HomeMy WebLinkAbout202309 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – September 2023
BUILDING
• Parking lot lines were repainted.
• Modern Air repaired the heat exchanger of one of the main building boilers.
• Another coolant line leak in the ceiling of the children’s storage room was repaired.
• Adams Pest Control visited.
• The building was not cleaned twice because of a shortage of city custodial staff.
• The air conditioning unit for the community room was reset manually numerous times.
TECHNOLOGY
• The coin changer on the printing kiosk was jammed and malfunctioning for a couple of days.
COLLECTION
• Adult book displays included banned books week, learn something new, and Barbie/pink books.
• Duplicate copies of Star of the North and Maud Hart Lovelace Award nominees were ordered.
Eliza analyzed the current youth manga collection and placed a special order. Manga remains
consistently popular, and the collection has not acquired new titles in a few years. New
purchased were chosen based on popularity in neighboring library systems, favorable reviews in
library journals, or popularity in Anoka County. Purchases also ensured that COH owns complete
runs of popular series. Eliza also created a weeding plan for the remaining manga series.
• Weeding was completed in adult fiction S-U.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED
AUDIENCE
ATTENDANCE
Daycare Storytime 9/6 Children (0-5) 11
Conversation Circle 9/7 Adult 5
Storytime 9/11 Children (0-5) 53
English Language Conversation Circle 9/11 Adult 3
English Language Conversation Circle 9/14 Adult 5
Storytime 9/18 Children (0-5) 32
English Language Conversation Circle 9/18 Adult 7
Adult Book Club “Death on the Nile” 9/20 Adult
9
Race and Racism class 9/20 Adult 12
English Language Conversation Circle 9/21 Adult 4
Storytime 9/25 Children (0-5) 28
English Language Conversation Circle 9/25 Adult 4
Tinker Time: Perler Beads 9/26 Children (6-11) 15
Race and Racism class 9/27 Adult 10
Conversation Circle 9/28 Adult 2
Clay Haunted Houses 9/30 Children (6-11) 17
STAFF
Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Kicked off the Fall session of Family Storytime. Many kids have graduated to kindergarten
but about half of attendees are returning families. New families are learning storytime
rhythms.
o Relaunched Tuesday Tinker Times with a Perler bead activity. Kids chose from fall-themed
patterns or created their own designs and turned them into keychains and magnets. A
parent commented that they enjoyed having a reason to get out of the house after school
and spend the afternoon at the library.
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – September 2023
o Hosted Mak from Rum River Art
Center for a Legacy-funded
program, Clay Haunted Houses. A
roomful of kids and teens
sculpted cute and creepy houses.
They learned how to carve
windows and doors without
losing structural integrity and a
technique called sgraffito. Potters
use sgraffito to paint with an
underglaze and then carve over
the top, allowing the base color of
the clay to show through.
o Met with Jodi Gadient from
Columbia Heights Public Schools
and Katie Holznagel from Recreation to write final reports for the 21st Century Community
Learning Centers grant. Eliza, Jodi, & Katie reflected on the past six years that CHPS, CH
Recreation and Library have received the grant, the many positive outcomes, and the lasting
partnerships that were formed.
o Began providing bulk loans for Immaculate Conception School. Teachers sign up to receive a
bin of 30 books each month for grades 1-5.
Cortni O’Brien, Adult Services Librarian,
o Resigned her position on 9/8.
Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o Interviewed seven candidates for the adult services librarian position with Human Resources
Director Kelli Wick; invited two finalists for second interviews.
o Met with the CHPL Foundation and requested supplemental funding ($20,000) for 2024.
o Met with the Director of Anoka County Libraries and the ACL Public Services Team.
MISCELLANEOUS
o The glass display case featured CH High School sports memorabilia and baskets/weaving.
o Sixty Tiny Art kits were distributed to community artists for completion by 10/31.
o A new schedule for Pages began on 9/5.
o Eliza and Renee participated in a reception for volunteers and a presentation to the City
Council on 9/25.
o The Anoka County Law Librarian met with four people on 9/28.
o A Pitbull was loose in the parking lot and charging visitors on 9/27. She was friendly but had
no identification, so a community service officer was called to transport her.
PUBLIC COMPUTER USE 2023 2022
Users 950 880
Sessions 1396 1,266
Minutes 60,080 48,540
FACILITY USE 2023 2022
Visitors 6,637 5,974
Study & Meeting Room Use 320 213
VOLUNTEERS Total Hours
Adult 6 20.75
Teen 0 0