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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-28; Library Board of Trustees; ; Library Reports for June and July 2024Meeting Date: Aug. 28, 2024 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 June and July 2024 District: All Recommended Action Receive the Narrative Reports and Statistical Reports for June and July 2024. Executive Summary The board will review the library’s monthly narrative and statistical reports for June and July 2024. These reports provide a summary of work completed across all Carlsbad City Library locations as well as data and information about the services and programs provided for the community. Explanation & Analysis None. Fiscal Analysis No financial impact. Next Steps None. Environmental Evaluation This item does not require environmental review because it does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under California Public Resources Code Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 1 of 11 Exhibits 1.Narrative report for June 2024 2.Statistical report for June 2024 3.Narrative report for July 2024 4.Statistical report for July 2024 Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 2 of 11 Exhibit 1 Carlsbad City Library Monthly Library Report June 2024 Highlights: 1.American Library Association Conference (ALA Annual) The ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition began on June 27 in San Diego, allowing the library to send 41 staff members to top-quality workshops and best practices discussions for library professionals. Staff have been sharing what they learned at the conference through a series of Ignite Sessions, designed to get staff excited about all the new and interesting concepts they acquired at the conference. It was exciting to be able to send 23 part-time staff members who often miss out on professional development opportunities of this caliber, but who make up 75% of our library work force. 2.Connecting with Contracts Lead Librarian Darin Williamson partnered with the San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to offer a valuable opportunity for small businesses to connect with government agencies, prime contractors, and resource partners. Focusing on educational opportunities, marketing skills and networking and access, the SBDC brought together SANDAG, Caltrans, City of San Diego, Port of San Diego, UCSD and other agencies. On June 4 in the Schulman Auditorium, facilitator Cheryl Brown guided 59 attendees through the contracting process. Twenty-six survey responses from attendees indicated that the event met their objectives, had a stimulating and knowledgeable presenter and was effective. 3.3rd Grade Historic Sites Art Contest Event The Carlsbad City Council honored the winners of the annual 3rd grade historic sites art contest at their meeting on June 18. Every year the Historic Preservation Commission sponsors “Drawing on Carlsbad’s Past,” an art contest for Carlsbad third graders coordinated this year by the library’s Genealogy & Carlsbad History team. Local history is part of the statewide curriculum for 3rd grade students. After learning about Carlsbad’s historic sites from their teachers and via visits and tours held by the Carlsbad Historical Society, students are asked to create an artistic representation of a Carlsbad historic site. Three winners were chosen from each school. Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 3 of 11 All winning artwork was displayed in the Council Chamber, and all winners were acknowledged with a presentation at the Carlsbad City Council Meeting, followed by a reception on the lawn. Students received a certificate and an art kit as a prize. Families, teachers, and principals gathered to congratulate the kids, and a photo was taken with the City Council and Historic Preservation Commission members to commemorate their accomplishment. The artwork is now on display at the Georgina Cole Library through the summer. Programs and Services: 4.Fix It Clinic/Grow Your Garden The Georgina Cole Library hosted a combined event involving fixing bikes and broken items, a sewing circle craft creating rag rugs (12 participants), tool sharpening (45 participants), garden workshop about tool care (18 participants) and a kitchen caddy giveaway by Republic Services (126 participants). This sustainable well-attended event, held on June 8, included partnerships with library staff, Public Works Department Zero Waste San Diego, the National Charity League, Carlsbad Community Gardens, Republic Services and the City of Carlsbad’s Sustainable Materials Division. 5.Rainbow Storytime Staff at the Cole Library hosted a pride-themed program on June 13. Library Technicians Melinda Pitula and Jade MacEoghain hosted a Rainbow Storytime with twelve attendees. This program focused on self-acceptance, beauty of diversity and being inclusive to all in our community. The children learned the meaning behind the colors of the rainbow flag and made a rainbow craft. Community Connections: 6.Pride by the Beach Library staff participated in the north county community outreach event Pride by the Beach in Oceanside. Senior Librarian Katy Duperry and Library Technicians Will Tran and Xela Perez hosted the library’s booth at this free annual event held on June 1. The event attracts over 25,000 attendees of all ages. Library staff shared information about our programs and services with 348 people, including Council Member Acosta and City of Carlsbad staff. Participation in the event resulted in 18 new library card registrations, increased visibility and recognition among north county coastal residents, and Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 4 of 11 strengthened our relationship with the host organization, North County LGBTQ+ Center, which serves the Carlsbad region. 7. TGIF Library & Cultural Arts Outreach Library & Cultural Arts Department staff hosted outreach tables at two TGIF Concerts in the Parks on June 21 and 28. These two concerts kicked off the concert season, and staff interacted with a total of 356 people, sharing department programs and services and passing out swag to attendees. Instead of hosting a Pop-Up Art area this year, the Cultural Arts Department and Library staff teamed up to pass out STEAM activity kits for kids. The concert series will continue every Friday through Aug. 16. 8. San Diego Council on Literacy Book Donation San Diego Council on Literacy received 20,000 donated new books for children, teens and adults. Community Outreach Supervisor Sandra Riggins and Library Technician Will Tran helped unload and unpack the full semi-trailer and repack the books for distribution throughout the county. As a reward for their efforts, they brought home 1,000 new books which will be distributed to Carlsbad library patrons during the summer reading program and at community outreach events. 9. Local Author Fair Members of the Author Team hosted 13 authors in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard on June 1 at the library’s first Local Author Fair. Sixty-five people attended the event, which featured table discussions and book sales. The authors were chosen in a selection process that began several months prior. Criteria included: authors must live in San Diego County, be either small-press or self-published, must indicate intended audience, book publication date must have been within the last four years and books must be available in print. Authors included: Val Agnew, Terry Ambrose, Danny P. Anderson, Celeste Barclay, Kathryn Dodson, Bonnie Hardy, Patrick Holcomb, Michelle James, Mole Mama, Jen Michalski, Tim Milkner, Annie Grace Roberts and Ryan Woldt. The courtyard location was ideal for its prominence and proximity to high foot traffic and there are plans to repeat this event annually. Patron Stories (heard around the library): A literacy learner was on hiatus while recovering from knee surgery. During her time away she wrote and illustrated a book for her grandchildren, learned how to self-publish the book, used newly learned editing and digital literacy skills to upload everything to the software and had the book printed. She was generous enough to donate a copy to the literacy program which will be added to the collection. Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 5 of 11 Exhibit 2 LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS June 2024 June 2023 June 2024 Total Library Hours Open 726 696 Total Visitors On-site (Includes curbside) 40,265 42,360 Library Services Circulation of Library Materials 79,760 86,863 eAudiobook/eBook/eMagazine Downloads Audio/Video Streaming 21,509 878 24,628 1,208 Circulation Total 102,147 112,699 Reference Questions 12,201 12,291 Technology eResource Use Library Website Sessions In-House Computer Use 7,735 43,676 3,199 4,487 44,621 3,313 Programs, Facility Usage Number of Programs Presented (on-site, off-site, includes virtual) Programs Attendance 85 4,000 112 4,167 Number of Community Rentals Community Rentals Attendance 68 5,047 67 3,168 Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 6 of 11 Exhibit 3 Carlsbad City Library Monthly Library Report July 2024 Highlights: 1. Homeless Resource Fair The Library Learning Center hosted a Homeless Resource Fair on July 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In partnership with Carlsbad Housing & Homeless Services and the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, Homeless Resource Fairs provide access to employment services, court services, youth services, housing information, victim services, mental health services, food distribution, free health screenings, and Medi-Cal and Cal-Fresh sign-ups. This year’s event saw 115 participants and one new library card registration. The Learning Center previously hosted this event in 2022 and was thrilled to support it again. 2. Author Events: • Kate Quinn Author Event The author team hosted NYT best-selling writer Kate Quinn in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard at the Dove Library on July 9. A writer of historical fiction and mysteries, Ms. Quinn spoke about her new book, “The Briar Club,” which had been released that same day. Despite the warm weather, 205 attendees packed the courtyard to listen to the author discuss her latest novel, her writing process, and answer a variety of questions from the audience. Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 7 of 11 •Luis Alberto Urrea Author Event On July 13, Librarians Ashleigh Hvinden and Liza Blue welcomed acclaimed author Luis Alberto Urrea to the Georgina Cole Library. Eighty eight patrons attended the event in which Mr. Urrea discussed his new book, "Good Night, Irene." The audience was captivated by Urrea's writing journey and his friendly and humorous demeanor. This was a repeat visit for Mr. Urrea, whose novel “Into the Beautiful North,” was the 2017 Carlsbad Reads Together book selection. Programs and Services: 3.Exploration HUB The Exploration HUB at the Dove Library has seen an increase in patron engagement since the maker space was highlighted in the City Manager’s update. Staff have observed more participation with the demonstrations, orientations and events offered throughout the month and more families have visited inquiring about the space. 4.Genealogy & Carlsbad History On July 27, the North San Diego County Genealogical Society and the library’s Genealogy & Carlsbad History division joined forces to present their bi-annual beginner’s class in genealogy. Held at the Cole Community Room, 52 patrons gathered for the 5-hour class which included information about basic searching, available resources and approaches to starting out in genealogy along with a tour of the genealogy area. 5.Grow Your Garden Forty seven participants attended the July 13 Grow Your Garden event in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard at the Dove Library. Patrons brought plants and seeds for the purpose of swapping. Jay Klopenstein with Community Gardens presented a 60-minute lecture on “Monarch Pit Stops” to an audience of 32. The National Charity League provided five helpful young volunteers to assist with the event that day. Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 8 of 11 Community Connection: 6.TGIF Library & Cultural Arts Outreach Library & Cultural Arts Department staff hosted outreach tables at the four July TGIF Concerts in the Parks on July 5, 12, 19 and 26. Staff interacted with a total of 684 people across the four events, sharing department programs and services and passing out swag to attendees. Instead of hosting a Pop-Up Art area this year, the Cultural Arts Department and Library staff teamed up to pass out STEAM activity kits for kids. The concert series will occur every Friday through August 16. 7.La Costa Paloma Community HousingWorks Resource Fair Librarian Sameera Redkar and Library Technician Will Tran hosted a library outreach table at the La Costa Paloma Community HousingWorks Resource Fair on July 2 with a special focus on library card registration and literacy services. They spoke with 28 residents, distributed 14 swag bags with free children’s books from the San Diego Council on Literacy, received interest from 10 potential literacy tutors and two participants interested in the Career Online High School. Two new library cards were registered at the event. 8.Flicks at the Fountain On July 18, Lead Librarian Darin Williamson rode the bike down to the Carlsbad Village Associations’ screening of “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”. Darin spoke with 77 attendees offering them books, puzzles or seeds and provided information about library programs and services. 9.Summer Reading Adventure (SRA) SRA began in June and continues through Aug. 10. In June and July, Carlsbad City Library had 3,091 participants and 1,380,034 minutes read and logged in Beanstack. SRA patron raffles have been conducted on a weekly basis and collected at their home library throughout the month. Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 9 of 11 1000 Books Before Kindergarten: The Communications Department posted the following to Facebook and received many kind comments. Congratulations to KaiHe's the first participant to finish the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program at the Cole Library since it started in 2022. Kai is heading to school in the fall. Kai shared with Senior Librarian Ally Goodwin that he likes funny books, and his Dad reads him three books before bed each night. Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 10 of 11 Exhibit 4 LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS - JULY 2024 JULY 2023 JULY 2024 % change Physical materials circulation 87,723 96,351 9.8% Electronic materials circulation 22,698 26,774 18.0% Programs 126 137 8.7% Program attendance 4,305 5,219 21.2% Study room utilization hours booked and occupancy 1447 56.7% 1643 61% 13.5% Visitors 43,161 48,456 12.3% Aug. 28, 2024 Item #1 Page 11 of 11