HomeMy WebLinkAboutMar 20 OR (RD)
Columbia Heights Public Library
3939 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3932 ▪ Ph: 763-706-3690
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
TO: Columbia Heights Public Library Board of Trustees
FROM: Renee Dougherty, Library Director
SUBJECT: March 2020 Operational Report
DATE: March 30, 2020
I. BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND EQUIPMENT
A. Public Works staff completed spring landscape clean-up.
II. TECHNOLOGY
A. IT staff formatted three laptops to provide remote access for myself and two librarians.
III. COLLECTION
A. Adult print materials were selected from the November issues of Booklist, Kirkus Reviews,
and Library Journal. Adult publications from bestselling authors to be published in April
were ordered. Juvenile print materials were selected from the September 15th issue of
Booklist, the September and November issues of Book Links and the Fall issue of Series
Made Simple. Juvenile world language books, graphic novels, replacement copies of worn
titles, and additional copies of popular items were ordered. Deliveries were suspended by
month end.
B. Weeding in adult fiction was completed in A-B. Weeding of easy fiction (E) continued.
IV. PROGRAMS
A. A Senior Surf computer class for adults was offered on March 4.
B. The Library Board met on March 4.
C. A needlecraft workshop for adults was offered on March 9.
D. 4H Tech Wizards was offered on March 10.
E. The Friends of the Library met on March 11.
F. A LEGO Challenge was held on March 11
G. The Anoka County Law Librarian was available for consultation on March 11.
H. Family Storytime was offered once.
I. One session of Baby Read, Baby Grow was taught in partnership with ISD13 Early
Childhood and Family Education.
J. “Buddy Up and Read” volunteers met with adults learning English.
K. English Conversation Circles for adult learners were offered on two Monday evenings and
two Thursday afternoons.
L. Deliveries of materials were made to At-Home patrons.
M. Fourteen adult volunteers donated 41 hours of service; one teen volunteered 4 hours.
V. STAFF
A. Adult Services Librarian Cortni O’Brien met with the Friends of the Library.
B. Emergency Operations Coordinator and Fire Chief Charlie Thompson briefed full-time
staff on the coronavirus pandemic and the City’s emergency operations plan on March 20.
VI. FOUNDATION
A. The Foundation met on March 11 and received an asset performance report from
investment manager Paul King.
VII. MISC
A. I met with the city manager and department heads on March 2, 9, 16, 19, 23, and 27.
B. I attended the City Council work session on March 2 and the regular meeting on March 9
to discuss public use of the community room and meeting room use policy.
C. On March 10, I participated in a demonstration of public computer and print management
software by staff from Comprise, Anoka County’s preferred vendor.
D. I met virtually numerous times with the Anoka County Library Management Team to
learn of the county library’s activity during public closure.
E. On March 18, I participated in a conference call with state library directors and Education
Commissioner Ricker about how libraries can support distance learning of K-12 learners.
VIII. LIBRARY CLOSURE
A. Self-check kiosks have been reprogrammed to minimize touching of screens, including
discontinuation of the PIN requirement.
B. All public programs have been cancelled effective March 16 through May 2; all program
registrants and vendors were notified.
C. The building was closed to the public on March 17.
D. I updated information on the statewide mapping app for Census Questionnaire Assistance
Centers.
E. I notified Minitex, the statewide resource discovery and sharing agency, of closure. All
statewide interlibrary loans have been discontinued.
F. Due dates of borrowed items were extended until April 15.
G. Automatic notifications to patrons about holds, imminent due dates of borrowed items,
and expiring library cards were suspended.
H. Library cards set to expire in 2020 have been extended until 2021.
I. All libraries have suspended clearing of hold shelves so that patron requests will remain
on hold and available when buildings reopen.
J. Patrons may continue placing holds via library website and catalog app.
K. Began taking phone and email requests for library cards and mailing cards to patrons to
allow access to e-resources.
L. All library cards, including those with statuses of barred, blocked or in collections, provide
access to electronic resources such as eBooks and magazines, downloadable audiobooks,
and online databases.
M. Anoka County Library and the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) are
purchasing additional e-book content to be available in the cloudLibrary app.
N. Part-time staff have been furloughed.
O. Full-time staff are continuing to work in the building employing best hygiene practices
and social distancing. Beginning March 30, Bri, Cortni and Renee work remotely when
possible.
P. Library staff provide reference and referral assistance to patrons via telephone and email
between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays.
Q. The automated drive up book return remains open.
R. “City Public” Wi-Fi network remains available outside the building.
S. Anoka County and MELSA stopped delivering materials on March 20.
T. Custodian and library staff have disinfected furniture, surfaces, computer keyboards, mice
monitors, doorknobs, and bathrooms.
U. Newspapers deliveries, mail and other deliveries were halted effective March 30.
IX. CIRCULATION
Not available.
X. GATE COUNT AND MEETING ROOM USE
February 2019 February 2020
Gate count 7,472 9,508
Library Programs 39 29
Room Use 299 364
XI. COMPUTER/INTERNET USE
January 2019 February 2020
Patron Use (Logins): 1,742 2,210
Computer Use: 2,894 3,540
Minutes Used: 75,210 90,990
Internet Access: 3,316 4,190
Word: 273 324
PowerPoint: 23 14
Excel: 19 21
Calculator: 12 14
Catalog/Databases: 95 147
Microfilm Reader: 2 0
Burlington English 32 37
XII. UNIQUE MANAGEMENT COLLECTION ACCOUNTS
February 2019 February 2020
Accounts Submitted 826 893
Dollars Submitted $159,730.69 $174,512.53
Dollars Received $20,928.55 $21,830.38
Materials Returned $39,820.40 $43,781.94