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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library Library Board Report – February 2024 BUILDING • The men’s room toilet and urinal had multiple issues on 2/3, 2/5, 2/6, and 2/15 requiring a plumber to repair. • A consultant upgraded software and reactivated remote access for interior and exterior lighting controls. • An electrician repaired four ceiling lights in the children’s area. • Adams Pest Control inspected the building on 2/13. • A shortage of custodial staff resulted in one instance, 2/6, when the building was not cleaned. TECHNOLOGY • A new printer was installed at the service desk and a refurbished printer was installed in the History room, after exploded ink cartridges rendered both eight-year-old printers unusable. COLLECTION • Shifting continued to better highlight books in the collection. • New adult DVDs were ordered. Books were selected from reviews in September, October, and November editions of Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, and School Library Journal. Juvenile nonfiction, including books on states, sports, and medicine, was updated. • Weeding was completed in the adult nonfiction 300s. Adult fiction was weeded for condition; books with broken spines, food and beverage stains, loose pages and worn covers were discarded or replaced. All juvenile nonfiction was assessed for relevancy, interest, and condition. • Slatwall endcap and table displays featured titles by Black authors, Black history, and Valentine’s Day. A youth display highlighted African American athletes, musicians, civil rights activists, artists, scientists and writers. PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE English Language (EL) Conversation Circle 2/1 Adult 7 Daycare Storytime 2/2 Children (0-5) Family Storytime 2/5 Children (0-5) 42 EL Conversation Circle 2/5 Adult 8 Tinker Time: Winter Lanterns 2/6 Children (6-11) 30 EL Conversation Circle 2/8 Adult 6 Family Clay Tiles 2/9 Children (6-11) 23 Family Storytime 2/12 (Children (0-5) 36 EL Conversation Circle 2/12 Adult 12 EL Conversation Circle 2/15 Adult 6 DIY Teen: Cozy Knit Accessories 2/20 Young Adult (12-18) 6 Book Club: The Thursday Murder Club 2/21 Adult 10 EL Conversation Circle 2/22 Adult 8 Pet Beds for Animal Shelters with HeightsNext 2/24 Adult 45 Family Storytime 2/26 Children (0-5) 48 EL Conversation Circle 2/26 Adult 10 EL Conversation Circle 2/29 Adult 7 Youth Winter Reads 3 Adult Winter Reads 67 Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – February 2024 STAFF • Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian, o Designed and taught “Tinker Time: Mason Jar Lanterns” where used tissue paper and Mod Podge to create colorful lanterns, perfect for brightening up long winter nights. o Hosted a teaching artist from the Textile Center for “DIY Teen: Cozy Knit Accessories.” Some participants were frustrated, so the instructor taught them how to table knit without needles and presented them with a few balls of yarn to continue table knitting at home. o Contracted eHolt Art to teach “Clay Tiles for Families.” Seven families dreamed up collaborative designs that included pizza, zodiac animals, family crests, and Minecraft. o Prepared bulk loans for Adventure Club at Highland and Valley View Elementary Schools and Gr1-5 classes at Immaculate Conception School o Met with Jodi Gadient and Katie Holznagel to develop goals and narratives for the Minnesota Department of Education Afterschool Community Learning Grant application. o Presented a storytime for a special ECFE session on Learning with Literature. Families learned about early literacy learning at Library storytimes and parents received early literacy calendars. • Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian, o Made three deliveries to At-Home patrons. o Worked with the Friends of the Library to plan a puzzle contest program. o Sorted, organized, and stored acrylic display pieces. o Ordered additional book stops for shelving carts. o Met with the Friends of the Library on 2/8. • Renee Dougherty, Library Director, o Met with Eliza, Recreation and School District staff to prepare an application for an afterschool grant opportunity through the Minnesota Department of Education. o Met with Farrah Briest, new library associate, for her initial six-month performance evaluation and with Page Yuliana Morocho-Calderone for her annual evaluation. o Met twice with Revize and Communication Coordinator Will Rottler about the website rebuild. o Facilitated the Adult Book Club discussion of “The Thursday Murder Club.” o Participated in the Anoka County Library public service team meeting and weekly city division head meetings. o Met with the Library Foundation on 2/ 21. The Foundation has made a $20,000 gift to underwrite programs for adults and children, and eBooks access for CHPS students in 2024. MISCELLANEOUS o Staff participated in the first of four annual survey weeks tracking reference interactions. Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – February 2024 o New toys were added to the early literacy play space. o The Anoka County Law Librarian met with one person. o Winter Reads ended with 67 book reviews and/or BINGO sheets completed. Winners of the grand prizes were Jen Blake and Samara Bilyeu-Anderson, pictured below. o The glass display case featured a puzzle and games display, highlighting HeightsNext CoHiCon on March 3 and the Friends Puzzle Content on March 9. o Six Adult volunteers donated 20 hours. Jen Blake and family after winning one of the Winter Reads Grand Prizes drawings. Samara Bilyeu-Anderson after winning one of the Winter Reads Grand Prize drawings.