HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report - March 2022
BUILDING
• Horwitz performed quarterly preventative maintenance including filter changes on the heating,
ventilation, and air-conditioning system and re-checked the boiler repair made in February
• Marco performed cleaning and maintenance on the public multifunction printer/copier.
• The riding vacuum cleaner was repaired.
COLLECTION
• Book displays featured women’s history month, new books, and financial fitness.
• Adult and juvenile print books were selected from Booklist and Kirkus Reviews. Replacement
copies, new releases by bestselling authors, and patron requests for books on potty training,
medieval life, and teen suspense were purchased. Adult DVDs were ordered.
• Weeding was completed in westerns and adult nonfiction 000s and 100s.
PROGRAMS, VIRTUAL EVENTS, SELF DIRECTED ACTIVITIES
NAME DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Daycare Storytime 3/2 Children (0-5) 12
Baby Read, Baby Grow 3/3 Children (0-5) 14
Family Storytime 3/7 Children (0-5) 33
English Language Conversation Circle with Paul Cram 3/7 Adult 4
Friends of the Library 3/9 Adult
Baby Read, Baby Grow 3/10 Children (0-5) 9
Wine and Words (Murzyn) 3/11 Adult 8
Family Storytime 3/14 Children (0-5) 19
English Language Conversation Circle with Paul Cram 3/14 Adult 2
Adult Book Club: Vacationland with author Sarah
Stonich
3/16 Adult 9
Baby Read, Baby Grow 3/17 Children (0-5) 20
Family Storytime Cancelled 3/21 Children (0-5)
English Language Conversation Circle with Paul Cram 3/21 Adult 2
Land Before Time 3/22 Children (6-11) 8
Meditation for Stress Reduction with Shiray Neth 3/22 Adult 4
String Art 3/23 Young Adult (12-18) 8
Baby Read, Baby Grow Cancelled 3/24 Children (0-5)
Family Storytime Cancelled 3/28 Children (0-5)
English Language Conversation Circle with Paul Cram 3/28 Adult 5
Baby Read, Baby Grow 3/31 Children (0-5) 11
TOTAL Programs = 17 168
FACILITY USAGE 2022 2021
Visitors 6,274 5,380
Public Uses of Study and Meeting Rooms 217 2
STAFF
• Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian, and Farrah Briest, Library Aide,
o Installed a Post Office Early Learning Play Space. Activities include a pretend post office
and community helper, town toys and puzzles. Youth decorated postage stamps and
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – March 2022
postcards as an extension activity. Children and their families have really enjoyed having
the play space back in operation!
• Cortni O’Brien, Adult Services Librarian,
o Met with Kristen Stuenkel from CHPS Community Education to discuss Operation
Pollination partnership opportunities.
o Met with Coyce Slebodnik from Target Tech to discuss an Android Smartphone
Workshop.
o Met with Lauren Letsche and Will Rottler to plan the upcoming Adopt a Drain Program.
o Met with the Friends of the Library on 3/9. The Friends were joined by Councilman
Novitsky.
o Delivered materials to two “At-Home” patrons
• Renee Dougherty, Director
o Participated in conversations with Representative Sandra Feist and Senator Mary
Kunesh during Library Legislative Week. Library staff and supporters thanked elected
officials for supporting libraries and asked them to support library bonding requests and
an increase to regional library basic system support (RLBSS.)
o Met with the Library Foundation on March 15.
o Participated in Anoka County Library Management Team meetings and meetings of City
department heads.
o Met with Cynthia Wentzell of the League of Women Voters – Anoka, Blaine, and Coon
Rapids to brainstorm ways to mutually support voter registration efforts in 2022.
• Library staff participated in training for the migration to Office 365 and Microsoft Teams which
occurred this month.
VOLUNTEERS Total Hours Served
Adult 2 11.5
TECHNOLOGY
PUBLIC COMPUTER USAGE 2022 2021
Users 962 901
Sessions 1,406 1,422
Minutes 51,999 52,800
MISCELLANEOUS
• The collaboration with HeightsNEXT resulted in the creation of 48 pet beds which were donated
to Midwest Animal Rescue Service (MARS) in Brooklyn Park on March 16.
• The glass case featured a display on the City’s “Adopt a Storm Drain” initiative.
• Four patrons with $75 or more in fines were referred to Unique Management.