HomeMy WebLinkAboutOperational Report for Barb
TO: Renee Dougherty, Library Director
FROM: Barb Kondrick
SUBJECT: Adult Services November Operational Report
DATE: November 30, 2013
I.Programs
a.Barb and Renee conducted an eBooks program on Friday, November 8. One patron
attended.
b.The Library Book Club, facilitated by Renee Dougherty, met Monday, November 25, and
discussed “Ordinary Grace” by William Kent Krueger. Fourteen adults participated.
c.The Nonfiction Book Club, facilitated by Catherine Vesley and Barb Kondrick, met Friday,
November 22 and discussed books that participants had read during the past month. It
was decided to continue with the present format, featuring “reader’s choice,” and
participants taking turns doing brief book chats. Twelve adults participated.
d.Barb conducted a library orientation and tour, Wednesday, November 6, for 14 Adult
Basic Education Students, some of whom were working on their GEDs, studying for the
Accuplacer College Entrance Exam and studying for the Citizenship Exam.
The online portion of the orientation emphasized library databases including Learning
Express Library and live Homework Rescue tutors.
Some students registered for library cards and checked out study materials and other
items. Bethany Grabow provided a suggested reading list of children’s and teen books
that would be of interest to adult learners.
e.Barb visited a GED Class at the Adult Learning Center and did a library overview and
orientation for 12 adult students. Several of those students have since visited the
library, obtained library cards, and signed up for Buddy Up and Read.
f.Friends of the Library offered to help the Children’s Department with a felt “mitten”
decorating activity for children during “Gaming” week, November 25-27.
g.Friends provided a decorated box for “Project Bookshelf,” to collect new books for
children and teens that will be distributed by SACA.
h.Anoka County provided an exhibit about homelessness in Anoka County and supplied a
barrel to collect new socks to distribute to the homeless.
II.Meetings
a.The Friends of the Library met on Monday, November 4.
The treasurer reported a balance of $1,035.85, which includes $548 in memorials for
Connie Carlson, $125 in donations and $25 in dues.
Friends voted to accept by-laws revisions pertaining to meeting dates and locations and
to change the dues amounts to coincide with the current Friends brochure.
President Kay Reiners read the Friends’ letter to the editor, submitted to the Focus,
commending Connie Carlson for her faithful service to the friends.
III.Projects
a.November and December’s library theme is based on a quote by author Garrison Keillor,
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”
b.November’s book display is “Money and Power,” dealing with world finances,
globalization, and U.S. Foreign Relations.
c.Barb provided AskMN online reference service twice in November.
d.At-Home Service: Barb selected materials and set up deliveries for four at-home
patrons. Two new patrons have registered to start At-Home Service
e.Supplies and DVDs were ordered.
f.Winter and spring program plans are being finalized.
IV.Volunteers
a.Volunteers completed 23 hours of volunteer time—delivering materials to at-home
patrons, pricing sale books, refilling the book sale cart, completing various tasks at the
library and serving as reading “Buddies.”
b.More volunteers are needed for Buddy Up and Read. Currently, there are two active,
volunteer “Buddies” and two clients being served. There are six potential clients on a
waiting list.
i.A third “Buddy Up” volunteer has been approved and will start volunteering
soon. A fourth potential volunteer’s background check is in process.
ii.Four Buddy Up clients have asked to transition to a Conversation Group. One of
the current volunteers has agreed to meet weekly with the group as a pilot
project.