HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-26; Library Board of Trustees; ; Library Reports for November & December 2021
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Meeting Date: January 26, 2022
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 November & December 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 November &
December of 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 November 2021
• Statistical report for November 2021
• Narrative report for December 2021
• Statistical report for December 2021
January 26, 2022 Page 6 of 23
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Staff Report
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Carlsbad City Library
Monthly Report
November 2021
Highlights:
1. Staff Development Week
Staff Development Week was held Nov. 1 – 4. This year’s event was held virtually across the
four mornings. Staff gathered via Zoom from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. each morning before
library locations opened at 10 a.m. Staff Development Day/Week occurs annually wherein
all Library & Cultural Arts staff get together to discuss our vision for the future, and how we
can grow and learn as individuals and as an organization. This year’s theme was Cultivating
Brave Leaders and a Courageous Culture, based in the research of Brené Brown. Over the
course of the four days, 143 or 73% of staff participated. Plans to continue learning on this
topic include a book group for staff to read and discuss Brené Brown’s best-selling book,
Dare to Lead, beginning in January 2022. Staff are also working to incorporate many of the
topics shared into ongoing meetings and conversations.
Programs:
2. Totes Thankful
With the Thanksgiving Holiday being in November, staff created a way to ask what our
community members were thankful for this year. Patrons of all ages, and at all library
locations, shared what they were thankful for by writing on a pre-cut paper leaf that was
then displayed at each of the locations for all to enjoy. When a community member shared,
they received a library tote bag. Over 900 patrons participated. One of those many thanks’
offerings read, "Estoy agradecida por mi familia y mi trabajo." (I am grateful for my family
and my job).
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3. Virtual Book Clubs
Librarian Madelyn Horton and 15 participants met Nov. 2 to discuss the Booker Prize
winning novel Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. Topics discussed included the book’s themes,
including LGBTQ identity, addiction, poverty, and dysfunctional families. Eight patrons met
with Library Assistant Sheri Hanlon to discuss Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black
Man by Emmanuel Acho. Acho, an analyst for Fox Sports and former NFL star, addressed
White readers who have sent him questions about Black history and culture. The book
delivered what it promised in the title, tackling complex topics with the depth of an
engaged cultural thinker.
4. Exploration HUB
The Exploration HUB was open with limited hours during November with three HUB
Stations available. 73 patrons visited and staff answered 256 informational questions which
included helping patrons with software, hardware and giving out general information about
the HUB. Eight classes were offered to patrons aged 13 and over, and 15 patrons attended
classes in November.
Classes
Silhouette Cameo: How to Use Design Tools
Tinkercad 3D Design: Design Tools
Adobe Illustrator: An Introduction to Design
Video Game Design: GameMaker Studio 2
iMovie: Filmmaking Elements
Silhouette Cameo: Offset Tool
Video Game Design: GameMaker Studio 2
Adobe Photoshop: Simple Photo Editing
5. Book Warriors
Five teens attended the virtual Book Warriors Teen Club hosted by Librarian Ashleigh
Hvinden on Tuesday, Nov. 16 to discuss Ali Cross by James Patterson. Discussions about
adding new, teen-oriented library programming, and meeting in-person ensued. Based on
the discussion, teens felt that virtual programming continues to work better for their group,
and they will reevaluate in January 2022.
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6. Virtual Genealogy Program Meeting
There were 55 participants at the event Apprentices, Indentured Servants and Redemptions:
White Servitude in America, held Tuesday, Nov. 23. Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, Director of the
Family History Center in Mansfield, Ohio presented a lecture focused on the records
documenting white servitude.
7. Cover-to-Cover Fall Reading Challenge
In-N-Out’s Cover to Cover Club (Oct. 2 through Nov. 13) was a resounding success as
Carlsbad City Library readers ages 4-12 read 6,139 books, earning 1,127 badges for a free
hamburger or cheeseburger. Each five books read earned a gift card redeemable at local In-
N-Out burger restaurants, with each reader eligible to earn three rewards. 987 rewards
were distributed.
8. Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane Children’s Maker Kits
The Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane Children’s Division is piloting a program to check out
STEAM kits to families. There are six kits that range in topics including robotics and coding,
engineering gears and mazes, building and design, green energy, everyday science and
sounds, music, and band. Total circulation for STEAM kits has doubled from nine to eighteen
during November. Patron comments regularly mention that families love using them, and
we've even started to see regular holds from the same family.
9. Terrific Tuesday – Weekly Sessions held on Nov. 2, 9, 16 and 30 at the Carlsbad City Library
on Dove Lane
Terrific Tuesdays returned to an in-person format in mid-October and continues in-person
in November. In the first session, families with children in grades K-3 learned about the
anatomy of insects and arachnids, by building their imagined version.
The next week’s program focused on Sea Life and participants designed a 3D re-creation of
a shark, using paper.
Then, young community members joined in a pirate party that featured engineering
activities, such as catapults.
Our final session featured Native American Scientists, with activities related to those
scientist’s fields, along with books that gave context to their respective tribe affiliation. Staff
included books on the Kumeyaay and acknowledged that the library is on their land.
10. Virtual Tween Scene
On Nov. 2, eight tweens learned the basics of forensic science and solved an online mystery
“The Missing Tiger” in the Sherlock Holmes CSI program. They discussed how important it is
to collect evidence to solve a crime as described in Crime Scene Science by Karen Romano
Young. They practiced lifting and identifying a fingerprint, plus what to notice about a
January 26, 2022 Page 9 of 23
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suspect’s handwriting sample and when to question the truthfulness of a witness’
statement.
Seven tweens joined Librarian Missy Shaw and Library Assistant Brandon Tiongison on Nov.
8 to celebrate X-Ray Discovery Day. Did you know that the x-ray was discovered in 1895
accidentally by physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen. Activities included identifying animals
from their x-rays in Amazing X-rays: Pets by Davide George Gordon.
11. Tuesday Afternoon Adventures at the Georgina Cole Library
In recognition of Veterans Day, 16 kids and their parents remembered and thanked the
veterans in their lives on Nov. 9 with a special visit from retired U.S. Navy Chief Hospital
Corpsman Manuel Cortez and his two daughters Olivia and Emma. They read stories about
serving in the Navy and answered questions about his career.
On Nov. 16, 19 kids and their families prepared for the partial eclipse of the moon by
learning fun facts about the moon and creating a picture of the lunar landscape.
12. Paws to Read
Paws to Read returned in person at the Georgina Cole Library in November. Therapy dogs
from Love on a Leash come by the first and third Wednesday every month from 3:30 p.m. -
4:30 p.m. waiting for young independent readers to read books to them.
Services:
13. Curbside hours
Due to a decrease in demand and the earlier onset of dusk, beginning Nov. 15, curbside
hours were changed to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The service was
previously offered during all library hours.
Projects:
14. Carlsbad Reads Together (CRT)
The CRT committee met twice in November to discuss April 2022’s author reading program.
The program encourages the entire Carlsbad community to read the same title, participate
in programs around the topic and attend a discussion with the author. The team narrowed
the selection down to seven titles. The top five authors have been contacted for speaker
fees and availability.
January 26, 2022 Page 10 of 23
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15. LSTA-funded Adult New Reader Project
Literacy Services Library Assistant Sandra Riggins, and Library Technicians Marin Fantino and
Michelle Williams are participating in the LSTA-funded Adult New Reader Project. Adult
literacy staff and volunteers receive training on how to write at accessible reading levels for
adult learners, then put those skills to work by publishing their work. The goal of the project
is to publish over 100 literacy-level books that will be made available free online, or for
purchase in print, to build literacy collections in libraries. Community Outreach Supervisor
Carrie Scott was in the first training cycle, and her book The Farmers’ Market has been
published along with 16 other titles.
16. Carlsbad Public High School Yearbook Collection
Genealogy & Carlsbad History staff reached out to Sage Creek High School to request the
addition of their yearbooks to the Carlsbad History Collection. Sage Creek graciously
donated volumes covering the last seven years of their eight-year history (unfortunately
they could not locate an extra copy of their inaugural yearbook). The yearbook collection is
one of the Genealogy & Carlsbad History Division’s most loved and used resources. With
existing full runs of both Carlsbad High School and La Costa Canyon High School yearbooks,
the addition of a nearly full run of Sage Creek’s yearbooks means that all the public high
schools that serve Carlsbad residents are now represented in the collection.
17. Data analysis project
Collections & Technical Service’s experienced cataloger team is examining approaches to
data analysis of existing cataloging records in relation to diversity, equity and inclusion
(DEI). Staff aim to determine if current cataloging practices are providing good data access
for patrons and staff searching the library catalog. This project is part of a larger strategy to
identify and address how well our collection meets the goal of providing access to materials
that reflect the full breadth of human experience.
Accomplishments:
18. Circulation Supervisors Patti Wiebe and Jonathan Buck, and Cultural Arts Production
Technician Bonnie Crane, graduated from Supervisor’s Academy. Supervisor’s Academy is a
staff development opportunity through the City of Carlsbad and the Centre for Organization
Effectiveness where selected staff participate in ten weeks of half-day classes focusing on
aspects of management and supervising, such as: forming effective teams, communication,
coaching, conflict management and navigating change
January 26, 2022 Page 11 of 23
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Community Connections:
19. Books to Go:
Lead Librarian Darin Williamson, Library Technicians Noah Szajowitz and Karen Tinajero-
Vazquez pedaled to the State Street Farmer’s Market with the book bike on Saturday, Nov.
17. Community members spun the prize wheel to win library goodies. Staff spoke with 253
people, promoting library programs and digital resources focusing on our eBooks,
eMagazines and eResources. One thrilled participant exclaimed, “This is absolutely
amazing!” as he left with a book that he loved.
Patron Praise:
As part of the Totes Thankful program, one patron wrote: “I am thankful for the genealogy
section of the library and the new Epson scanner!”
A patron emailed the librarian account because she’d left her vaccine card in her daughter’s
book. Circulation Supervisor Nancy Ludwig quickly found the book and the vaccine card and
returned it to a grateful patron.
At the Georgina Cole Library, a patron with shopping bags in her hands came in and was so
excited that the Friends of the Carlsbad City Library bookstore was reopening that she said,
“Woohoo! I’m here to finish my Christmas shopping!”
A patron shared with a staff member working the greeter station that she “was just stunned”.
New to Carlsbad, she asked the library to purchase a new book and they did!
January 26, 2022 Page 12 of 23
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LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS
November 2021
November
2019
(Pre-COVID-19)
November
2021
Total Library Hours Open 720 579
Total Visitors On-site
(2021 includes curbside) 49,631 30,548
Library Services
Circulation of Library Materials 86,202 68,880
eAudiobook/eBook/eMagazine Downloads
Video Streaming
*Nov. 2019 data not available. Available offerings has adjusted
13,084
15,903
58
Reference Questions 13,656 8,574
Programs, Facility Usage
Number of Programs Presented
(On-site, Off-site, 2021 includes virtual)
Programs Attendance
189
4,632
59
1,011
Number of Community Rentals
Community Rentals Attendance
65
4,281
34
921
Technology
Web Sessions
In-House Computer Use
eResource Use
37,475
5,806
6,717
34,271
1,452
9,016
January 26, 2022 Page 13 of 23
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ITEM #1
Carlsbad City Library
Monthly Report
December 2021
Highlights:
1. COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution
All Carlsbad City Library locations served as COVID-19 rapid-test kit pick-up sites in
partnership with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). 1,500
test kits, each containing two rapid tests, were distributed to the public at our library
locations in just over two days on Dec. 27-29.
2. Literacy
Career Online High School student Brian C. has completed his coursework to earn his high
school diploma and a career certificate in Office Management. Two other students are well
into their programs and are anticipated to complete their studies within the next three
months. The next graduation ceremony to honor these graduates will be in April.
3. Staff Awards
Library & Cultural Arts swept the City’s annual Peer Awards presented at the city’s Holiday
Breakfast for staff (four out of the nine city-wide awards).
Here are the awards and winners':
Most Valuable Player Bonnie Crane-Sullivan
Most Team Assists Brandon Tiongison
Rookie of the Year Katie Nye
Pennant Winner (Department) Library & Cultural Arts
Programs:
4. Author Program
The Carlsbad City Library hosted a live and in-person event featuring actress and New York
Times bestselling author Annabelle Gurwitch. The twenty-five patrons in attendance
enjoyed the hour-long discussion of her laugh-old-loud novel, You're Leaving When?:
Adventures in Downward Mobility. Librarian Liza Blue gave the introduction, and
Adventures by the Book CEO Susan McBeth moderated the event.
January 26, 2022 Page 14 of 23
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5. Storytime Theater
Attendance at the weekly Storytime Theater on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. continued to
increase throughout December, and we had a full house (50 individuals) at the last
performance of the year. Staff sang songs, read a story and presented a puppet show.
Kermit, Animal, Miss Piggy and friend perform on Dec. 3
Dinosaur Rock was presented by staff on Dec. 15 and was the last show of the year.
Services:
6. Ask a Genealogist
The Ask a Genealogist service now has an online form, which went live in mid-December.
This service provides a one-hour appointment with a member of the genealogy staff to
focus on specific areas of interest. As always, patrons may drop-in or email the Genealogy
Division to receive assistance with their genealogy research as time permits. The Ask a
Genealogist online form provides prompts to gather detailed information for staff to
prepare and schedule the one-on-one session.
January 26, 2022 Page 15 of 23
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7. Literacy Services
Literacy Services has 12 tutoring pairs meeting for in-person tutoring sessions at the Library
Learning Center, with a few additional pairs meeting virtually.
8. Study Rooms
In the month of December, 235 study rooms were reserved by 144 patrons.
Projects:
9. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion audit
Staff are currently looking at the newly provided data from our collection analysis
tool, Collection HQ, as it relates to diversity. Most recently, the C&TS (Collections and
Technical Services) team has begun to analyze our catalog data for the Teen fiction
collection to be sure that appropriate search terms are included in cataloging records that
allow staff and patrons to locate these materials.
10. Seed Library
Carlsbad City Library is excited to introduce a new seed library, which will encourage
community members to try growing their own food. Patrons can pick up seeds at each of
the three library locations. To start, community members are encouraged to take no more
than 3 seed packets per month per family. The program was launched with 14 varietals on
Dec. 13 and an initial seed inventory of 250+ seed packets. Community Garden volunteers
Joe & Terry Sardina repackaged 720 organic seed packets of ruby red chard, mixed lettuce,
arugula & dazzling blue kale to increase our inventory.
Community Connections:
11. Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony
On Sunday Dec. 5, Bilingual Services staff Linsey Brizuela and Jasmine Venancio, in
partnership with Lead Librarian Darin Williamson supported the Holiday Tree-
Lighting Ceremony sponsored by the Rotary Club of Carlsbad and included story time, crafts,
and free books. 116 people visited the Library & Cultural Arts station.
January 26, 2022 Page 16 of 23
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12. Books To Go
Lead Librarian Darin Williamson and Library Technicians Noah Szajowitz & Karen Tinajero-
Vazquez pedaled to the State Street Farmer’s Market with the book bike on Dec. 15. Staff
interacted with 157 people and promoted library programs and digital resources like
eBooks, eMagazines and databases. Staff handed out 65+ free books, book bags and t-shirts
to community members.
Patron Stories:
On Dec. 15, a patron called with a question about a book she wanted to place on hold.
She went on to say that the homebound services have been a lifesaver for her and that the
volunteers are so great. She said, “It’s just so wonderful being able to get books. I don’t know
what I’d do without them.”
At the greeter desk, a patron expressed her appreciation for curbside delivery of holds. She said
that during the pandemic lockdown, it really saved her.
Staff received many thanks and appreciations for handing out COVID rapid-test kits while they
were available.
January 26, 2022 Page 17 of 23
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LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS
December 2021
December
2019
(Pre-COVID-19)
December
2021
Total Library Hours Open 808 603
Total Visitors On-site
(2021 includes curbside) 48,450 29,353
Library Services
Circulation of Library Materials 81,891 61,925
eAudiobook/eBook/eMagazine Downloads
Video Streaming
*Available offerings has adjusted
13,525
583
15,811
0
Reference Questions 12,928 7,643
Programs, Facility Usage
Number of Programs Presented
(On-site, Off-site, 2021 includes virtual)
Programs Attendance
173
4,186
57
1,077
Number of Community Rentals
Community Rentals Attendance
52
3,340
33
1,741
Technology
Web Sessions
In-House Computer Use
eResource Use
40,157
6,241
6,165
34,972
1,367
7,857
January 26, 2022 Page 18 of 23
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