HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-03-2025 Library Board Packet
LIBRARY BOARD
Library—Community Room, 3939 Central Ave NE
Wednesday, December 03, 2025
5:30 PM
AGENDA
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wish to attend may do so in-person, or by using Microsoft Teams Meeting at ID 254 921
776 562 0, Passcode QP35BK9R. For questions, please contact Administration at 763-706-3610.
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is
made at least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.
CALL TO ORDER
1. Approve the Agenda [MOTION to Approve]
2. Review/Approve Library Board Minutes from November 5, 2025 [MOTION to Approve]
3. Review 2025 Operating Budget
COMMUNITY FORUM: The Community Forum is an opportunity to address the Library Board about items not
scheduled for a public hearing. All speakers must provide their name and connection to Columbia Heights. Speakers
should complete a form for Staff and introduce themselves when called on. Virtual speakers should send their
information to the moderator via chat and turn on their camera when called. Comments are limited to five minutes.
Disrespectful language is not allowed. The Board may ask questions or refer items for follow-up but typically does not
take action during the forum.
OLD BUSINESS
4. Approve Revisions to the Collection Development and Management Policy [MOTION to Approve]
NEW BUSINESS
5. Approve Library Board 2026 Meeting Dates [MOTION to Approve]
6. Approve 2026 Library Holiday/Closed Dates [MOTION to Approve]
7. Approve 2026 CHPL Fee Schedule [MOTION to Approve]
DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
8. October Board Report
9. Board Books
ADJOURNMENT
1
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, November 5th, 2025
Drafted
11/6/2025
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wished to attend could do so in-person, or via Microsoft Teams by entering Meeting ID 254 921 776 562 0 and passcode
QP35BK9R at the scheduled meeting time. For questions, please contact Administration at 763-706-3610.
The meeting was called to order in the Library Community Room by Melanie Magidow at 5:32pm.
Members present: Melanie Magidow; Olga Herrera; Theresa Strike; Chris Polley; Amina Maameri. Members remotely
present: N/A. Members absent: Amáda Márquez Simula (City Council Liaison). Others present: Renee Dougherty (Library
Director); Nick Olberding (Board Secretary). Public present: N/A.
1. The Agenda was approved as is.
2. The Minutes from October 1, 2025, Library Board Meeting were moved and approved.
3. Review of 2025 Operating Budget: 83.29% of the year completed and 76.07% of the budget expended.
a. Some lines have been overspent due to unforeseen mechanical issues with the HVAC boilers and backup
power generator, as well as a broken window replacement along the Central side of the building. There
will be additional expenses related to the backup generator and emergency lighting backup battery.
b. Boiler replacement is planned for next spring, the cost of which will be funded from the City’s capital
improvement funds, not the general Library budget.
c. The city, per Council resolution 95-40, established a target library fund balance equal to 45% of the
following year’s budget. The fund balance enables operating expenditures prior to the receipt of tax
revenue, cushions against budget shortfalls in any given year; and receives any annual surpluses.
Community Forum: Opportunity for public input. One comment submitted via website; no public in attendance.
The CHPL website now has a contact form to submit questions or concerns: https://chplmn.org/board
4. Annemarie Lewis Correspondence (10/13/25): Annemarie asked if the library has considered creating and
selling merchandise like t-shirts and tote bags. Members mentioned how much they used tote bags from their
previous neighborhood libraries. Renee assured them of our ability to sell merchandise, noting that we already
sell printing, flash drives, and earbuds. Youth Librarian, Eliza, previously expressed interest in using merchandise
as prizes for the Summer Reading Program, but it could also be helpful at outreach events and as gifts for
volunteer appreciation. The Board thought we could host a design contest for artwork to be used on
merchandise or could host a screen-printing workshop to produce some items. Would we need to start
accepting credit cards if we were to have merch for sale? Do we have a good place to display items for sale?
Other potential items being bookmarks, mugs, keychains, and yard signs. Chris said he would check into who
supplies the school district with their branded merchandise, and Renee will discuss possibilities with the City
Communication Department.
Old Business:
5. Staffing Update: 107 applications received, 9 interviewed, 3 offered positions, all 3 accepted. All high school
students (Columbia Heights-Fridley-DeLaSalle), two speak Arabic, one speaks Spanish. All have finished
onboarding/training and are now working regularly scheduled shifts.
6. Budget Update: Renee presented the proposed Library budget to the City Council in early October without
objection. As of now it will continue forward with the anticipation of being approved in December.
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Item 2.
New Business:
7. Review and Recommend Revisions to the Collection Development Policy: Usually the Board is presented with
policies that have already been revised and are asked to approve changes, this time they received the existing
policy and were asked for their comments and suggestions before revisions are made. The revised policy will
need to acknowledge the new laws regarding book bans and should make clear that it only covers physical
material, since CHPL does not have any control over the digital collection provided through the State of
Minnesota, Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA), and Anoka County Library. Members feel like the
“Selection” section lists too many specifics and could be more general. It was mentioned that we need to
account for future patrons in addition to current ones (as well as current non-patrons), balance collections
based on trends and diversity (not cater to fads), and express that inclusion of a title in the Library collection
does not imply an endorsement of the material. Renee will take the Board’s suggestions into consideration while
revising the policy with the help of our Youth and Adult Services Librarians who also make purchase selections.
Director’s Update:
8. September Board Report: Provided as an FYI.
a. The Board commented on the solid attendance for the month’s list of programs.
b. Multiple mentions of health-related partnerships were listed. One (Fulcrum Health) may lead to a
program related to chiropractic care and alternative pain management (to avoid opioids); the other
(Anoka County Opioid Solutions) relates to opioid harm reduction; other Anoka County Libraries are
distribution points for naloxone overdose medication. The Board asked if the city would consider
hosting a Health Fair like its annual Art & Info Fair.
c. Amina showed a picture of a Palestinian peoples display at a branch of the Hennepin County Library in
case we wanted inspiration for one of our own.
9. Board Books:
a. Amina: Mornings in Jenin Susan Abulhawa
b. Olga: The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation Natalie Y. Moore
c. Theresa: Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words John McWhorter; Alanna: The First
Adventure (Song of the Lioness youth series) Tamora Pierce
d. Chris: Holler, Child: Stories LaToya Watkins
e. Melanie: The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities
Through Mindfulness Rhonda V. Magee
f. Renee: The Wright Brothers David McCullough
g. Nick: Network Effect and Fugitive Telemetry and System Collapse (Murderbot Diaries series) Martha Wells
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nick Olberding
Recording Secretary, CHPL Board of Trustees
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Item 2.
Fund 240 - LIBRARY
2025 YTD ACTIVITY FOR
AMENDED BALANCE MONTH ENCUMBERED UNENCUMBERED % BDGT
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION BUDGET 10/26/2025 10/26/2025 YEAR-TO-DATE BALANCE USED
41010 REGULAR EMPLOYEES 493,700.00 467,150.11 40,337.84 0.00 26,549.89 94.62
41011 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 148,700.00 96,625.40 8,149.77 0.00 52,074.60 64.98
41020 OVERTIME-REGULAR 700.00 812.87 82.69 0.00 -112.87 116.12
41050 ACCRUED LEAVE ADJUSTMENT 0.00 2,182.80 0.00 0.00 -2,182.80
41070 INTERDEPARTMENTAL LABOR SERV 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00
41210 P.E.R.A. CONTRIBUTION 47,400.00 43,004.75 3,642.80 0.00 4,395.25 90.73
41220 F.I.C.A. CONTRIBUTION 49,200.00 42,880.24 3,688.50 0.00 6,319.76 87.15
41300 INSURANCE 83,500.00 78,276.00 7,116.00 0.00 5,224.00 93.74
41510 WORKERS COMP INSURANCE PREM 2,500.00 2,073.68 173.79 0.00 426.32 82.95
41810 COLA ALLOWANCE 31,900.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 31,900.00 0.00
42000 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,500.00 1,523.76 73.50 0.00 -23.76 101.58
42010 MINOR EQUIPMENT 100.00 1,564.98 0.00 0.00 -1,464.98 1564.98
42011 END USER DEVICES 13,300.00 13,181.51 13,121.52 0.00 118.49 99.11
42030 PRINTING & PRINTED FORMS 1,000.00 790.00 0.00 0.00 210.00 79.00
42170 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 1,000.00 706.12 0.00 0.00 293.88 70.61
42171 GENERAL SUPPLIES 7,000.00 6,885.85 0.00 0.00 114.15 98.37
42175 FOOD SUPPLIES 100.00 139.69 0.00 0.00 -39.69 139.69
42180 BOOKS 52,000.00 41,422.10 4,962.91 0.00 10,577.90 79.66
42181 PERIODICALS, MAG, NEWSPAPERS 8,000.00 8,080.05 3,012.59 0.00 -80.05 101.00
42183 E-BOOKS 16,300.00 12,427.63 0.00 0.00 3,872.37 76.24
42185 COMPACT DISCS 1,000.00 629.21 81.39 0.00 370.79 62.92
42187 BOOK/CD SET 1,500.00 1,375.61 0.00 0.00 124.39 91.71
42189 DVD 6,700.00 4,838.17 388.31 0.00 1,861.83 72.21
42190 DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO 3,000.00 1,938.00 0.00 0.00 1,062.00 64.60
42280 CENT. GARAGE REPAIR AND PARTS 0.00 3,883.67 0.00 0.00 -3,883.67
42990 COMM. PURCHASED FOR RESALE 200.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 0.00
43050 EXPERT & PROFESSIONAL SERV. 11,300.00 5,507.45 100.00 0.00 5,792.55 48.74
43105 TRAINING & EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 800.00 364.00 0.00 0.00 436.00 45.50
43210 TELEPHONE 1,200.00 111.74 0.00 571.78 516.48 56.96
43220 POSTAGE 300.00 45.64 0.00 0.00 254.36 15.21
43250 OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2,800.00 2,278.12 189.95 0.00 521.88 81.36
43310 LOCAL TRAVEL EXPENSE 500.00 254.27 0.00 0.00 245.73 50.85
43600 PROP & LIAB INSURANCE 13,500.00 11,250.00 0.00 0.00 2,250.00 83.33
43800 UTILITY SERVICES 7,500.00 7,493.02 0.00 0.00 6.98 99.91
43810 ELECTRIC 39,600.00 35,689.58 2,134.12 0.00 3,910.42 90.13
43830 GAS 11,800.00 8,320.61 679.51 0.00 3,479.39 70.51
44000 REPAIR & MAINT. SERVICES 20,000.00 20,790.41 266.67 800.00 -1,590.41 107.95
44010 BUILDING MAINT:INTERNAL SVCS 46,400.00 38,666.70 0.00 0.00 7,733.30 83.33
44020 BLDG MAINT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 30,700.00 31,200.46 0.00 4,983.20 -5,483.66 117.86
44030 SOFTWARE & SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS 24,600.00 12,531.00 0.00 7,815.08 4,253.92 82.71
44040 INFORMATION SYS:INTERNAL SVC 90,900.00 75,750.00 0.00 0.00 15,150.00 83.33
44050 GARAGE, LABOR BURD. 0.00 3,879.19 0.00 0.00 -3,879.19
44330 SUBSCRIPTION, MEMBERSHIP 800.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 0.00
44375 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION 200.00 43.10 0.00 0.00 156.90 21.55
45180 OTHER EQUIPMENT 0.00 745.02 0.00 0.00 -745.02
47100 OPER. TRANSFER OUT - LABOR 19,300.00 16,083.30 0.00 0.00 3,216.70 83.33
TOTAL EXPENDITURES: 1,293,000.00 1,103,395.81 88,201.86 14,170.06 175,434.13 86.43
EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
PERIOD ENDING 11/30/2025
Fiscal Year Completed: 91.51%
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Item 3.
Collection Development and Management Policy
Adopted: 08/2007
Revised 10/2020; 12/3/2025
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define the principles which guide the establishment and
maintenance of the Columbia Heights Public Library’s collection of print, audio, and video
materials, one of its major assets. This policy guides selection, acquisition, accessibility,
maintenance, preservation and scope of the collection. It establishes roles and
responsibilities and a process for addressing patron questions and concerns.
Principles
The Library affirms the principles of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of
Rights, the Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements. (links)
The Library serves all residents of the City of Columbia Heights. The Library strives to make
a representative selection of materials available to all patrons and believes that each
patron must decide which materials they will read, view, or hear, and allow others the same
freedom.
The Library is required to abide by MN Statute 134.51 which states that “a public library
must not ban, remove, or otherwise restrict access to a book or other material based solely
on its viewpoint, or the messages, ideas or opinions it conveys” (link)
Definitions
“Library materials”, or other synonyms that occur in this policy have the widest possible
meaning to include multiple physical formats of permanent record. Note that registered
cardholders of the CHPL also have access to digital materials purchased by county and
state entities with partnership agreements with CHPL. CHPL has no direct control over the
content, decision-making criteria, or accessibility of these digital collections.
“Patrons” include library users, cardholders, city staff members, volunteers, board
members, community members, and city, state, and national elected representatives of
the library’s service area.
Scope of the Collection
• To provide a broad and diverse range of materials to support the library’s
vision of nurturing diversity, community, creativity, opportunity and
knowledge.
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Item 4.
• To provide up-to-date informational materials for support the community’s
life-long learning and continuing education. Textbooks are generally not
collected, as users may take advantage of resource sharing available with
regional schools, colleges, and universities.
• To provide popular materials for community recreation.
• To appeal to a diversity of tastes, interests, reading levels, and languages.
• To collect items contributing to the knowledge of local history and reflecting
the work of local creators
Selection and Management Criteria
• Published reviews, evaluations, and awards
• Relevance to community needs
• Relationship to existing collection and broadening its diversity and scope
• Patron requests
• Content created by and representative of marginalized and under-represented
groups
• Physical formats that meet needs of library users
• Suitability of subject and style for intended audience
• Price
• Space limitations
• Contemporary and historical significance
• Appeal to local interest and history or representative of local creators
• Amount of use
• Wear
• Obsolescence or datedness of subject matter
The library will attempt to provide the best library materials available within the limitations
of its budget, and if the requested materials are not available on-site, the library will either
institute inter-library loan procedures or make a referral to another institution.
Responsibilities
The Library Board is responsible for recommending all library policies, including the
collection development and management policy, which are subsequently approved by the
City Council.
The Library Director is ultimately responsible for the selection and retention of collection
materials. The Director may delegate responsibility for segments of the collection to adult
and youth services librarians.
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Item 4.
Placement and Use of Materials
The Columbia Heights Public Library, as a MELSA Associate affiliated with the Anoka
County Library, participates in a shared catalog which adheres to community standards for
cataloging and classification that enable greater resource sharing and accessibility.
Materials will not be labeled or shelved separately, marked or identified to indicate to show
approval or disapproval of contents, to promote availability and access.
The responsibility for the selection of library material by and for children rests solely with
parents and caregivers. Neither the library nor library staff may act in place of a parent or
caregiver when selecting or checking out materials.
Requests for Reconsideration
Individuals residing in the legal service area of the Columbia Heights Public Library may
request reconsideration of a selection decision of library materials by completing a written
“Request for Reconsideration Form.” The Director will respond to an individual written
request after staff review. One form must be submitted for each item of concern. A title
which has been reviewed will not be reviewed again before three years have elapsed since
the last review. All requests for reconsideration are reported to the Minnesota State Library
and the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. The Library Board
may, upon request, will hear appeals to the Library’s determination.
7
Item 4.
CHPL Board of Trustees
2026 Meeting Dates
Columbia Heights Public Library ▪ 3939 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 ▪ 763-706-3690 ▪ www.chplmn.org
Drafted: November 2025
Approved:
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEETING DATES 2026
WHEN: First Wednesdays of each month at 5:30pm (*unless noted otherwise).
WHERE: Columbia Heights Public Library Community Room
January 7
February 4
March 4
April 1
May 6
June 3
July 1
August 5
September 2
October 7
November 4
December 2
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC:
Members of the public who wish to attend may do so in-person, or by using Microsoft Teams Meeting
at columbiaheightsmn.gov/joinameeting: ID xxx xxx xxx xxx, Passcode XXXXXXXX.
For questions, please contact Administration at 763-706-3610.
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is made at least
72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.
Board of Trustees
Melanie Magidow
Chair
Theresa Strike
Vice-Chair
Chris Polley
Olga Herrera
Amina Maameri
Members at Large
Amáda Márquez Simula
Council Liaison
Renee Dougherty
Library Director
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Item 5.
DATE/DAY HOURS
January 1, 2026, Thursday; NEW YEAR'S DAY ........................................................................... CLOSED
January 19, Monday; MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY ............................................................... CLOSED
February 16, Monday; PRESIDENTS’ DAY ................................................................................... CLOSED
May 14, Thursday; STAFF DAY (IN-SERVICE TRAINING) ............................................................ CLOSED
Memorial Day Weekend
May 23, Saturday .......................................................................................................................... CLOSED
May 25, Monday; MEMORIAL DAY .............................................................................................. CLOSED
June 19, Friday; JUNETEENTH ..................................................................................................... CLOSED
Independence Day Weekend
July 3, Friday; INDEPENDENCE DAY (OBSERVED) ....................................................................... CLOSED
July 4, Saturday; INDEPENDENCE DAY ........................................................................................ CLOSED
Labor Day Weekend
September 5, Saturday ................................................................................................................. CLOSED
September 7, Monday; LABOR DAY ............................................................................................. CLOSED
November 11, Wednesday; VETERAN'S DAY ............................................................................... CLOSED
Thanksgiving Weekend
November 26, Thursday; THANKSGIVING DAY .......................................................................... CLOSED
November 27, Friday; THANKSGIVING FRIDAY .......................................................................... CLOSED
Christmas Weekend
December 24, Thursday; CHRISTMAS EVE .................................................................................. CLOSED
December 25, Friday; CHRISTMAS DAY ...................................................................................... CLOSED
New Year’s Day 2027
January 1, 2027, Friday; NEW YEAR'S DAY ................................................................................ CLOSED
Drafted: November 2025
Approved:
HOLIDAY/CLOSED DATES
2026
9
Item 6.
Columbia Heights Public Library
Fine/Fee Schedule 2026
Drafted: November 2025 Approved:
Ca
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d
s
Replacement Library Card $0.00
Out-of-State/Non-resident Library Card $60.00/year
Re
t
a
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l
Earbud Headphones $2.00
Flash Drive (2-4GB) $5.00
Re
t
a
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l
(
u
s
e
d
s
a
l
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c
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t
)
Hardcover Book $1.00
Trade/Oversize Paperback $0.75
Mass Market Paperback $0.50
Children’s Hardcover Book $1.00
Children’s Paperback $0.25
DVD $1.00
Audiobook $2.00
Audio CD $1.00
Pr
i
n
t
Print/Copy (black & white) $0.20/page $0.10/page
Print/Copy (color) $0.50/page
Re
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
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t
Lost or Damaged Materials
List (depreciated) price of item, plus:
$8.00 processing charge for print material
$10.00 processing charge for media material
Magazines = $6.00 or list price (if higher)
Barcode $0.50 (if 5 or more barcodes are missing/damaged)
RFID tag $0.50 (if 5 or more tags are missing/damaged)
Book Jacket $0.50 (if 3 or more are missing/damaged)
Compact disc Jewel case (CD) $0.75
CD book case (up to 10 in a case) $2.50
CD book case (11-24/case) $5.00
CD book case (25+/case) $15.00
DVD case (1-4 in case) $1.00
DVD case (5+/case) $2.50
Compact disc or DVD insert (1 page) $1.00
Compact disc or DVD insert (multiple pages) $3.00
Mi
s
c
Referral to Collection Agency $12.00
Dishonored check fee $30.00
Misc. Variable
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Item 7.
Columbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – October 2025
BUILDING
• The library experienced a power surge on 10/18 which damaged many lighting fixtures which
required repair.
• The community room HVAC system was repaired.
• Excel Energy replaced two electricity meters.
TECHNOLOGY
• The automated materials handler received its annual preventative maintenance tune-up.
COLLECTION
• New books were selected from reviews in the May issues of Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and School
Library Journal. Adult titles on addiction, recovery, and suicide and juvenile requests and
replacements were ordered.
• Weeding was completed in adult fiction M-R and adult audiobooks
• Adult displays highlighted Hispanic heritage, horror, books made into movies,
art/writing/publishing instruction manuals, and Spanish-language titles. Juvenile displays
celebrated Hispanic heritage and scary stories.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
English Language Conversation Circle 10/1 Adult 5
ELL Conversation Circle 10/4 Adult 9
Storytime 10/6 Children (0-5) 55
ELL Conversation Circle 10/6 Adult 6
Community Craft Night 10/6 Adult 6
Tinker Time: Clay Mushrooms 10/7 Children (6-11) 51
ELL Conversation Circle 10/8 Adult 8
North Park Elementary EL Family Night 10/8 All Ages 88
Evening Storytime 10/9 Children (0-5) 0
Teen Volunteer Afternoon cancelled 10/10 Children (12-18) 0
ELL Conversation Circle 10/11 Adult 7
Storytime 10/13 Children (0-5) 52
ELL Conversation Circle 10/13 Adult 6
DIY Teen: Tiny Art 10/14 Children (12-18) 8
Book Club: The Wright Brothers 10/15 Adult 9
ELL Conversation Circle 10/15 Adult 5
Static Electricity with the Bakken Museum 10/16 Children (6-11) 21
Daycare Storytime 10/17 Children (0-5)
ELL Conversation Circle 10/18 Adult 7
Storytime 10/20 Children (0-5) 32
ELL Conversation Circle 10/20 Adult 5
Mystery Book Club 10/21 Adult 5
EL Conversation Circle 10/22 Adult 7
Be Your Own Publish with the Loft Literary Center 10/22 Adult 8
Preschool Yoga with Yogilli 10/25 Children (0-5) 8
EL Conversation Circle 10/25 Adult 7
Storytime 10/27 Children (0-5) 42
EL Conversation Circles 10/27 Adult 6
EL Conversation Circle 10/29 Adult 5
Tiny Art Show All Ages 30
11
Item 8.
Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – October 2025
STAFF
Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian:
• Curated an exhibit of tiny art featuring 30 works of painting, quilting, embroidery, needle felting,
sketching, and crochet.
• Planned a series of monthly community craft nights which will continue in the new year.
• Facilitated discussion of The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett for the mystery book club.
• Attended meetings of the Friends of the Library and the Columbia Heights Senior Consortium.
• Made three deliveries to At-Home patrons.
Renee Dougherty, Library Director:
• Presented the proposed 2026 library budget at a City Council work session.
• Attended the Minnesota Library Association annual conference in St. Cloud.
• Facilitated the book club discussion of “The Wright Brothers” by David McCullough.
• Conducted annual performance reviews for Al Mamaril and Elizabeth Ripley.
• Attended meetings of city division heads and library staff.
Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian:
• Instructed kids and adults in sculpting mushrooms from air-dry clay at Tinker Time.
• Hosted an educator from the Bakken Museum for a program during MEA break. Participants
conducted a variety of static electricity demonstrations and experiments; they were eager to
share their knowledge and make predictions about how electricity would conduct through
various materials.
• Hosted a DIY Teen: Tiny Art Night; two participants submitted creations for exhibition.
• Welcomed North Park School for Innovation teachers, students and parents for an EL Family
Night. This was the first family night since the parking lot expansion, and everyone appreciated
how much easier it was to arrive on time and find parking. Teachers greeted families with games
as they arrived. During the pizza dinner, families heard presentations on EL family services, a
University of Minnesota study, and library resources. Afterwards, families had the opportunity
to sign up for library cards. The city’s Community Connector, Angela, provided wonderful
support in connecting with Spanish-speaking families
• Attended Highland Elementary EL Family Night. Teachers noted that more than 300 people had
RSVP’d for the event, and the lunchroom was filled with kids and families enjoying pizza, playing
BINGO, and learning about EL services. Eliza hosted a table in the lobby to share library
information and event flyers while helping kids make buttons.
Three new Library Pages, Rene Arcentales Calderon, Sumaya Mohamed, and Muna Yusuf, began
training on October 6.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on October 23.
• Six adult volunteers donated 23.75 hours. A new teen volunteer began.
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Item 8.
Columbia Heights Public Library 3. Library Board Monthly Update – October 2025
13
Item 8.