HomeMy WebLinkAbout202304 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – April 2023
BUILDING
• Orkin provided bi-monthly
inspection and treatment for pests.
• The exterior windows were washed.
• The sanitizer dispenser in the youth
area was totaled in a collision and
replaced by the Fire Department.
TECHNOLOGY
• Maintenance contracts with Marco
for two laser printers and two
multifunction printer/copiers were
cancelled. A new public MFP will be
purchased and installed in May.
Printers will be maintained by city
staff or replaced as needed.
• Patrons encountered frustrating issues with opening/printing PDFs from public computers; IT
staff are troubleshooting.
COLLECTION
• Book displays included financial fitness and new materials.
• Staff purchased replacements for popular juvenile titles like Harry Potter, Lightning Thief, and
the Babysitter’s Club graphic novels. Additional copies One of Us is Lying, a popular and much
requested young adult title and multiple read-a-likes were purchased.
• Adult audiobooks were ordered.
• Weeding was completed in adult nonfiction 300s, large print, romance, and western.
PROGRAMS, VIRTUAL EVENTS,
SELF DIRECTED ACTIVITIES
DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Doug Ohman’s MN from the Road: St. Paul Gems 04/01 Adult 40
Family Butterfly Storytime with the Mayor 04/03 Children (0-5) 36
English Language Conversation Circle 04/03 Adult 5
Bird scaping Basics 04/03 Adult 10
Tinker Time: Batteries, Bulbs and Wires 04/04 Children (6-11) 33
English Language Conversation Circle 04/06 Adult 4
Clay Bird & Nest 04/06 Children (6-11) 16
Family Storytime 04/10 Children (0-5) 43
English Language Conversation Circle 04/10 Adult 4
English Language Conversation Circle 04/13 Adult 3
Getting Started with Libby 04/14 Adult 2
Family Storytime 04/17 Children (0-5) 39
English Language Conversation Circle 04/17 Adult 6
Legacy: Clay Gnomes 04/17 Adult 16
Tinker Time: Fairy Doors 04/18
Children (6-11) 13
Book Club: The River 04/19 Adult 8
English Language Conversation Circle 04/20 Adult 2
Family Storytime 04/24 Children (0-5) 45
English Language Conversation Circle 04/24 Adult 5
English Language Conversation Circle 04/27 Adult 2
Family Discovery: Birding at LaBelle 04/29 Children (6-11) 9
Children’s Area Scavenger Hunt (self-directed) 56
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – April 2023
STAFF
• Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Concluded the spring session of Family
Storytime on April 24. The spring session
focused on learning letters A-M, singing
counting and color songs, playing with
scarves, parachutes, and shaker eggs, and
practicing early literacy skills.
o Invited an educator from the Bakken
Museum to conduct Tinker Time: Batteries,
Bulbs, and Wires. Families explored circuits
and created increasingly difficult circuits
with wires, batteries, fans, noisemakers,
and alligator clips. Youth learned about the
properties of electricity and had
opportunities to show off their knowledge.
o Met with Jodi Gadient and Katie Holznagel to complete the co-applicant portion of a 21st
Century Community Learning Centers Cohort 9 grant application. The completed
application was submitted by Kristen Stuenkel and Jodi Gadient of Columbia Heights
Public Schools.
o Met with Sarah Devine from Anoka County 4-H about a summer astronomy event.
o Deployed new early literacy toys funded by the Library Foundation including a wooden
dollhouse, sensory toys, and a white board. The white board encourages letter
knowledge and allows exploratory building of a roller coaster.
• Cortni O’Brien, Adult Services Librarian,
o Led the Senior Consortium community
discussion on April 11.
o Prepared a Council proclamation and an
interactive display for National Library Week.
o Assembled content for the summer city
newsletter.
o Met with the Friends of the Library.
o Participated in the MELSA Adult Services
team.
o Delivered materials to two “At-Home”
patrons.
• Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o Attended the City Council work session (4/3)
and regular meeting (4/24) to discuss the library community room use policy. Received
the mayoral proclamation of National Library Week on 4/24.
o Met with outgoing City Manager Kelli Bourgeois for an annual performance review.
o Met with Jeffrey Berger about a potential art exhibit in the community room.
o Provided a reference interview to Hennepin County Library staff interested in hiring a
current CHPL employee.
o Met with Cindy Wetzell of the League of Women Voters – Anoka, Blaine, and Coon
Rapids, about ways to promote voter registration.
o Conducted a performance review of Library Page Yuliana Morocho-Calderon.
o Participated in a second strategic planning session with Anoka County Library branch
managers and senior management, and Wilder Research facilitators.
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – April 2023
o Participated in the Anoka County Library Public Service Team monthly meeting.
• New Library Page Brent Buchanan began training on April 10. Many staff helped to train him in
procedures, routines, and best practices.
• Full-time staff completed Employee Workplace Right-to-Know, bloodborne pathogen, and
general safety training on April 20. Part-time staff will be trained online during May.
MISCELLANEOUS
• In celebration of National Poetry month, an interactive display of Shel Silverstein’s “Poet-tree”
encouraged patrons to add a poem on a leaf.
• The glass display case featured birds of spring, fairies, and gnomes in promotion of three library
programs.
• Public relations firm New Publica sought citizen input on April 3 and 4, around the PEL (planning
and environmental linkages) study of safety and mobility along the Central Avenue/Highway 65
corridor.
• NouDa, a new social work from Guild Services, began meeting with patrons on Tuesday
afternoons.
• Metro Transit staff engaged patrons on the proposed F-Line Bus Rapid Transit route on April 27.
PUBLIC COMPUTER USE 2023 2022
Users 882 941
Sessions 1,314 1,136
Minutes 52,937 48,913
FACILITY USE 2023 2022
Visitors 6,172 6,248
Study & Meeting Room Use 227 196
VOLUNTEERS Total Hours
Adult 7 31
Teen 0 0