Malibu City Council
Library Subcommittee
Special Meeting Agenda
Friday, December 5, 2025
1:30 P.M.
City Hall – Surfrider Room
23825 Stuart Ranch Road
Mayor Marianne Riggins
Councilmember Haylynn Conrad
Call to Order
Roll Call
Report on Posting of Agenda – December 3, 2025
Approval of Agenda
Public Comment This is the time for the public to comment on any items not appearing on this agenda. Each public speaker shall be allowed up to three (3) minutes for comments. The Subcommittee may not discuss or act on any matter not specifically identified on this agenda, pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Discussion Items
1. Presentations
None.
2. Old Business
None.
3. New Business
A. Malibu Library Set Aside Funds for Fiscal Year 2026-27 Recommended Action: Provide a recommendation to the City Council regarding the Malibu Library Set Aside Funds for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Staff Contact: Deputy City Manager Arricale, 310-456-2489, ext. 227
Library Subcommittee
December 5, 2025 Special Meeting
Adjournment
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda was posted in accordance with the applicable legal requirements. Special meeting agendas may be amended up to 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Dated this 3rd day of December 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
______
Alyssa Gonzalez, Executive Assistant
Agenda Item # 3.A.
Library Subcommittee
Special Meeting
12-05-2025
Item 3.A. Library Subcommittee
Agenda Report
To: Mayor Riggins and Councilmember Conrad
Prepared by: Cynthia Alba, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Frances Arricale, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Candace Bond, Interim City Manager
Date prepared: November 18, 2025 Meeting date: December 05, 2025 Subject: Malibu Library Set Aside Fund Priorities for Fiscal Year 2026-27 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Provide a recommendation to the City Council regarding a prioritized list of expenditures to be discussed at the yearly meeting between the City and County Library regarding the Malibu Library Set Aside Funds for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no City fiscal impact. Malibu Public Library services are paid from a designated portion of property tax. Every year, the County of Los Angeles sets aside the difference between the property tax dollars apportioned to the County Library from property within the City of Malibu and the Malibu Library expenses into a designated fund. The ending balance for Set Aside Funds as of Fiscal Year 2023-24 totaled approximately $24,966,949; this includes a surplus of $3.1 million; an updated ending balance for Malibu Library Set Aside Funds for FY 2024-25 was not available at the time this report was published.
DISCUSSION: The Malibu Library was established in 1970 by the County of Los Angeles and is located on the county-owned civic center property. On September 2008, the city and county executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that governs the use of the Set Aside Funds (Funds). The MOU established a structure in which the expenditure of the excess funds generated from the taxes paid by Malibu residents could be allocated to the Malibu Library. On March 26, 2018, the City and the County amended the MOU to extend the term to 2044, with two possible five-year extensions. All other terms remained the same.
The MOU includes a specific Council and staff timeline for the annual review of the Funds to ensure an expenditure agreement is approved for the upcoming fiscal year; however, the MOU indicates these meetings are advisory in nature and not intended to divest the County Library, or the County of Los Angeles of any authority to control or use Set Aside Funds.
Agenda Item # 3.A.
Malibu Library Set Aside Fund
As the Subcommittee considers its Fund recommendations, it is important to note that these funds must be used solely to improve Malibu Library facilities or provide library services. The Subcommittee’s recommendations on the prioritized list of Fund expenditures for Fiscal Year 2026-27 will be presented to Council for final approval before Staff meeting with County Library.
Fiscal Year 2025-26 City Council Library Set-Aside Fund Priorities • Continue Funding FY 2024-25
• Continue or Augment City’s Annual Allocation Operation and Facility Improvements • Fund Screening Events and Programming for the Malibu Film Society • Support for Malibu School Campus Libraries
• Continue Funding the Library Speaker Series and Local Author Series Program • Exploration of New Library Services within the City’s Community Lands Project • Educational and Outreach Programming at Legacy Park
• Enhance the program offerings for the Malibu Poet Laureate ATTACHMENTS:
A) Library Operating Statement FY 2023-2024
B) Library Designation Balance FY 2023-2024
C) Library City Profile 2023-2024
LA County Library
Operating Statement
Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Cost Code:117
Org Code:41259
Malibu Library
23519 W. Civic Center Way, Malibu
Operating Costs Actual
Salaries and Employee Benefits
Services and Supplies
Books and Materials
Lease-Buildings
Maintenance-Buildings and Grounds
Facilities Special Jobs
Insurance
Supplies and Miscellaneous Exp
Utilities
Facilities Services Operations
Regional Operations
Acquisitions and Cataloging
Integrated Library System
Information Services
Equipment and Technology
$797,196
101,630
83 193,502
39,496
7,387
290,333
77,866
151,184
153,821
63,846
18,590
26,684
8,017
Sub-Total Operating Costs $1,753,100
Support Costs
Administration
Public Services Programs
306,219
88,549
Sub-Total Support Costs 930,665
Total Cost of Service $2,683,765
Operating Revenue $4,492
Information Technology Equipment and Services 121,772
Professional and Special Services 237,590
Note: Facilities Special Jobs include pre-action system repairs and parking lot light replacement costs. 10/9/2024 10:36 AM Report: OperatingStmt-Libraries Page 12 of 91 Attachment A
LA COUNTY LIBRARY
City of Malibu Approved Spending Plan
FY 2023-24
FY 23-24 Beg. Bal (Incl. 21-22 Surplus) $ 21,853,646
FY 23-24 Prop Tax / Spe Tax / Ot Rev $ 5,797,068
FY 23-24 Cost (2,683,765)
FY 23-24 Surplus $ 3,113,303
Ending Designation Balance
(will be reflected in FY 25-26 SQ Budget)
$ 24,966,949
City Approved Program Expenditures Approved by
Malibu
Actual
Expenditures
Variance
1 Additional Service Hours (from 40 hrs/wk to 60 hrs/wk $ 115,000 $ 115,000 -$ 2 2.0 dedicated secruity guards (only 1.0 is utilized) 260,000 130,000 130,000 3 Full-Time Teen Librarian 131,000 131,000 -
4 Outreach Librarian 138,000 138,000 -
5 Deferred Maintenance 100,000 100,000 -
6 Continued unreserved balance 150,000 150,000 -
7 Speaker Series Program 125,000 73,000 52,000
8 Smart Start (Family Place Programs throughout the County) 50,000 48,121 1,879 9 Tool lending 50,000 13,733 36,267
10 Teen Area Refresh - optimize area for laptop users 10,000 10,000 - 11 Speaker Series Tech Update - Laptop and HDMI Connections 2,500 2,451 49 12 Minor Meeting Room, Study Room, and Lobby Enhancements 12,500 1,406 11,094 13 Supply/Collection Organization - Mobile carts, 3D printer storage 2,500 1,218 1,282 14 Outreach Materials and Supplies 2,500 1,480 1,020
15 Boys and Girls Club , Library-related supplies & services 50,000 50,000 - 16 Malibu Public Schools (library related supplies) 17,000 17,000 - 17 Boys and Girls Club - Enpowered Voices Program 25,000 25,000 - 18 Mlibu Public Schools - Teen Librarian and Misc. Supplies 25,802 27,111 (1,309) 19 Malibu Film Society series 85,000 85,000 -
20 Malibu-centric Legacy Park educational programs 75,000 75,000 - $ 1,426,802 $ 747,118 679,684$
Note: This chart represents the City’s approved budget for the use of set aside funds which is reflected in the Operating Statement.
C:\Users\e473023\County of Los Angeles\Finance Admin - Documents\Cost Report\23-24\Surplus Cities\Malibu\Malibu 22-23 vs. 23-24.xlsx\City Approved Programs 23-24 11/4/2024 Attachment B
MALIBU LIBRARY
Introduction
Malibu Library had an active 2023-2024, continuing to provide the Malibu community with new and popular materials; high-interest programs for children, teens, and adults; and outreach events throughout the city of Malibu. Partnerships with the City of Malibu, Pepperdine University, Malibu schools, and the Boys & Girls Club meant more programs both in and outside of the library.
First established in 1970 and renovated in 2012, the library building continued to draw community members from all areas of Malibu for enrichment, socializing, studying, and learning.
Smarty Pants Storytime Classical Guitar Concert
3D Printing Kids’ crafts
Attachment C
Usage
Malibu Library serves a diverse segment of Malibu residents and receives considerable usage from the community.
Highlights:
• Malibu Library welcomed 64,787 visitors in Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024, with an average of 5,399 visits to the library each month, a 7% increase in visitors when compared to the previous fiscal year. The population of Malibu in 2023 was 15,867 people which includes the City of Malibu (10,629) and unincorporated Malibu (5,237). • During the last fiscal year, Malibu Library continued to add new users - 1,061 new cards were issued; 205 of these cards were digital accounts providing access to the library’s virtual services.
• The greatest levels of library use were in the afternoon, during the hours of 4 and 5 pm. • The Malibu Library website, which continued to provide information on hours and programming, had a total of 11,386 visits.
Circulation
Materials at Malibu Library served residents as well as library patrons throughout the County of Los Angeles.
Highlights:
● During the last fiscal year, Malibu Library circulated 36,780 items physical items, including books, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs, and electronic devices. ● Library customers placed 9,775 holds and a total of 9,623 holds were filled from customers in Malibu and in the LA County Library service area.
● Physical books remained the most popular item type for Malibu constituents, as these items circulated 26,240 times.
● California State Park Passes, which were made available for circulation in May 2022, remain in circulation and there were 132 checkouts during the last fiscal year.
Wi-Fi and eResources
Malibu Library provides free Wi-Fi inside and outside of the library for all community members, ensuring that all members of the public can connect to the Internet with ease. Fifteen public computers with Internet access and Microsoft Office are actively used by adults each day. The children’s area has 5 Internet-enabled computers as well as 4 early learning computers, which are heavily used by pre-schoolers for learning reading, math, and science skills.
Highlights:
• Malibu Library hosted a total of 85,928 Internet sessions which included: 75,859 Wi-Fi sessions (with expanded Internet service provided in the library parking lot) and 10,069 public Internet sessions, which utilized library computers. • Laptop & Hotspot Loan Kits remain available for circulation and 35 customers checked out devices for at-home use during the fiscal year.
• On March 1, 2024, LA County Library launched Connect & Go, a mobile hotspot lending program that allowed borrowers to connect their personal devices to the Internet. During the first few months of launching, these devices were circulated to customers 12 times. • Customers from the Malibu area downloaded 16,552 eBooks and 11,706 audiobooks (grand total of 28,258 items), a 100% increase from the library’s Overdrive service during FY 22/23.
Library Programs
Malibu Library hosts monthly programs for adults, teens, and children throughout the year.
Ongoing programs like Smarty Pants Storytime, the Malibu Library Book Club, Classical Guitar Concerts, Caffeinated Verse, Dungeons & Dragons, and the Malibu Library Speaker Series draw a consistent audience of regulars. Specialty programs like BambinO: An Opera for Babies; 3D Printing, Dino Magic, and Yoga For Kids were also popular.
Children’s Services Programs
Thirty-eight Smarty Pants Storytimes and 28 programs were presented to children in 2023-2024.
In July and August 2023, the Summer Discovery Program brought 11 children’s programs to Malibu, including LEGO programs, Music Together, and Smarty Pants Storytime. More than 60 people attended the summer programs. In addition, Malibu Library staff provided take-home activity kits for babies/toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, and teens.
BambinO: An Opera For Babies The Dino Magic Show
Yoga For Kids Music Together for Babies and Toddlers
Various children’s programs took place outside the library during 2023-2024. Monthly Park Tales programs and Nature Walks took advantage of Malibu’s beautiful weather and city parks.
Children’s programs were also presented at the Boys & Girls Club.
Brick Builders Club Nature Walk for Kids at Legacy Park
Park Tales at Bluffs Park Wonder Book Club at the Boys & Girls Club Teen Services Programs
Malibu Library’s Teen Services Librarian presented 21 programs to nearly 70 teens during 2023- 2024. A monthly Dungeons & Dragons program created an opportunity for teens to meet regularly each month. Teens also enjoyed such programs as gardening and origami.
Dungeons & Dragons Club
The Teen Services Librarian also took teen programs to Malibu High School (MHS) and the Malibu Boys & Girls Club. After an MOU with Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District was completed in September 2023, four programs were presented at MHS, reaching nearly 50 teens. Students enjoyed such programs as ribbon leis, tie-dying, and button making. Summer programs at the Boys & Girls Club started in June 2024. The Teen Services Librarian also attended Malibu Youth Commission meetings each month and welcomed teen volunteers to the library.
Ribbon Leis at the Boys & Girls Club Lunchtime Crafts at Malibu High School Tie-dying at the Boys & Girls Club
Adult Services Programs
Programs for adults during the fiscal year included author talks, Topanga Actors Company performances, and art programs. Partnerships with Pepperdine University and the City of Malibu brought regular classical guitar concerts and Caffeinated Verse: Poetry Open Mic programs. More than 660 adults attended 36 programs in 2023 – 2024.
Classical Guitar Concert Caffeinated Verse: Poetry Open Mic
Malibu Library Speaker Series
The Malibu Library Speaker Series presented 8 speakers during 2023 – 2024, plus the annual Poetry Summit. The speakers were:
• Dr Aprille Ericsson – NASA scientist
• Scott Freiman – Beatles expert
• David Quammen – science writer
• Mitch Albom – fiction author
• Clare Frank – firefighter
• David Ambroz – child welfare advocate
• Rosanna Xia – LA Times climate reporter
• Thomas Levenson – MIT professor, science writer
More than 825 people attended the Speaker Series during the fiscal year, enjoying events at Malibu Library, Malibu City Hall, and Pepperdine University.
Scott Freiman David Quammen
Mitch Albom David Ambroz
A partnership with local bookstore Malibu Village Books supported local business while allowing attendees to purchase books signed by Speaker Series authors.
Outreach
A new Outreach Librarian started at Malibu Library in September 2023. She immediately began collaborating with City of Malibu Community Services staff to participate in the many events happening around Malibu. The library was represented at monthly Park Tales storytimes; CineMalibu movie events; Chumash Day; the Bu Bash; Breakfast With Santa; and Senior Center programs.
On the west side of Malibu, the library participated in Get Your Stuff Day at Malibu High School and conducted programs at Malibu Elementary School. The Outreach Librarian also began monthly library outreach events at Santa Monica College and the Malibu Community Labor Exchange, ensuring that Malibu Library was promoting library services in all areas of Malibu.
During the 2023 – 2024 fiscal year, the library participated in 46 outreach events and reached 1,159 people.
Bu Bash Breakfast With Santa
Malibu Elementary Senior Center Luncheon Santa Monica College Santa Monica College Chumash Days
Volunteer Hours
The Friends of the Library actively supported Malibu Library throughout the year. Proceeds from their bookstore sales and book fairs enabled the library to regularly purchase new books and present programs such as Music Together, Dungeons & Dragons, and Caffeinated Verse.
Friends of the Malibu Library Friends of the Malibu Library Book Sale
Recommendations / Discussion
1. Continue Funding FY 2025 – 2026*
• Continue funding one security guard to monitor security in/around the library. $130,000.
• Restore funding for a second security guard, if needed, as the library customer activity increases. $130,000.
• Continue Outreach Librarian I to provide programming in underserved West Malibu. $155,000.
• Continue Teen Librarian I. $155,000.
• Malibu Library Speaker Series. $125,000.
• Continue additional service hours. $175,000.
• Continue unscheduled maintenance. $100,000.
• Continue to fund Smart Start programs and staff training. $50,000. • Continue unreserved balance (to fund any unanticipated items agreed upon mutually during the year). $150,000.
2. Recommendations from Malibu Library staff:
• Consider funding phase 2 of Teen Area refresh, to include new tables with convenience power. $30,000.
3. Recommendations/Priorities from the Library Subcommittee, as discussed at the 11/26/2024 City Council meeting:
• Current Services and Service Metrics
• Continuation or Augmentation of City’s Annual Allocation • Malibu Film Society Series
• Support for Malibu School Campus Libraries
• Library Speaker Series
• Exploration of Expanded Library Services within Community Lands Project
4. Library expansion proposal
5. Community needs assessment
6. Potential donation to Library/Foundation for resiliency project. *All costs are estimates; Library will charge actual costs incurred.