HomeMy WebLinkAbout202307 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – July 2023
BUILDING
• Horowitz cleaned rooftop air handling units and attic filters in the community room.
• There was a leak from a condensate line in the children’s storage room. Ceiling tiles and carpet
were soaked but toys and books stayed dry in plastic bins. Horowitz diagnosed and re-
established drainage for the cooling system.
TECHNOLOGY
• TechLogic performed annual cleaning and maintenance on the automated materials handler and
exterior book return.
• The west self-check barcode reader was repaired.
• A cooling fan in public computer #22 was replaced.
COLLECTION
• Book displays included Creative Bug/crafting books and AV, soccer World Cup, vegetable
gardening/planting, and new books.
• Adult audiobooks and DVDs were ordered.
• Weeding was completed in adult fiction H-L, and nonfiction 400s.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Storytime 7/3 Children (0-5) 23
English Language Conversation Circle 7/3 Adult 7
English Language Conversation Circle 7/6 Adult 4
Storytime 7/10 Children (0-5) 47
English Language Conversation Circle 7/10 Adult 9
Family Book Club 7/11 Children (6-12) 8
Reception with Artist Jeffrey Berger 7/12 Adult 6
Summer Code Explorers 7/13 Young Adult 7
English Language Conversation Circle 7/13 Adult 3
Master Gardener Plant Clinic 7/15 Adult 18
Storytime 7/17 Children (0-5) 25
English Language Conversation Circle 7/17 Adult 3
Legacy: Fluid Painting 7/17 Adult 19
DIY Teen: Into to Fused Glass 7/18 Young Adult 9
Book Club: “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle-Stop Café” 7/19 Adult 9
Encore at the Library: It’s Sun-sational! 7/19 Children 27
Summer Code Explorers 7/20 Young Adult 7
English Language Conversation Circle 7/20 Adult 1
Wine and Words Book club (offsite) “The Invention of Wings” 7/21 Adult 10
Family Discovery: Bees and Butterflies 7/22 Children (6-11) 10
Storytime 7/24 Children (0-5)
English Language Conversation Circle 7/24 Adult 8
Mayor’s Monarch Pledge 7/25 Adult
13
Encore at the Library: Wet Felted Bugs 7/26 Children (6-11) 17
Summer Code Explorers 7/27 Young Adult 7
English Language Conversation Circle 7/27 Adult 1
Storytime 7/31 Children (0-5) 40
English Language Conversation Circle 7/31 Adult 4
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – July 2023
STAFF
Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Concluded the summer storytime session.
o Hosted Anoka County 4-H educator Sarah
Devine for Encore at Your Library: It’s Sun-
Sational! on July 19. Sarah taught kids about
the sun and how it provides power for almost
everything on earth. Youth safely looked at
the sun in a variety of ways: through pinhole
cameras they made, solar viewer glasses, and
a telescope with a special filter.
o Contracted with Jenny from Parcel Arts to
provide Encore at the Library: Wet Felted
Bugs on July 26. Jenny taught the process of
wet felting wool roving. Kids used their felted
wool to create insects and then added
decorative elements with dyed coffee filters,
pipe cleaners, and beads.
o Enlisted Chuck from eHolt Art for DIY Teen: Intro to
Fused Glass on July 18. Chuck taught participants how to
arrange pieces of glass to create a suncatcher or coaster.
The pieces were fired in a kiln to fuse the glass.
o Invited Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula to co-lead a
Family Book Club for Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs
by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Five books were distributed prior to
the event, but no one attending had read it. The families
made Shrinky Dink butterfly keychains, watched a short
video about monarch migration and got a free copy of
the book. Families who dropped in were excited to meet
Amáda!
o Worked with Terry and Tara from Art Start to offer
Family Discovery: Bees & Butterflies on July 22. Families
learned about pollinators and created upcycled planter
pots from tin cans and mylar stickers.
o Youth continued to register for Summer Adventures and
appreciated having fresh books to choose from. Lots of kids turned in reading logs to get
prize drawing entries and have been winning tickets to Bunker Beach Water Park,
Minnesota Twins games, and the State Fair.
o With Aide Farrah Briest, served lunch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12:30-
1:30 pm. Lunches are provided in partnership with Youthprise and intended for youth under
the age of 18. The library received permission from Youthprise to distribute any leftover
meals to the community. 177 meals were served to children and families and 113 meals
were donated to the community. Meal service ended on July 27, slightly earlier than
planned due to low attendance.
Cortni O’Brien, Adult Services Librarian,
o Met with community contacts in the Senior Consortium on July 11.
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – July 2023
o Hosted a Plant/Insect Diagnostic Clinic on July 15. The
Anoka County Master Gardeners were extremely pleased
with the turnout, as they usually get 5 or fewer people at
Bunker Hills Activity Center events.
o Delivered materials to five “At-Home” patrons.
Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o And Human Resources Director Kelli Wick, interviewed
five finalists for the Library Associate position. The
position was offered to and accepted by Library Aide
Farrah Briest.
o Staffed the reference desk numerous times to cover
vacations, programs and to keep the building open to the
public despite staffing shortages.
o Met with Colleen Haubner of the Anoka County Library
about potential changes to ACL services and expectations
for additional fees from Columbia Heights. Anoka County requests a revision of the
memorandum of understanding from 2012.
o Met with the Anoka County Library Public Service team.
o Presented a proposed 2024 budget to the City Manager and Finance Director.
MISCELLANEOUS
• The glass display case featured summer sports.
• The Anoka County Law Librarian met with one person on July 27.
• Staff completed the RFID collection scanning project.
• Many shifts this month were missing a Page due to vacation leaves without available
substitutes.
• Staff learned to work with a family of a child who experienced seizures while visiting the library.
The family didn’t want to call 911 but other patrons wanted staff to intervene.
PUBLIC COMPUTER USE 2023 2022
Users 1,076 911
Sessions 1,601 1,421
Minutes 69,326 48,655
FACILITY USE 2023 2022
Visitors 7,465 6,671
Study & Meeting Room Use 239 172
VOLUNTEERS Total Hours
Adult 6 33.75
Teen 7 38