HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-27; Library Board of Trustees; ; Library Reports for August and September 2021ITEM #1
Meeting Date: October 27, 2021
To: Library Board of Trustees
From: Sheila Crosby, Deputy Library Director
Katie Nye, Deputy Library Director
Staff Contact: Sheila Crosby, sheila.crosby@carlsbadca.gov
Katie Nye, katie.nye@carlsbadca.gov
Subject: Library Reports for August and September 2021
District: All
Recommended Action
Receive reports. No action needed.
Executive Summary/Discussion
The board will review the library’s monthly narrative and statistical reports for August 2021 and
September 2021. These reports provide a summary of work completed across all Carlsbad City
Library divisions and locations as well as data and information about the services and programs
presented for the community.
Next Steps
None.
Fiscal Analysis
None.
Public Notification
Public notice of this item was posted in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available
for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
•Narrative report for August 2021
•Statistical report for August 2021
•Narrative report for September 2021
•Statistical report for September 2021
October 27, 2021 6 of 39
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Staff Report
ITEM #1
Carlsbad City Library
Monthly Report
August 2021
Programs:
1.Summer Reading Adventure
The 2021 all-virtual Summer Reading Adventure program ran from June 14 to Aug. 8 and
offered summer reading fun for everyone. This year’s theme was “Tails and Tales.”
Statistical highlight totals from this special reading program include:
•1,488 people registered (up 26% from last summer)
•803,206 minutes read (up 66% from last summer)
•7,598 activities completed (up 31% from last summer)
2.Paws to Read
The popular Paws to Read program returned on Thursday, Aug. 19, and was held outside in
the Carlsbad City Library garden. There were 24 participants who read aloud to three happy,
responsive dog friends.
3.Christopher T. Magician
Christopher T. Magician performed a magic show for children live on Facebook on July 26,
with an archive of his performance available for viewing through Aug. 1. Because the
program extended into August, the statistics are reflected in the August report instead of
July. 122 people were entertained by his performance.
4.Noteworthy Puppets
On Aug. 2, Noteworthy Puppets performed their original
show, Three Little Pigs: The Puppet Musical, live on YouTube
with the performance archived for viewing through Aug. 8. A
total of 100 people enjoyed the musical puppet show.
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5.Tuesday Summer Adventures
Library Technician Jennifer Benson presented a virtual program on Aug. 3 for kids in grades
K-3 called Elephant & Piggie. The program was based on a series of funny and heartwarming
books by Mo Willems. The kids were able to pick up supplies to make an Elephant puppet
and Piggie mask. They learned facts about elephants and pigs and listened and almost
napped to a reading by Library Technician Jennifer Benson. There was an attendance of six
children.
6.Exploration HUB
The Exploration HUB was open with limited hours during August. There are three HUB
Stations currently in use (Epson Scanner, Other HUB Tools, Silhouette Cameo). 65 patrons
visited the Exploration HUB and staff answered 253 informational questions which included
helping them with software, hardware or giving out general information about the HUB.
Some instructional classes are expected to resume in October.
7.Frida Kahlo’s Garden
Cultural Arts is currently presenting the exhibit Frida Kahlo’s Garden in the Cannon Art
Gallery. Carlsbad is the only Southern California venue to host this travelling exhibition,
showcasing photographs and other memorabilia of the iconic Mexican artist. In support of
the current exhibit about the artist’s life, Library Assistant Angelica Meija collaborated with
the Cultural Arts department to create a children’s reference list with websites, education
guides, adult support resources and (of course) books. The exhibit will be available from
Sept. 1 – Oct. 20, Tuesday through Thursday from Noon - 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday from
Noon - 5 p.m.
Projects:
8.Personalized Reading Recommendations
The library launched a new online service on Aug 9 that provides personalized reading
recommendations to readers of all ages. Readers complete an online form indicating their
preferences and receive within three business days, via email, five recommended titles
selected by library staff. This service is available in both English and Spanish. The form is
available on the library’s website at www.carlsbadlibrary.org or by visiting
https://forms.office.com/g/7qSm139U9Q. This new service had a successful pilot period
focused on reading requests for teens during 2020-2021. Based on this success, the service
was expanded to serve all ages. This new service was used 22 times in August:
•Requests for adults – 15
•Requests for teens – 4
•Requests for children – 3
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9.New eResource
Creativebug has now been added to our digital eResource offerings! This new eResource
offers unlimited access to over 1,000 convenient video classes on a variety of crafty topics
like painting, sewing, knitting, cake decorating, gardening and more. The library’s
subscription also includes permission to use the material and video classes to present
programs at the library.
Community Connections:
10.Valley Middle School Registration Event
Bilingual library staff attended the outdoor on-site registration event for 6th-8th graders
attending Valley Middle School on Aug. 17 and 18. Parents, students and teachers were
informed of upcoming events, book clubs, online resources and current in person services.
They were also given the opportunity to sign up for a library card while visiting the table.
Staff spoke with 536 people over the course of the two-day event.
11.Jefferson Elementary School Registration Event
Children’s Services and Bilingual Services staff represented Carlsbad City Library at another
outdoor on-site registration event for K - 5 graders and their parents at Jefferson
Elementary School on Aug. 18. Many participants enthusiastically thanked staff for offering
curbside delivery service during the past year and spoke of relying on the library’s eBooks
and eAudiobooks collection. Visitors were also surprised to learn that the library was open
to the public and available for browsing. Staff spoke with military families that had recently
been stationed in the area and they were excited to hear about library services. Spanish
speakers were very grateful to be able to speak to and get information from the Bilingual
Services staff. The event reached 450 people.
12. BooksToGo
Lead Librarian Darin Williamson took the library’s book bike, BooksToGo, to the Buena Vista
Reservoir Park ribbon cutting on Aug. 27. Darin offered sunscreen containers to attendees.
Amongst the community members he spoke with, Darin shared with City Council member
Dr. Priya Bhat-Patel about how “gross motor” sign language can greatly help parents
communicate with their babies at the earliest possible age. At the Carlsbad Music Festival
held Aug. 27 - 29 in the village, Lead Librarian Darin Williamson again visited with the book
bike. Darin had impactful conversations with the public, involving eBooks & eAudiobooks
and baby sign language. Overall, Darin Williamson spoke with 56 patrons.
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13.Buena Vista Reservoir Park
In the July report, staff shared that the Genealogy & Carlsbad History division responded to
a request from City of Carlsbad Park Planning Manager Kasia Trojanowska requesting
historic images of the Buena Vista Reservoir for signage at the new Buena Vista Reservoir
Park. In addition to the BooksToGo book bike and staff, Deputy Library Directors Katie Nye
and Sheila Crosby also attended the park’s ribbon cutting with Carlsbad History Librarian
Jennifer Snapp-Cook. Jennifer helped connect city staff with other partners to provide the
historical photos needed.
14.Notable research requests - Genealogy & Carlsbad History
A former Carlsbad resident reached out to Carlsbad History staff to help identify the
location of the home where his parents lived when he was born, from 1944-1946. His only
clues were the letters his mother received there, addressed to Rural Route 1 and three
snapshots taken from the home’s yard. Several staff used Carlsbad History Collection
resources, especially the Carlsbad Journal, as well as aerial photographs from the period
and other online resources to help with the search. They were able to pinpoint the exact
location where the house once stood at Oak Ave. and Washington St. As a bonus, staff were
also able to provide information about the home’s landlord, known only to them as
“Logan,” whom the patron’s brother was named after.
October 27, 2021 10 of 39
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ITEM #1
The cover story of the September/October issue of Carlsbad Magazine details
the history of the Carlsbad train depot and features photographs from the
library’s Historic Photographs Collection that were recently digitized. The
article can be read here: Alright, Drink and Be Happy: Tracking down the
history of Carlsbad's train depot
Accomplishments:
15.City’s DEI Committee
Lead Librarian Andrea Hilliard, along with seven other members of the city’s Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI), presented the committee's proposed work plan to
the DEI steering committee comprised of city leadership for consideration, feedback, and
approval. The committee’s extensive, detailed work was applauded by the steering
committee and the praise given to the DEI committee was effusive. The city’s DEI
committee awaits questions from the steering committee and input from the city’s legal
team.
16.Literacy and Volunteers
168 volunteer hours were logged by Literacy Services tutors who have worked with their
learners either in-person at the Library Learning Center or remotely. Literacy Services now
has twelve tutoring pairs meeting for in-person sessions at the Library Learning Center. The
number of tutoring hours has more than doubled since the return to in-person services on
July 6.
Heard by the Staff:
17.On Aug. 14, a patron shared with staff how much he enjoys visiting the Georgina Cole
Library since his wife passed away a few months ago. He started writing poetry to work
through his grief and is very appreciative of having a nice, quiet place to write and see other
people.
October 27, 2021 11 of 39
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ITEM #1
LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS
August 2021
August 2019
(Pre-COVID-19)
August
2021
Total Library Hours Open 844 654
Total Visitors On-site
(2021 includes curbside) 59,383 26,747
Library Services
Circulation of Library Materials 89,352 60,696
eAudiobook/eBook/eMagazines Downloads 14,189 17,013
Video Streaming 1,532 65
Reference Questions 16,552 8,472
Programs, Facility Usage
Number of Programs
(On-site, Off-site, 2021 includes virtual)
Program Attendance
139
5,342
27
1,445
Number of Events
Event Attendance
48
3,490
0
0
Technology
Computer Use
Database Usage
8,271
6,777
1,664
9,861
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ITEM #1
Carlsbad City Library
Monthly Report
September 2021
Highlights:
1.Mail-Ballot Drop-Off
City of Carlsbad libraries partnered with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters to
provide mail ballot drop-off services for the California Gubernatorial Recall Election at all
three locations. Between Aug. 17-Sept. 14, City of Carlsbad libraries collected a total of
10,536 ballots, and the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane collected more ballots than
any other location in the county outside of Registrar of Voters sites.
2.New eResource
New online tool ABCmouse launched on Sept. 2. Designed especially for kids ages 2-
8, ABCmouse offers 8,500+ activities that teach reading, math, science, health, social
studies, art, and music through books, games, songs, puzzles, videos, and more. It is
accessible to community members via their library card.
Projects:
3.Collection Reorganization
Collections & Technical Services staff planned and executed a reorganization of the
reference, test books and adult Spanish materials on the 2nd floor at the Carlsbad City
Library on Dove Lane. The plan consolidated the reference and test materials nearer
the reference desk, so that staff at the desk will be able to see patrons browsing all
parts of the reference collection and may be alerted to patrons lingering there who
may need assistance.
Accomplishments:
4.COVID Diaries
Community Outreach Supervisor Carrie Scott was part of a statewide team who worked
on the publication of a book featuring the COVID Diaries Project. The book entitled All
That is Essential features poems, essays, six-word stories and other writings from
leaners, tutors, and staff of library literacy programs, including from Library Learning
Center literacy program participants and staff. Thirty books were provided to include in
the library collection, engage community members in conversation and support
outreach.
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Community Connections:
5.Books To Go
Librarian Missy Shaw and Lead Librarian Darin Williamson visited Pilgrim & Kruger
Preschools with the book bike on September 28 to provide story times. Total
participants were 62.
Programs:
6.Tween Program: Banned Books
To kick-off Banned Books Week, an annual celebration highlighting book censorship and
supporting the right to read, 7 tweens participated in a discussion about how libraries
protect their right to read and tried to guess the titles of books (hidden in brown bags)
from descriptions of how they were challenged, i.e. Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss was
banned for “inciting violence.”
7.Tween Program: Science of Germs
Tweens learned fun facts about germs and picked up agar plates to grow their own
batch of germs from around the house. Also included was a container of Glo Germ
lotion that simulates how hard it is to wash away all germs (they really need to scrub
under their fingernails!). The program ended with a slide presentation of germs grown
from different parts of the library. They were astonished by the resulting bacteria
grown from swabs of baby board books and the library public restroom.
October 27, 2021 14 of 39
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8.Roald Dahl’s Birthday Celebration
On Sept. 13, 9 tweens celebrated the birthday of beloved author, Roald Dahl. Craft kits
containing supplies to make lava lamps inspired by The Witches and staff provided
demonstrations on how to make “fizzing frobscottle” from The BFG with cream soda and
ice cream.
9.Intermediate Genealogy: Cemetery Research
North San Diego County Genealogical Society member, Linda Quinby, showed
participants how to mine cemeteries for genealogical information about ancestors.
Linda discussed various tools with a special emphasis on FindAGrave, as well as how to
prepare for and conduct in-person cemetery visits, sharing some of her own experiences
and discoveries along the way. 74 people attended the Sept. 14 workshop.
10.DNA Interest Group: Case Study
Carol Isbister Rolnick guided this class in genetic genealogy on Sept. 18. Carol is a
professional genetic genealogist and leading researcher in the genetic genealogy
community. Carol illustrated how DNA was used, along with traditional research, to
solve a mystery. 49 people attended.
11.Genealogy Program Meeting: Canada - USA Border Research
This class on Sept. 28 discussed the northern border movement from 1894 to later.
Movement was unrestricted until 1908. Annette Burke Lyttle, member of the board of
directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists led a great class sharing
research tips for finding ancestors that lived their lives in each country. 58 people
attended.
12.News Crew Literacy Program
Library Assistant Sandra Riggins facilitated five virtual News Crew meetings where adult
literacy learners practiced reading skills by reading about and discussing current events.
13.Book Warriors Teen Book Club
Librarian Ashleigh Hvinden hosted the virtual Book Warriors Teen Book Club on Sept. 21.
Five teens attended the meeting and discussed the graphic novel Norroway by Cat
Seaton. The group did not like the graphic novel, but there was a lively discussion.
14.Exploration HUB
The Exploration HUB opened up reservations for working with makerspace
equipment. 53 patrons visited the Exploration HUB during September and staff
answered 262 informational questions which included helping patrons with software,
hardware and sharing general information about the HUB.
October 27, 2021 15 of 39
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15.Paws to Read
16 independent readers practiced reading aloud to dogs in the Children’s Garden in the
popular Paws to Read program, focused on providing a judgment-free zone for
emerging readers to practice their reading skills.
Services:
16.Personalized Reading Recommendations
Last month, the library launched a new online service that provides personalized
reading recommendations to readers of all ages. Readers fill out an online form
indicating their preferences and receive five recommended titles selected by library staff
within three business days. The service is available in both English and Spanish. The
form is available on the library’s website. Requests for the month of September were as
follows:
Adults – 53
Teens – 7
Children – 20
Total requests for September – 80
Heard by Staff:
Carlsbad Library Staff,
Thank you for the access to Creativebug!
I am not normally a crafts person. I have been watching many Creativebug videos and
finding ideas that I will actually use. I have already used several gift-wrapping ideas, and
the chocolate tempering video motivated me to temper some chocolate in that easy,
and successful, way.
On a more serious note, I have enjoyed a handful of the Gale courses, and now the
library has provided this fun crafts video library.
What a library!
Thank you,
Debbie Wenck
____________________
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I just wanted to let you know a few weeks ago I came in as a patron to the HUB a few
times. I wanted to compliment how compassionate and attentive your team was. I was
creating a memorial poster for my father's funeral and needed to submit it for printing
at FedEx, and Perry saved the day. I tried to upload my file for hours and he suggested
different approaches and finally by decreasing DPI and quality I was able to upload the
image. When I printed it, I thought it would appear pixelated, but it came out perfect!
Avery and Dadyar were also very empathetic and helpful during my stay at the HUB,
ensuring I had sufficient time to finish my work.
____________________
Quote from a patron using the Personalized Reading Recommendations service:
“Thank you! This is such a cool service!!!”
____________________
Overheard in the Dove lobby:
How come we didn't pay, Mama?
We're borrowing them. That's the best thing about the library, we borrow them, and we
don't have to pay.
____________________
September is National Literacy Month. One of our adult literacy learners summed up the
importance of the library’s literacy program by saying, “You know what I like about learning to
read? It makes me feel normal.”
October 27, 2021 17 of 39
LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS
September 2021
September
2019
(Pre-COVID-19)
September
2021
Total Library Hours Open 776 627
Total Visitors On-site
(2021 includes curbside) 57,696 31,676
Library Services
Circulation of Library Materials 90,632 75,740
eAudiobook/eBook/eMagazines Downloads 13,518 16,302
Video Streaming 1,285 59
Reference Questions 15,773 9,042
Programs, Facility Usage
Number of Programs
(On-site, Off-site, 2021 includes virtual)
Program Attendance
216
6,044
43
629
Number of Events
Event Attendance
67
3,750
25
1,365
Technology
Computer Use
Database Usage
7,497
6,648
1,844
8,012
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