in the weeding of the J Non-fiction collection, mending of
materials, and shifting of the Easy picture book collection. Nick Olberding and Ramon Gomez also
assembled new shelving and moved existing units to open up floor space. Regina, Teri, Stephanie, and
Cristy all aided in shifting and cleaning approximately 1/3 of the shelves in the Children’s Department.
B. Library Aide, Cristy Tombarge continues to staff the circulation desk while the remaining staff work
on database clean up. She also aided in the inventory of the Easy Readers and YA Fiction. Cristy
completed an Early Literacy display and a National Library Weed bulletin board. She also aided in
establishing a new acquisitions system within the library.
C. Library Clerk, Kelly Olson completed weeding of the serials collection and continues to work on
serials database clean up. Kelly placed and received two large book orders. She attended a meeting at
ACL related to acquisitions and subsequently established a new internal tracking system for use at
Columbia Heights.