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HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-Library Dept. report 03.2020Memo To: City Council From: Meg Lojek, Library Director CC: Anette Spickard, City Manager Date: 4/1/2020 Re: Monthly Department Report — March 2020 City of McCa11 1. Classes, Workshops, Events: Please see the attached for the April library calendar. It is quite limited, but we are offering a few online programs which have been warmly received by the community. In March, the library went from busy to capacity day and night, to a cancellation of all programs 3/12, to curbside service only on 3/17, to building closure on 3/23. Online programs being offered include Story Times with Miss Melody, Tech Tuesday challenges with Mr. Casey, and Let's Talk About It book discussions via Zoom with visiting scholar. 2. Staff: Staff has finished scanning the items for our annual inventory to reconcile more than 30,000 bibliographic records. Reconciliation report will wait until we can get in the building again. Library Director Meg Lojek presented at Library Director's Summit about Doing Democracy. The summit's theme is "Libraries as Community Connectors." There were 70 attendees and it led to enhanced learning opportunity statewide. Library staff have exhibited an exemplary ability to pivot during restrictions due to COVID-19. They have been answering phones and emails for the public during closure. They remain willing to serve as community connectors as needs arise in the area. All are working from home in various capacities, including collaborations county -wide to connect volunteers to non -medical and non -emergency needs. Here are the current library adjustments during the closure: • Free WiFi in parking lot surrounding building, 24/7, no library card required if they use McCallWiFi • No late fines • All items extended and due April 30 (may be extended more if necessary) Monthly Department Report — Library " Fun fact: more than 1700 physical items currently checked out, collectively worth $26,000. (does not include e-books) " Memberships that come due during this time: people should call our usual number 208-634-5522 and we will renew via phone. Any associated fees will be temporarily waived so that access is not interrupted, or people can pay with a credit card online by logging into their library accounts. We may catch up with people later if there are any outstanding necessary payments. " We can also set up new users with a new library account via phone. " We are investing more than usual this month in OverDrive e-books and e-audiobooks that can be accessed on Libby app for free with library card, and there have been hundreds of new titles added this month " Library staff are manning the phone lines during our usual business hours, M-F 10-6, Sat 10-2. " Dial -a -Librarian is up: People should not hesitate to call us if they have questions or want a professional to kindly guide them through renewing an account, setting up Libby app on their phones, or accessing the Lili.org database for quality information during uncertain times. " Library staff are also able to help guide people to other helpful resources in our community. " Coming soon: Gabby, the text -a -librarian option. " Miss Melody is producing her usual 2 Story Times per week, dropping new episodes via our library Facebook page. " Tumblebooks, a free interactive reading site, is free until August. Link is on our website, offered in several languages. 3. Library Stats: Report is attached. Monthly Department Report  Library