HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – August 2024
BUILDING
• Northland Refrigeration completed final repairs to the air conditioning unit on 8/8.
• Adams Pest visited for the regular monthly inspection and maintenance.
• Exterior windows were washed on 8/23.
TECHNOLOGY.
COLLECTION
• New books were selected from reviews in the April and May issues of Booklist, Kirkus Reviews,
Library Journal and School Library Journal. Recent adult works on psychology and religion as well
as manga were added. Replacement copies of youth materials from popular series like “Dog
Man,” “Wings of Fire,” and manga were ordered. DVDs for youth and adults were purchased.
• Weeding was completed in adult nonfiction 800s-940s for condition, datedness, and lack of use.
• Adult slatwall displays featured dogs, summer, Olympics, back-to-school, and road trips. Larger
displays featured romance awareness month, including adult and young adult titles in science
fiction, fantasy, and graphics in addition to traditional mass-market romance paperbacks.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Daycare Storytime 8/2 Children (0-5) 20
Intro to Citizenship class with MetroNorth ABE 8/3 Adult 2
English Language Conversation Circle 8/5 Adult 1
Computers 101, 10 am 8/6 Adult 2
Computers 101, 11 am 8/6 Adult 2
Tinker Time: Perler Beads 8/6 Children (6-11) 15
EL Conversation Circle 8/7 Adult 3
Found Materials Windchimes 8/8 Children (6-11) 23
Saturday Scribes: Blue Delliquanti 8/10 Adult 7
Computers 101, 5 pm 8/12 Adult 3
Computers 101, 6 pm 8/12 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 8/12 Adult 5
Walk and Talk Book Club 8/13 Adult 1
DIY Teen: Japanese Book Binding 8/13 Youth (12-18) 8
EL Conversation Circle 8/14 Adult 4
Intro to Watercolor 8/14 Adult 15
EL Conversation Circle 8/19 Adult 8
Book Club: “The Underground Railroad” 8/21 Adult 16
Mystery Book Club: “Strike Me Down” 8/21 Adult 6
EL Conversation Circle 8/21 Adult 5
Clay Turtles for Families 8/24 Children (6-11) 19
EL Conversation Circle 8/26 Adult 4
EL Conversation Circle 8/28 Adult 6
STAFF
• Rin Gorman, Library Supervisor
o Facilitated the Mystery Book Club discussion on 8/21.
• Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian
o Met with the MELSA Jobs and Small Business Task Force.
o Made four deliveries to At-Home patrons.
o Attended the Monarch Festival on 8/8 to share library resources on pollinators
o Attended the city division head meeting on 8/14.
• Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian,
o Taught Tinker Time on Perler Beads which coincided with National Night Out.
o Hosted the Rum River Art Center for a “Found Materials” windchime program.
o Enlisted Erin Holt for a teen program on Japanese bookbinding techniques. One teen
told his parent that he love the program and couldn’t wait to attend another.
Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – August 2024
o Contracted with eHolt Art for a family clay program focusing on turtles. Some turtles
were realistic, like a soft-shelled turtle, and some were fantastical, like a waffle turtle
with butter on top, but all looked amazing.
o Brought giant bubbles and sidewalk chalk to the Jolly Pops Music in the Park event on
8/14.
o Attended a new teacher meet and greet at Columbia Heights Public Schools on 8/20 to
share information about online library resources for students, families and teachers as
well as information about organizational cards and bulk loans.
o Provided similar information for teachers at the Immaculate Conception School.
o Attended an open house at the CHPS Family Center on 8/29.
• Renee Dougherty, Library Director,
o Participated in the monthly ACL public service team and weekly city division head
meetings.
o Met with Library Associate Farrah Briest for her annual performance evaluation.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Announced an opening for a Library Page with applications accepted through August 30.
• Staff attended the City Employee Picnic on 8/15.
• The Minnesota Artists Penny Press Project was removed in the final week of the month.
VOLUNTEERS
• Eight adult volunteers donated 28.5 hours.
• Seven teen volunteers contributed 82 hours of service over the summer. There were the same
number of volunteens as last year, but they worked 22 more hours. The teens were exceptional,
responsible, independent, with positive attitudes and adept at all assigned tasks.
Figure 1 Intro to Watercolor
Columbia Heights Public Library 3. Library Board Monthly Update – August 2024
Figure 2 Found Materials Windchimes
Figure 3 DIY Teen: Japanese Bookbinding
Figure 4 Clay Turtles