HomeMy WebLinkAbout202506 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – June 2025
BUILDING
• Exterior windows were washed.
• Community room air conditioning was repaired due to rodent damage to exterior wiring.
TECHNOLOGY
• IT staff adjusted print management software to prevent kids from “going around” it. Evading
Comprise prevents computers from connecting to the printer, from shutting down at five
minutes before closing, and from staff monitoring and oversight.
COLLECTION
• New books were selected from reviews in the January and February issues of Booklist, Kirkus
Reviews and School Library Journal.
• Weeding was completed in adult fiction D-F
and nonfiction 700-749.
• Adult endcap displays highlighted baseball, MN
outdoor activities, Juneteenth, song writing
and music history. The main display featured
reading during Pride month.
• The display case celebrated mycology, the
study of fungi, with an exhibit of blue and pink
oyster mushrooms cultivated on discarded books.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE INTENDED
AUDIENCE
ATTENDANCE
Family Storytime 6/2 Children (0-5) 35
English Language Conversation Circle 6/2 Adult 5
YSL Visit to Highland Elementary (6 classes) 6/3 Children (6-11) 530
YSL Visit to Valley View 2nd Grades (2 classes) 6/4 Children (6-11) 86
Adult Basic Education Field Trip 6/4 Adult 13
EL Conversation Circle 6/4 Adult 4
Daycare Storytime 6/6 Children (0-5) 16
EL Conversation Circle 6/7 Adult 1
Family Storytime 6/9 Children (0-5) 40
EL Conversation Circle 6/9 Adult 6
Blooming Sunshine Tour (offsite) 6/10 Young Adult 9
Evening Storytime 6/10 Children (0-5) 4
Engage Community Songwriting Workshop 6/11 Adult 0
EL Conversation Circles 6/11 Adult 6
Plastic People Documentary 6/12 Adult 14
EL Conversation Circle 6/14 Adult 2
Family Storytime 6/16 Children (0-5) 51
EL Conversation Circle 6/16 Adult 5
Tinker Time: Botanical Bandanas 6/17 Children (6-11) 48
Mystery Book Club 6/17 Adult 6
Book Club 6/18 Adult 8
EL Conversation Circle 6/18 Adult 5
Circus Manduhai 6/21 Children (6-11) 55
EL Conversation Circle 6/21 Adult 4
Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – June 2025
Family Storytime 6/23 Children (0-5) 47
EL Conversation Circle 6/23 Adult 7
DIY Teen: Perler Beads 6/24 Young Adult/Teen 6
EL Conversation Circle 6/25 Adult 3
Mapping Prejudice 6/25 Adult
MN Birds with 4-H 6/26 Children (6-11) 6
EL Conversation Circle 6/28 Adult 2
Family Storytime 6/30 Children (0-5) 40
EL Conversation Circle 6/30 Adult 7
STAFF
Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian:
• Coordinated a tour of the Blooming Sunshine Garden with HeightsNext.
• Partnered with HeightsNext for a viewing and discussion of the documentary, Plastic People.
• Facilitated the Mystery Book Club’s discussion of Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger.
• Welcomed adult learners from the adult Basic Education Center for a library tour, library card
sign-ups, and a chance to find and borrow materials.
• Met Jordan Abhold from Neighborhood HealthSource to discuss future partnership possibilities,
including public naloxone training programs.
• Met with the Friends of the Library.
• Met with Connie Buesgens to finalize plans for Plastic People screening.
• Sought a quote and completed an order for additional bookends that match existing shelving.
• Made deliveries to four At-Home
patrons.
Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian:
• Visited Highland and Valley View
Elementary schools to promote the
summer reading program.
• Promoted library services at the
city’s Art and Information Fair at
Huset Park on June 18.
• Welcomed Circus Manduhai on
Saturday, June 21.
Renee Dougherty, Library Director:
• Met with the Director, Assistant
Director and Accountant for Anoka
County Libraries to discuss how the
county bills CHPL for services.
• Participated in an informational call
with book vendor Ingram with the youth services librarian and library associate responsible for
ordering collection materials.
• Participated in a training webinar for the 2025-2028 MN DNR State Park Pass grant program.
• Facilitated the Book Club’s discussion of The Wishing Game.
• Met with Page Karen Yaeger for her annual performance review.
• Made a presentation with the Recreation Director at the joint City Council/School Board
meeting.
Columbia Heights Public Library 3. Library Board Monthly Update – June 2025
MISCELLANEOUS
• Summer Reading began for youth and adults, with unique prizes for each cohort. All earn a free
book for reading five hours and raffle tickets for reaching subsequent benchmarks. Drawings will
award tickets for Twins baseball games, the MN State Fair, and Sea Life aquarium for youth and
Twins games for adults.
• Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on June 18.
• Six adult volunteers donated 30 hours to the library: pulling holds, shelf-reading in the stacks,
conducting the Conversation Circle, assisting with technology questions, and organizing the
library collection.