5.4 LIBSR 07-26-20225.4
Library Services Coordinator Report_ -Board Meeting -7/26/2022
Submitted by Lori Lundstrom)
Our Summer Reading Program, "Read Beyond the Beaten Path" is in full swing. At the time of this
report (7/20), we have had 692 children, 88 babies/toddlers, and 87 teens register for the program. We
are giving away many free book bags, books, pencils, bookmarks, gift cards, rubber duckies, and other
incentives and prizes, thanks to the generous support of our Elk River Friends of the Library and our
anonymous donor. The program ends August 6, so I will have final participation and registration
numbers at the October meeting.
Our regular children's programming has continued through the summer with our staff -led weekly
Monday Storytimes, along with LEGO/STEM Power Hour, and Schooled in Art. Our adult book club has
also continued to meet monthly throughout the summer.
The Story Strolls with Sherburne County Parks and Rec Staff, and Elk River Parks and Rec have been
going quite well too! So far, we collected approximately 21 bookmarks here in Elk River. Our Becker
and Big Lake Libraries are also participating in this program. It is expected the numbers will surpass
that of last year. These prizes are also sponsored by our Friends of the Elk River Library.
Our Legacy funded programs in May were authors Lorna Landvik and Kevin Lovegreen, and musician Jeff
Bianchi. Summer Reading Program, which started on June 6, was kick-started the first week with Toro
Puppet Show followed by TaikoArts and Bruce the Bug Guy the second week. Lorna Landvik had a full
house and Bruce the Bug Guy registered full attendance. July 18 we had 49 people in attendance for
Magic Bob. Two of our summer programs had to be rescheduled at a later date: Zentangle Shoes was
rescheduled for August 17, and has been expanded to include younger children and not just teens. Our
July all -ages Mobile Sign Shop is being rescheduled (TBD) due to our discovery it was booked for the
same day as the Sherburne County Parade. Dazzling Dave is set to perform August 9.
After a two-year hiatus, the Junior Master Gardener Program is back in full swing at the Elk River Library.
It is being led by Karen Olson and all of the participants, kids and a handful of parents, seem to be
enjoying themselves.
Other summer happenings: I have been involved in library outreach at the monthly family days at the Elk
River Farmer's Market (second Thursday of the month). Kids roll dice or play Plinko, and depending on
what number they get, can win a book or other prize. The June event was attended by myself, Rita
Dreissig, and a teen library staff member. The June event was so busy that we ran out of books so had to
leave early! The July event was attended by myself, Roxanne Humphreys, and a teen library volunteer.
This fall we will be introducing a Legacy program new to our library as well as GRRL. It will be offered as
two 4 -part series in September and October and it is called Art Bright. It is very similar to Memory Cafe
as it caters to the memory loss community and their caregivers, so participants are encouraged to sign
up as pairs. This was brought to our attention by the United Way of Sherburne County.
Our Locally Growin' campaign funds raised in March of $260 have been put towards the all -ages Raptor
Center program (with eagle!) happening on September 29.
The Friends of the Library annual book sale will be in early October, specific dates TBD.