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.