HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report - September 2022
BUILDING
• The windows were cleaned for the first time in months!
TECHNOLOGY
• Public computer session length was increased to three hours with one-hour extensions possible
if less than 75% of computers are in use. Maximum computer time is five hours per day.
COLLECTION
• Requests for purchase included books on Disney princesses and Buzz Lightyear. Adult and
juvenile print books, adult audiobooks and adult DVDs were ordered.
• Book displays included Banned Books Week and books set in Minnesota.
• Weeding continued in adult fiction.
PROGRAMS, VIRTUAL EVENTS,
SELF DIRECTED ACTIVITIES
DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Family Storytime 9/12 Children (0-5) 42
English Language Conversation Circle 9/12 Adult 3
English Language Conversation Circle 9/15 Adult 1
Wine and Words: Iron Lake (Murzyn) 9/16 Adult 10
Story Stroll at LaBelle Park 9/16-9/19 Self-Directed 50
Poems in the Park at Huset Park West 9/16 Self-Directed Cancelled
Bike Fix-It Clinic 9/17 Adult 26
Traditions and Folk Art of India 9/17 Adult 3
Family Storytime 9/19 Children (0-5) 45
English Language Conversation Circle 9/19 Adult 3
Tinker Time: Repujado 9/20 Children (6-11) 9
Resume Writing Workshop 9/20 Adult 0
Book Club: The Witch Elm 9/21 Adult 7
English Language Conversation Circle 9/22 Adult 0
Consult the Law Librarian 9/22 Adult 2
Family Storytime 9/26 Children (0-5) 32
English Language Conversation Circle 9/26 Adult 6
Birding in the Heights, Part 1 9/26 Adult 15
Birding in the Heights, Part 2 9/28 Adult 16
English Language Conversation Circle 9/29 Adult 2
Scavenger Hunts Self-Directed 49
STAFF
• Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Kicked off the Fall session of family storytime. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers attend
with their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and nannies for a truly all-ages
storytime. Registration has been discontinued and sessions are averaging 40 attendees
each week. A storytime specifically for daycares is also offered once per month.
o Launched youth encore programs, funded by the 21st Century Community Learning
Centers grant, for the 2022-2023 school year. The Tinker Time series began with
Gustavo Boada, teaching youth and parents Repujado, a Spanish metalworking
technique.
o Toured Bultum Academy, a new charter school with a STEM focus located at First
Lutheran Church and discussed potential library services with administrators.
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – September 2022
o Met with educators from the Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) department
of Columbia Heights Public Schools. Planning to visit multiple ECFE classrooms this fall to
share information about the library and storytime with ECFE families.
o Debriefed the screen-printing summer program with artist/instructor Natasha Pestich
and brainstormed ways to connect a future class during the Monarch Festival.
o Worked with Recreation and school district staff to plan future programming which
meets programming goals of 21CCLC grant.
• Cortni O’Brien, Adult Services Librarian,
o Attended a Community Education Advisory Council meeting.
o Prepared a proclamation for National Library Card signup month read at the September
26, 2022, City Council meeting.
o Delivered materials to five “At-Home” patrons.
• Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o Gave a building tour to South St. Paul and Dakota county library staff and architects
planning a new facility.
o Said farewell to Tammie Poquette, Library Page since 2016, who asked to be removed
from the regular schedule, effective September 11.
o Attended a Columbia Heights Public Schools Communications Advisory Council meeting.
o Attended a meeting for staff at libraries new to the DNR state park pass program.
o Attended regular meetings of the Anoka County Library management team, ACL public
service team, and Columbia Heights division heads.
• Staff were invited to informational meetings on benefit electives: short-term disability insurance
and health savings accounts.
Miscellaneous
• The remaining food bags from Every Meal were distributed after Labor Day.
• An ice cream social for Board and Commission members and families was held September 29.
FACILITY USE 2022 2021
Visitors 5,974 5,136
Study & Meeting Room Use 213 145
PUBLIC COMPUTER USE 2022 2021
Users 880 1,035
Sessions 1,266 1,446
Minutes 48,540 49,413
VOLUNTEERS Total Hours
Adult 6 14
Teen 1 1.5