Welcome back, everyone! We had an incredibly busy summer, with a great turnout at all branches for the Summer Reading Challenge. To help keep the momentum going for patrons, we will be introducing a new service for reading challenge programs, Beanstack. This platform will allow us to build quality reading initiatives throughout the year and keep readers engaged via an interactive app. I like to compare it to a step tracker, but for books. Our projected launch date is October 1st for a HallowRead challenge. Congratulations to Charles Jean, a longtime cataloging librarian, on his new role as Collections Manager (Admin Librarian). Charles brings a wealth of experience to this position. The Branch Managers at all locations are doing a fantastic job of bringing new ideas to each of the libraries, which they outline below in their branch updates. If you have the opportunity, please give them a "high five." They deserve it! I'll be attending the AZLA Library Leaders' Summit in late October, and we'll also have staff members attending the general conference. Finally, watch for a mural at the Downtown Library in the area above the adult magazine area. It will be a commissioned piece of art offered in collaboration with the Chandler Vision Gallery. We'll be looking forward to the installation sometime in 2023.
Branch Updates
Basha Branch
The instructional specialist librarian has hit the ground running since being hired here at Basha. So far he's helped 20+ classes and a total of 400+ teens, with more lined up throughout the month of September.
The Puzzle Swap is a hit! We've received great community response from offering this monthly program. We've carved out a nook in the library where patrons can take home puzzle overflow from our Puzzle Swap programs. To our surprise — the teens can't get enough of communal puzzle building after school. We're loving being the puzzle place of South Chandler! On top of this, we are introducing a Walking Book Club that hopes to promote health and literacy for adults and seniors!
We're excited to get back to full programming after a small break. Our GirlsXSTEM program, a STEM based program offered via a partnership with Basha High, is ready to return. On top of this, we're introducing new programs like Travel Thursdays, Build-It and the Teen Advisory Group back to the mix. In October, we will be sending two of our library assistants to offer a Diwali Program in partnership with Chandler's DEI office.
Our teen liaison and youth supervisor has partnered with the Basha High School's special education classroom to offer students the opportunity of real-life work experience via our volunteering program. We're excited to serve this underserved population of the community!
Downtown Branch
The Spot, Downtown's new teen space, will have it's grand opening on September 15 from 6-7:30pm.
New hires and recruitments:
Full-time Library Aide: Yolotzin Avili-Cruz started 8/22
Part-time Library Aide: Interviews 8/25
Tech clerk & Pages: Closes 8/30
Outreach
Contigo Kick-off 9/17 – photo buttons (outside in the grassy area by the library)
Galveston Contigo 9/30 – bike and 3D printer
9/24 Grandparents Day – shrinky dink key chains
Little explorers @ Chandler High (once/month)
Hamilton Branch
Library IT recently revamped Hamilton's computer setup into smaller groupings on round tables. Patrons are pleased with the change.
Three new pages joined our team. We will hire one more Page for morning coverage.
Hamilton has an average of 300 teens in the library after school each weekday. Library staff surveyed over 400 students for programming ideas. We have begun implementing their suggestions.
Arizona Science Center presented a back-to-school program for youth on 8/17/22. Several attendees subsequently created accounts, stating it was their first time in the library. Great partnership!
Sunset Branch
• Sunset Library is completely re-opened, with full programs and teens and families back in the library every afternoon.
• Our new programming staff are getting great attendance and rave reviews from patrons.
• Study rooms are being upgraded.
• A new patio is being built with ADA access to the park. It will feature new seating, a water filling station, and educational panels. This patio will serve as a community space as well as a location for library programming.
• We will be interviewing soon for two Library Greeter positions.
Collections and Statistics
Active Cardholders
Increase/Month
Increase/Calendar Year
September 1, 2022
61,676
1.75%
1.87%
August 1, 2022
60,618
1.81%
.12%
July 1, 2022
59,538
.01%
-1.67%
June 1, 2022
58,993
1.72%
-2.56%
May 1, 2022
57,993
1.56%
-4.22%
Physical Item Circulation
August, 2022
118,906
July, 2022
100,357
June, 2022
119,232
May, 2022
91,547
Cloud Library Checkouts
August, 2022
21,002
July, 2022
20,990
June, 2022
23,646
May, 2022
19,813
Programming
Unduplicated stats for 2021-2022 Adult Literacy Programs • Talk Time 192 • Small Group English Tutoring 84 • Citizenship Workshop 18 • Number of Countries represented 34 • Number of volunteers 29 • Number of volunteer hours 2,938
Stats for 2021-2022 Read To Succeed First Grade Tutoring Program • Downtown 18 • Basha 15 • Systemwide 33 • Number of volunteers 12 • Number of volunteer hours 745
Information Technology
The conversion of all 13 library study rooms to huddle spaces is nearly complete. This upgrade adds touchscreen all-in-one computers equipped with high definition webcams and new furniture to every existing study room to accommodate collaboration. Launching Tuesday, September 13th.
Friends of the Chandler Public Library approved annual support of $80,507 for FY 22/23 to support and strengthen Library programs and services. In addition, a $7,000 NXP grant will be applied this FY for school age STEAM activities.
Friends of the Library saw an increase in AmazonSmile support through increased Marketing promotion.
The recent Movies, Music and More sale raised $2,400 towards Library programs and services.