HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – May 2024
BUILDING
o Adams Pest control visited for regular monthly inspection and preventative treatment.
o The carpets were cleaned.
TECHNOLOGY
o IT staff addressed the issue of PDF attachments opening in the internet browser rather than
Adobe Reader. Printing from the browser is problematic.
COLLECTION
• New books were selected from reviews in the January and February issues of Booklist and Kirkus
Reviews. Youth replacements included the “Jannah Jewels” series, “Anna Banana” books,
missing volumes in the “Click” and “Mythics” graphic novel series, and popular picture books.
• Weeding was completed in adult nonfiction 000s - 100s for condition, datedness, and lack of
use. Review of the entire youth picture book collection was completed; books in poor condition
and those not borrowed in two years were weeded.
• Adult displays featured Jewish American heritage, Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage,
mental health awareness, authors Chad Corrie and Lorna Landvik, and pollinator garden
resources. Youth book displays featured AAPI authors and illustrators.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
EL Conversation Circle 5/1 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 5/2 Adult 4
Daycare Storytime 5/3 Children (0-5) 14
Clay Flowers 5/4 Children (6-11) 26
EL Conversation Circle 5/6 Adult 2
Teen Job Fair with Anoka County Job Training Center 5/7 Teen (12-18) 42
Adult Basic Education Tour: 10:15 am and 6:30 pm 5/8 Adult 33
EL Conversation Circle 5/8 Adult 2
EL Conversation Circle 5/9 Adult 2
Saturday Scribes: Chad Corrie 5/11 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 5/13 Adult 4
Tinker Time: LEGO 5/14 Children (6-11) 16
Book Club: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 5/15 Adult 13
EL Conversation Circle 5/15 Adult 5
Active Agers Book Club @ Murzyn Hall 5/17 Adult 7
EL Conversation Circle 5/20 Adult 7
Summer Reading promotion at Highland Elementary 5/21 Children (6-11) 420
EL Conversation Circle 5/22 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 5/23 Adult 6
Summer Reading promotion at Valley View Elementary 5/29 Children (6-11) 375
EL Conversation Circle 5/29 Adult 7
EL Conversation Circle 5/30 Adult 4
STAFF
• Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian
o Met with the Friends of the Library.
o Made two deliveries to At-Home
patrons.
o Hosted two Adult Basic Education
(ABE) classes for library visits.
• Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Hosted Erin Holt for the clay
flowers program. The program had
more drop-ins and parents wanting
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – May 2024
to participate than expected, but Erin
quickly pivoted to making smaller flowers
so everyone who wanted to work with
clay could. Everyone loved sculpting
fanciful and realistic flowers.
o Offered a Tinker Time program with
LEGOs. Offered a prompt to build a
marble maze if kids needed direction,
but many were happy dreaming up their
own creations and scenes.
o Worked with the Anoka County Job
Training Center to host a Teen Job Fair.
The ACJTC brought six local employers
with jobs for teens. Teens had a chance
to talk to employers, submit applications,
and learn about positions.
o Visited Highland Elementary to talk to 420 students in grades K-5 about the library.
Students learned how to get a library card, what they can find at the library, and how to
sign up for the summer reading program. In addition to library information, Eliza played
a planet guessing game with kids and answered a ton of questions. After the visit, Eliza
was working when two families stopped in, talked about seeing her at their school, and
registered for library cards.
o Visited Valley View Elementary to talk to 375 students about the library and summer
reading. Students were full of questions and very excited about summer at the library. A
student and his dad came to the library as soon as school was finished to sign up for a
card.
o Interviewed 3 teen volunteers, registered 2 returning volunteers, and scheduled 1
additional volunteer interview.
o Began planning fall programs. MELSA-funded family programs will include stamp
carving, Somali kebed weaving, and clay gingerbread houses.
• Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o Met with the Columbia Heights Public Library Foundation.
o Met with Communications Coordinator Will Rottler about the website revision.
o Met with Anoka County Library Director Colleen Haubner.
o Viewed a training video from the MN Department of Natural Resources on evaluating
the Park Pass program during summer 2024.
o Participated in ACL public service team and city division head meetings.
• Other Staff Updates
o Renee, Eliza, and Elizabeth met with Erin Straszewski and Dana Weigman from ACL
about programming and Legacy funding.
o Full-time staff and supervisors attended ACL Staff Day.
o Library Supervisor Georgia Cook resigned her position to expand her duties at the Law
Library of the Eighth District Court. Staff said farewell during her final shift on May 29.
o Substitute Page Michelle Wermerskirchen was no longer able fulfill the duties of the
position; so her final shift was May 11.
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – May 2024
MISCELLANEOUS
o The Anoka County Law Librarian held open office hours but had no attendees this month.
o “Mississippi River Pearl” an interactive artwork created
through the Mississippi River Watershed Management
Organization with a grant from Art to Change the World,
was installed in the lobby. The created piece is intended to
demonstrate the impact of humans on the natural world
and highlight trash issues in our communities and the river.
o New service hours took effect the week of May 28,
extending open hours until 5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. A
couple of glitches with the programming of building lighting
and employee access badges were corrected.
VOLUNTEERS
o Nine adult volunteers donated 34 hours.