HomeMy WebLinkAbout202503 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – March 2025
BUILDING
• Northland Refrigeration continued to service malfunctioning heating and snowmelt boilers.
• An electrician repaired ceiling lights.
• There were multiple instances of the exterior doors not latching or locking with people in the
lobby or restrooms after closing.
TECHNOLOGY
• Service calls were made for two of the self-checks; one cooling fan was replaced.
• The computer at the north service desk was replaced.
COLLECTION
• New books were selected from reviews in the November and December issues of Booklist and
Kirkus Reviews. April and May publications by bestselling authors were pre-ordered. Adult and
youth DVDs were ordered. Juvenile requests and replacements included Wicked Darlings by
Jordyn Taylor, the Blight Harbor trilogy by Lora Senf, more Elephant and Piggie books by Mo
Willems, and Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls.
• Weeding was completed in large print and adult nonfiction 000-350.
• Adult displays featured women’s history month, birding, brain health, and MN authors.
• Juvenile displays featured Ramadan, architecture and architects, basketball, Minecraft, Roblox,
and other video-game books.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Storytime 3/3 Children (0-5) 44
English Language Conversation Circle 3/3 Adult 4
Winter Greenhouses and Seed Sowing 3/3 Adult 13
Highland Elementary Kindergarten Class Field Trips 3/4 Children (6-11) 86
EL Conversation Circle 3/5 Adult 5
Puzzle Contest/Exchange 3/8 Adult 35
Storytime 3/10 Children (0-5) 37
EL Conversation Circle 3/10 Adults 5
Tinker Time: Paper Squishes 3/11 Children (6-11) 32
EL Conversation Circle 3/12 Adult 4
Immaculate Conception 1st Grade visit 3/13 Children (6-11) 13
Daycare Storytime 3/14 Children (0-5) 12
Storytime 3/17 (Children (0-5) 46
EL Conversation Circle 3/17 Adult 16
Evening Storytime 3/18 Children (0-5) 28
Book Club: The Authenticity Project 3/19 Adult 11
Conversation Circle 3/19 Adult 6
AARP: Downsizing and Decluttering 3/20 Adult 21
Active Agers Book Club: White Chrysanthemum 3/21 Adult 8
Storytime 3/24 Children (0-5) 46
EL Conversation Circle 3/24 Adult 3
Immaculate Conception 2nd Grade visit 3/25 Children (6-11) 23
EL Conversation Circle 3/26 Adult 4
Spring Migration with Urban Bird Collective 3/26 Adult 11
Storytime 3/31 Children (0-5) 38
EL Conversation Circle 3/31 Adult 4
Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – March 2025
STAFF
Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian:
• Interviewed two
potential adult
volunteers.
• Met with the Friends of
the Library.
• Communicated with
staff at MetroNorth
Adult Basic Education
about spring field trips.
• Coordinated with new
staff at Personal Care
Senior Living for
institutional bulk loans.
• Weeded and shifted
the large print
collection.
Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian:
• Assisted children and caregivers in creating paper squishies at a Tinker Time program.
• Transformed the play space into a veterinarian clinic encouraging kids to role play as vets,
examine x-rays, and learn about animal care.
• Prepared multiple bulks loans for 1st-4th grades classes at Immaculate Conception School, the
Adventure Club after-school programs at Highland and Valley View Elementaries, and the Mini-
Adventures program at the Family Center.
• Continued to plan for the summer reading program including purchasing of prize books for
those who log more than five hours of reading.
Renee Dougherty, Library Director:
• Participated in meetings of city division heads, the Library Foundation, and the Anoka County
Libraries’ Public Service team.
• Attended the funeral of Nancy Rathbun, Friend of the Library, and the reviewal for former
Mayor Gary Peterson.
• Met with Gail Olson who is writing a history of Columbia Heights; and Kyle Kigan, regional
contact from Bibliotheca, about updated self-check and security equipment.
• Met with Page Yuliana Morocho Calderon for her annual review.
• Attended a webinar with Metro HRA in preparation for opening the waitlist for Section 8
housing. Metro HRA will send navigators to the library to assist those applying for vouchers
using library computers on April 9, 14, and 15.
• Conversed with an outreach worker from Hope4Youth, who will visit monthly to serve youth
(ages 16-24) experiencing homelessness.
• Compiled and input data for the 2024 Minnesota Public Library Annual Report by deadline.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on March 27.
• Seven adult volunteers donated 24.75 hours this month.