HomeMy WebLinkAbout202602 Library Board UpdateColumbia Heights Public Library
Library Board Report – February 2026
BUILDING
TECHNOLOGY
COLLECTION
• New books were selected from reviews in the September and October issues of Booklist, Kirkus
Reviews, and Library Journal. Youth requests and replacements included new seasonal titles,
missing volumes of “Pizza and Taco” graphic novels, and books featuring popular characters
such as Cocomelon, Bluey, and Disney princesses. DVDs were ordered for adults and youth.
• Weeding was finished in adult mysteries, romance, fantasy, science fiction, westerns, and DVDs.
• Adult displays featured Black history, football, the Olympics, Minnesota natural history and
books by Doug Ohman. Youth displays highlighted Eid, Ramadan, and Black history.
PROGRAMS AND SELF-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES DATE AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE
Family Storytime 2/2 Children (0-5) 36
English Language Conversation Circle 2/2 Adult 3
Community Craft Night 2/2 Adult 0
EL Conversation Circle 2/4 Adult 3
Daycare Storytime 2/6 Children (0-5)
EL Conversation Circle 2/7 Adult 5
Family Storytime 2/9 Children (0-5) 21
EL Conversation Circle 2/9 Adult 1
Tinker Time: Winter Keychains 2/10 Children (6-11) 26
EL Conversation Circle 2/11 Adult 4
Mayor’s Book Club: The Power of Bridging 2/11 Adult 4
Preschool Yoga with Yogilli 2/12 Children (0-5) 14
EL Conversation Circle 2/14 Adult 4
Mystery Book Club: The Mad Wife 2/17 Adult 5
Library Book Club: Council of Dolls 2/18 Adult 6
EL Conversation Circle 2/18 Adult 2
Pet Beds for Animal Shelters 2/21 Adult 44
EL Conversation Circle 2/21 Adult 2
Family Storytime 2/23 Children (0-5) 36
EL Conversation Circle 2/23 Adult 2
Brick Builders 2/24 Children (6-11) 33
Birch Tree Resist Painting 2/25 Adult 10
EL Conversation Circle 2/25 Adult 3
Youth Services Librarian Visit to Bultum Academy 2/27 Children (6-11) 100
Youth Services Librarian Visit to Bultum Academy 2/27 Children (0-5) 25
EL Conversation Circle 2/28 Adult 11
Winter Reads Adult 12
STAFF
Elizabeth Ripley, Adult Services Librarian:
• Met with the Friends of the Library.
• Met with the MELSA jobs and small business interest group.
Columbia Heights Public Library 2. Library Board Monthly Update – February 2026
• Facilitated the final session of The Power of Bridging book club on February 11. All participants
appreciated the thoughtful topic and the encouragement to read a new-to-them title. Leftover
copies of the book were distributed to interested readers at the Winter Reads table.
• Winter Reads, the adult reading program, ended on February 28 and the Grand Prize drawing
was held March 2. Alison, the drawing winner, received a gift card to The Heights Theater!
Sixty-three cards were distributed to participants, and 12 adult cards were returned.
• Made three deliveries to At-Home patrons.
Renee Dougherty, Library Director:
• Attended regular meetings of city division heads, the Anoka County Library Public Service team
and the Minnesota Library Association Board of Directors.
• Participated in second interviews for the city Recreation Director.
• Facilitated the adult book club discussion of A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power.
• Covered 3-5 reference desk shifts per week while onboarding new library supervisors.
Eliza Pope, Youth Services Librarian:
• Planned a successful Brick Builders program. While there had been LEGO programs in the past,
this was the first in over a year. The drop-in format worked very well, although some of the
participants that arrived at 5:30 were a little rushed to complete the suggested challenge. There
were many regular Tinker Time families, but also new families. One family commented they saw
the program advertised on the electronic sign board, which is good feedback on how people
hear about programs.
• Tet/Year of the Horse Celebration was cancelled out of an abundance of caution during ICE
enforcement activity; it is rescheduled for April.
• North Park School for Innovation’s kindergarten field trip was cancelled this month due to
unforeseen circumstances. It has been rescheduled for April.
• Visited Bultum Academy to lead storytime sessions for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st-grade
students. This was the first time Eliza has visited Bultum Academy classrooms. She has spoken to
Bultum teachers and administrators about library services, and Bultum Academy classes have
visited the library on a field trip. It is great to build a stronger relationship with a neighborhood
school.
MISCELLANEOUS
• MSNBC used the library space to film an interview on the federal immigration surge.
• Repeated incidents with a recently re-entered offender, primarily monopolizing staff time and
attempting to interact with patrons.
• Police were called about an escalating fight between groups of young women.
• ICE agents staged in the parking lot on Feb 7.
• Anoka County Law Librarian John Murphy held office hours on February 26.
• Nine adult volunteers donated 23.5 hours. One teen volunteered for 5 hours.
• Bulk institutional loans were prepared for Adventure Club and Mini-Adventure Club programs at
Highland, Valley View, and North Park plus four classes at Immaculate Conception School.