HomeMy WebLinkAbout202302 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – February 2023
BUILDING
• Foot-operated pulls were installed on restroom doors.
• Orkin performed a bi-monthly inspection for pests. Mouse sightings continued but none were
caught.
TECHNOLOGY
COLLECTION
• Book displays included African American History month, Winter Reads, and new materials.
• The glass display case continued the “Whittle Away the Winter” display, and promotional
material for the Doug Ohman series, both created by the Friends of the Library.
• Youth Media Award winners, missing titles from juvenile series, and baby board books about
consent, gender and love were added to the collection.
• Weeding was completed in adult nonfiction 000 - 099.
PROGRAMS, VIRTUAL EVENTS,
SELF DIRECTED ACTIVITIES
DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Daycare Storytime 02/01 Children (0-5) 15
English Language Conversation Circle 02/02 Adult 3
Doug Ohman’s MN from the Road: Bluff Country 02/04
Adult 53
Getting Started with Libby 02/04 Adult 2
Family Storytime 02/06 Children (0-5) 38
English Language Conversation Circle 02/06 Adult 5
Tinker Time: DIY Play Dough 02/07 Children (6-11) 14
English Language Conversation Circle 02/09 Adult 3
Pet Beds for Animal Shelters 02/11 Adult 50
Family Storytime 02/13 Children (0-5) 16
English Language Conversation Circle 02/13 Adult 6
Legacy: Pet Portraits 02/13 Adult 14
Teen DIY: Boba Tea 02/14 Teen (12-18) 17
Book Club: Winterdance 02/15 Adult 5
Finger Knitting 02/17 Children (6-11) 16
Tinker Time: Engineer-a-thon 02/21 Children (6-11) 15
Cozy Clay Cocoa Mugs 02/25 Children (6-11) 22
Family Storytime 02/27 Children (0-5) 36
English Language Conversation Circle 02/27 Adult 3
Children’s Area Scavenger Hunt (self-directed) 34
Winter Reads (self-directed) 117
STAFF
• Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Installed a veterinarian clinic in the early literacy play space.
o Welcomes new and returning families at storytime each week.
o Planned and facilitated Tinker Time programs featuring the chemistry of homemade
play dough, and an engineering event where kids created balloon cars, catapults, and
straw rockets.
o Notes that the sixteen kids who took Parcel Art’s “Finger Knitting” class left with
impressively long scarves.
• Cortni O’Brien, Adult Services Librarian,
o Created and delivered the “Getting Started with Libby” program.
o Coordinated with HeightsNEXT to host a Pet Bed Maker event. One hundred and sixteen
completed beds were donated to Midwest Animal Rescue.
o Delivered materials to four “At-Home” patrons.
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – February 2023
• Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o Participated in strategic planning with City Council members and department heads.
o With Cortni O’Brien, interviewed nine candidates for the Library Page position.
o Visited the library at Valley View Elementary School with the Library Foundation.
MISCELLANEOUS
• During the week of January 30 through February 4, staff tracked the number, duration, and
category of reference transactions. Sample data from four weeks each year is used to estimate
total annual reference questions.
• Winter Reads, a reading program for adults, ended on February 28. One hundred and seventeen
book reviews were submitted. Winners of the grand prize drawings were Jaimee Leibfried and
Melanie Magidow
• The Foundation met on February 8. The Foundation donated three pieces of textile art “Orchid
Triptych” created by Kelly Marshall which has been
installed over the laptop counter. The Foundation
also donated $10,000 to Columbia Heights Public
Schools for their libraries.
• The Friends of the Library met on February 9.
• The library closed early (5 pm) on February 22 and
remained closed on February 23 for a winter storm.
• “Save Your Food!” an educational exhibit from the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was installed.
• The patron who was trespassed in January for
inappropriate behavior returned on February 24
and was ticketed by the police.
PUBLIC COMPUTER USE 2023 2022
Users 792 797
Sessions 1,142 1,083
Minutes 45,029 43,779
VOLUNTEERS Total Hours
Adult 7 25
Teen 0 0
FACILITY USE 2023 2022
Visitors 5,495 5,037
Study & Meeting Room Use 234 180