HomeMy WebLinkAbout202301 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – January 2023
BUILDING
• Staff reported numerous mouse sightings. One was trapped and released.
• A small gas leak was detected in the mechanical room on January 10. The Fire Department
determined it was inconsequential and posed no threat to public or staff. The leak was repaired
the following day.
• The fireplace pilot light was adjusted so the fireplace would function.
• Five vandalized ottomans were reupholstered and reinstalled in the children’s area.
TECHNOLOGY
• There were numerous, intermittent issues with the kiosk failing
to charge for all copies produced by the printer.
• The uninterrupted power supply (USP) devices for the
automated materials handler and my office reached end of life
and were replaced. Two extra units were purchased in
anticipation of other desk units failing soon.
COLLECTION
• Book displays included the Winter Reads program, New Year’s
resolutions, and new books.
• The glass display case featured a “Whittle Away the Winter”
display, and promotional material for the Doug Ohman event
series, created by the Friends of the Library.
• Weeding of adult large print and romance was completed and
adult audiobooks was begun.
PROGRAMS, VIRTUAL EVENTS,
SELF DIRECTED ACTIVITIES
DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
English Language Conversation Circle - cancelled 01/05 Adult
Daycare Storytime 01/06
Children (0-5) 16
Career Fair with the Anoka Job Training Center 01/09 Adult 33
Organizing Your Important Documents 01/11 Adult 26
English Language Conversation Circle 01/12 Adult 1
Feeding Birds in Winter 01/17 Adult 16
Book Club: The Cold Dish 01/18 Adult 7
Meet the Law Librarian 01/19 Adult 1
Wine and Words Book Club: The Deep, Deep Snow 01/20 Adult 9
Family Storytime 01/23 Children (0-5) 27
Tinker Time: Perler Bead Fun 01/24 Children (6-11) 17
Getting Started with Libby 01/25 Adult 5
English Language Conversation Circle 01/26 Adult 3
Family Storytime 01/30 Children (0-5) 17
Youth Advisory: Brain Busters 01/30 Teen (12-18) 0
Block Printing: Winter Landscapes 01/30 Adult 17
Children’s Area Scavenger Hunt (self-directed) 51
STAFF
• Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Resumed family storytimes with new songs, a letter of the day, and scarves.
o Met with a representative from VOX Books, vendor of picture books with an integrated
audio reader. This new format may replace the picture book/CD combos.
o Visited Bultum Academy, a STEM charter school, now housed at First Lutheran Church.
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – January 2023
• Cortni O’Brien, Adult Services Librarian,
o Participated in CH Public Schools Community Education Advisory Council on January 9.
o Facilitated the CH Senior Consortium meeting on January 10.
o Met with the Friends of the Library on January 12.
o Presented the promotional video on Conversation Circles, with volunteer Paul Cram, at
the January 23rd City Council meeting.
o Delivered materials to four “At-Home” patrons.
• Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o Attended a videoconference refresher on the Minnesota Public Library Annual Report.
o Met with Eliza Pope for her annual performance review.
MISCELLANEOUS
• The building closed at 5 pm on January 3, the Library Board meeting was cancelled, and
numerous programs were cancelled or rescheduled due to dangerous winter storms.
• Winter Reads, a reading program for adults, began on January 9.
• City Council members toured the building and met staff on January 12.
• A homeless individual was trespassed for repeated incidents of drinking alcohol, disorderly
conduct, racist and vulgar language, and refusing to leave the building at closing.
PUBLIC COMPUTER USE 2023 2022
Users 776 718
Sessions 1,143 971
Minutes 45,121 33,534
VOLUNTEERS Total Hours
Adult 8 21
Teen 0 0
FACILITY USE 2023 2022
Visitors 5,273 4,934
Study & Meeting Room Use 202 163