HomeMy WebLinkAboutOperational Report for Becky
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
TO:
Columbia Heights Public Library Board of Trustees
FROM:
M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director
SUBJECT:
April operational report
DATE:
April 30, 2009
I. BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND EQUIPMENT
A. The windows were cleaned 4/18.
B. Public Works has started spring clean-up in the Library’s yard and landscaped areas. The
Beautification Committee will plant flowers the first week-end in May.
C. Orkin performed the quarterly inspection for vermin 4/24.
D. Fidelity buffed the Activity Room floor 4/17.
E. Honeywell performed a routine HVAC check 4/3.
F. The fire extinguishers received their annual maintenance 4/8.
G. The new area rug for the Activity Room was delivered 4/8.
II. COLLECTION
A. Weekly orders were placed for items with requests.
B. Weekly orders were placed for items from current selection tools.
C. Two paperback orders were placed.
D. DVD and cd orders were also placed.
E. Collection development areas: 790-799 and Urban Lit.
F. Weeding of the adult fiction G, Mystery G, Science Fiction G, and Mystery G is complete.
Weeding through 797 is complete.
III. PROGRAMS
A. The Friends met 4/6 at the Dragon House Café with 9 members present. I presented the
Wish List, and they voted to purchase a new television set for the Activity Room. They will
also make a donation to purchase adult and juvenile DVD’s for the circulating collection.
B. The Library Board met 4/7 with 7 members in attendance. The meeting was conducted by
acting Chair Patricia Sowada.
C. R.E.A.D. Dogs continues to be an extremely well-received program.
D. The bulk loan for the schools was picked up 4/15.
E. Six sessions of Baby Read/Baby Grow Storytime were held during the month. Marsha is
doing this program in cooperation with ECFE personnel.
F. Tax season ended quietly. With the exception of the extension form, adequate forms and
instructions were available. As more people are e-filing, the program is becoming much
calmer and easier to manage.
G. National Library Week (“Worlds Connect @ Your Library”) was celebrated 4/13-4/18.
H. Elaine and Cristy provided the display for the case at City Hall for the month of April.
I. The adult book discussion group covered The things they carried at their meeting on 4/29.
This lively group has decided to continue to meet over the summer months.
J. Students from ICS and Global Academy visited the Library during their regularly-scheduled
times 4/6-4/17.
K. Two sessions of preschool storytime were held 4/7 and 4/14.
IV. TECHNOLOGY
A. The public wi-fi access point has been replaced with a City-managed one. The old wi-fi unit
was reconfigured as a router and firewall to increase security of the library network
segments.
B. The circulation terminals were replaced with new pc’s 4/20-4/21. The old machines will be
re-used elsewhere.
C. The transition to the City managing the Library’s ILS network should be completed by 5/8.
V. STAFF
A. Marsha attended a CAPP meeting 4/14.
B. Kelly cross-trained Stacey in Acquisitions 4/1.
C. Stacey is taking a class on Access through WebJunction.
D. I attended the Public Service meeting at Crooked Lake 4/16.
E. Stacey participated in cable shoots on 4/1 and 4/30.
F. I attended an ILS meeting 4/23. Members were able to see a demonstration of the
Aquabrowser product purchased by MELSA.
VI. FOUNDATION
A. The Foundation Board met 4/22 with 7 members present. Discussion centered around the
Jamboree project, the Spaghetti Supper, and the fundraiser at the Heights Theatre.
B. Foundation President Marlaine Szurek is heading up a work group comprised of Kit
Burgoyne, Sharon Shedlov, and Barb Miller that is working on organizing the historical files
on the Jamboree. A large donation of materials from longtime royalty advisor Pat Olynick
has provided the stimulus to start the project.
VII. MISC
A. The Library participated in the national tornado drill on 4/23 as part of Severe Weather
Awareness Week. 20 people participated at 1:45 p.m.
B. The Library has decided not to sponsor an entry in the Jamboree Parade due to budget
cutbacks and staff workload.
C. The Library is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant entitled, “Picturing
America.” Photographic reproductions of 40 famous American works of art and artifacts
have been received and will be displayed on a rotating basis.
D. As staff is requesting time off for vacations and furloughs, more of my time is being spent
with scheduling coverage and substitutes. Because of limited substitutes available, many
shifts are working short of staff.
E. I would like to recognize the excellent job my staff does the whole year round. In these times
of “doing more with less,” everyone is stepping up to the plate to do the work necessary to
provide excellent service to the patrons. 4/22 is Administrative Professionals Day, but I
would like to extend the recognition to everyone who works for the Library. Kudos to you
all!
F. Major projects:
a. 2010 budget preparation
b. Staff scheduling
c. Tax season duties
d. Preparation for self pickup of holds (coming 5/4)
VIII CIRCULATION
Circulation Building
MARCH 2008 MARCH 2009
11,561 10,692
IX GATE COUNT AND MEETING ROOM USE
Gatecount Meeting Room Use
MARCH 2008 MARCH 2009 MARCH 2008 MARCH 2009
9,963 10,095 12 16
X INTERNET BROWSER USE
MARCH 2008 MARCH 2009
Patron Use 1,295 1,412
Computer Use 1,397 1,544
Minutes Used 51,647 54,512