HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-25; Library Board of Trustees; ; Library Reports for September 2023Meeting Date: Oct. 25, 2023
To: Library Board of Trustees
From: Sheila Crosby, Deputy Library Director
Katie Nye, Deputy Library Director
Staff Contact: Sheila Crosby, Deputy Library Director
sheila.crosby@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5520
Katie Nye, Deputy Library Director
katie.nye@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2094
Subject: Library Reports for September 2023
District: All
Recommended Action
Receive the Narrative Report and Statistical Report for September 2023.
Executive Summary/Discussion
The board will review the library’s monthly narrative and statistical report for September 2023.
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 provided 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
1.Narrative report for September 2023
2.Statistical report for September 2023
Oct. 25, 2023 Item #1 Page 1 of 8
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Staff Report
EXHIBIT 1
Carlsbad City Library
Monthly Library Report
September 2023
Highlights:
1. City of Carlsbad, Fall Citizens Academy
The Carlsbad City Library was host for session 3 of Citizens Academy, a free, six-week
program designed to help Carlsbad residents learn about their city government. The
Exploration HUB contributed two items for the raffle gift baskets given away at Citizen’s
Academy. Library Technician Danielle Fiscal-Rajsky designed 3D printed garden markers and
cut out a vinyl design for flowerpots. Supervisor Maile McKeon greeted three tour groups
during the evening and described the different opportunities community members have in
the HUB, from free classes on 3D design to using digital conversion equipment to convert
VHS tapes or Super 8 reels to .mp4 files.
Programs:
2. Healthier Living Workshops
Healthier Living with Chronic Conditions, a six-week series in partnership with San Diego
County Office of Health and Human Services, was held in the Cole Community Room from
Aug. 24 to Sept. 28. Seven attendees took part in the weekly two-hour sessions, learning
tips on healthy eating, preventing falls, safe at-home exercise and regulating emotions while
living with chronic conditions. The Adult & Teen Services staff set up tables in the meeting
room each week with puzzles, topical materials from the collection, and gave brief
presentations at the end of each session on library eResources such as Get Set Up, Libby,
Kanopy and the Great Courses.
3. William Kent Krueger Author Event
On Sept. 11, 150 community members visited the Schulman Auditorium at the Dove Library
to hear mystery writer William Kent Krueger discuss his latest book, “The River We
Remember." Kent, as he likes to be called, thrilled audiences and staff by talking about his
writing process, reading aloud an excerpt of his new book, and sharing how he uses
research to showcase diverse characters. Also in attendance was Mr. Krueger’s wife, Diane,
Oct. 25, 2023 Item #1 Page 2 of 8
who joined staff for a tour of the library. The Krueger’s were impressed by the facility and
patrons were thrilled with the author’s presentation.
4. The First Wednesday Book Club
Twenty-two members of the First Wednesday Book Club had a fantastic time meeting
virtually with author Susan Meissner on Sept. 6 to discuss her bestselling historical novel “A
Fall of Marigolds.” The first 30 minutes were spent discussing the novel and then Ms.
Meissner joined the discussion to give a behind-the-scenes account of her creative process.
Several members took the time to share about their experience:
- "I truly enjoyed, and I mean TRULY ENJOYED our afternoon. Author was a treat
and loved her whole vibe. Your questions were perfect; her answers were
insightful. Each month I learn and really appreciate the input of you and others.
Great group!"
- "I truly enjoyed our book group yesterday. Ms. Meissner was a delight. So
genuine. It felt like she was just sitting down for a relaxed conversation with us.
I'm definitely set to read more of her books."
5. Grow Your Garden – Tower Gardening
On Sept. 23, Lead Librarian Darin Williamson worked with Carlsbad Community Garden
volunteers Lee Taylor and Jay Klopfenstein to present a gardening and crop swap event at
the Cole Library. Guest speakers, Jay Klopfenstein and Elaine Bryant spoke to 25 people
about setting up a Tower Garden and provided many helpful tips on how to maximize the
Oct. 25, 2023 Item #1 Page 3 of 8
benefits and yields for this aquaponic gardening system. 73 people participated in the crop
swap that offered passion fruit, thyme, lemon grass, African Basil, a variety of herbs, a
Torrey pine and Burr oak seedling, flowers, succulents, and vegetables.
6. Dove Children’s Scavenger Hunt
September was a popular month to be in the Dove Children's area due to a Pokémon
scavenger hunt. Library Assistant Hugo Ricalday-Cuevas created this passive program for
children old enough to hold a pencil all the way to teens. Participants were encouraged to
work together to find the Spooky Pokémon hiding around the department. Once
completed, children were treated with an option of a special prize - a Pokémon gym badge
pin or a Pokémon TCG 3-card booster pack. There were 420 participants.
7. Dove Children’s Bilingual Storytime
The new Bilingual Storytime at the Dove Library kicked off with great excitement. Families
joined Library Assistant Hugo Ricalday-Cuevas and Librarian Angelica Mejia to sing songs,
read a story and learn or continue to learn Spanish. The average attendance for this
program was 30-35 individuals and will continue in the regular programming schedule for
the Dove Library on Mondays at 10:30 am. and beginning in November at 10 am.
Oct. 25, 2023 Item #1 Page 4 of 8
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8. New Reader Book Club
AmeriCorps Member Mihoko Z. and Literacy Services Library Technician Michelle Williams
facilitated Literacy Services’ New Reader Book Club on Sep. 28. Five learners enjoyed
discussing staff member Sandra Riggins’ book, “Esther’s Brave Journey”. Participants shared
their opinions about the book character's life, discussed setting and meeting goals and each
learner wrote a sentence about their goals or about their artwork. The book club concluded
with an art project using the techniques that Sandra used in her book.
9. Words & Music
Literacy Services’ AmeriCorps members Terry S. and Mihoko Z. presented two Words &
Music workshops on Sept. 16 and Sept. 21 to explore learning and language using popular
music at the Library Learning Center. These sessions focused on the song, “Tie a Yellow
Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” and used the lyrics and rhythm to learn about vocabulary
and contractions. Participants also played a spelling game using Scrabble tiles.
Services:
10. Literacy Services
Thirty-eight adult literacy tutoring pairs are meeting for in-person and a limited number of
virtual sessions. Eight students are continuing in the Career Online High School diploma
program.
Special Projects:
11. Carlsbad Reads Together 2024
Staff launched a community survey to solicit input from patrons on the title selection for the
2024 Carlsbad Reads Together annual program. The community survey ran for two weeks,
Sept. 5-19. The 10 titles in the survey were vetted by the Carlsbad Reads Together team and
included a requirement that the selection be available in a Spanish translation. Committee
co-chairs Librarian Ashleigh Hvinden and Senior Librarian Bill Sannwald researched and
contacted the top three authors to determine the possibilities of an in-person or virtual
event.
12. CALL Academy (California Libraries Learn)
The California State Library has created a professional development course entitled “All
About Anthologies” available on CALL Academy. Community Outreach Supervisor Carrie
Scott and Carlsbad City Library’s Literacy Services program are featured in the course about
planning and creating an anthology.
Oct. 25, 2023 Item #1 Page 5 of 8
Community Connections:
13. Exploration HUB Community Partnership
The Exploration HUB partnered with the Encinitas Union School District to teach two school
staff members (Library Media Assistant and STEAM Enrichment Teacher) how to use
Tinkercad.com to create 3D designs. Library Technicians Dadyar Vakili and Perry Veater
demonstrated how to navigate the work plane, tools and design options within the
Tinkercad app on an iPad. The EUSD staff attended two 1.5-hour training sessions in
September and left confident they can start showing students how to design. The students
in grades 4-6 will learn how to design during STEAM class or in the library during lunch time.
The Library Media Assistant plans to start a lunch time 3D Club where students can continue
to practice their skills during lunch time. The STEAM Enrichment Teacher will teach students
during class time and recommend they visit the Exploration HUB with their parent to submit
designs for printing.
14. Older & Bolder Expo
Library Assistant Susan Burke and Library Technician Jordan Daley represented the Library &
Cultural Arts Department and the Carlsbad Library & Arts Foundation at the second annual
Older & Bolder Expo that hosted 30 vendors and was held at the Carlsbad Senior Center on
Sept. 9. Library staff gave away 60 library-branded pill containers and lens cleaning cloths to
the 52 individuals who visited the booth.
15. Service Learning and Volunteer Fair
Community Outreach Supervisor Carrie Scott and Human Resources Senior Program
Manager Nancy Magpusao-Burke hosted an outreach table for MiraCosta College’s Service
Learning and Volunteer Fair on Sep 14. Forty-seven students and visitors stopped by to
learn about the city’s volunteer opportunities, including literacy tutoring.
16. Site Visit
The Carlsbad City Library Learning Center hosted six California Library Literacy Services’
(CLLS) Literacy Coordinators and Directors as a part of CLLS’s site visit program. Community
Outreach Supervisor Carrie Scott and Library Assistants Sandra Riggins and Christina
Lorenzo gave the guests a tour, introduced them to literacy programs and services, and
highlighted both the circulating and consumable materials collections. One of the
attendees exclaimed, “Your Learning Center was inspirational!”
17. Constitution Week Display
In conjunction with the Santa Margarita Chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution (D.A.R.), the Genealogy & Carlsbad History division created a display to promote
Constitution Week. The display, featured for the month of September on the main floor at
Cole Library, featured facsimiles of the documents and various books highlighting the
Oct. 25, 2023 Item #1 Page 6 of 8
people and fascinating process involved in the creation of our United States Constitution
and Bill of Rights. This annual event is promoted by the D.A.R. every year and a
proclamation is put forth by the Carlsbad City Council in recognition of this important
remembrance.
Patron Stories (heard around the library):
Reuniting Patrons with Lost Items
Genealogy & Carlsbad History staff member Denise Ross successfully continued our streak of
detective work! Denise was able to track down the owner of some recently donated books
which accidently contained sonogram pictures of a baby in utero and some other personal
items. The patron expressed her excitement at being able to share the “lost” sonogram with
her son, who is now in kindergarten.
Oct. 25, 2023 Item #1 Page 7 of 8
EXHIBIT 2 LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS
September 2023
September
2022
September
2023
Total Library Hours Open
1Beginning May 8, 2023, expanded library hours 1 hour daily 621 690
Total Visitors On-site
(Includes curbside) 35,443 37,117
Library Services
Circulation of Library Materials 76,079 86,717
eAudiobook/eBook/eMagazine Downloads
Audio/Video Streaming
16,773
1,033
21,501
955
Circulation Total 93,885 109,173
Reference Questions 11,078 9,764
Technology
eResource Use
Library Website Sessions
In-House Computer Use
7,103
39,197
2,481
7,690
38,170
3,319
Programs, Facility Usage
Number of Programs Presented
(on-site, off-site, includes virtual)
Programs Attendance
82
3,391
84
2,492
Number of Community Rentals
Community Rentals Attendance
50
1,897
65
4,125
Oct. 25, 2023 Item #1 Page 8 of 8
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