1. education
2. school

Ramsey County Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
October 15, 2014
3025 Southlawn Drive
Maplewood, MN 55109
6:30 PM
A d m in ist r at ive O ffice
4 570 N o r t h V ict o r ia St r eet
Sh o r eview, MN 5512 6-5863
(651) 4 86-22 0 0
Fax (651) 4 86-2 22 0
h t t p :/ / r clr ead s.o r g
Library Bo ard
Kim Vanderwall, Chair
Janice Rapheal, Vice Chair
John Hakes, Secretary
Paula Mielke
Tou Xiong
Library Directo r
Susan M. Nemitz
 Maple wo o d  Mo u nds V ie w  N e w Bright o n  N o rt h St . Paul  Ro se ville  Sho re vie w  Whit e Be ar Lake 
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Call to Order (6:30)
Mission Statement
Public Comment (6:30-6:35)
Consent Agenda (6:35-6:40)
A. Approval of Agenda
B. Approval of August 27, 2014 Minutes (2)
C. Resolution Regarding the Retirement of Priscilla LaBerge (3)
D. 2014 Third Quarter Reports
1. Strategic Plan Update & Workplan Progress (4)
2. Financial Report (5)
3. Statistical Report (6)
4. Incident Reports (7)
Provide free access for all
to the knowledge and ideas
that transform lives.
Vision Statement
Create extraordinary
learning environments
and experiences.
Action Items (6:40-6:45)
A. 2015 Holiday Calendar (8)
B. Friends Capital Campaign for White Bear Lake (9)
C. Other
Discussion Items (6:45-8:20)
A. White Bear Lake Expansion/Remodeling Project Update (10)
B. Maplewood Branch Update (11)
C. Ramsey County Branding Initiative Update (12)
D. Shoreview Facilities Planning Update (13)
E. Other
Reports (8:20-8:30)
A. Director’s Report (14)
B. Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries Report (15)
C. Other
VII.
Next Meeting – November 19, 2014, RCL – Roseville, 2180 Hamline Avenue North, 6:30 p.m.
VIII.
Adjournment
Scheduled Upcoming Meetings
November 19, 2014
RCL - Roseville
2180 Hamline Avenue North
December 17, 2014
RCL - Shoreview
4570 North Victoria Street
January 21, 2015
RCL - Shoreview
4570 North Victoria Street
Benchmarking RCL to Other Comparable Libraries
Racial Equity Planning
Children’s Services Update
Roseville Branch Report
White Bear Lake Project Update
Shoreview Facilities Planning Update
Library Director’s Annual Performance Appraisal & Salary Review
Library Board Self-Evaluation
Shoreview Branch Report
White Bear Lake Project Update
Shoreview Facilities Planning Update
Annual Meeting
2014 Fourth Quarter Reports
2015 Workplan
White Bear Lake Project Update
Shoreview Facilities Planning Update
DRAFT
Minutes of the Ramsey County Library Board
September 17, 2014
Administrative Offices ♦ 4570 N. Victoria St. ♦ Shoreview, MN 55126-5863 ♦ (651) 486-2200 ♦ FAX (651) 486-2220
LIBRARY BOARD PRESENT:
Matthew Anderson, John Hakes, Paula Mielke, Jan Rapheal, Kim Vanderwall, Tou Xiong
LIBRARY BOARD ABSENT:
Jan Rapheal
STAFF PRESENT:
Susan Nemitz, Library Director; Mary Larson, Library Board Coordinator; Bill Michel, Maplewood Library Manager;
Kristi Saksvig, Communications Manager; Sandy Walsh, Deputy Director; Lynn Wyman, Deputy Director; Meg
Robertson, New Brighton Library Manager; Jason Lyons, Digital Literacy Coordinator
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mary Jo McGuire, Ramsey County Commissioner
CALL TO ORDER:
Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the New Brighton Community Center, 400 – 10th Street N.W.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
No public comment.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES:
Mielke made a motion to approve the agenda for September 17, 2014 and the minutes of August 27, 2014, as presented.
Hakes seconded the motion, which was approved by unanimous vote.
STATE LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION GRANT APPLICATION:
The State of Minnesota offers the opportunity to compete for Library Construction Grants. The 2014
Minnesota Legislature allocated a total of $2,000,000 to the program, with $570,000 for the city of Jackson,
$257,000 for the city of Perham, $50,000 for the city of Bagley, and remaining funds for competitive grant
awards. An estimated $1,123,000 in state funding is available to award approximately five grants.
Ramsey County Library would apply for an Improvement Grant. These grants are available for projects that
renovate or expand an existing building or to construct a new building. Renovation may include projects that
remediate conditions that are hazardous to health or safety. The maximum grant award is $1,000,000, or 50%
of approved costs for the entire project, whichever is less.
Library Construction Grants require a dollar for dollar local match from non-state funds. Projects may not have
started prior to the enactment of the 2014 bonding bill. The Minnesota Department of Education will not
reimburse any costs incurred prior to execution of the grant agreement, which is expected to occur in late
January 2015. If the Library ever sells the building in White Bear Lake the State may claim up to the grant
amount of the proceeds.
Minnesota Statutes 16B.335 requires projects with a construction cost of $1,500,000 or more to submit a predesign package to the Minnesota Department of Administration, which will review and make a recommendation
within ten business days. RCL submitted a pre-design package on September 11, 2014. The grant period is
anticipated to start January 2015, and projects must be completed by June 30, 2019.
Vanderwall made a motion authorizing staff to submit an application for a State Library Construction Grant in
the amount of $200,000 for the White Bear Lake project. Paula seconded the motion, which was approved
unanimously.
DRAFT
Page 1 of 6
DRAFT
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
With Anderson leaving the Library Board this fall, a new Chairperson must be elected to serve for the
remainder of 2014. Additional officer vacancies that may result after the new Chair is elected must also be
filled.
Anderson nominated Vanderwall as Chairperson, Rapheal as Vice Chair, and Hakes as Secretary, and moved
their election as officers for the remainder of 2014. Xiong seconded the motion, which was approved by
unanimous vote.
DIGITAL LITERACY PROJECT UPDATE:
Since the birth of the Digital Literacy Project in early 2006, Ramsey County Library has continued to make
digital literacy training a priority. As public demand has increased, the number of digital literacy related
programming has grown. In 2006, the project started with curricula for three classes. As of today, there are
curricula written for 49 different digital literacy related classes. 2013 was the busiest year to date as Ramsey
County Library offered 443 digital literacy programs to 2,769 students. This growth was made possible by
sponsorship from the Friends of the Library (who provide financial help and volunteers) and additional
instructors from outside organizations and partnerships.
As technology changes, so has the need to update curriculum and resources. Ramsey County Library currently
has five mobile computer labs (each containing 15 laptops) that have recently been updated from Window XP to
the Windows 7 Operating System. In response to the need for instruction using the Windows 8.1 OS, the
library purchased a Windows Surface tablet containing the Windows 8.1 OS to use for instruction. Navigating
Windows 8 has been the most attended class through the first 2 quarters of 2014.
3D printers that were originally purchased for young adult programming created a surprising interest to adult
learners. In response, youth curriculum was modified for adults and 3D Printing has been one of the most
popular adult classes over the past year.
As more users move to mobile devices to access information, programming has changed to reflect this. New
classes were designed after the library purchased two mobile iPad labs to be used for instruction for all ages. In
addition, a variety of mobile devices were purchased including a Kindle Fire, Nook tablet, and a Samsung Galaxy
tablet for staff use to learn the skills needed for public instruction. Ramsey County Library continues to offer
basic skills classes (computer basics, internet basics, word processing), but the library’s response to new
technologies keeps digital literacy programming fresh and new.
In 2012, The MELSA Jobs and Small Business Task Force allocated resources to build job readiness skills metrowide, these funds were used to contract with the Science Museum of Minnesota to offer a variety of Microsoft
Office classes. Since then, the Science Museum has offered 69 Microsoft Office classes (Basic Word, Basic Excel,
and Basic PowerPoint) to 648 students. RCL continues to average the highest attendance of all MELSA library
systems offering classes instructed by the Science Museum
In addition to the Science Museum, in the fall of 2014, MELSA also began contracting with Twin Cities Media
Alliance (TCMA) to instruct digital literacy related curricula at metro library systems. Twin Cities Media
Alliance has help broaden the variety of digital literacy classes offered at the libraries. Ramsey County Law
Librarian, Sara Galligan, routinely offers class on finding legal information on the web at various Ramsey County
libraries.
Recently, the library partnered with Minitex to instruct Ramsey County Library patrons on state funded digital
library resources that include magazine and newspaper databases and the newly funded LearningExpress Library
that features nearly 1,000 online tutorials and practice tests to help users in the areas of job search, exam prep,
and workplace skills improvement.
DRAFT
Page 2 of 6
DRAFT
The Friends of the Library continue to work with Comcast Internet Essentials on class sponsorship. Thus far in
2014, Comcast has sponsored 12 classes providing $6,000 to help fund the project.
In addition to offering structured digital literacy programs in a classroom environment, Ramsey County Library
continues to offer one-to-one tech help where patrons are free to walk in for individual help without need of
registration. The tech help sessions are usually staffed by both librarians and AmeriCorps CTEP members.
Starting this September, three CTEP members will be serving at Ramsey County Library. Keegan La Schiava will
be working with Jason Lyons and focusing on adults and the Digital Literacy Project, Drake Myers will be
working with Marcus Lowry at Roseville with youth and technology. And returning for a second year of service,
Khou Yang will be working with Amy Boese at Maplewood with youth and technology.
With the addition of the increasingly popular eBook collection, patrons have been seeking help with various
devices to access this new media. In response, Ramsey County Library continues to offer a separate one-to-one
help lab devoted to using eReaders and downloading eBooks.
NEW BRIGHTON BRANCH UPDATE:
TRENDS IN THE SERVICE AREA:
 Cardiovascular Systems, Inc, a New Brighton medical device manufacturer, is building a $30 million
headquarters on the NW corner of 35W & 694 and doubling its workforce.
 The Mounds View school district’s Early College program has been recognized as the top local government
innovation in the state by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
 Mounds View school district consistently reports scores above the national or state median. However,
fewer than half (44%) of 3rd grade readers are meeting or exceeding standards.
 The American Community Survey 2010-2012 reports a poverty rate in New Brighton of 11.8%. Of these
residents, 22.4% are under age 5.
 Almost one third of households are considered cost burdened—paying 30% or more of income for monthly
housing costs.
 Families with children account for only 29% of households in New Brighton and average household size is
2.34.
 70% of Mounds View public school district residents do not currently have students in the schools.
 The New Brighton Community Center is doing well—visits have increased from 345,000 in 2010 to 475,000
in 2013. A Subway restaurant opened a year ago and construction will be starting soon on a
restroom/locker room renovation project and will last through the winter.
LIBRARY ISSUES AND SERVICE TRENDS:
 Circulation is down at New Brighton as it is at all RCL branches. New Brighton circ has seen a slightly
larger decline—averaging a 10% loss in the first two quarters of 2014.
 Visits are also down an average of 5% in the first two quarters of 2014.
 Programming turnout is a challenge at the New Brighton location. The music series done jointly with the
NBCC had moderate attendance, New Brighton Historical Society programs have been well attended, baby
storytime attendance is uneven and some programs that require registration (adult computer programs and
Artsy Smartsy as well as kids summer programs) end up with far fewer attending than registered.
 The fireplace has a screen and is ready for winter. Magazine use and reading room use have gone up.
 The non-requestable collection remains popular with library patrons although the demand for fiction is not
as strong as it is for DVDs and for popular nonfiction.
 Ebook reader device checkout has declined.
 The Library continues to add commissioned artwork. A project by artist Nick Legeros is underway for the
children’s collection room, and storytime quilts created for New Brighton are in use at baby storytimes as
well as hanging in the children’s area.
DRAFT
Page 3 of 6
DRAFT
INNOVATION-RCL AND CORRECTIONS:
 Children’s librarian, Tami Lee brings a Parent Read and library information to the Ramsey County
Correctional Facility. The programs are monthly, with RCL staff alternating with SPPL staff.
 Met with SPPL librarian Sheila Winderlich and John Menke, assistant director of Ramsey County Community
Corrections to plan for a joint library information brochure for use in the probations department.
 Coordinated a Capstone project for St. Catherine’s library school students to develop a selection policy for
the Ramsey County Correctional Facility.
 Presenting at Minnesota Library Association conference with Martha Riel, Washington County Library, on
Public Library connections with Corrections.
RAMSEY COUNTY BRANDING INITIATIVE UPDATE:
Library staff met with John Siqveland, the recently-hired Communications Director for Ramsey County, to
discuss the new brand architecture and the implementation schedule adopted by the County. Nemitz noted
that the Library Board, as the independent governing board for the Library, has the authority to adopt its own
brand architecture. Siqveland recommended that the Library discuss its intent with County Manager Julie
Kleinschmidt.
The Library Board discussed metrics for measuring the success of a brand, as well as their thoughts on the
Library brand as determined by the County. The Board members had some concerns, primarily with the logo
for library facilities versus the logo on letterhead, business cards, etc.
Nemitz asked the Library Board to postpone any official voting on the brand issue until she can speak with the
County Manager. The Library Board concurred.
WHITE BEAR LAKE PROJECT UPDATE:
On September 9, the White Bear Lake City Council formally approved the rezoning of the property at 2180 –
2nd Street to public use and the Library’s revised Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which incorporates the
adjacent property into the library site. The acquisition of the extra property and the timeline required for a new
CUP and rezoning has extended the project timeline. The schedule now calls for substantial completion of the
building by February 24. This moves the likely opening date to sometime in March.
Ramsey County has delivered a purchase agreement to the neighbors at 2192 – 2nd Street to eliminate the
driveway easement and allow the building of a screening fence on their property.
Library, County and Knutson staff met with the library’s immediate neighbors to discuss construction plans and
identify people to contact in case of problems.
Final bids for the project have been received and they are on budget. A fence has been erected around the
work site and demolition work has begun inside the library building. Workers found more hazardous material in
the house at 2180 – 2nd Street than was expected. This has forced a delay in the demolition of the house.
The Friends are proceeding with the White Bear Lake capital campaign. Grant applications have been submitted
to three local foundations; grants are expected to be announced in November.
Work has begun on the interior design. The next design meeting is scheduled for September 17. Interior
finishes and samples will be brought to the Library Board in October.
SHOREVIEW FACILITIES PLANNING UPDATE:
With the upcoming retirement of Sandy Walsh in February 2015, Bill Michel will be taking over project
management responsibilities for the library in Shoreview.
Salvage activities at the house on the corner of Highway 96 and Victoria Street continue.
DRAFT
Page 4 of 6
DRAFT
The Library has a contract with Hammel, Green & Abrahamson (HGA) to develop a pre-design for the Ramsey
County Library in Shoreview. A team consisting of Susan Nemitz, Sandy Walsh, Lynn Wyman, and Bill Michel
from the Library and Bruce Thompson from Ramsey County Property Management has begun meeting with a
team from HGA. The pre-design is expected to answer the following questions:





Is an “assembled” site of the existing library along with the two residential properties large enough for a
new single-level 28,000 square foot library? A 38,000 square foot facility with both a library and
administration?
How could the significant variations in elevation on the assembled site be managed?
Could a new library along highway 96 be supported by adequate parking without removing the existing
library building?
If the existing building is maintained and a new library is constructed along the highway, which is the better
location for the Library’s administrative functions?
What are the major costs associated with developing this assembled site?
A final report is due Dec. 1. Hakes volunteered to serve as the Library Board liaison to the planning group.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
The staff In-Service Day will be held Monday, October 13, 2014. The libraries will be closed.
Several staff members traveled to Wisconsin to explore the Bubbler @ Madison Public Library. The Library as
learning center is taken to a new level with this program. It offers animation, screen printing, music
composition, clothing design, dance, painting and other workshops using local experts and artists. The library
provides public studio and media lab space and offers an artist in residence program. RCL staff came back with
many great ideas.
Each branch has been hosting volunteer recognition parties over the last few months. Volunteers have greatly
improved the quality of services that the Library can provide patrons. Nemitz recognized the branch volunteer
coordinators and Heidi Holland, the system coordinator, for their efforts.
The Library’s Management Team continued its racial equity training with Heather Hackman. Kim Vanderwall
from the Library Board has joined the training as well.
Much discussion has occurred around the staffing consequences of Sandy Walsh’s retirement in February 2015.
The decision has been made to move to a one deputy director model. Sandy’s responsibilities for facility project
management are being shifted to Bill Michel, the Maplewood Branch Manager. Bill will immediately take over the
management for the Shoreview project.
Nemitz met with Carrie Watts, the North St. Paul branch manager and Tom Forsythe, one of the owners of the
Bauer-Emerson Preparatory Academy, to discuss the opening weeks of sharing the joint facility. The school has
around 90 students at this time and expects to grow to 180. The teen space is heavily used and the comfortable
seating seemed greatly appreciated. Work on new restrooms should begin soon.
Nemitz was nominated to serve on the Minitex Policy Advisory Council as the representative for the
metropolitan area Minnesota public libraries. The first meeting is scheduled for December 5.
The Northtown Library in Anoka County reopened after a four-month interior remodeling that cost just over
$1 million.
Nemitz reported on two incidents that occurred recently at the Ramsey County Library in Roseville. A patron
was gravely injured after falling down the staircase in the library’s atrium. A partial power outage caused
damage to some equipment.
DRAFT
Page 5 of 6
DRAFT
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT:
The Friends have received $48,133 from donations and the sale of books and furnishings for the White Bear Lake
Capital Campaign. Checks totaling $48,000 were issued to RCL for the fireplace and sliding glass room divider.
Donations are coming in slowly; hopefully the pace will pick up once construction actually starts.
One of the most important positions in the Friends organization is the volunteer Treasurer. Doug Smith recently
retired after serving as Treasurer for nine years. The new Treasurer is Greg Bromen, a former CPA who lives in
Roseville and practices law in Minneapolis.
The next semi-annual book sale will run from October 22 through 26 at the library in Roseville.
The Great Gatsby Gala has been selected as one of three finalists for the Best Friends Project of 2014 by the Minnesota
Association of Library Friends (MALF). Gehrz will be making a presentation about this project at the Minnesota Library
Association Conference on October 9 in Mankato.
NEXT MEETING: October 15, 2014 – RCL-Maplewood, 3025 Southlawn Drive, 6:30 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Larson
Library Board Coordinator
DRAFT
Page 6 of 6
_________________________
Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
Meeting Date
October 15, 2014
Action Requested
Approve Resolution
Presented By
Susan M. Nemitz,
Library Director
SUBJECT:
Resolution Regarding the Retirement of Priscilla LaBerge
BACKGROUND:
A resolution honoring Interlibrary Loan clerk Priscilla LaBerge, who is retiring effective
October 31, is attached.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
To approve the Resolution Regarding the Retirement of Priscilla LaBerge, and to
authorize the Library Board Chair to sign the document.
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
Library Board of Trustees
Kim Vanderwall, Chair
Janice Rapheal, Vice Chair
John Hakes, Secretary
Paula Mielke
Tou Xiong
Library Director
Susan M. Nemitz
Administrative Offices ♦ 4570 North Victoria Street ♦ Shoreview, Minnesota 55126-5863 ♦ 651.486.2200 ♦ FAX 651.486.2220
Resolution Regarding the Retirement of
Priscilla LaBerge
Whereas,
Priscilla LaBerge has been a Ramsey County Library employee since
November 1989; and
Whereas,
She started her career at Ramsey County Library as a Library Page, and
was promoted several times to her current title of Clerk Typist 3,
working at the libraries in Roseville, Mounds View, Maplewood, and
White Bear Lake, and in the Interlibrary Loan Department; and
Whereas,
Priscilla was selected to be on the statewide MnLINK Interlibrary Loan
Committee, where her experience and knowledge put her at the
forefront of developing procedures and best practices for interlibrary
loan services in Minnesota; and
Whereas,
She is admired for providing exceptional interlibrary loan services to the
patrons of Ramsey County Library and beyond; for her ability to manage
significant increases in workload with the implementation of MnLINK
and processing of donated books; for her tact and professionalism in
stressful situations; and for her caring nature and support for her
coworkers; and
Whereas,
Priscilla has decided to retire from her position of Clerk Typist 3 effective
as of October 31, 2014;
Now, Therefore
Be It Resolved,
That the Ramsey County Library Board of Trustees and Library staff
extend their appreciation to Priscilla LaBerge for 25 years of dedicated
service to Ramsey County Library.
____________________________________________
Library Board Chair
Adopted October 15, 2014
10/10/2014
Strategic Plan Update and Workplan Progress
2014 Quarter Three Accomplishments
 The Library in White Bear Lake held a groundbreaking ceremony in July. RCL
received the zoning change and conditional use permit approvals for the additional
purchased property. The adjacent home has been demolished. The Watershed
permits have been approved. Bid packages have been issued and vendors selected.
The northern portion of the library has been deconstructed. An agreement with the
neighbors to allow them to purchase the easement on their driveway has been signed
and will go to the County Board for approval. The Church has agreed to a parking lot
plan. A request for a $200,000 library construction grant has been submitted. The
Friends have raised nearly $60,000 of their $200,000 goal. Designs for the reading
garden have been created. Interior furnishings are being selected.

The City of Shoreview has agreed to purchase the second home on Highway 96.
Closing is expected in early November. The home directly behind the Library has
been demolished. The City has agreed to do lawn maintenance. The Library hired
HGA to complete a predesign for a building utilizing the new properties. The County
provided the Mounds View School District administration a tour of the current
facility. The School Board has agreed to further explore an option to buy or lease the
building.
 The summer reading program was a success with 3,500 individuals attending the kickoff. 2,813 second grade students received visits from the children’s librarians to
promote summer reading. 1,105 preschool children participated in the Summer
Reading Program, an 11% increase over 2013. The Library awarded Summer Reading
prizes in-house to 4,463 elementary students. RCL received 7,430 book reviews from
948 teen Summer Reading participants. Additionally, outreach efforts provided 591
SRP prizes to students in summer school and at YMCA summer programs with
financial support from the Friends.
1
10/10/2014
2014 Work Plan
1. Provide fresh and dynamic tools for learning.
Digital Content
 Expand eBook collection
 Expand downloadable Audio Books
 Assist in development of MELSA wide
joint eBook collection
 Expand gaming collection to all branches,
new formats and mature games
 Develop new promotional strategies (KS)
Sandy Walsh
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Expanded gaming collections to all branches,
including mature games
 Added 1048 eBook copies to the collection
 Added 105 eAudio copies to the collection
 Assisted MELSA in rollout of joint eBook
collection purchasing
 Grew circulation of electronic materials by
48%
2nd Quarter Achievements:

Added 859 e-book copies to the collection
 Added 99 e-audio copies to the collection
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Purchased 653 e-books for the collection
 Added 262 e-audio books to the collection
 Exploring new platforms for e-audio content
 Expanded MELSA program to Hennepin
County
 Began MELSA collection advertising
Chuck Wettergren
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Hosted initial functionality testing of the
BookLens interface for ratings and reviews
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Introduced second iPad lab
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Began BookLens reviews by staff at large
 Installed AV technology in new MP program
room
 Sent a delegation to the Madison Public
Library to review Maker Space technology
Lynn Wyman (Jason Lyons)
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Provided 47 classes to 369 students, including
classes instructed by the Science Museum and
the Twin Cities Media Alliance
 Offered 44 one-to-one computer labs for 221
students and 13 eReader labs for 98 students
 Received Comcast sponsorship of $500 each
for 2 digital literacy classes
 Debuted two new MELSA-funded classes:
Google Tools and Social Media Speed Dating
 Offered new classes with CTEP instructors on
Understanding Windows 8 and Basic Computer
Skills for Job Seekers; a third CTEP-led class
There’s an App for That! uses the mobile iPad
lab
 Assisted in evaluation of Broadband proposals
submitted in response to RFP published by
County (CW)
eTools
 Evaluate iPad lab
 Develop BookLens
 Organize Mobile Maker Space
 Replace a 3D printer
 Develop mobile circulation
 Enhance collaboration technologies
 Set up new MP program room
Digital Literacy/Inclusion
 Maintain basic digital literacy
programming that covers Northstar
Digital Literacy standards.
 Pilot Makerspace Lab for adults featuring
3D Printer on weeknight or weekend
 Develop increased curriculum focused on
mobile devices featuring the iPad Lab
 Maintain weekly one-to-one technology
help labs at multiple locations
 Incorporate the use of volunteers in the
one-to-one technology labs
 Increase partnerships with outside
organizations as well as other Ramsey
County departments to promote library
services relating to digital literacy
 Assist Ramsey County with the expansion
of fiber (CW)
2
10/10/2014
 Participated in the Digital Inclusion Forum at
Best Buy (SN)
 Applied for and received two CTEP workers
for 2014-2015
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Provided 46 classes to 351 students, including 3
classes by the Science Museum and 3 classes
by the Twin Cities Media Alliance
 Offered 45 one-to-one computer labs for 238
students and 13 eReader labs for 110 students
 Received Comcast sponsorship of 5 digital
literacy classes at $500 per class
 Hired 3 CTEP workers, 2 for RV, 1 for MP, for
2014/2015
 Worked with County to determine role of
existing library network and e-rate process as
Ramsey County adds fiber to other County
facilities
 Participated with County on developing UX
guidelines related to County website redesign
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Provided 43 classes to 357 students, including 4
classes by the Science Museum and 6 classes
by the Twin Cities Media Alliance
 Offered 38 one-to-one computer labs for 231
students and 14 eReader labs for 70 students
 Received Comcast sponsorship of 6 digital
literacy classes at $500 per class
 Started a new CTEP service year with 3 CTEP
workers: Khou Yang, serving a second year at
MP; Keegan La Schiava, working with adults
and digital literacy at RV; and Drake Myers,
working with teens and technology at RV
 Debuted Tools to Research Your WWII-Era
Family History, a new class using web
resources
 Submitted form 470 to seek out broadband
proposals for existing service (CW)
Lynn Wyman (Carrie Watts/Judy Woodward)
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Offered 48 Life Skills Development classes to
266 participants
 Provided 3 Science Museum computer classes,
aimed at job seekers, to 37 students
 Offered 3 SCORE Business Startup Counseling
sessions with 11 participants
 Provided 7 social media classes for small
business owners; classes were provided by
Twin Cities Media Alliance to a total of 37
students
 Offered Job Seeker Toolbox, one-on-one
consultations with a Goodwill Easter Seals job
counselor, on the third Thursday of the month
 Contracted with Women Venture to offer How
to Write a Business Plan
Skills for Life/Adult Enrichment
 Evaluate embedded services
 Continue financial literacy, legal aid, job
assistance, small business programming
 Improve E-government access points and
services
 Expand history programs
 Broaden program diversity
 Pilot book Talks
 Expand community partnerships and
outreach
 Evaluate, focus and prioritize programs
3
10/10/2014
 Partnered with Ramsey County Law Library to
teach Legal Resources on the Web and with the
Volunteer Lawyers Network for a legal clinic
on debtor rights
 Updated Ramsey County Law Help site to
reflect RCL programming (CW/Carrie W)
 Partnered with Keystone Community Services
and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal
Services on Housing 101, a program on tenant
rights
 Provided 14 history programs with a total
attendance of 442
 Offered black history programs by Penumbra
Theatre and the Mixed Blood Theatre
 Continued to work with the OSHER Lifelong
Learning Center of the University of Minnesota
and the White Bear Lake Historical Society
 Offered Conversation Circles for English
Language Learners at MV and SV in
collaboration with the Pike Lake Education
Center
 Partnered with HealthAccess MN to offer 338
individuals MNsure counseling and assisted
261 individuals in receiving coverage
 Participated in MELSA e-Government task
force to explore partnership opportunities and
new challenges
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Offered 34 Life Skills Development classes to
157 participants
 Offered 3 SCORE Business Startup Counseling
sessions with 8 participants
 Provided 2 social media classes for small
business owners through Twin Cities Media
Alliance with 15 participants
 Offered Job Seeker Toolbox, one-on-one
consultations with a Goodwill Easter Seals job
counselor, on the third Thursday of the month
 Partnered with Ramsey County Law Library to
teach Legal Resources on the Web, with
Keystone Community Services to offer 9
classes, and with a parent educator from New
Found Abilities to provide a parenting class
 Offered the small business seminar How to Get
a Lender to Say Yes with Women Venture
 Provided 9 history programs with a total
attendance of 413
 Continued to work with the Osher Lifelong
Learning Center of the University of Minnesota
 Relocated WB history programs to the WBL
City Council Chambers during the remodeling
project
 Offered Conversation Circles for English
Language Learners at MV and SV in
collaboration with the Pike Lake Education
4
10/10/2014
Center
 Agreed to work with Health Access MN to
offer navigators in the Library during the 20142015 cycle
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Offered 26 Life Skills Development classes to
216 participants
 Provided 6 social media classes for small
business owners through Twin Cities Media
Alliance, with 69 participants
 Offered Job Seeker Toolbox, one-on-one
consultations with a Goodwill Easter Seals job
counselor, and Business Start-up Counseling
with SCORE on a monthly basis
 Partnered with Keystone Community Services
to offer 5 workshops, including Housing 101
and Shoestring Budgeting
 Continued the Industries Speak Out! program
series with 105 attendees at a session on jobs
within the “Medical Office”
 Partnered with Roseville Housing and
Redevelopment Authority to offer workshops
on MN gardening and hybrid and electric cars
 Provided the on-going quarterly classes Legal
Resources on the Web, taught by RC Law
Librarian Sara Galligan and the staff-led
Searching for Jobs on the Internet
 Provided 7 history programs with a total
attendance of 200
 Continued to work with the Osher Lifelong
Learning Center of the University of Minnesota
 Partnered with the WBL Historical Society on 6
history programs held in the WBL City Council
Chambers
 Offered 16 Conversation Circles for 95 English
Language Learners at MV and SV in
collaboration with the Pike Lake Education
Center
 Hosted the author Lev Grossman, a MELSA
Club Book event, with 103 attendees
 Worked with Health Access MN to offer
embedded MNSure navigation services in the
fall
2. Nurture the learning and creativity of children and youth.
Ready for Kindergarten
 Continue children’s story time
innovations
 Increase presence in community
 Pilot programs for at-risk kids (0-5)
 Complete early literacy branding (KS)
Lynn Wyman (Monica Stratton)
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Offered 265 children’s programs with a total
attendance of 11,650
 Provided 112 Family storytimes for 5,879
participants and 57 Baby and Me storytimes for
1,402 participants
5
10/10/2014
 Featured special storytime guests including a
pastry chef from Café Latte, Metro Dance
Center, Nothando Zulu, the DNR, and Music
Together in the Valley
 Hosted a Fancy Nancy Party at RV with 45
participants
 Presented a session on eTot Digital Storytimes
at the Library Technology Conference in March
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Offered 343 children’s programs with a total
attendance of 18,093
 Provided 110 Family Storytimes for 6,599
participants and 52 Baby and Me Storytimes for
1,210 participants; special visitors included
local authors, the WB police, Tamarack Nature
Center, Zaraawar Mistry, the DNR, and
Toneworks Music Therapy
 Offered 9 special e-Tots and Make-and-Take
Storytimes for 211 participants
 Reached 537 preschool children through
outreach visits to ECFE, HeadStart and child
care centers
 Promoted the MP Smart Play Spot with a cable
TV interview by Children’s Librarian Monica
Stratton
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Offered 348 children’s programs with a total
attendance of 14,981
 Provided 108 Family Storytimes for 6,532
participants and 59 Baby and Me Storytimes for
1,486 participants; special visitors included the
DNR, NS and NB fire departments, Learning
Tree Yoga, and Nothando Zulu; special
storytimes included yoga, music, dance, a
storywalk, and picnic celebrations
 Continued to offer a weekly eTot Digital
Storytime and Make-and-Take Storytimes with
a total of 556 people at 14 storytimes
 Saw Summer Reading Program participation by
1,105 preschool children, an 11% increase over
2013
 Participated in the 4th Annual Literacy Week at
the U of MN’s Child Development Center
Lynn Wyman (Youth Librarians)
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Held the 6th annual Kindergarten Library Card
Party with more than 1,300 participants;
processed 1,214 library cards in total, a new
record
 Provided 44 Paws to Read sessions for 138
young readers
 Hosted several Winter Olympics programs
highlighting winter sports and Russian culture
and history
 Offered other elementary-age educational
Student Success
 Continue Kindergarten Sign Up visits and
event
 Expand participation in Summer Reading
Program
 Continue History Day Hullabaloo
program
 Develop digital literacy classes and tools
for kids and teens
 Create format for integrating STEM into
teen makerspace
6
10/10/2014
programming, including Chemistry in the
Library and Science Outside the Box
 Partnered with the Minnesota Historical Society
on a History Day Hullabaloo at RV in January,
attended by 118 students
 Partnered with the Roseville School district,
artists Wing Young Huie and Peyton Scott
Russell, and local teens to create a photo
exhibit and a graffiti mural for the RV teen
room
 Paired the Teen Art Opening with parentteacher conferences for the alternative high
school and had 95 attendees for the art event
 Provided a homework tutor through EEA at MP
and a math tutor at RV
 Offered 21 makerspace labs for 81 students and
other 8 teen tech classes ranging from video
game creation to making a website for 26
students
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Held the annual Children’s Summer Reading
Festival on June 7 for more than 3,500
participants
 Provided 46 Paws to Read sessions for 151
young readers
 Provided 12 children’s book club sessions with
140 students
 Reached 994 children through on-going passive
programming at RV, SV, and WB
 Promoted summer reading to 2,813 2nd graders
with end-of-year school visits
 Provided 7 library tours to 417 students
 Started STEM Saturdays programming at RV;
hosted “Bad Kitty Meets the Library” at MV;
and offered life-sized Chutes and Ladders for
kids at WB
 Received Friends support for Summer Reading
outreach; children’s librarians made 7 site visits
in June to 13 classrooms extending SRP
participation to 822 at-risk students
 Staffed a booth at Anime Detour in April with
SPPL and HCL; served 355 attendees
 Presented a talk on “Hot Titles for Your
Summer Break” to 75 attendees at the MELSA
Teen Lit conference
 Provided 20 Makerspace labs for 110 students
 Provided 25 Anime and book club sessions for
130 students
 Offered writing and art classes and hosted YA
author Swati Avasthi
 Brought 8 art and tech classes to 75 middle and
high school students
 Visited 6 schools to promote teen summer
reading to 3,015 students
 Hosted the Teen Summer Reading Festival in
7
10/10/2014
June for 150 participants
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Provided 18 Paws to Read sessions for 65
young readers
 Offered 23 children’s book club sessions with
195 students in attendance
 Reached 985 children through on-going passive
programming at RV and SV
 Provided 3 library tours to 171 students
 Continued STEM Saturdays programming at
RV with activities that included iPad Digital
Art, Leonardo’s Basement, and Rube Goldberg
Machines.
 Attracted a total of 4,746 participants to 108
elementary age science and arts programs
across the library system
 Hosted the annual Japanese Culture Fair at RV,
MP, SV, and MV in partnership with Japanese
Exchange Students from Bethel University
 Awarded 591 SRP prizes to students in summer
school and at YMCA summer programs with
financial support from the Friends
 Awarded Summer Reading prizes in-house to
4,463 elementary students
 Received 7,430 book reviews from 948 teen
Summer Reading participants
 Offered 15 makerspace labs for 46 students and
5 teen tech classes, including Stop Motion
Animation, Build Your Own Computer, and
Digital Art, for 48 students
 Partnered with SCCTV on a Video Boot Camp
at MP followed by video editing instruction at
SCCTV with a total attendance of 48 students
 Offered a weeklong summer Teen Tech Camp
at RV where 25 students participated in 14
technology classes
 Held 8 summer book club sessions with a total
attendance of 78 teens
Lynn Wyman (Teen Librarians)
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Partnered with EEA to offer Teen Tech Camp
for 21 students at MP
 Offered 11 tech classes at NYFS, Phoenix, and
N. St. Paul Community School for 113 students
 Brought eReader labs to several local middle
schools and taught 140 students
 Provided library book clubs and gaming to a
total of 1,194 youth
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Partnered with Educational Equity Alliance on
a Teen Tech camp at MP where 15 tech classes
were offered to 25 camp participants
 Taught 4 tech classes to teen moms at AGAPE
with a total attendance of 85 students
 Held an Anime Prom at RV in May for 40 teens
Healthy Youth
 Pilot programs for at-risk kids/teens (618)
 Partner with schools, Totem Town,
Phoenix, NYFS, and EEA
 Develop more teen employment/
volunteer opportunities and job search
collaborations
 Develop active living skills
8
10/10/2014
 Provided 103 sessions of teen gaming to a total
of 982 youth
 Partnered with Job Corps, NYFS, and
WorkForce Solutions to host a teen summer
jobs fair for 27 teens; hired 2 library student
workers from job fair applicants
 Hired 7 young teens for summer work at MP,
NB, and RV through a WorkForce Solutions
youth program
 Initiated Friends’ sponsored summer outreach
to at-risk youth
 Joined the Roseville school district as a partner
in their 21st Century Community Learning
Center grant
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Offered 112 teen gaming events, including
video games, Magic, and Dungeons & Dragons,
with participation by 1,091teens
 Offered 20 Anime Club sessions for 121 teens
 Offered a total of 182 in-house events for teens
with a total attendance of 1,758
 Promoted Homework Rescue to 400 students at
Back to School nights
 Provided tech classes in 3D printing, music
making, and stop motion animation for 20
students in the after-school program at the
WBL YMCA
 Partnered with ISD 623 to promote teen tech
classes in their Community Education catalog
 Reached a total of 638 middle and high school
students through outreach activities with the
schools and the YMCA
3. Develop physical and virtual spaces that enable learning and
enhance interactivity.
Shoreview
 Complete property purchase
 Develop calendar
 Develop design/build RFP
 Identify alternative locations for
Admin./TS
Sandy Walsh (Bill Michel)
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Negotiated purchase agreement for property
at the corner of Hwy 96 and Victoria
 Developed calendar for Shoreview design
process
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Closed on Highway 96 property; structure is
being prepared for demolition
 Scheduled meeting with County and City to
discuss options and timeline
 Met with remaining neighbor to discuss
options to sell property
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Worked with the City to and home owner to
acquire the additional home on 95 with City
funds
9
10/10/2014


White Bear
 Select design/build team
 Seek community input and inform of
progress (KS)
 Develop schematic design
 Develop interior design
 Develop tech plan
 Approve budget and timeline
 Complete interim service plan
 Integrate staff into libraries/add hours
 Complete moving/storage/book sale
 Construct library
Demolished the first home on 96
Hired HGA for a predesign assessment of the
new properties
 Began exploring design options
 Provided tour of current facility to school
district
Sandy Walsh (Bill Michel/Therese Sonnek)
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Hired BTR and Knutson as design/build team
 Invited community to give input through Web
banner, web article, press release, email, fliers
and posters.
 Held community meeting at the library in
White Bear Lake to gather community input
on the design
 Developed schematic design
 Began development of interim service plan
 Developed regular web updates with design
documents and multiple channels for
feedback; WB email list has 675 subscribers,
an increase of 13% this quarter
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Worked on design documents and developed
GMP
 Met with Church on parking issues
 Completed City’s CUP process
 Filed Watershed applications
 Signed purchase agreement for adjacent house
 Developed new CUP for adjacent property
 Modified existing parking lot plans
 Requested zoning change for adjacent
property
 Rented storage for materials and equipment to
be reused in new building.
 Closed library on June 5
 Completed weeding project
 Packed materials and items to be reused
 Cycled newer furniture to other branches
 Held book and furniture sale
 Reassigned staff to other facilities and trained
 Began closing communication including SV
extended hours messaging , WBL
GovDelivery email list increased 8%
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Completed purchase of adjacent property
 Received City of White Bear Lake approval
for modified CUP and rezoning of adjacent
property
 Received Watershed districts approvals
 Reached GMP agreement with Knutson
Construction
 Issued bid packages
 Held well-attended groundbreaking ceremony
 Met with neighbors to discuss construction
10
10/10/2014
plans and procedures
Completed demolition of northern portion of
the library and adjacent property
 Negotiated purchase agreement with new
neighbors to eliminate driveway easement and
allow them to construct a fence between their
property and the library parking lot
 Continue to discuss parking arrangements
with the church
 Submitted predesign document to Minnesota
State Department of Administration and
received approval
 Submitted State Library Construction grant
application for $200,000
 Created monthly web updates, press releases
and GovDelivery e-mails
 Assisted Friends in capital campaign
 Developed garden design
 Began interior designs
Julie Neville
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Worked with Victoria Reinhardt and City of
NS on Community Center issues (SN)
 Removed public computing from NS
Community Center (CW)
 Awarded new cleaning contract for all
Libraries
 Coordinated Art install at Roseville
 Assisted with closing of JaMocha’s
 Created coffee shop marketing materials (KS)
 Participated in “Lights Out Across America”
 Arranged for summer youth workers, 1 RV 1
MP
 Reviewed Library waste for new contract
 Promoted Mike Weber to Maintenance
Mechanic Manager
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Worked with City of NSP and Victoria
Reinhardt to obtain a resolution of continued
support for the Library
 Worked with City and Bauer-Emerson Prep to
evaluate lease within the Community Center
 Worked with City on issues related to the
termination of the lease with the Alternative
High School
 Visited the Depot coffee house in Hopkins
with Workforce Solutions to explore
development of a job skills development site
 Found a commercial real estate agent and
developed contract to lease MP coffee shop
space
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Removed 2 trees at RV after property damage
 Removed 2 trees at SV after storm damage
 Refreshed paint at NSP

Master Facility Planning
 Resolve NS issues
 Develop MP coffee shop
 Add security cameras
 Redo RV teen floor
 Rejuvenate grounds MP and RV
 Replace parking lot lighting MV
11
10/10/2014

The Virtual Library
 Make web improvements to research
pages
 Highlight digital content
 Upgrade events calendar
 Explore discovery layers
Tied lighting program into building
automation at RV
 Installed new lighting at MV, replaced with
LED for utility savings
 Recommissioned mechanical systems at MP
 Installed Skysparks at MP for utility
reductions
 Completed fire drills at all facilities
 Reclaimed building control system from WBL
to reuse in new facility to reduce costs
 Reinstalled LED from WBL at MP to reuse
materials
 Swept parking lots in preparation for striping
 Reviewed water runoff with Bruce Thompson
and City of Roseville at RV
Chuck Wettergren
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Weeded research pages
 Created baseline measurement standards
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Added e-Book and gaming icons to discovery
layer for labeling and filtering
 Redesigned content submission for Kids and
Teen readers advisory to allow more direct
staff updating
 Assisted MELSA in developing BookLens
contract
4. Enhance the library user’s experience.


UX Program
Identify branch UX projects
Share experiences
Staff Training
 Align in service days with strategic plan
 Create branch level staffing goals
 Measure: All employees to have training
opportunities in 2014
 Measure: All librarians can use
Overdrive, 3M and Zinio platforms
Lynn Wyman
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Identified branch and department projects
 Introduced projects to staff at March In-Service
Day
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 See branch updates at the end of this report
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 See branch updates at the end of this report
Lynn Wyman
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Featured the County Manager and Policy
Director as keynote speakers at March 27 InService Day; ISD was attended by library
volunteers and 115 staff
 Sent 4 staff to the Public Library Association
Conference and 11 staff to the Library
Technology Conference; staff presented 2
sessions at Tech Conference
 Provided mandatory RC Data Compliance
training to entire staff
 Provided a total of 1,475 hours of training to
154 staff
12
10/10/2014
Racial Equity
 Train library leadership on racial equity
 Create a steering committee
 Create a Why? statement
 Examine recruitment, hiring, retention
 Examine collections and services
 Add diverse perspectives to decisionmaking
 Develop metrics
Technology Evaluation
 Implement “ the Edge” patron technology
assessment
 Implement patron technology survey
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Sent 2 staff to the American Library
Association conference; 1 staff to the Library
Journal Design Institute; 2 staff to the
Computers in Libraries conference; and 1 staff
to the National Association of Government
Communicators conference
 Sent 63 staff to 44 workshops and conferences
for a total of 415 hours of training
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Sent 2 staff to the ALA Association for Library
Service to Children conference and sent 7 staff
to the Madison Public Library to tour The
Bubbler, an award-winning makerspace
 Began a months-long series of Racial Equity
training for management staff
 Implemented a training program to achieve
librarian competency with the OverDrive
platform
 Sent 48 staff to 32 workshops and conferences
for a total of 554 hours of training
Susan Nemitz
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Participated in County Racial Equity
Leadership Team (RELT)
 Completed Heather Hackman training
 Set aside funds for Library leadership training
 Brought administrative team to County
Economic Prosperity work session
 Featured County Manager discussion of racial
equity at March In-Service Day
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Participated in County Racial Equity
Leadership Team (RELT)
 Attended County, City and SPPS racial equity
conversation
 Hired Heather Hackman for library leadership
training
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Participated in County Racial Equity
Leadership Team (RELT)
 Completed 16 hours of racial equity training
with leadership team
 Attended the Convening on Racial Equity
 Spoke to County leaders on racial equity at the
County Convening
 Met with the Diversity and Organizational
Development team on work planning for 2015
Chuck Wettergren
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Collected project manager Edge data
 Submitted Edge benchmarking data
 Presented Edge info to Library Board
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Responded to MELSA Edge benchmarking
13
10/10/2014
Patron Communications
 Integrate subscriptions services
 Improve eBoard content development
 Incorporate County branding
requirements
 Develop early literacy branding
 Improve partners communication
 Grow RCL recognition
survey
 Completed two Edge training programs
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Met with MELSA representatives to discuss
next steps
Kristi Saksvig
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Created sub-brand for early literacy including
drafts for bookmarks, brochures, stickers and
decals for learning spots in the library
 Developed and distributed six new enewsletters:
o Explore – 1274 subscribers
o Arts and Lit - 41 subscribers
o History - 41 subscribers
o Kids – 52 subscribers
o Tech – 52 subscribers
o Teen – 38 subscribers
 Continue to work on County team to create
consistent brand and guidelines
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Distributed 12 e-newsletters/Subscription
increased 93%
 Presented County branding initiative to
Library Board
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Integrated subscription services fully;
distributed 6 e-newsletters
 Met with County branding group to discuss
implementation
 Delayed County branding
5. Build organizational capacity through responsible stewardship and
strategic partnerships.
Friends of the Library
 Assist to increase fundraising
 Raise money for collections
 Begin WB capital campaign
 Support website development
Susan Nemitz
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Worked closely with Friends on Gatsby Gala,
$25,000 received for collections
 Received $70,000 for ongoing programmatic
improvements
 Received a one-time grant of $30,000 to
expand STEM programming and summer
reading
 Kicked off White Bear Capital Campaign
 Received 5,709 donated items for the
collection worth $27.400
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Moved to design phase of website mockup
and development for Friends using a
responsive design
 Worked with Friends on evaluation plan for
expanded programming
14
10/10/2014

Library Volunteers
 Continue quarterly training opportunities
 Automate application process
 Expand NGO partnerships
 Develop summer internship program
Succession Planning
 Develop admin. structure for 2015
 Develop Board reporting formats
 Develop Branch Manager leadership
portfolios
 Measure branch partnerships
Worked with Friends on defining WB
fundraising need and grant opportunities
 Began to work with Friends new grant writing
committee
 Received donated items for the collection
totaling $29,549
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Launched Friends website (CW)
 Worked with Friends on grant writing
 Developed $200k Library Construction Grant
proposal
 Submitted budget request for 2015
 Met with Youthprise and the Suburban
Collaborative on grant funding
Lynn Wyman (Heidi Holland)
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Recruited high school and Friends volunteers
to assist with the Kindergarten Library Card
Party in January
 Participated with Ramsey County in the
Volunteer Expo at MOA in February; reached
100 attendees
 Provided a total of 4,102 volunteer hours
 Created sub-brand for volunteer program
including a handbook, opportunity posters and
fliers.
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Recruited volunteers for the Book-It 5K
Walk/Run and the Summer Reading Festival
 Packed the WB library collection with the
assistance of 70 volunteers from Medtronic
 Received volunteer assistance from the WBL
Rotary and the Friends for book sale set-up at
WB
 Provided data practices training to ongoing
volunteers
 Recruited a library school intern to assist with
the Summer Reading Program at RV
 Distributed flowers as a volunteer recognition
gift in May; hosted volunteer recognition
lunches at WB and SV; provided library
website classes to volunteers in June
 Provided a total of 4,660 volunteer hours
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Hosted Volunteer Appreciation events at MP,
SV, MV, and NB
 Provided a total of 3,654 volunteer hours
Lynn Wyman
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Developed a format for branch reports to the
Library Board
 Included branch and department projects in the
2014 work plan
 Included branch and departmental projects in
In-Service day training
15
10/10/2014
Process Improvements – Intranet
 Launch redesigned intranet
 Assign content managers
 Expand remote access to staff
 Create online forms
 Improve work order systems
 Improve upkeep of policy/procedures
Process Improvements – Collections
Management
 Move from branch based selection to
centralized collection management
 Assign collection managers
 Centralize and reprioritize spending
 Evaluate collection performance

Process Improvement - Performance
Reporting
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Implemented new Board reporting formats
 Identified support staffing issues in AS as
priority
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Held a planning retreat to identify long-term
staffing and leadership needs
 Utilized branch managers more in
administrative decision making
 Hired AS Clerical position
Chuck Wettergren (Team)
1st Quarter Achievements:
 Launched Staff Net
 Held Feedback session at ISD
 Completed integration of SRP tracking
 Transferred management of staff accounts
 Transferred management of RCL Buzz
transferred
 Transferred management of Policy and
Procedures
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Moved submission of Buzz content to key
managers and staff
 Transferred management of Digital Literacy
content to DL manager
 Designed and posted SRP database
 Added Mobile lab and project calendars
 Trained appropriate staff
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Added app database to support iPad labs
 Added grant tracking database
Sandy Walsh (Team)
Quarter 1 Achievements:
 Assigned collection manager
 Developed 2014 budget, centralizing funds
and reprioritizing spending
 Formed Collection Steering Team
Quarter 2 Achievements:
 Evaluated 1st quarter materials spending
 Worked with Collection Steering Team (CST)
to create new selection guidelines and allocate
additional Friends funds
 Improved CollectionHQ reports by increasing
frequency of data updates, resetting
benchmark dataset and enabling true annual
turnover statistics
 Worked with (CST) to allocate WB opening
day funds.
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Began process of evaluating new selection
systems
 Continue to select new materials for WB
opening day collection
Sandy Walsh (Jeff Eide)
1st Quarter Achievements:
16
10/10/2014




Branch/Dept
Review performance reports
Rework Library Board performance
reports
Develop customer satisfaction survey
Develop data retention policies (CW)


Worked on consolidating archival data
Changed monthly statistical report to reflect elibrary activities
2nd Quarter Achievements:
 Began incorporating data from embedded
services
3rd Quarter Achievements:
 Began compiling MELSA benchmarking
data for 2013

UX
Innovation Pilot
Partnerships
MP
Elementary-age space
Quarter 1
*Evaluated WB furnishings for
possible use at MP
Quarter 2
*Removed old furniture and added
new pieces from WB
*Purchased age-appropriate board
games
Quarter 3
*Investigated public access iPads
at Madison Public Library
*Discussed possible furniture and
shelving arrangements
Roving reference
Quarter 1
*Began research and evaluation
of possible service models
Quarter 2
*Continued to research options
Quarter 3
*Looked without success for a
hand-held device that would
provide access to Horizon status
information
Quarter 3
*City of Maplewood
(election host)
*ISD 622 (teen
programming)
*AmeriCorps CTEP
program
*KinderCare (children’s
programming)
St. Catherine University
(internships for teen
programming)
*New Found Abilities
(adult programming)
MV
Research pages and web content
Quarter 1
*Deleted dated and lesser-used
research pages
*Created new blog posts and lists
Quarter 2
*Discussed the viability of the blog
Quarter 3
*Received suggestions for research
sites from staff
New populations
Quarter 1
*Offered weekly Conversation
Circles at MV and SV
Quarter 2
*Provided library tours to 120
students (from 20 countries) from
the Silver View Adult Education
Center
*Created and distributed 7
booklists for New Readers to
Silver View teachers
*Conducted a meeting of
Conversation Circle facilitators
Quarter 3
*Offered 2 tours for Silver View
Adult Education Center and 1
tour for MV Area Learning
Center
*Offered Open House for English
Language Learners
Quarter 3
*Silver View Education
Center (Conversation
Circles)
*Mounds View Area
Learning Center (tour)
*Edgewood Middle School
(tours)
17
10/10/2014
NB
Customer service standards
Quarter 1
*Researched philosophies and
examples of public library
customer service standards
Quarter 2
*Provided NB staff with a packet
(samples of customer service
guidelines, articles, and discussion
questions) to review prior to a
September meeting
Quarter 3
*Held staff meeting to discuss
packet of articles and sample
standards
Corrections initiative
Quarter 1
*Began initial programming visits
Quarter 2
*Provided monthly (alternating
with SPPL) Parent Read and
library information programs to
RCCF
*Provided books and furniture to
RCCF library
Quarter 3
*Continued to send Children’s
Librarian Tami Lee to RCCF with
a Parent Read and library
information program
*Set up a capstone project where
3 library school students from St.
Catherine’s are developing a
selection policy for RCCF
NS
Teen services
Quarter 1
*Offered 5 classes to 48 N. St.
Paul Community School teens
Quarter 2
*Taught 4 technology and resume
classes to 30 students
*Started offering Thursday
afternoon video gaming using WB
equipment
Quarter 3
*Implemented teen gaming as a
passive programming option on
Thursday afternoons; held 11
sessions with 40 attendees
Community
education/community school colocation
Quarter 1
*Offered technology and resume
classes to N. St. Paul Community
School students during the school
day
*Worked with School and
Community Education partners to
reserve rooms for library
programs
Quarter 2
*Worked with the Community
School on teen programs
*Reserved rooms for storytime
and SRP events
*Saw end of Community School
lease on June 30
Quarter 3
*Saw Emerson Bauer Preparatory
Academy move into the
Community Center
*Negotiated library use of the
teen room after school, on
weekends and for storytimes
every Wednesday morning
*Received agreement that the
18
Quarter 3
*SUNNY (Serving Up
Nutrition for Youth)
(flyers)
*New Brighton
Community Center (Read
to Play, programming,
computers)
*WIC (developing
outreach program)
*Friends of RCL
(developing outreach
program)
*New Brighton Historical
Society (programming)
*St. Catherine University
(internships, storytime
enrichment)
*RCCF (outreach)
*SPPL (outreach to RC
probations)
*YMCA (SRP outreach)
*St. John the Baptist
School (storytime
outreach)
*Mounds View Public
Schools (outreach)
*New Brighton Fire
Department (storytime)
Quarter 1
*N. St. Paul Community
School
*District 622 Community
Education
Quarter 2
*N. St. Paul Community
School (teen programs)
*City of N. St. Paul
(building options)
Quarter 3
*City of North St. Paul
(tenant transition process)
*Emerson Bauer
Preparatory Center (library
use of teen and Fireside
rooms)
10/10/2014
library can schedule special
programs in the Fireside Room
during the school’s summer break
*Negotiated other favorable terms
for the library: unrestricted access
to data closet, year-round
janitorial services without charge,
utilities without charge, no
common area maintenance fees,
and new restrooms for public use
RV
Friday nights
Quarter 1
*Established that funding was not
available; will pursue alternate UX
project
Quarter 2
*Selected new UX project:
Improve librarian skills with
downloadable content
*Surveyed librarians about current
skill level and training needs
Quarter 3
*Developed training plan for
OverDrive and 3M Cloud
*Trained 23 reference staff
members
STEM
Quarter 1
*Secured funding and established
budget
*Booked calendar and devised
program staffing plan
*Planned programming for June
through August
Quarter 2
*Planned events and booked
programming into the fall
*Started STEM Saturdays at RV,
programs for 9 to 14 year olds, in
June, seeing app. 20 students per
session
*Provided STEM programs to
other branches
Quarter 3
*Offered STEM Saturday every
Saturday morning for 12 sessions
with a total attendance of 270
19
Quarter 3
*Bethel University
(Japanese Culture Fair)
*ISD 623 (8 different
schools)
*North Como Preschool
*Harambee Elementary
*St. Rose of Lima Catholic
School
*Roseville Community
Education
*Minnesota DNR
*Roseville Fire
Department
*Roseville Police
Department
*Roseville Housing and
Redevelopment Authority
*American Red Cross
*Health Access MN
/MNsure
*SCORE
*Goodwill Easter Seals
*RC Workforce Solutions
*Keystone Community
Services
*Southern MN Regional
Legal Services
*New Found Abilities
*Ramsey County Law
Library
*Ramsey County
Historical Society
*MCAD
*AmeriCorps CTEP
*Eagle Crest/Presbyterian
Homes
*Osher Lifelong Learning
Institute
*Comcast
*Active Living Ramsey
Communities
*Minitex
*Volunteers of America
*TSI
*Xcel Energy
10/10/2014
SV
Expanded hours
Quarter 1
*Planned for Tuesday and
Wednesday morning hours and
Thursday evening hours using WB
staff
Quarter 2
*Posted signs alerting patrons to
the pending increase in hours
Quarter 3
*Started offering expanded hours
in July
Building project
Quarter 1
*Continued to weed the SV
collection in preparation for the
building project
Quarter 2
*Weeding adult genre, j-series,
and areas of nonfiction
*Acquired furniture from WB to
give SV a more contemporary
look
Quarter 3
*Continued to fine tune the
collection
Quarter 2
*Mounds View School
District Area Learning
Center/Silver View (new
language learners)
*Shoreview Historical
Society (local history
resources)
*Gallery 96 (art show)
*Daughters of the
American Revolution
(bookmarks)
Quarter 3
*Daughters of the
American Revolution
*Kris Wenner, artist
*Lake Johanna Fire
Department
WB
Closure and interim service to
WB patrons
Quarter 1
*Worked on interim service plan
*Finalized interim staffing plan
*Hosted a community meeting
Quarter 2
*Found interim locations for
storytimes, history programs, and
book clubs
*Communicated interim
assignments to library staff
*Redistributed rental and floating
collections
*Used Manitou Days parade to
promote interim service options
Quarter 3
*Continued to offer history
programs, book clubs, and
storytimes in WBL community
*Advertised program locations
*Provided progress reports to the
WBL community through a
newspaper column and Facebook
and website updates
Building project
Quarter 1
*Participated in design meetings
*Examined early literacy
interactives at PLA
*Attended the first meeting of the
Capital Campaign Committee
Quarter 2
*Closed the library on June 5
*Packed collections and staff
work areas
*Held Friends book and furniture
sale on June 26-28
*Changed building address to
2150 2nd Street
*Attended Capital Campaign
meetings
*Moved White Bear Press
archives to WBLAHS
3rd Quarter
*Purchased and demolished
neighboring house for parking lot
improvements
*Met to select furniture and
interior finishes
Quarter 1
*City of White Bear Lake
*White Bear Lake Area
Historical Society
*Friends of the Library
* White Bear Rotary
Quarter 2
*City of White Bear Lake
(relocated services)
*White Bear Lake Area
Historical Society
(history programs, Press
archives)
*Friends of the Library
(sale and capital campaign)
* White Bear Rotary
(capital campaign)
*Lions (capital campaign)
*St. John’s Episcopal
Church (parking lot)
*Manitou Days Planning
Committee (member of)
*Marketfest (staffed table
with WBLAHS)
*YMCA (Bear Power
program)
*HealthPartners (Bear
Power Program)
Quarter 3
*City of WBL (program
spaces)
*White Bear Lake Area
Historical Society
(programming)
*Friends of RCL (Capital
Campaign)
*Rotary
*Lions
20
10/10/2014
*St. John’s Episcopal
Church (parking lot)
*Bear Power initiative
(programming planning
committee)
TS
TS and collection management
content on the staff intranet
Quarter 1
*Posted TS forms on the staff
website
*Identified content that needs to be
updated or added to staff website
Quarter 2
*Posted Collection Management
news updates
Quarter 3
*Updated existing documents
Centralized collection
management
Quarter 1
*Trained 18 collection managers
*Established a Collection
Steering Team that meets
monthly
*Implemented new funds, order
lists, and ordering procedures
Quarter 2
*Evaluated 1st quarter materials
spending
* Worked with Collection
Steering Team to create selection
guidelines and allocate Friends
funds
*Improved CollectionHQ reports
by changing data parameters
Quarter 3
*Evaluated 1st half spending by
collection and branch
*Produced Collection HQ reports
to assist with allocation of WB
Opening Day fund
*Established accounts and
spending procedures for WB
opening day collection
21
Library Board of Trustees
Matthew Anderson, Chair
Kim Vanderwall, Vice Chair
Janice Rapheal, Secretary
John Hakes
Jeff Johnson
Paula Mielke
Library Director
Susan M. Nemitz
Administrative Offices 4570 North Victoria Street Shoreview, Minnesota 55126-5863 651.486.2200 FAX 651.486.2220
Memorandum
To:
Ramsey County Library Board
From:
Mary Larson
Date:
October 8, 2014
Subject:
Third Quarter 2014 Financial Reports
Attached is the 3rd quarter 2014 financial report. Highlights include:
 Property tax revenues for the first half of 2014 are slightly ahead of projections.
County Program Aid has been received from the State and met budget estimates
for the year.
 Once the August and September credit card payments are added to the total,
third quarter Library Fines are meeting projections for 2014. With the increasing
circulation of electronic materials (which do not incur late fees), projected
revenue from Library Fines was adjusted in 2014 to more accurately reflect
revenues over the past two years.
 Buildings & Structures revenue will be down in 2014 due to the vacant coffee
shop space at the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood. Lease revenue and
reimbursement for property taxes and utilities within the space totaled
approximately $40,000 in projected revenue for 2014.
 Current year operating expenditures are within budget. Salaries and fringe
benefits, the largest expense in the operating budget, are within projections for
the year. The use of substitutes to cover vacations and other absences continues
to be monitored closely.
 Purchases for the opening day collection at the expanded and remodeled library
in White Bear Lake, budgeted at $70,000 in 2013 reserve funds, should peak over
the next two quarters. Expenditure of other Operating Budget Reserves is
ongoing. Reserves must be spent within three years after the original budget
year, although most are expended sooner.
LIBRARY OPERATIONS
CURRENT BUDGET YEAR WITH COMPARATIVE PRIOR YEAR
YEAR TO DATE THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND 2013
Original
Annual
Budget
Adjusted
Annual
Budget
2014
Year to Date
Actual %
Variance
Actual Cash of Budget (Over)/Under
Receipts/
Year
Adjusted
Disbursements to Date
Budget YTD
Adjusted
Annual
Budget
2013
Year to Date
Actual %
Variance
Actual Cash of Budget (Over)/Under
Receipts/
Year
Adjusted
Disbursements to Date
Budget YTD
Revenue
Taxes
County Program Aid
Fines
MELSA
PERA Rate Increase Aid
Duplicating Copies/Sales
Interest on Investments
Building & Structures (Rent)
Recoveries
Total Revenue
8,768,637.00
513,573.00
600,000.00
200,000.00
21,652.00
70,000.00
4,500.00
120,000.00
0.00
8,768,637.00
513,573.00
600,000.00
200,000.00
21,652.00
70,000.00
4,500.00
120,000.00
0.00
4,500,426.09
513,573.04
384,657.38
218,608.00
21,652.00
52,128.03
444.26
59,870.49
38,165.01
51% 2,076,051.66
100% (128,393.29)
64%
65,342.62
109%
(68,608.00)
100%
(5,413.00)
74%
371.97
10%
2,930.74
50%
30,129.51
N/A
(38,165.01)
8,499,357.00
395,088.00
675,000.00
200,000.00
21,652.00
65,000.00
24,500.00
135,000.00
0.00
4,423,829.90
203,941.19
436,437.17
212,529.00
21,652.00
52,863.91
1,023.26
75,948.39
68,244.58
52% 1,950,687.85
52%
92,374.81
65%
69,812.83
106%
(62,529.00)
100%
(5,413.00)
81%
(4,113.91)
4%
17,351.74
56%
25,301.61
NA
(68,244.58)
10,298,362.00
10,298,362.00
5,789,524.30
56% 1,934,247.20
10,015,597.00
5,496,469.40
55% 2,015,228.35
5,227,746.00
1,893,923.00
2,141,693.00
130,000.00
55,000.00
850,000.00
5,227,746.00
1,893,923.00
2,141,693.00
130,000.00
55,000.00
850,000.00
3,623,484.36
1,378,335.24
1,186,351.56
97,671.47
3,408.63
556,868.34
69%
73%
55%
75%
6%
66%
297,325.14
42,107.01
419,918.19
(171.47)
37,841.37
80,631.66
0.00
5,027,624.00
1,922,914.00
2,113,629.00
104,000.00
55,000.00
850,000.00
3,563,760.44
1,327,008.04
1,684,431.47
91,240.03
18,493.46
557,874.65
71%
69%
80%
88%
34%
66%
206,957.56
115,177.46
(99,209.72)
(13,240.03)
22,756.54
79,625.35
10,298,362.00
10,298,362.00
6,846,119.60
66%
877,651.90
10,073,167.00
7,242,808.09
72%
312,067.16
Expenditures
Salaries*
Fringe Benefits*
Other Services & Charges
Supplies
Capital Outlay
Books, Periodicals, Etc.
Inc/(Dec) to Fund Balance
(1,056,595.30)
(1,746,338.69)
* 2014 Salary and benefit expenditures through paydate 09/26/14.
Prepared by Mary Larson
* 2013 Salary and benefit expenditures through paydate 09/27/13.
10/10/2014
Percent of Year Elapsed: 75%
LIBRARY OPERATIONS
CURRENT YEAR DISBURSEMENTS OUT OF RESERVES
YEAR TO DATE THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
2014
Reserve
Amount
Year to Date
Actual Cash
Disbursements
Balance
Unexpended
09/30/14
Actual as a
% of
Reserve
Year to Date
Expenditures
2013 Operating Budget Reserves
206,099.00
14,524.54
191,574.46
7%
2012 Operating Budget Reserves
26,585.00
120.09
26,464.91
0%
2011 Operating Budget Reserves
940.00
776.51
163.49
83%
Prepared by Mary Larson
10/10/2014
Percent of Year Elapsed: 75%
LIBRARY GRANTS AND OTHER SPECIAL PROJECTS
CURRENT YEAR DISBURSEMENTS
YEAR TO DATE THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
2014
Current Adjusted
Budget Amount
Actual Cash
Disbursements
Balance
Unexpended
09/30/14
Actual as a
% of Budget
To Date
Expenditures
2014 MELSA Technology Grant
100,000.00
46,267.96
53,732.04
46%
2013 MELSA Technology Grant
310,000.00
253,918.14
56,081.86
82%
Prepared by Mary Larson
10/10/2014
Percent of Year Elapsed: 75%
OTHER LIBRARY FUNDS
YEAR TO DATE RECEIPTS & DISBURSEMENTS
THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
Fund
Cash Balance
Beginning
of Year
2014
Cash
Receipts
Year to Date
Year to Date
Actual Cash
Disbursements
Cash Balance
as of
09/30/14
Rental Book Revenue
25,176.60
10,965.02
9,664.79
26,476.83
Rental DVD Revenue*
2,464.73
59,513.69
33,013.42
28,965.00
Rental Video Game Revenue*
1,576.41
0.00
0.00
1,576.41
11,264.33
1.75
0.00
11,266.08
136,889.60
167,494.15
91,261.89
213,121.86
48,775.33
0.00
7,945.67
40,829.66
Library Facilities (Capital Improvement)
Library Gift Fund
Roseville Library Capital Campaign Gift Fund
Prepared by Mary Larson
10/10/2014
Percent of Year Elapsed: 75%
SUMMARY OF GIFTS RECEIVED
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2014
Donor
Purpose
Branch
MELSA
Legacy Programming
Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries
Janice Seefert Memorial
Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries
Rathna Somasundaram Memorial
Children's Books
Roseville
Marion Hartwick Memorial
Large Print Books
Roseville
Linder/Hanson Memorial
Teen Books
Roseville
Mary Schneider Memorial
Books
Roseville
Summer Reading Program
System
Technology Literacy/Adult Skills
System
Children's Programming
System
Teen Programming
System
Library Newsletter
System
Volunteer Program
System
Employee Development
System
White Bear Lake Capital Campaign Fireplace/Room Divider White Bear Lake
MELSA
Legacy Programming
Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries
Robert J. Beugen Family Fund
Dorothy Busch Memorial
Large Print Books
System
$200.00
System
$230.00
System
Talking Books
Artwork
System
Roseville
TOTAL:
Prepared by Mary Larson
10/10/2014
Amount
$20.00
$50.00
$75.00
$100.00
$10,000.00
$12,500.00
$2,500.00
$2,000.00
$3,000.00
$2,500.00
$2,500.00
$43,000.00
$991.25
$250.00
$1,200.00
$81,116.25
Percent of Year Elapsed: 75%
Statistical Trends
2014 Third Quarter Report

Use remained flat or slightly down in most categories in Quarter 3. This was
expected since the library in White Bear Lake was closed the entire quarter.

System-wide circulation was down 6.9% overall; circulation of children’s
materials was down 3.5%.

Circulation of electronic materials continues to be strong, up 33% from Quarter 3
of 2013, and accounting for about 6.4% of total circulation. The Library’s
collection now includes 14,318 e-book copies owned, 4,043 copies leased, and
1,517 e-audio books. MELSA has provided us with access to significant e-book
content on the 3M platform.

Library website visits were up 6.32% from third quarter of last year. Web visits
dipped briefly last quarter but appear to rebounding. Physical visits across the
system were down 5.67% in Quarter 3. Web visits were 28% higher than physical
visits. Virtual services do not seem to be affected by the closing of White Bear
Lake.

Computer logins were down almost 9% in the third quarter; hours used decreased
by almost 9% as well. At the same time, wireless use was up 20%.

More than 28% of RCL’s circulation comes from non-residents. St. Paul
residents account for almost 16% of overall system circulation. Almost 40% of
Roseville’s use comes from nonresidents.

Summer Reading Program numbers were strong. There were 1,045 preschoolers
registered, up 5% from last year, and 5,063 elementary aged children registered,
up 11% from last year. Teen registrations were up 5% and the number of book
reviews submitted more than doubled the number from 2012. These results are
especially impressive because there was no Summer Reading Program at the
library in White Bear Lake this year.
Branches by Year/System by Quarter
Total circulation
Location
Children's circulation
2012
2013
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
E-material
Other
Support Services
952,389
891,477
242,793
220,070
315,297
299,873
165,903
148,216
1,891,575 1,800,978
702,947
646,861
372,395
352,676
211,678
System Quarter 1
System Quarter 2
System Quarter 3
System Quarter 4
YTD Total
1,213,320
1,202,846
1,246,730
1,109,670
Annual Total
129,267
2014
%Change
2013-2014
1,149,336 1,094,242
1,172,802 1,097,455
1,207,879 1,125,095
1,066,068
4,772,566 4,596,085
4,772,566 4,596,085
-4.8%
-6.4%
-6.9%
-100.0%
-100.0%
2012
2013
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
92.6%
86.1%
93.3%
68.0%
90.1%
94.7%
63.9%
92.5%
86.2%
93.4%
72.3%
90.3%
95.4%
69.3%
System Quarter 1
System Quarter 2
System Quarter 3
System Quarter 4
YTD System Avg
88.5%
87.6%
88.5%
89.0%
89.2%
89.3%
89.6%
88.6%
88.4%
88.4%
89.2%
89.2%
Annual Average
2013
2014
2014
87.4%
87.0%
89.9%
-2.0%
-2.6%
0.4%
-100.0%
-100.0%
2013
333,195
99,039
126,563
50,654
718,015
265,789
139,549
4,183
881
1,124
206
9,655
3,282
1,053
3,506
23,954
3,458
0
456,504
474,322
503,539
442,234
437,712
451,444
474,360
396,700
402,249
441,141
457,876
1,876,599 1,760,216
1,876,599
2012
%Change
2013-2014
2014
4,056
689
798
133
8,618
2,989
1,199
9,041
-8.1%
-2.3%
-3.5%
-100.0%
4,989
5,409
5,457
4,528
4,439
4,771
4,848
13,464
-100.0%
20,384
20,384
27,522
Visits
%Change
2013-2014
2012
355,444
111,052
138,442
58,310
747,127
295,174
167,544
24,256
Express checkout percentages
Location
2012
Volunteer hours
%Change
2013-2014
4,103
4,607
2,308
-7.6%
-3.4%
-52.4%
-100.0%
-100.0%
Meeting room use by outside groups
2013
402,716
83,696
107,155
70,159
727,435
256,968
156,814
390,048
88,217
103,796
59,428
676,146
239,068
149,635
444,459
477,031
477,079
406,374
418,132
437,469
461,058
389,679
1,804,943 1,706,338
1,804,943 1,706,338
2014
399,748
410,841
434,937
%Change
2013-2014
2012
2013
%Change
2013-2014
2014
576
45
0
0
863
170
70
632
53
0
0
829
259
75
-4.4%
-6.1%
-5.7%
-100.0%
476
424
395
429
482
438
501
427
-100.0%
1,724
1,724
1,848
1,848
484
446
416
0.4%
1.8%
-17.0%
-100.0%
-100.0%
Public computer logins
Hours of computer use
Location
2012
2013
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
83,979
13,942
23,173
16,158
180,182
29,351
18,774
79,933
12,278
23,677
15,466
166,225
24,469
16,243
91,896
90,245
99,354
84,064
79,980
87,190
92,344
78,777
365,559
365,559
338,291
338,291
System Quarter 1
System Quarter 2
System Quarter 3
System Quarter 4
YTD Total
Annual Total
2014
72,910
79,435
84,345
%Change
2013-2014
2013
77,333
12,008
18,583
12,612
182,041
22,278
12,689
78,279
10,555
19,243
12,949
170,863
18,817
11,739
-8.8%
-8.9%
-8.7%
-100.0%
79,611
83,174
93,618
81,140
77,454
81,924
87,302
75,764
-100.0%
337,543
337,543
322,444
322,444
Reference
2014
72,568
75,555
79,771
2012
2013
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
Technical Services
38,415
12,129
15,639
13,676
100,542
27,807
17,706
41,418
13,663
15,223
10,062
138,216
41,925
18,187
System Quarter 1
System Quarter 2
System Quarter 3
System Quarter 4
YTD Total
62,699
56,108
54,067
53,040
72,748
57,733
80,548
67,665
225,914
225,914
278,694
278,694
2014
69,758
63,557
77,103
%Change
2013-2014
2012
2012
2013
30,052
2,596
7,089
4,491
133,766
9,350
1,359
44,667
3,436
10,021
10,732
164,904
12,326
5,000
-6.3%
-7.8%
-8.6%
-100.0%
43,275
46,205
50,898
50,493
59,796
59,441
62,807
69,042
-100.0%
190,871
190,871
251,086
Registrations
Location
Annual Total
2012
Wireless users
%Change
2013-2014
2014
78,265
81,464
75,495
%Change
2013-2014
30.9%
37.1%
20.2%
-100.0%
-100.0%
Hours open
2013
3,650
974
1,138
600
8,663
1,416
1,157
3,159
828
865
483
8,214
1,356
970
1,103
-4.1%
10.1%
-4.3%
-100.0%
5,160
4,670
5,016
4,012
4,725
4,058
4,611
3,584
-100.0%
18,858
18,858
16,978
16,978
2014
4,716
3,915
4,131
%Change
2013-2014
2012
2013
3,163
1,171
1,764
1,764
3,163
2,677
2,228
3,132
1,722
1,771
1,750
3,139
2,645
2,232
-0.2%
-3.5%
-10.4%
-100.0%
4,067
4,230
4,134
4,099
3,983
4,199
4,172
4,037
-100.0%
16,530
16,530
16,391
16,391
2014
3,994
4,046
3,752
%Change
2013-2014
0.3%
-3.6%
-10.1%
-100.0%
-100.0%
Website visits
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
YTD Total
Annual Total
Holds placed
2012
2013
2014
479,376
469,488
525,326
504,389
502,049
503,083
522,411
488,308
506,850
498,380
555,451
1,978,579 2,015,851
1,978,579 2,015,851
%Change
2013-2014
2013
2014
132,845
136,060
123,509
1.0%
-0.9%
6.3%
-100.0%
161,770
152,508
155,195
139,200
145,861
142,388
145,569
130,473
-100.0%
608,673
608,673
564,291
564,291
Incoming ILL
2013
4,456
4,139
3,934
3,887
4,228
4,384
4,333
4,269
16,416
16,416
17,214
17,214
2014
4,350
4,335
4,172
%Change
2013-2014
2012
2012
2013
-8.9%
-4.4%
-15.2%
-100.0%
23,553
25,099
26,990
28,693
48,099
50,457
55,215
57,907
-100.0%
104,335
104,335
211,678
211,678
Outgoing ILL
2012
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
YTD Total
Annual Total
2012
E-materials circulated
%Change
20132014
2014
71,059
68,377
73,563
%Change
2013-2014
47.7%
35.5%
33.2%
-100.0%
-100.0%
Value of gifts added
2013
2.89%
-1.12%
-3.72%
-100.00%
6,257
6,113
6,063
6,103
6,410
5,720
5,547
6,024
-100.0%
24,536
24,536
23,701
23,701
2014
5,709
6,064
5,407
%Change
20132014
2012
2013
-10.94%
6.01%
-2.52%
-100.00%
$17,553.65
$33,353.28
$31,319.50
$23,540.00
$20,870.15
$24,532.23
$23,843.66
$25,072.76
-100.0%
$105,766.43
$105,766.43
$94,318.80
$94,318.80
2014
$27,400.55
$29,549.66
$31,708.83
0.000496771
31.3%
20.5%
33.0%
-100.0%
-100.0%
Branches by Quarter 2013
Total materials circulated
Q1
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
Tech Services
Other
Virtual
Total
Children's materials circulated
Q2
Q3
Q4
YTD Total
Q1
205,634
52,347
69,154
33,110
426,365
152,714
77,990
5,869
0
71,059
214,014
57,227
69,762
34,329
431,226
161,273
55,032
6,215
0
68,377
249,781
77,237
57,578
70,700
36,651
446,113
23,617
1,094,242
1,097,455
1,124,822
27,973
10,615
166,374
61,424
28,625
811
5,573
0
184,363
359
5,714
73,563
Q2
85,213
28,121
31,432
12,212
184,580
71,013
22,685
930
4,955
0
402,249 441,141
Total reference
Q3
Registrations
Q4
YTD Total
Q1
Q2
99,620
29,203
31,668
14,230
193,411
83,589
161
793
5,201
786
215
200
138
2,606
305
234
232
0
0
834
322
200
117
1,746
378
121
197
0
0
232
146
1,848
423
0
253
0
0
457,876
4,716
3,915
4,131
Visits
Q4
YTD Total
Q3
Q4
310
Meeting room use by outside groups
Q1
Q2
Q3
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
10,517
3,263
4,212
3,211
34,723
8,164
5,668
11,622
3,536
4,563
2,795
29,315
6,955
4,771
15,548
5,096
5,265
3,523
36,569
11,102
0
90,764 98,985
18,277 23,147
25,115 25,588
14,128 13,502
162,493 164,387
55,034 61,114
33,937 24,118
113,469
22,975
25,396
16,633
186,698
69,766
0
186
8
0
0
229
38
23
196
12
0
0
199
23
16
171
5
0
0
73
Total
69,758
63,557
77,103
399,748 410,841
434,937
484
446
249
Q1
Q2
Q3
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
18,009
23,918
3,528
5,793
2,603
40,965
7,538
0
19,391
2,355
4,279
1,846
37,751
4,381
2,564
20,159
5,354
2,222
35,966
5,408
3,389
20,370
3,505
6,018
2,144
38,392
6,453
2,553
Total
72,910
79,435
84,345
72,567
Q1
Q2
Q3
Public computer logins
2,562
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
YTD Total
Hours of computer use
Q4
YTD Total
Volunteer hours
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
Administration
Technical Services
Other
932.90
113.00
180.00
19.75
1,812.75
721.75
323.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
969.00
129.00
177.50
43.00
2,261.50
668.50
358.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
862.00
116.00
152.25
42.25
2,093.50
380.25
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Total
4,103.15
4,606.50
3,646.25
Q4
YTD Total
YTD Total
919
Q1
Q2
Q1
Q2
Q4
YTD Total
Q4
YTD Total
0
Wireless users
Q3
Q4
YTD Total
Q1
Q2
4,748
1,855
38,805
5,057
1,773
23,944
2,916
4,540
2,300
40,214
5,858
0
13,064
813
2,326
7,056
49,338
4,585
1,083
12,713
1,167
2,033
7,273
52,655
4,755
868
75,555
79,771
78,265
81,464
3,159
Q3
Q3
14,442
1,368
2,249
1,708
50,743
4,985
0
75,495
Children's programs
Children's program attendance
Q1
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
Admin
SRP
Total
Q3
Q2
Q4
YTD Total
Total
1,842
759
739
569
5,680
1,275
1,111
0
2,982
1,381
1,098
1,030
5,942
2,765
1,481
0
3,431
1,182
1,251
998
6,814
2,538
336
277
366
387
11,975
16,679
16,550
Q3
Q4
YTD Total
Total
Q2
Q1
Q3
54
4
1
7
114
4
2
4
65
7
0
7
133
0
3
6
44
7
1
1
139
1
2
1
276
48
2
70
1,324
35
89
62
2,663
24
0
65
1,764
0
555
515
744
25
13
4
1,448
13
37
20
190
221
196
1,906
5,586
2,304
YTD Total
Q4
YTD Total
Q4
YTD Total
Adult program attendance
Q2
Admin
Winter Reading
Q4
Teen program attendance
Q2
Adult programs
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
Q3
101
43
34
12
128
56
13
Q1
Admin
SRP
Q2
84
33
30
20
111
65
23
0
Teen programs
Maplewood
Mounds View
New Brighton
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
Q1
55
28
29
15
89
40
21
0
Q3
Q4
YTD Total
Q2
Q1
Q3
7
10
5
3
10
12
12
101
9
14
6
0
10
18
8
135
2
12
2
1
2
16
15
119
95
58
58
20
261
68
252
437
85
72
205
0
212
103
166
1,000
17
39
15
8
118
129
430
983
160
200
169
1,249
1,843
1,739
_________________________
Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
Meeting Date
October 15, 2014
Action Requested
Quarterly Report
Presented By
Julie Neville,
Property Manager
SUBJECT:
2014 Third Quarter Incident Report Summary
BACKGROUND:
A summary of the incident reports received during the third quarter of 2014 is attached,
with 2013, 2012, and 2011 data included for comparison.
Two patron injuries were reported to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Claims
may be pending.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
For information and discussion.
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
New Brighton
Maplewood
Mounds View
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
New Brighton
Maplewood
Mounds View
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
New Brighton
Maplewood
Mounds View
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
New Brighton
Maplewood
Mounds View
North St. Paul
Roseville
Shoreview
White Bear Lake
Totals
Incident Report Comparison First Quarter
2011
2012
2013
0
0
6
9
2
10
0
0
12
1
1
0
14
12
25
0
2
4
3
1
5
27
18
62
2014
3
4
2
0
19
2
2
32
Incident Report Comparison Second Quarter
2011
2012
2013
0
1
5
8
9
7
0
0
7
2
0
2
3
18
16
3
0
7
5
1
4
21
29
48
2014
1
7
1
1
19
2
3
34
Incident Report Comparison Third Quarter
2011
2012
2013
0
0
3
9
0
7
1
0
7
1
1
0
13
25
29
2
3
4
9
4
5
35
33
55
2014
1
9
8
1
14
3
0 (closed)
36
Incident Report Comparison Fourth Quarter
2011
2012
2013
1
1
2
5
7
6
1
0
8
0
1
3
10
26
17
5
1
2
2
2
2
24
38
40
107
118
205
2014
102
_________________________
Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
Meeting Date
October 15, 2014
Action Requested
Approval
Presented By
Susan M. Nemitz,
Library Director
SUBJECT:
2015 Holiday Calendar
BACKGROUND:
Each year, the Library staff prepares a holiday calendar for the upcoming year for
Library Board approval. The calendar includes all the dates designated as paid
holidays by Ramsey County, as well as other dates when the libraries are traditionally
closed.
The proposed 2015 calendar was developed with the basic objective of providing public
service hours at times when the public might reasonably be expected to use the
libraries, while observing the holidays set forth by Ramsey County.
Since 1993, the Library’s calendar has included Staff Inservice Days. These days allow
time for staff training as well as facilities-related projects such as painting or shifting the
collection. The libraries may also close as needed for facility- or technology-related
improvements. These closed days will be selected based on their branch needs, and
publicized in advance in the Library’s newsletter and on the website.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
To approve the 2015 Holiday Calendar as proposed.
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
2015
HOLIDAY CALENDAR
H
HO
OL
LIID
DA
AY
Y
S
ST
TA
AT
TU
US
S
New Year’s
Open Wednesday, December 31 until 5 p.m.
Closed Thursday, January 1, 2015
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Closed Monday, January 19
Presidents’ Day
Closed Monday, February 16
Easter
Closed Sunday, April 5*
Staff Inservice Day
Closed Thursday, April 23*
Memorial Day
Closed Monday, May 25
Independence Day
Open Friday, July 3
Administration & Technical Services Closed**
Closed Saturday, July 4
Labor Day
Closed Monday, September 7
Staff Inservice Day
Closed Monday, October 12*
Veterans’ Day
Closed Wednesday, November 11
Thanksgiving
Closed Thursday, November 26
Open Friday, November 27
Administration & Technical Services Closed**
Christmas
Closed Thursday, December 24*
Closed Friday, December 25
New Year’s
Open Thursday, December 31 until 5 p.m.
Closed Friday, January 1, 2016
* Not a paid holiday under Ramsey County Personnel Rules.
** Non-public service staff follow Court House schedule.
Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
_________________________
Meeting Date
October 15, 2014
Action Requested
Approval
Presented By
Susan Gehrz,
Friends Director
SUBJECT:
Additional Naming Rights for the Ramsey County Library in White Bear Lake
BACKGROUND:
In October 2008, the Library Board adopted a Naming Policy to assist with private
fundraising for capital campaigns organized by the Friends of the Ramsey County
Libraries. Library Board approval will be required before the specific naming right for
a room or area is granted.
On May 21, 2014, the Library Board authorized the Friends of the Ramsey County
Libraries to offer naming rights for the following areas in the Ramsey County Library
located in the White Bear area:
Community Program Room
Children’s Area
Outdoor Patio
Teen Room
Large Study Room (10 person)
2 Medium Study Rooms (6 person)
o 4 Small Study Rooms (2 person)
o
o
o
o
o
o
$50,000
$40,000
$25,000
$20,000
$10,000
$7,000 each
$5,000 each
In September the project architects prepared a design for the outdoor patio that includes
three distinct areas. The estimated cost exceeds $55,000 which is $30,000 higher than
our original cost estimate of $25,000. Additional naming opportunities are a potential
source for the additional revenue required to complete this project as designed.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
To authorize the Friends of the Ramsey County Library to offer naming rights for the
following areas in the outdoor patio, subject to the approval of the Library Board:
o Children’s Garden
o Paver Plaza
o Butterfly Garden
Total:
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$30,000
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
_________________________
Meeting Date
October 15, 2014
Action Requested
Information &
Discussion
Presented By
Sandy Walsh,
Deputy Director
SUBJECT:
White Bear Lake Building Project
BACKGROUND:
The northern portion of the library has been demolished. Construction of that part of
the building will begin in November when the steel delivery is expected. In the
meantime, Knutson will concentrate on other areas of the building and on reconfiguring
the parking lot. The neighboring house has been deconstructed. Sandy Walsh and Bill
Michel will be attending regular construction meetings.
Ramsey County has completed a purchase agreement with the neighbors at 2192 2nd
Street to eliminate the driveway easement and allow the building of a screening fence
on their property. The neighbors will pay $8,400 for the property in addition to any
additional costs such as survey, recording fees, lot split, and closing costs. There will be
no costs to the County for this transaction, other than staff time to coordinate the
transaction. The purchase agreement will go before the County Board on October 21.
Parking arrangements continue to be discussed with the church.
The Friends are proceeding with the White Bear Lake capital campaign. Grant
applications have been submitted to three local foundations; grants are expected to be
announced in November. The Friends have raised about $60,000 so far.
A State Library Construction grant application for $200,000 has been submitted. The
Library’s predesign documents were officially approved by the State Department of
Administration.
Work is progressing on the interior design. Representatives from Bentz/Thompson/
Rietow will be at the Library Board meeting to discuss and show interior finishes and
furniture.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
For information and discussion
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
Branch Library Report
Maplewood
November 15, 2014
Report to the Library Board
TRENDS IN THE SERVICE AREA





School District population is 41% students of color.
47% of student population eligible for reduced or free school lunches.
35 different languages spoken by school district families.
Maplewood has a poverty rate for individuals of 11.2%, but the rate is 15.2% in the census
tract in which the Library sits. Likewise, 18.9% of individuals under 18 in the city as a whole
live in poverty, while 32.9% of those in the Library’s census tract do so.
There are plans to convert the hotel across Southlawn Drive from the Library to an assisted
living facility.
LIBRARY ISSUES AND SERVICE TRENDS







rd
Circulation in the 3 quarter is up 6.3%, after declining 7.5% in the first half of the year,
reflecting the increased traffic while WBL is closed.
Demand for programming for children continues to grow—this summer Maplewood provided
121 programming events (an increase of 41 over 2013) to 4,161 attendees (a 17% increase).
We continue to receive complaints about the noise level in the building.
st
Public computer usage remains strong, increasing 5% in the 1 half of the year.
Our three bookable rooms average 2 non-library uses per day, and the three study rooms are
in constant demand.
We’ve had several interested parties look at the empty coffee shop space, but no takers yet.
Several racially-charged incidents have occurred recently.
LIBRARY SERVICES AND EVENTS
Number of weekly storytimes, book clubs or other on-going programs?
 One weekly family storytime
 One weekly baby storytime
 One monthly Make & Take storytime
 Two weekly Paws to Read
 Monthly eTot storytime
 Monthly family film program
 Monthly Minecraft for kids
 Monthly teen anime club
 Weekly teen gaming
 Monthly teen art
 Weekly teen Makerspace
 One monthly adult book club
What is special and important about the library
 Smart Play Area is wildly popular
 Successful kids and teen programming
 Fabulous staff with strong service orientation
User Experience—elementary age area
 Selected and moved appropriate furniture from White Bear Lake
 Investigating with Automation Services staff issues related to placing iPads in the public
spaces
 Discussing where to place the area in relation to the other things in the front of the Library.
Innovation
 Investigating a variety of service models for roving reference
 Looking for a portable device capable of using Horizon for roving reference
 Friend’s Bookstore moved to the lobby—sales up 17% over last year
 New Board Room furnished and equipped in the old bookstore space
 Along with RV, piloted eTot Storytime using the iPad Lab
Key Partnerships
 City of Maplewood—Primary and General election host
 Maplewood Nature Center—adult programs
 Maplewood Fire Department—storytime guests
 AARP-tax assistance
 N. St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District—teen Programming
 White Bear Lake YMCA
 AmeriCorps CTEP Program
 KinderCare—children’s Programming
 St Catherine University—internships for teen programming
 Artsy Smartsy—adult programming
 Workforce Solutions—hired student worker for the summer
MAPLEWOOD AT A GLANCE
YEAR BUILT
2007
SQUARE FEET
DAYS OPEN
31,000
Mon-Thu 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Fri-Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun 12 - 5 p.m.
HOURS/WEEK
63
NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMPUTERS
63
PRINT COLLECTION SIZE
130,958
STAFF FTE
16.3
TOTAL STAFF
24
VOLUNTEER HOURS
4,056
2010
2011
2012
2013
1,042,371
969,228
952,389
891,477
375,281
36%
346,949
36%
355,444
37%
333,195
37%
REFERENCE
63,327
57,863
38,415
41,418
COMPUTER HOURS USED
92,099
78,961
77,333
78,279
WIRELESS USED
36,677
18,497
30,052
44,667
TOTAL CIRCULATION
CHILDREN’S CIRCULATION
(TOTAL # AND % OF TOTAL
ANNUAL VISITS
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM ATTENDANCE
ADULT PROGRAM ATTENDANCE
404,068
399,903
402,716
390,048
9,387
9,563
12,816
11,448
620
1,533
667
398
_________________________
Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
Meeting Date
October 15, 2014
Action Requested
Information &
Discussion
Presented By
Susan M. Nemitz,
Library Director
SUBJECT:
Ramsey County Branding Initiative
BACKGROUND:
Following last month’s discussion with the Library Board, Nemitz met with Ramsey
County Manager Julie Kleinschmidt and Heather Worthington, Deputy Manager.
Attached is the branding rollout packet developed by the County’s Communications
department.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Information & discussion.
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
Initiative Update
Over the last eight months a team of dedicated communications managers and directors has worked with
a local St. Paul vendor, Mod & Company, to build a cohesive corporate identity for the county. This work
is an integral part of our broader communications strategy and website redesign effort. As we move
towards an inclusive brand identity, your support and involvement are essential.
Department Rollout
Strong brands are built through consistent, positive encounters with the people you serve. To maximize
our communications and make the largest impact, it is important that we work together to reinforce our
brand messages, image and identity in a consistent way, so that everyone knows who we are – from
stationery and signage to brochures, promotional materials, logo wear and websites.
The brand launch will be conducted in a series of steps to ensure that key staff are informed and trained
on the use of the brand system prior to full distribution of the new logos and templates. In addition, a
support model will be in place to provide ongoing guidance, training, and easy access to branded
materials.
Brand Launch Preparations |Schedule
Step 1 Complete the Brand Launch Survey
Step 2 Participate in Planning Session(s)
Step 3 Finalize Your Department Rollout Plan
Step 4 Training
Completed
September 9, 2014
________________
September 15-19, 2014
All Staff __________
Communications
Staff_____________
Step 5 Initiate Your Plan and Begin Brand Launch Activities
September 30, 2014
Department Involvement
Department directors are responsible for implementing and maintaining the County’s approved brand
architecture (see attachments, Building a Corporate Brand Identity and Library Department Brand
Identity).
 Department Launch Plans - Complete the brand launch survey to identify staff who should attend
planning and training sessions. Designate a staff member to coordinate schedules, material
distribution, etc. Complete operational rollout plans and provide regular status updates to your brand
launch team.
 Employee Engagement - let us know about upcoming all-staff meeting(s) or event(s) in late summer
and early fall to announce and promote the new brand system (approximately 15-20 minutes).
 Employee Training Involve staff in training opportunities.
Library
Brand Assessment
(Information Source: 2013 Brand Development Survey)
Confirm the types of logos utilized by your department (check all that apply):
Enterprise
Department
Public-facing Divisions (separate meetings due to size)
Properties
internal signs
external signs
Facilities
Programs
Co-branded Partnerships
Other:___________________________
Please list all unique logos used for programs, properties, facilities or certifications.
The new brand system offers many new, easy to use templates. From your department's 2013
brand development survey, the types of brand materials in use today are indicated with a
check mark -- is the list complete?
Everyday Use Documents
Special Use
Letterhead
Reports/Contracts
eNewsletters (GovDelivery)
Business Cards
Brochures (tri-fold | half-fold)
Social Media/Ads
Note cards
Flyers/Fact Sheet
Promotional Items and Apparel
Envelopes
Newsletters
Physical Assets
Memos
Other:
Software Applications
Fax Cover Sheets
Co-branded Materials
Temporary Meeting Signs
Website
Presentations
Avery/Dymo Mailing Label
Other:
Photo Library
Are there other special logos or uses not noted here?
2
Library
Department Planning Rollout - For planning purposes, fill in the estimated time it will take to
begin using the new brand materials.
Estimated Time to Use the
New Brand System
(new and revised materials)
30
Days
Brand Materials
Everyday Use Documents (new documents)
60
Days
90
Days
1
Year
Everyday Use Documents (existing documents)
Special Use
eNewsletters (GovDelivery)
Social Media
Promotional Items and Apparel: flash drives,
tote bags, etc.
As new items are created
Property and Facility Signage (internal) - TBD
Physical Assets - e.g., vehicles (no logos)
Software Applications (list): Catalog, website,
intranet, 3M Library, Boopsie
Co-branded Materials (list): MLSA, etc.
Other (specify): Library card (only new cards
will have new design), policies and procedures
(Intranet)
When reviewing the sample brand materials for your department, did you notice any
corrections to contact information?
How can the brand launch team support your use of the new brand system?
2
Years
Library
Employee Engagement
(Information Source: 2014 Brand Launch Survey)
List staff who create, approve and order branded materials. Check what types of access is
needed to the online repository.
Name, Title
Role
Brand System Access
Susan Nemitz, Director
Designer
Content Specialist
Administrative Assistant
Approver
Other:
Logos
Every day Use Documents
Special Use
Kristi Saksvig, Communications
Manager
Designer
Content Specialist
Administrative Assistant
Approver
Other:
Logos
Every day Use Documents
Special Use
Other:
Designer
Content Specialist
Administrative Assistant
Approver
Other:
Logos
Every day Use Documents
Special Use
Other:
Designer
Content Specialist
Administrative Assistant
Approver
Other:
Logos
Every day Use Documents
Special Use
Does your department currently use an approval process before branded materials are
printed?
Each department will designate a brand representative who will be trained in the proper use of
the Ramsey County logo system and guidelines. The brand representative will be the single
point of contact, working with the Public Communications Director to keep the department
informed of updates to the brand system. Kristi Saksvig
All-staff brand introductions (10-15 minute presentation) may be provided along with hands
on, repository training will be provided to employees. Discuss the timing and attendance to
these engagement opportunities.
Library
Vendor Engagement
Check which templates are printed in-house and/or sent to the print shop.
Inhouse
Print
Shop
Everyday Use
Inhouse
Print
Shop
Special Use
Letterhead
Reports/Contracts
Business Cards
Brochures
Note Cards
Flyers
Envelopes
Newsletters
Memos
Promotional Items
Presentations
Apparel
FAX Cover Sheets
Other:
Temporary Meeting Signs
Avery/Dymo Mailing Labels
Other:
What is your current print ordering and approval process?
List external graphic vendors who may need access to logos, color palettes, or other
materials.
List external print vendors who may need access to logos, color palettes, or other materials.
5
_______________________
Ramsey County Library ___________________________
Request for Library Board Action
Meeting Date
October 15, 2014
Action Requested
Information
& Discussion
Presented By
Bill Michel,
Library Manager
SUBJECT:
Shoreview Facilities Planning Update
BACKGROUND:
The predesign process continues. Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA) has given
the Library several options to consider. Attached is the option Library staff have asked
them to further develop.
The house on the corner has been demolished.
The school district held a workshop to discuss potential purchase/lease of the current
library building. Staff was instructed to continue to evaluate the idea.
The City of Shoreview has begun to express concerns about providing the second piece
of property to the County without compensation. Discussions are underway. The City
has expressed willingness to allow a new library to encroach slightly onto the property
on which the City’s well house sits.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
For information and discussion
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
(74 S
STALLS)
TALLS)
LLS)
LLS
EXISTING
LIBRARY
EXISTING
LIBRARY
NEW MECH UNIT
100
90
98
96
94
92
92
VICTORIA STREET NORTH
AMH
ADMIN
STAFF
TAFF
FF E
ENTR
ENTRY
DRIVE
IVE UP
BOOK
OK DROP
(295 STALLS)
EXISTING MECH UNIT
IT
STAFF
BLDG
OPERATIONS
(64 STALLS)
TALLS
STU
TUDY
TU
90
TECH
SERVICES
EL. 90'-0"
SERVICE
+ 4 STALLS
+ 4 STALLS
MAIN
AIN ENTRY
NTRY
NTR
MARKET PLACE
COMPUTERS
ADULT
CHILDREN
COMMUNITY
C
ROOM
TEEN
STU
TU
TUDY
EL.
L. 102'
102'-0"
SETBACK FROM
WELL HOUSE
92
94
BLDG
OPERATIONS
96
92
94
SETBACK FROM
WELL HOUSE
WELL
HOUSE
HO
HOUS
USE
SE
96
WELL
HOUSE
HO
HOUS
USE
SE
+9 STALLS
LLS
98
96
COMMUNITY
COM
CO
MMUN
UNITY
ITY
CENTER
CE
ENTER
NTE
TER
R SIG
S
SIGN
IGN
N
HWY 96
LEVEL 1
OPTION 1
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
OCTOBER 6, 2014
0'
LOWER LEVEL
0'
OPTION 1
20'
40'
80'
N
(74 S
STALLS)
TALLS)
LLS)
LLS
EXISTING
LIBRARY
EXISTING
LIBRARY
(295 STALLS)
EXISTING MECH UNIT
NEW MECH UNIT
92
DRIVE
DR
RIV UP
BOOK
BO
OO DROP
92
90
VICTORIA STREET NORTH
98
96
94
AMH
ADMIN
STAFF
TAFF
FF E
ENTR
ENTRY
STAFF
(64 STALLS)
TALLS
STU
TUDY
TU
BLDG
OPERATIONS
+ 4 STALLS
MAIN
AIN ENTRY
NTRY
NTR
MARKET PLACE
COMPUTERS
ADULT
CHILDREN
COMMUNITY
C
ROOM
TEEN
STU
TUDY
TU
EL.
L. 102'
102'-0"
SETBACK FROM
WELL HOUSE
92
94
90
TECH
SERVICES
SERVICE
EL. 90'-0"
+ 4 STALLS
96
92
94
SETBACK FROM
WELL HOUSE
BLDG
OPERATIONS
WELL
HOUSE
HO
HOUS
USE
SE
96
WELL
HOUSE
HO
HOUS
USE
SE
+9 STALLS
98
96
COMMUNITY
COM
CO
MMUN
UNITY
ITY
CENTER
CE
ENTER
NTE
TER
R SIG
S
SIGN
IGN
N
HWY 96
LEVEL 1
OPTION 1.A
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
OCTOBER 6, 2014
0'
LOWER LEVEL
0'
OPTION 1.A
20'
40'
80'
N
(74 S
STALLS)
TALLS)
LLS)
LLS
EXISTING
LIBRARY
EXISTING
LIBRARY
RELOCATED
TED
D MEC
ME
M
MECH
EC UN
UNIT
VICTORIA STREET NORTH
92
94
NEW MECH UNIT
96
TECH
SERVICES
STAFF
STAFF
S
FF ENTR
ENTRY
BLDG
OPERATIONS
STU
TUDY
TU
MAIN EN
ENTRY
MARKET PLACE
ADULT
TEEN
STU
TUDY
TU
CHILDREN
EL. 90'-0"
92
COMPUTERS
EL.
L. 102'
102'-0"
COMMUNITY
C
ROOM
NEW MECH UNIT
96
ADMIN
AMH
(64 STALLS)
TALLS
90
SERVICE
ER
92
94
DRIVE UP
D
DR
BOOK DROP
BO
OP
P
100
RELOCATED
TED
D MEC
ME
MECH UN
UNIT
(295 STALLS)
90
SETBACK FROM
WELL HOUSE
92
94
96
94
SETBACK FROM
WELL HOUSE
BLDG
OPERATIONS
WELL
HOUSE
HO
HOUS
USE
SE
96
WELL
HOUSE
HO
HOUS
USE
SE
+9 STALLS
98
96
COMMUNITY
COM
CO
MMUN
UNITY
ITY
CENTER
CE
ENTER
NTE
TER
R SIG
S
SIGN
IGN
N
HWY 96
LEVEL 1
OPTION 2
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
OCTOBER 6, 2014
0'
LOWER LEVEL
0'
OPTION 2
20'
40'
80'
N
(74 S
STALLS)
TALLS)
LLS)
LLS
EXISTING
LIBRARY
EXISTING
LIBRARY
(295 STALLS)
92
94
100
98
VICTORIA STREET NORTH
NEW MECH UNIT
TECH
SERVICES
ADMIN
AMH
STAFF
STAFF
FF E
ENTR
ENTRY
BLDG
OPERATIONS
STU
TUDY
TU
MAIN EN
ENTRY
MARKET PLACE
ADULT
TEEN
STU
TUDY
TU
CHILDREN
EL. 90'-0"
92
COMPUTERS
EL.
L. 102'
102'-0"
COMMUNITY
C
ROOM
NEW MECH UNIT
96
96
WALK UP
BOOK DROP
(64 STALLS)
TALLS
90
92
94
SERVICE
ER
EXISTING MECH UNIT
90
SETBACK FROM
WELL HOUSE
92
94
96
94
SETBACK FROM
WELL HOUSE
BLDG
OPERATIONS
WELL
HOUSE
HO
HOUS
USE
SE
96
WELL
HOUSE
HO
HOUS
USE
SE
+9 STALLS
98
96
COMMUNITY
COM
CO
MMUN
UNITY
ITY
CENTER
CE
ENTER
NTE
TER
R SIG
S
SIGN
IGN
N
HWY 96
LEVEL 1
OPTION 2.A
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
OCTOBER 6, 2014
0'
LOWER LEVEL
0'
OPTION 2.A
20'
40'
80'
N
(74 S
STALLS)
TALLS)
LLS)
LLS
(74 S
STALLS)
TALLS
LLS)
LLS
EXISTING
LIBRARY
STAFF
S
FF ENTR
ENTRY
EXISTING
LIBRARY
(295 STALLS)
SERVICE
EXISTING MECH UNIT
IT
ADMIN
TECH SERVICES
VICTORIA STREET NORTH
TEEN
NEW
W MECH UNIT
100
EL. 88'-0"
AMH
WALK
ALK UP
BOOK
OK DROP
STAFF
STUDY
DY
BLDG
OPERATIONS
92
COMPUTERS
ADULT
MARKET
PLACE
MAIN ENTRY
TRY
SETBACK FROM
WELL HOUSE
94
(70 STALLS)
TALLS
96
WELL
HOUS
HOUSE
HO
USE
SE
EL. 100'-0"
STU
TUDY
TU
(70 STALLS)
TALLS
CHILDREN
COMMUNITY
ROOM
98
98
96
96
COMMUNITY
COM
CO
MMUN
UNITY
ITY
CENTER
CE
ENTER
NTE
TER
R SIG
S
SIGN
IGN
N
HWY 96
LEVEL 1
LOWER LEVEL
OPTION 3
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
OCTOBER 6, 2014
OPTION 3
0'
20'
40'
80'
N
HWY 96
V IE
+100
W
SEPTEMBER 22, 2014
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
SITE DIAGRAM
ICE ARENA
(64 STALLS)
“GULCH”
VIEW
VICTORIA STREET NORTH
(74 STALLS)
VIEW
VIEW
+88
(295 STALLS)
CITY HALL
COMMUNITY
CENTER
N
SEPTEMBER 22, 2014
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
LEVEL 1
SITE STUDY 1
LOWER LEVEL
N
SEPTEMBER 22, 2014
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
LEVEL 1
SITE STUDY 2
LOWER LEVEL
N
SEPTEMBER 22, 2014
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
LEVEL 1
SITE STUDY 3
LOWER LEVEL
N
SEPTEMBER 22, 2014
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY - SHOREVIEW
LEVEL 1
SITE STUDY 4
LOWER LEVEL
N
Director’s Report
 4570 North Victoria Street  Shoreview, Minnesota 55126  (651) 486-2200  Fax (651) 486-2220  www.rclreads.org 
October 2014 Update
The Library: The staff In-Service Day will be held Monday, October 13, 2014. The libraries will
be closed.
Several staff members from Ramsey County Library presented at the Minnesota Library
Association Conference last week in Mankato. A colleague from a metro county wrote, “I just
wanted to mention how impressed I am with your staff. I attended 2 programs by RCL librarians
and was blown away by all the innovative programming that you offer.” I would like to thank
Marcus Lowry, Anna Krueger, Carol Jackson, Amy Boese, Meg Robertson, Therese Sonnek,
Monica Stratton and Jennifer Dietrich for their efforts.
Ramsey County leadership staff was invited to a County Convening on economic prosperity on
September 30. I had the opportunity to address the group on leading racial equity initiatives in
County departments. Ramsey County Library leaders are currently undergoing racial equity
training. Kim Vanderwall has been participating. A discussion of the next steps will take place
at the November Library Board meeting.
Ramsey County Library and Goodwill/Easter Seals have been sponsoring “Industry Panels” for
job seekers looking for insights into business sectors’ hiring practices. The facilitated programs
have been offered monthly at the library in Roseville and are proving to be wildly popular. The
September 30th medical office event attracted 105 job seekers and career counselors, filling the
community program room. Special thanks to Patrick Ley, Lisa Gallant and Carrie Watts.
1
MELSA: Chris Olson, the Executive Director of Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)
passed away on September 28, 2014 of complications due to diabetes. He had been the
director of MELSA since 2005. Chris served on the board of the MN Association of Library
Friends for 15 years. He was a former President of the MN Library Association as well as a
member of the Adjunct Faculty at the St. Catherine University School of Library and Information
Science. Chris was a good friend of metro area libraries and will be missed.
MELSA and Metronet are sponsoring a program on “The Nuts & Bolts of Minnesota Libraries”
on Wednesday, November 5 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the library in Roseville. The program
will explain the structure of Minnesota libraries, how different types of libraries are organized
and funded, how libraries work together, what other organizations are part of libraries’
infrastructure, issues facing libraries, and more. All are welcome.
2
Executive Director’s Update
October 10, 2014
White Bear Lake Capital Campaign: To date we have received $50,568 in donations and $16,500
in pledges toward our goal of raising $200,000 for the White Bear Library. The White Bear
Capital Campaign invites you to a celebration of the White Bear Library's 100th Birthday to be
held from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, November 13 at the Best Western White Bear Country
Inn, 4940 Highway 61 North. The library has been located at 2nd and Clark since the Carnegie
building opened in November 1914. The event will include opening of the time capsule that was
placed in the cornerstone of the library building in 1973.
Spooktacular Book Sale: Our next semi-annual sale will run from October 22 through 26 at the
library in Roseville.
MALF award: On October 9th, the Friends received a $250 best project finalist award for our
Great Gatsby Gala. The award was presented at the Minnesota Association of Library Friends
conference in Mankato.
Friends Board of Directors Meeting: Our quarterly board meeting will be from 6:15 to 8:30 on
Monday, January 27 in the large program room at the library in Maplewood. From 6:15 to 7:00
Ryan o’Connor, Director of Policy Analysis & Planning for Ramsey County, will be presenting a
training on “Economic Disparities in Ramsey County.” The public is welcome.
For more information contact the Friends office at 651.486.2213 or [email protected].
edia
Happenings
September - October
Facebook Highlights
='
..-
-
~
Ramsey County
Ltbr<~ry
R.J.mH"J COUI't)' l1br•r1
T h• • J"to-ll't:lll
CongratulatJons to our Teen Summer Reading grand pnze wvmen;•
Glory and Mteall poctured below W1tll their new !Pad ITllllJ donated by
F .ends of the Ramsey County L bra'les
-·........
DoM• e.u.tt Mt110 ,..,
f.:W'!Mcf'VC, ~Cifl.gMO"a"
~
......,Co.,.,.trlJDCirti WICI I 'Wt •"ClP
'rlf'r; ~x:r
... .-.nr~ ---·Du'IC:f'>ct ...... ~.,..
Librarian T Shuts, Shuts & T- I
CUstom Librarian Clothin&
•• 6
. _.
-¢ 1
- .lbtlllc£aNOftC~
.,.,.. ...,,. .
~ --...,
.- -,
=~
Ramsey county Ltbrary
~ a_, ....... I.Ait . . -*t!
Ultiill
·~ u.~(',
.. .....
The Fnends of the Ramsey county L1t>ranes llave a good start on the
White Bear capital campatgn! Tile latest accomphsllment 1s the outdoor
reading pat10 destgn Ttletr goalts to ra1se S200 000 by December 31
2015 to fund the pai!O new technologies a fireplace ltteracy-buik:l!ng
equtpment for chtl<lren lighted display cases art and many other special
,
. , tl..-.nO....... WtltiCit..cl9fiiN.ItUNCVt:WC!rWS
LJ ..-~
~ems
~
Ramsey County l ibrary
......, wlute Bear Lake Bu k11ng PrOje<t
White Bear Lake Building Project I Ramsey County
library
The Fnends of Ramse, Count; LJ!xanes have a good start on the campaJgn and
ne« donations ate con~ng in I!Ne'Y "'eel<. oonations of all sLZes are "'elcome
258 people reached
l:@l§ji
~
._
Ramsey County Library
Ramse~
c ost
County Library
DD'.t~ntown
Emtly Gray Koe hle r
Banned Books Week Celebrating the Freedom to Read
.a. Like Page
wnott: Bea· Lake
OemolrtJon of the old Ramse1 County uora-y 1n wntte Bear Lake 1S underway Cneck
out 1hos vteW from my stu!l10 wmdow1 I am so extrted to watl:h the construction
progress ot our new bOrary
1:§1§1
336 people reached
() 12 peopl e like this
.¢ 2 shares
Angela Spartz So very proud thai our locallobrary supports BBW "
Lo•.e RePI. () I
6 5 people hke this
The &nt boo._ I reconwnended was
Alice Gra~ Koehler Is that library we went to wtoen ~ou first moved there?
Like Repl,
Koehler I think we took you to the Rosevolle library That Is a pretty new
Iii Emory
and massive library. I rrught call
primary library of the district. The WBL branch
G ra~
~the
:..r t
l A
W1lli~ms Ele• n orand
~ U~"'' e C1e~l
is a satellite, wtolch was in great need of an update Consequenny, I am quite
exdted to watch the new building go up outside my Window
Pal\ by Ra•nbow R()¥o.ttll
u.-e
•' '
S.ar.ah Hetkk•~ L1fe Ati.at life b y Kate Atk.H'-10"
U.,l•e Rec:l
r ·2
•
C•riy Me The I SI.IIVlofed
eleme.n~ry -;.a \.1d1'
:J"Iu& Re~
• :Z
•
wtnti1
.at a book fal4' tcntght great for
= ll
~I!~
1
I
Shl!ll_,. Uurr.ay T h e
U"h••
l:)ect-1 ,
J~lf"
County Ltbrary
W hich banneo boofl are you?
Lon Hughe s V.~lionlan<i by Sat• I" St-on1d1
:.J'"I •I!
R~msey
Na~
WHICH BANNED BOOK ARE YOU?
cf the ;\'inc by Patru:t Roth fun
•
Jense n Outlander by Otana
u~h•e
j;@'t'IJ
Cynth••
B•esk~cM~
u .. ltte
~:teet)
Gaoaltl~:~n
•• '
S.lt SugaJ. Fat by
~.cn. .t
Mou
..,) •
K•mmy O.!~.il uX Divwg•nt by Vero"'ca Roth
Jd<-e
~~1,
• "~'
Ann.a ~cn•k ~ of the Brave- Appl .gate
u •I •e ~et'
• '
Cheq' W lgren Ctyn.t ft•e
Envelo9e Poerm
...... Pff
I
,
Got'g~us lrliottu~
E.m•t) C•oJn 10r1 •
Which Banned Book •.\re You?
~ Chfl'} Ww ltye1"1 Cl)iflll AI' Astrcnauu G4Jt0. to Ute on E..,U. by C=
~_j
.... :f•·~
0
tQIJ
Cn.ry• W•'qre-n
EJ~"''ftt-
.-'1
C~ J.1~ng
tn• Gedogte r..ow eott.O by Eh.:.aO.t:f-
•nc ...~. ~
tOttpoopleruchod
~ Ann M..auon .Jon. 0:11 - Sat,
I:S
1... "1
•
cttr e l.a:r?e tJ,- ,...,
§
;)@-(:
f.:!
Kl"tstRn Kle-.nn n-..Gcl:2fi.. cto b) ()or ... TMUOII Ttt.Oc:Aaf! at
... I .
Banned BooltS \'tH4:1s Septei'Tlber 21stiYouQh .,, 27th Celeorate the freedo "'l
to rnl1 Stand up aga,nst censorshtp Ta-u our QVtz: to find out whiCh banned boot
you are anc eftbit 1M n~ to rea~
:;H
t'
G.ti~
tt-• E r .l
8:¥1#1
Twitter Highlights
a ir s-..eet ~ ir
My library celebrates Banned Book Week does yours? "Than~ you Ramsey
Coumy library' rc eads ala N9 bbook.s bamledb
0
UsaforRoseviDe
Follow
2
Great discussions about Constitution
tonight at Roseville Library. "It's a Free
Country" was 1st of 3 nights. humamttes
rclreads
tptMN
._
t."l l<e! ••• *
._
*
arrs~Neet:alr
St Paul libmry
aorsweelarr
1t:lreads We celebrate banned books every day of the yea,<
2
air sw..etair
stpaulhbrary
•
Joha nna Holub
Just like the pr!M!rbtal watched pot the more you check your rclreads
request wartmg hst the longer d l akes to get your dems ..._.,sdom
._
~
~
RamseyCountylibrary
TrumanCiute Thanks for followongt
Truman
*
0-
@ rclreads Thanks for building great
libraries and places for kids , adults and
authors to enjoy. You make it happen for us
in Ramsey County.
RamseyCountylibrary
My favorite place to read on a rainy fall day
is - - - - -
..
retreads I was ;usl about to menllon SPPL! I '""" my hbraryt
t."l R
~,.
*
2
•
J;::;:!,
• rdreads
Erin Thomas1975
rclreads My fa-.'Onte place to re ad on a rainy fall day os the sun porch of my
house
•
Linda White
Happy to see that rclreads branches have 8 copoes of THE LIFE WE BURY
by aeskens on order - queue up now' SeventhStBooks
..
RamseyCountylibrary
White Bear Library Manager gives the
inside scoop on the building project
presspubs.com/white_bear/opi
3
-~
t."l
2
rdreads
*
Truman
rclreads I canl "'-att for the Grand Openong long tome a>Nay But plans
looks !Jeal Co'llmonoty needs to get orMJived SSS too W e are lucky
.~
RamseyCountylibrary
"Reading gives us someplace to go wh en
w e have to stay where we are." -M ason
Cooley
3
studio loraine
the busoest lobr.Dy m Monnesota
Ida
vc
1
762 a se
0
Rosevme, loiN Police
fa l low
*
0
•
fallow
stud1olorame
rclreads I love Ramsey
County Library at Roseville! ___ it is always
busy, but still remarkable easy to navigate.
Lt Scheider discusses safety & prevention
at the Living with Alzheimer's & Dementia
presentation @ rclreads today.
t.~
4
~
a sNeetar
tud 1 rane
studiolo raine
r
ead
my t.mmtel
4
studioloraine
3
[]
0
llsaforRoseville
A time ly read . Thanks,
rclreads !
Great doscussions about Constrtutoon tonoght at Roseville Lobraoy ··Its a Free
Countoy" was 1st of 3 noghts
human.toes retreads tptMI~
t."l n
LisaforRoseville
Discussong Constitutoon w / Retored MtJ Supreme Court Justoce Paul
Anderson 2nd of 3 mtgs humanot•es
rclreads _ tptMN
,.,..
...
2
*
\VN~ ~(M
t;\.VYJ
What's happening with the library?
by Therese Sonnek I Posted: Thesday, September 23,2014 3:12pm
Many of you may be wondering "what is happening with the library?" I'm excited to tell you that many
things have been happening behind the scenes, like the opportunity to purchase the white house to the
east, which allows us to expand the parking lot and improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. The
project went through the required zoning changes and plan changes. The contractors have been busy
ordering materials, recovering reusable materials from both sites, and carefully removing harmful
materials. Internal demolition , stripping the building down to its bones, has also begun. All of this work
is done without much being seen on the outside. Now the demolition on the Clark Avenue end of the
building is starting.
Due to the opportunity with the neighboring property, the timeline has been slightly extended. The
opening of the library is now anticipated to be early spring 2015. We will be back bigger and better than
ever!
What will the new library have? This $3.5 million project will expand the library from under 12,800
square feet to 16,500 square feet. Our new expandable community program room will fit author visits,
Historical Society programs and Summer Reading Program performances without turning anyone away.
Our children's area will be larger and feature a pre-literacy play area. We will have individual and small
group study rooms. The teen space will be larger. We will have accessible restrooms. The whole
building will be much brighter with the raised ceiling. We will have more Internet computers, better
reading areas and much more.
For more information go to www.rclreads.org/about/planning/white-bear-lake-bui lding-project. You can
sign up there for our e-newsletter for instant updates.
Perhaps you are wondering how you can help? The Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries are raising
$200,000 for an outdoor reading garden, which includes our iconic children's bench, interior art, a
fireplace and children's interactive stations, lighted display cases, among other amenities. Any amount is
welcome, but if you donate $500 or more, you will be listed on our donor wall. Buy a paver as a tribute
to someone for $300 and leave a lasting message in the reading garden.
Please go to the Friends' website www.rclfriends.org and click on the "New Library of White Bear"
button to learn about all of the opportunities
available.
In the meantime, please check out our programs in the community. Library-sponsored White Bear Lake
Area Historical Society programs continue twice a month at City Hall. Storytime continues at Pioneer
Manor on Fridays at I 0:30 a.m. There is even a supply of picture books available to be checked out at
Storytime. These partnerships with the City of White Bear Lake have allowed us to continue to serve
you. All programs are listed on the library's website at www.rclreads.org. And of course, the friendly
White Bear Lake staff is working in neighboring libraries in Maplewood, Shoreview and Roseville and
would love to see you. I have seen some of your familiar faces at Shoreview, but I miss so many of you.
We look forward to seeing you back in White Bear Lake soon.
-
Therese Sonnek is manager of the Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake branch.
For Twin Cities teens, reading is a social experience
Updated: 09/29/2014 05:56:00 AM COT
TwinCities.com
Last October, Gigi Lefebvre grabbed her dog-eared copy of "The Maze Runner" and headed to the
Roseville Library to hear author James Dashner. The St. Paul teen arrived late and stood in the
back of a packed room as Dashner fielded questions about a futuristic fantasy world, where teens
with amnesia battle mechanical monsters in an experimental prison .
After Lefebvre got her book signed, she handed Dashner a pencil sketch of two characters from
the book. The next day, Dashner posted her drawing on lnstagram for all of his 30,000 followers to
see, along with the comment "More fan artwork. Amazing!"
Lefebvre was elated, reposted the comment to her friends and hoped for a similar exchange when
she saw the new "Maze Runner" movie a couple of weeks ago, tweeting "Hey @ jamesdashner I
saw your cameo appearance in the maze runner!"
Lefebvre isn't the only teen connecting online with an author. The now-18-year-old senior at
Highland Park High School became a bookworm in a new era when the pleasure of reading
doesn't end when you turn the last page.
It's difficult to say whether more teens are reading more fiction than they used to -- but they are
talking about books in unprecedented ways. From teen book clubs to social media, attending book
signings and filling theaters to see the latest movie based on a young-adult novel, reading has
morphed from a nerdy, solitary pursuit into a cool , communal pastime.
"I get really attached to these fictional worlds ," said Lefebvre, who follows numerous authors on
Twitter and favors dark and intense stories lightened by characters with a sense of humor. "I'm
able to bond with my friends over these books, and then when the movies come out, it's even
better."
AUTHORS AS CELEBRITIES
Authors have become celebrities and there is buzz around books -- much in the same way there
was buzz a generation ago around popular TV shows or bands. Next month , several big names
will swing through the Twin Cities on tour, including Cassandra Clare, author of the best-selling
"The Mortal Instruments" series, on Wednesday; and Marie Lu, author of "Legend ," and Stephanie
Perkins, author of "Isla and the Happily Ever After," later in the month.
"I'm in my early 30s, and one thing that's different than when I grew up is how embedded these
books are in teens' pop culture," said Amy Oelkers, who runs a teen book club (which Lefebvre
belongs to) and organizes events for Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul. The store wants to be
seen as a destination for teens as well as younger readers.
As journalist Margaret Talbot wrote in a recent New Yorker cover story on "The Fault in Our Stars"
author John Green, "For many young people today .. . reading is not an act of private communion
with an author whom they imagine vaguely, if at all, but a prelude to a social experience-- following
the author on Twitter, meeting other readers, collaborating with them on projects, writing fan fiction .
In our connected age, even books have become interactive phenomena."
Teen reading used to be managed more by adults: Titles were recommended by teachers and
perhaps a favorite copy of "Catcher in the Rye" was handed around. Selections were limited to
what was on the library shelves. Now, teens get information from each other and directly from
publishers and authors.
"I was not aware of release dates of books, and as far as I was concerned, 'A Wrinkle in Time' was
published six seconds before a librarian put it in my hands. Books just existed," said Andrew Karre,
editorial director at Carol rhoda Books in Minneapolis and publisher of several young-adult titles.
"Now, every single kid knows down to the size of the print run when the new 'Wimpy Kid ' is coming
out. Successful authors are successful users of social media, and it's par for the course for fans to
expect a certain level of interaction ."
Karre and others trace the shift to a mix of factors. "Harry Potter" became a global phenomenon
right about the same time that the Internet made it possible for people to create fan sites and a
communal experience around reading . Movies serve to pump a book title.
Then came the explosion in young-adult literature, a genre fueled by adult buyers as much as
teens. Three of every four books in the young-adult category are purchased by adults older than
18, according to Nielsen, and the majority of adults are buying for themselves.
"I think what's interesting about Y.A. lit is that it's not so much written for teenagers, as it's about
'teenage-ness,' " Karre noted . "Most of us can cast our minds back to being a teenager. People get
nostalgic. It's a time in life we never quite recover from , when we were finding our identities. So,
young adult is truly a literary genre rather than an audience."
And finally, the constant stream of movies based on young-adult books serve to make the books
more popular. It's no coincidence that Gayle Forman's 2009 young-adult book "If I Stay," about a
cellist who falls into a coma , shot to the top of the New York Times' young-adult best-seller list in
August as trailers for the movie hit theaters.
"When a book is being made into a movie, it definitely makes the book more popular," said
Samantha "Sami" Linssen, an eighth-grader at Highland Park Middle School. "People say, 'I have
to read that book.' I know a lot of people who don't constantly read like me, but if something is
being made into a movie, they'll read the book to get the gist of what it's about.''
THE CLUB
The extent to which books have become a social experience was obvious on a recent Monday at
Red Balloon Bookshop on Grand Avenue , where eight teens gathered around a table for "Teens
Read.''
"Some of the best writing , writing in general, is happening in young-adult lit today," said Oelkers,
who started the group as a way to build customers, get advice on titles to stock and recruit
volunteers for events. The group is capped at 18 members and has a waitlist. Teens take home
advance copies of unpublished books and share their opinions at monthly meetings.
"It's the best when we get to read the second book in a series before it's published , and you loved
the first one and your friends can 't get it yet ," said Claire Weissman , an eighth-grader at Capitol Hill
Magnet School in St. Paul. "We're not supposed to let anyone else read the books. So you tell
them , 'Sorry, I can't tell you what happens.' That's fun ."
Unlike a typical book club, each teen reads different books.
"OK, who wants to go first? " Oelkers asked.
Weissman held up "The Vault of Dreamers" by Caragh M. O'Brien, published this month to mostly
good reviews.
"I started the book and it was like a reality TV show," Weissman said.
"Like 'The Hunger Games'?" someone asked.
"No, these special arty kids get selected to be on a show called 'The Forge.' And every night, you
take this pill , which is supposed to enhance your creativity while you sleep. But it turns out they
mine your dreams while you're sleeping."
The teens chatted and compared the plot to Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," and
Weissman offered her final advice: "Don't read it."
Next up was Jack Fischer, an avid soccer player and ninth-grader at Andover High School. He
recommended "We Were Liars," a teen psychological thriller by E. Lockhart.
"Oh, I love it! It's so good," Weissman chimed in . "Everyone should read it."
At the end of the book club, Oelkers asked for volunteers to help at several October events, and
hands shot in the air. Everyone wants to meet their favorite author.
EVENTS
Along with the social-media interaction, teens want to meet their favorite authors in real life. More
than 600 people turned out for the first Twin Cities Teen Lit Con held on a Saturday in May at
Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights. The day of activities, talks and writing workshops
with national and local teen authors was co-hosted by Addendum Books, a 2-year-old young-adult
bookstore in St. Paul's Cathedral Hill neighborhood run by two school librarians. A second
literature convention is planned for next spring.
A local appearance last year by author Rainbow Rowell drew 400 people to two events.
"I love that celebrities can be authors," said St. Paul Public Library youth services coordinator
Marika Staloch . "At the events I've gone to , the teens are asking really profound questions. And
then the book lines take hours. Each teen needs to take a cellphone photo with their author and
tell their personal story of what they loved about the book."
And this week, when Clare appears with author Holly Black to promote a book they co-wrote,
Weissman , who loves Clare's earlier "The Mortal Instruments" series, plans to ask the author
where her ideas originate. She also plans to ask Clare to sign her books-- all nine of them .
Maja Beckstrom can be reached at 651-228-5295.
TWIN CITIES TEEN BOOK EVENTS IN OCTOBER
Who: Best-sellers Cassandra Clare and Holly Black promote their new middle-grade collaboration,
"The Iron Trial ," at two events.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul
Tickets: $25; 651-290-1200 or fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio .org
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave. , St. Paul
Tickets: Free and open to the public, but the signing line is ticketed and requires the purchase of
"Magisterium: The Iron Trial" ($19.36) ; 651-224-8320 or redballoonbookshop .com
Who: Minnesota Book Award-winner Carrie Mesrobian's launch party for "Perfectly Good White
Boy"
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Addendum Books, 165 N. Western Ave., St. Paul
Tickets: None required; more information at 651-493-2791 or addendumbooks.blogspot.com
Who: Teen-literature panel with five authors published by HarperCollins touring as "Epic Reads,"
including Andrea Portes, Anna Carey, Heather Demetrios, Amy Ewing and Madeleine Roux
When: 6 p.m. Oct. 9
Where: Wild Rumpus, 2720 W. 43rd St. , Minneapolis
Tickets: None required ; info at 612-920-5005 or wildrumpusbooks.com
Who: Seven teen-lit authors in the new Teen Tent at the Twin Cities Book Festival, including
national authors Marie Lu, Andrea Cremer, Morgan Matson and Stephanie Perkins. Plus, local
authors Pete Hautman , Geoff Herbach and Carrie Mesrobian host a party with photo booth and
swag.
When: 1-5 p.m . Oct. 11
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds' Progress Center, 1621 Randall Ave ., Falcon Heights
Tickets: None required; more information at 651-224-8320, redballoonbookshop .com or
rai ntaxi .com
Who: Andrew Smith , author of "Grasshopper Jungle"
When: Oct. 16 (time not yet announced)
Where: Addendum Books, 165 N. Western Ave ., St. Paul
Tickets: None required ; more information at 651 -493-2791 or addendumbooks.blogspot.com
Who: Kendare Blake, touring author of "Mortal Gods"
When: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21
Where: Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul
Tickets: None required; more information at 651-224-8320 or redballoonbookshop .com
3M updates its public-library app
TwinCities.com
Up dated: 10/0 1/2014 03:57:25 PM COT
3M updates its public-library app
This is a big autumn for Twin Cities e-book aficionados -especially the pennywise ones who get their digital reading
.... from the public library for free instead of paying big bucks for it
on Amazon.com , Google Play and Apple's iBookstore.
4
~
Maplewood-based 3M this week has released an improved
Android version of its 3M Cloud Library app to access vast
e-book catalogs at the St. Paul Public Library and other
metro-area library systems. An iOS variation of the app is due
late next month (though these things have a way of getting
delayed).
I am thrilled about this because I dislike the original, crude
New app from 3M Cloud Library
Cloud Library apps. I also haven't historically been crazy about
the alternative, OverDrive, which is a 3M competitor in this space.
Now matters are much improved on both fronts. So if you want to ramp up your reading without
paying a penny or schlepping a huge pile of hardcovers from your local library branch, this is as
good a time as any.
Here's what you need to know.
This book-borrowing system is an underdog to the long-dominant OverDrive but appears to be
coming on strong.
All the leading Twin Cities public-library systems have signed on to use this technology, and they
all offer interlibrary lending -- which means any metro-area public-library patron has access to 3M
Cloud Library e-books from any other public-library system .
Cloud Library is an app-centric environment. To borrow books, you must install a 3M app on your
iOS, Android , Windows, Macintosh, Nook or Kindle Fire computing device.
3M's new Cloud Library app for Android is a cause for celebration since it is lovely and easy to
use, though with a few rough edges.
The app places dozens of e-book categories at my fingertips, which makes browsing for nice reads
easier and more enjoyable; "discovery" has been a big problem in the past. I can then flip through
books in each category via easy-to-swipe horizontal bookshelves.
The app has a separate "featured " section, too, for checking out the latest and greatest, and a "My
books" section showing checked-out books, the titles I have placed on hold, and a history of past
reading .
This is all superficially similar to the earlier version of the app, but 3M has made great strides in
aesthetics and usability. The revised app is more elegant, inviting and easy to use. It is a proper
tablet app, too -- not just a stretched-out phone app like so many other Android apps (I 'm looking
at you, Facebook).
3M's Cloud Library apps for other platforms definitely need work. The iOS app kept crashing on my
iPhone at one point, forcing me to reboot the device.
There are also near-identical desktop apps for PC and Mac; these work reasonably well but can be
a bit flaky about remembering my font settings, where in a book I am and so on . They are badly in
need of an aesthetic overhaul, too.
Cloud Drive's arch-competitor is a smidgen more confusing because it is a Web service as well as
an app-based service. You can browse for and check out books in a browser as well as within
apps for Android, iOS Amazon, Nook, PC and Mac computing devices.
Also confusing: You are prompted to create an OverDrive account that is separate from your
public-library account, and how these two interact isn't always clear to me.
As a St. Paul Public Library patron, for instance, I can go to this page in order to browse for and
check out books via OverDrive. Alternately, I can go to the OverDrive home page to look for
e-books and, if I have my settings configured correctly, be prompted to check them out from the
St. Paul library.
But books I've checked out in one place don't always pop up in the other, for reasons I don't fully
understand .
The OverDrive apps are a mixed bag. The apps for Android and iOS are a bit annoying to use on
tablets because they only work in portrait mode (there is no landscape orientation) . The Windows 8
version of OverDrive, a "modern" app available via the tiled Start Screen is lovely. I was able to
download a Mac app but, mysteriously, I was not able to install it.
OverDrive has more book-reading options than Cloud Library does. You can download a book file,
in some cases, or read the book right in the browser. The browser-based reading option is
fantastic, and feels just like using an app, with plenty of options to customize the experience. I can
even add an app-like icon to my iPhone home screen for each book I'm reading , and the icon looks
like a condensed version of the book cover.
OverDrive has a deal with Amazon.com , meaning you can download a library book from the
Amazon site, just as you would if you had bought it there, to read on Kindle gadgets, and in Kindle
apps, as well as in a browser via Amazon 's Cloud Reader.
3M has no such arrangement with Amazon , which means Cloud Library books cannot be accessed
on Amazon's black-and-white Kindle e-book readers. They can installed on Amazon's Fire tablets
only with some difficulty.
The combination of Cloud Library and OverDrive is a boon for book addicts since these collectively
offer access to a vast catalog -- including to bestsellers and other in-demand volumes -- for free .
But the tech still needs work in some cases.
-rJ
focus.mnsun .com
http://focus .mnsun .com/20 14/09/27/new-brighton-library-offering-computer -classes!
New Brighton library offering computer classes
By Sun Focus Editor
The Ramsey County Ubrary in New Brighton is offering a series of computer classes for two weeks in October.
These classes can be taken individually, and they all have room for registration. Each class will take place from
10:30 a.m. to noon.
• Monday, Oct. 20: Mastering the Mouse
• Tuesday, Oct. 21 : Computer Basics
• Wednesday, Oct. 22: Internet Basics
• Thursday, Oct. 23: Internet Searching: Beyond the Basics
• Friday, Oct. 24 : Google: More than a Search Engine
• Monday, Oct. 27: Assess Your Basic Computer Skills
• Tuesday, Oct. 28 : Navigating Windows 8
• Wednesday, Oct. 29: Genealogy on the Web
• Thursday, Oct. 30: Greatest Generation: WWII Genealogy
• Friday, Oct. 31: Apples and Androids: lntro to Tablets
The library is in the community center located at 400 1Oth St. NW. in New Brighton.
To register, go to rclreads.org or call 651-724-6001 (Roseville library).