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HomeMy WebLinkAbout202501 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library Library Board Report – January 2025 BUILDING • Adams Pest Control performed a regular monthly inspection. • Exterior windows were washed. • Northland Refrigeration was consulted to determine why one of the heating boilers experiences repeated errors and shuts off. • The Fire Department conducted a building inspection. • A locksmith repaired the craft room lock and installed sweeps on exterior doors to prevent heat loss and small animals from entering through the gaps. • The public copier/printer was cleaned and lubricated. TECHNOLOGY A Library Associate received a new laptop to replace a desktop computer. COLLECTION • New books were selected from reviews in the September and October issues of Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal and School Library Journal. Adult and youth DVDs were ordered. Juvenile requests and replacements included more copies of “Dog Man,” books that received ALA Youth Media Award medals and honors, new volumes of popular manga, and Pokémon books. • Weeding was completed in adult mysteries and science fiction. • Adult displays featured Oscar-nominated films, slow cooker and Instant Pot cookbooks, and celebrity memoirs. Juvenile displays highlighted non-fiction as part of “Find a New Hobby.” PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE English Language Conversation Circle 1/6 Adult 6 EL Conversation Circle 1/8 Adult 4 Wooden Stencil Painting 1/11 Adult 23 EL Conversation Circle 1/13 Adult 14 Tinker Time: Watercolor 1/14 Children (6-11) 25 Book Club 1/15 Adult 14 Winter Reads Tote Bags 1/15 Adult 13 Conversation Circle 1/15 Adult 4 ICS 1st Grade visit 1/16 Children (6-11) 13 Active Agers Book Club (offsite) 1/17 Adult 5 Arabic Storytime 1/18 Children (0-5) 26 Getting Started with Libby 1/21 Adult 1 Evening Storytime 1/21 Children (0-5) 6 EL Conversation Circle 1/22 Adult 4 Getting Started with Libby 1/22 Adult 3 Valley View Kindergarten Field Trip 1/24 Children (6-11) 48 Family Storytime 1/27 Children (0-5) 36 EL Conversation Circle 1/27 Adult 7 DIY Teen: Teacup Candles 1/28 Teen (12-18) 13 Petite Concert 1/29 Children (0-5) 36 EL Conversation Circle 1/29 Adult 4 Eliza to Valley View Elementary Kindergarten (offsite) 1/30 Children (6-11) 48 Ancestral Connections 1/30 Adult 7 Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – January 2025 STAFF Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian: • Coordinated the 2025 Winter Reads program which started January 6. By month-end, 69 reviews had been submitted, and 4 readers won a weekly prize (Winter Reads branded playing cards) and were entered into a grand prize drawing. A DIY tote bag event was held in conjunction with Winter Reads. • Engaged Nyttu Chongo to deliver a three-session Ancestral Connections program featuring meditation and traditional Mozambican music. • Presented two Getting Started with Libby programs. • Met with MELSA’s Jobs and Small Business team. • Met with city communications and community development staff to discuss a racial covenant outreach and engagement initiative with Mapping Prejudice and Just Deeds. • Led the Active Agers Book Club discussion of Jefferson’s Daughters by Catherine Kerrison. • Met with the Friends of the Library. • Made deliveries to three At-Home patrons. Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian: • Hosted Samia Abuisnaineh to present an Arabic storytime program featuring puppets, songs, and activities. • Contracted with Breaching Concerts to present a Petite Concert featuring children’s songs and classical music. Children were invited to try playing the instruments after the performance. • Inaugurated an evening storytime for those who cannot attend during the day. • Designed and led Tinker Time: Watercolor Salt Painting for elementary-aged kids and DIY Teen: Teacup Candles programs. • Hosted two kindergarten classes from Valley View Elementary and a 1st grade class from Immaculate Conception school for field trips. • Because two additional kindergarten classes from Valley View were unable to visit due to the extreme cold, Eliza visited their site to read, play and learn about the library. Columbia Heights Public Library 3. Library Board Monthly Update – January 2025 Renee Dougherty, Library Director: • Participated in Anoka County Library public service team and city division head meetings. • Began serving as the Secretary on the Minnesota Library Association Executive Board. • Met with Rin Gorman, Eliza Pope, and Winnie Coyne for their annual performance reviews; the Anoka County Library Director; and the consultant who will facilitate leadership and communication building with city division heads and council members this spring. • Facilitated the adult book club for a discussion of The Book of Charlie by David Von Drehle. Rin Gorman, Library Supervisor • Conducted appointments for Tech Assistance, including visual assistance, online security and e- books. All Staff: • Continued basic Spanish language lessons with Brenda Pliego-Geniz from the Police Department. • Tracked reference questions during the week of 1/27-2/1. • Shared pizza through a generous gift from a long-term patron. MISCELLANEOUS • Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on January 23. • A fire alarm was pulled by a patron in the children’s area on January 31. • Eight adult volunteers donated 22 hours.