HomeMy WebLinkAbout202504 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – April 2025
BUILDING
• The flagpole was adapted to allow the addition of the new Minnesota flag.
TECHNOLOGY
COLLECTION
• New books were selected from reviews in the December and January issues of Booklist, Kirkus
Reviews, Library Journal and School Library Journal . A large youth manga order was placed.
Juvenile requests included the new YA manga series Blue Lock, and Sign of Affection.
• Weeding was completed in adult nonfiction 400-635.
• Adult displays highlighted National Library Week’s theme of ‘Drawn to the Library’, financial
literacy, poetry, jazz, and nature/earth. Juvenile displays also featured National Library Week as
well as National Poetry month.
• The display case was created by the Friends of the Library and featured fishing, including MN
fishing regulations in English, Somali, and Spanish.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Batteries, Bulbs and Wires 4/1 Children (6-11) 17
DIY Teen: Diamond Coasters 4/1 Teen (12-18) 9
English Language Conversation Circle 4/2 Adult 2
Daycare Storytime 4/4 Children (0-5) 14
Storytime 4/7 Children (0-5) 49
EL Conversation Circle 4/7 Adult 6
Tinker Time: DIY Stickers 4/8 Children (6-11) 29
EL Conversation Circle 4/9 Adult 7
Loft: Getting Started on Your Writing Project 4/9 Adult 11
ICS 1st Grade Visit 4/10 Children (6-11) 14
Teen Poster Workshop 4/12 Teen (12-18) 6
Storytime 4/14 Children (0-5) 45
EL Conversation Circle 4/14 Adult 6
Adult Book Club: The Cruelest Month 4/16 Adult 12
EL Conversation Circle 4/16 Adult 6
Mystery Book Club: The Silent Patient 4/16 Adult 4
Storytime 4/21 Children (0-5) 39
EL Conversation Circle 4/21 Adult 6
Evening Storytime 4/22 Children (0-5) 12
Seed Mosaics 4/23 Adult 15
Conversation Circle 4/23 Adult 6
Adult Basic Education Tour 4/24 Adult 19
Storytime 4/28 Children (0-5) 40
EL Conversation Circle 4/28 Adult 4
Immaculate Conception 2nd Grade visit 4/29 Children (6-11) 23
EL Conversation Circle 4/30 Adult 7
Adult Basic Education Tour 4/30 Adult 23
STAFF
Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian:
• Met with the Friends of the Library.
• Researched suppliers and cost for additional bookends for collection shelving.
Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – April 2025
• Weeded and shifted the romance and western collections.
• Coordinated a bulk loan to the Personal Care Senior Living facility and deliveries to six at-home
patrons.
Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian:
• Hosted the Bakken Museum for “Batteries, Bulbs and Wires” during Spring Break and artist
Natasha Pestich for a poster-making workshop.
• Assisted children and caregivers in
creating DIY stickers at a Tinker
Time program.
• Taught a diamond painting
program for teens and tweens.
• Welcomed a field trip from
Immaculate Conception School
2nd graders who were fascinated
by the workroom and following a
book’s journey from the return
slot, through the automated
materials handler (AMH), onto a
sorting cart and, finally back to
the shelf.
• Attended Valley View
Elementary’s annual carnival where she shared information about the library and helped
families create library-themed buttons.
• Prepared bulks loans for 1st-4th grades classes at Immaculate Conception School and the Mini-
Adventures program at the Family Center.
Renee Dougherty, Library Director:
• Participated in meetings of city division heads, Library Board, Communications Committee, city
Strategic Planning, CH Public Schools Communication Advisory Council, and the Anoka County
Libraries’ Public Service team.
• Attended the Minnesota Library Association’s Public Library Day which focused on artificial
intelligence.
• Participated in a webinar with state library directors facilitated by State Library Services.
MISCELLANEOUS
• The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office staffed an Expungement Clinic on April 24 and sent the
following thank you:
“I am reaching out on behalf of the AGO to say thank you so much for hosting the expungement
clinic at the Columbia Heights Public Library. It is a great space and the staff was very
accommodating! We were able to see about 200 people throughout the day and connect each of
them with one of our Assistant Attorneys General. This was a wonderful partnership.”
Marco Hernandez, Outreach Coordinator, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General
• Volunteers with the Metro HRA provided navigators to assistant people applying for the Housing
Choice Voucher lottery during the April 9-16 enrollment period.
• Staff participated in mandatory safety training.
• Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on April 24.
• Seven adult volunteers donated 40hours this month.