5.4 LIBSR 10-27-20205.4
To: Elk River Library Board
CC: Robbie Schake, LSC
From: Brandi Canter, Lead Patron Services Supervisor
Date: October 19, 2020
GRRL Providing Services During COVID-19
There's a lot to unpack since GRRL libraries closed on March 16. Robbie provides a useful timeline for how we
have restarted services at the Elk River library specifically. We've also asked staff to think about how we can
better support those students and parents/caregivers who are struggling with home learning either because of
being involved in hybrid and/or distance learning or because they've doing homeschooling. Required
mitigation procedures mean that we are limited in what we can offer—for example, limited times for wifi,
computer or study area use.
However, we've also expanded offsite options. We have a new hotline —1-888-GET-GRRL—that patrons can
access Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We've also made our online chat more accessible — go to just about any page under griver.org and click on the
Ask A Librarian widget on the right of the screen for reference support 24/7. Finally, we've significantly
expanded our digital offerings through OverDrive, Hoopla, and more.
GRRL Year -End Campaign
Our annual fundraising effort is underway, October 1 through January 31, 2021. Funds raised through this
effort are split three ways: collection (5500), programming (2590), and communications (20%). These funds are
extremely important for helping us meet patron needs, and often go toward things that we might not
otherwise be able to provide. Within the collection, Year-end Campaign funds have paid for Brain Fitness Kits,
Lucky Day collections, Try it Yourself kits, etc. Within programming, we use these funds for our popular Read
Down Your Fines program to help patrons how have difficulty paying their fines. We also used the program
portion to purchase summer's extremely popular Story Strolls.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Survey
As part of our larger Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) audit, we will soon be rolling out a survey for patrons
to help us know better how we're doing in our efforts to reflect our communities. The DEI Toolkit is through
the Charities Review Council and includes surveys of staff and community stakeholders. Please help us get the
word out. Patrons can sign up to receive a survey (and additional communications) at
https://griver.org/subscribe-to-email-list
GPIAT MM UGION&
a BRARY
Change in Assignment
We are currently in the process of hiring a new Patron Services Supervisor who, like myself, will supervise
libraries within the GRRL system. Once we have filled that position and provided the new person with some
training and orientation, my assignment will change and I will supervise the libraries in St. Cloud, Clearwater,
Foley, Waite Park, Belgrade and Paynesville. That means that this is likely my last meeting with the Elk River
Library Board, and I want to let you know that I have so greatly appreciated working with all of you and the
City of Elk River. I know I will leave you in the capable hands of Robbie and her staff, as well as whomever is
your new Patron Services Supervisor.