HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – June 2024
BUILDING
o Adams Pest control visited for the regular monthly inspection and maintenance.
o The building was not cleaned on 6/5.
TECHNOLOGY
o IT staff addressed issues with the print management kiosk nor charging for copies, and not
displaying jobs when using the French or Spanish language option. A new coin op was shipped
from the software vendor, but it didn’t correct the failure to charge for copying.
o A massive internet disruption occurred in the city on 6/8. At the library it disrupted patron
computer use and printing; use of the integrated library system for checking out, returning
materials, and pulling holds; operation of the drive-up book return; and telephones.
COLLECTION
• New books were selected from reviews in the March issues of Booklist, Kirkus Reviews and
Library Journal. Adult romance, westerns and trade fiction paperbacks were ordered, as well as
nonfiction titles on Africa and African history. Youth replacements included patron requests,
new graphic novels, new books in Spanish, and new non-fiction titles on sports ADHD, video
games, and LEGOs. DVDs for youth and adults were also ordered.
• Weeding was completed in adult nonfiction 200 - 500 for condition, datedness, and lack of use.
Review of the young adult collection is progressing with the help of teen volunteers.
• Adult displays featured Juneteenth, Pride, graphic novels, audiobook month, and titles by Mindy
Mejia. Youth book displays featured Juneteenth and Pride.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Family Storytime 6/3 Children (0-5) 53
English Language Conversation Circle 6/3 Adult 5
Youth Services Librarian promotes Summer Reading at Immaculate
Conception School
6/4 Children (6-11) 155
Getting Started with Libby 6/4 Adult 2
EL Conversation Circle 6/5 Adult 6
Getting Started with Libby 6/6 Adult 2
EL Conversation Circle 6/6 Adult 4
Daycare Storytime 6/7 Children (0-5) 20
Saturday Scribes: Lorna Landvik 6/8 Adult 25
Family Storytime 6/10 Children (0-5) 42
EL Conversation Circle 6/10 Adult 4
Walk and Talk Book Club 6/11 Adult 0
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach and the Mouse Perez 6/11 Children (0-5) 40
EL Conversation Circle 6/12 Adult 3
EL Conversation Circle 6/13 Adult 6
Raptor Encounter 6/13 Children (6-11) 63
Clay Animal Vases 6/15 Children (6-11) 17
Family Storytime 6/17 Children (0-5) 58
EL Conversation Circle 6/17 Adult 3
Mystery Book Club – cancelled 6/18 Adult
EL Conversation Circle 6/20 Adult 6
Painting Planets 6/20 Children (6-11) 27
Family Storytime 6/24 Children (0-5) 52
EL Conversation Circle 6/24 Adult 4
DIY Teen: Art of Indigo Dye 6/25 Youth (12-18) 14
Experimenting with Stitches 6/26 Adult 11
EL Conversation Circle 6/26 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 6/27 Adult 5
Mars Exploration 6/27 Children (6-11) 27
STAFF
• Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – June 2024
o Met with the Friends of the Library, who held a meeting despite the lack of a quorum.
o Met with the mayor about the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge.
o Made four deliveries to At-Home patrons.
• Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Hosted Julia and Gustavo Boada for a bilingual puppet show based on the folk tale
“Martina the Beautiful Cockroach” with Perez the Mouse. Families were enchanted by
puppet theatre and enjoyed being able to talk to Julie and Gustavo about how the
puppets worked.
o Welcomed Madison from the Rum River Art Center for Clay Animal Vases. Families
sculpted wall vases and chose an animal to decorate them.
o Contracted with educator Judy Moran from the Raptor Center who brought a red-tailed
hawk, a merlin, a great horned owl, and a bald eagle to the library. Kids and families
learned about what makes a raptor a raptor, what to do if you find an injured raptor
(call the Raptor Center!) and all sorts of facts and information about the birds.
o Worked with Erin from Parcel Arts to present DIY Teen: Indigo Dye. After learning the
science of indigo dye, teens used a variety of tools like poker chips, popsicle sticks, and
rubber bands, to tie up their bandanas before dunking them in the dye. After 20
minutes, teens unbound their bandanas to reveal the designs.
o Assisted kids learn to use metallic and iridescent paints with Erin from eHolt Art. Erin
taught participants how to sketch out their ideas and then how to work with the
watercolor paints to create vibrant images of shimmering planets and galaxies on black
paper.
o Invited Sarah from Anoka County Extension/4-H to present a fun and educational Mars
exploration program! Kids learned about the different kinds of spacecraft that have
travelled to Mars and then worked to design their own Mars helicopter. Next,
participants flexed their observational skills with candy bar geology, writing down their
observations of the exterior and interior of a candy bar. Kids that attended the program
were very curious and had lots of questions for Sarah.
o Visited Immaculate Conception School to talk to students about Summer Reading and
the library. Many students were familiar with the library and Eliza has seen many visit
the library to sign up for Summer Reading or attend a program.
o Dropped off bookmarks advertising Summer Reading to Valley View Elementary and
Highland Elementary. This is the first year of trying this approach! The bookmarks were
in English and Spanish. Eliza designed the bookmarks to be colored on one side with
Summer Reading information on the other. They arrived on the day before school ended
(just in time!) and were distributed by the media specialists at the schools. Library staff
have seen a few students bring the bookmarks with them when they come to sign up for
Summer Reading. Ideally, Eliza will have the bookmarks designed and printed in time to
take them along on her school visits in May 2025.
o Attended the Columbia Academy end-of-year carnival. She distributed summer event
flyers and information about the library while making space-themed buttons with
families.
o Began supervising a group of enthusiastic teen volunteers, six who started in June with
three additional volunteers scheduled to start in July. Teens have helped pull hold lists,
laminated and cut storytime supplies, stickered new user guides and info cards with
updated hours, folded booklists, and changed out scavenger hunts.
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – June 2024
• Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o Attended a quarterly CareerForce Corner update.
o Met with City Finance Director Joseph Kloiber and ACL Director Colleen Haubner about
various aspects of the 2025 budget.
o Participated in ACL public service team and city division head meetings.
• Other Staff Updates
o Renee, Eliza, and Elizabeth staffed a table at the City Art and Information Fair.
MISCELLANEOUS
o The Anoka County Law Librarian held open office hours with three attendees.
o “Mississippi River Pearl” an interactive piece of art was removed on June 11.
o The library participated in the Citywide Garage Sale on June 7-8.
VOLUNTEERS
o Nine adult volunteers donated 34.75 hours.
Columbia Heights Public Library Library Board Monthly Update – June 2024
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach & Perez the Mouse
Clay Animal Vases
The UMN Raptor Center
Painting Planets
DIY Teen: Indigo Dye