Manhattan Beach Library Commission
October 10, 2023 1
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, October 10, 2023
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Levitt called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Bond, Doll, Jester, Jones, Chairperson Levitt
Absent: Millea
Others Present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Kari Bell; Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb; Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow.
Chair Levitt called for a moment of silence to remember MBPD Officer Chad Swanson.
Chair Levitt called for a moment of silence to send thought s to residents whose family or friends are impacted by violence in Israel.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 11, 2023
Chair Levitt called for any changes to the minutes . SMA Robb advised she will remove the entire sentence “SMA Robb noted that this will be clarified in the minutes for this meeting,” on Page 1, Approval of Minutes, fourth paragraph, last sentence.
It was moved and seconded ( Jones/Bond) to approve the September minutes as revised. The motion passed 5-0-1 in a voice vote.
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
1. Librarian’s Update - Manager Josh Murray
Library Manager Murray announced upcoming library programs:
October 10, 4 pm; (starting right now) “A Taste of Chocolate” October 14, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, “Scott and Shayna: Seeing Beyond” - in-person speaker event. October 16, 6:00 p.m ., H enry Winkler, Dan Santat and Lin Oliver, meet and greet, regarding their “Detective Duck” series for early grades. October 17, 4 – 5 p.m. Escape the Library! In -person program in the Teen Space. October 18, 4:00 – 3:30 p.m. “Monster Mash Puppet Show” for children 6-12 years. October 28, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. “Silent Running: The Submarine War Against Japan 1945”. October 2 1, 2:00 p.m., Peggy Curry , author of “Great Gluten Free”, w /cooking demonstration (added by Chair Levitt).
Starting next Tuesday, signups for study rooms will be able to be made online.
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
Manhattan Beach Library Commission
October 10, 2023 2
1. 2023 Work Plan Discussion
Chair Levitt stated that she recently learned that the 2024 Library work plan review by the City Council will be delayed until March , and it is best at this meeting, then, to focus on the 2023 work plan items, and which to carry over to 2024. At the following (November) meeting she proposed that the commission focus on the 2024 work plan, including new initiatives.
SMA Robb clarified that the budget for the current work plan is active until June 30, 2024; she will look into and report at the next meeting, on the funding balance for 2023.
The Commission briefly discussed overall goals and ideas . Chair Levitt reminded that the mission statement should act as a guide and serve as a way to measure success. Commissioner Doll reiterated that she would like to see an annual high profile event, perhaps a speaker event or a “community read” event, possibly co-sponsored with the Library . Commissioner Jones would like to see more but lower profile events for adults (e.g., monthly professor talks) that will occur regularly and help to build a brand for adult services at the library.
Chair Levitt reported a meeting she was in with library staff including Manager Murray and her takeaway that the library would be open to ru nning city sponsored events both small and large scale. Manager Murray confirmed this and also noted that there is a possibility that more library staff will be provided to support more adult library activities.
The following 2023 work plan items were updated and straw polled as to whether to be continued in 2024.
a. Learning at the Library —Chair Levitt noted that there are two remaining author speaker events scheduled through November 2023: Peggy Curry (10/21) and Lara Love Hardin (11/5). Promotional plans were discussed. Manager Murray clarified that once the city posts an event, the library can re -post it. SRS Bell will contact Library Manager Murray with the city posting info and will post on a bulletin board and distribute flyers at older adult events.
Straw poll: after the remaining two events are completed , discontinue because the library already has a very robust series of speakers.
b. Poetry Event
Straw poll: Discontinue, because this was mainly an older adult program driven by former Commissioner Schreiner.
c. Library Appreciation Events (for county library staff and school librarians) Commissioner Jones noted the fall event for the public library staff is scheduled for November 14 and will be catered by Caffe Altamura . S he will email commissioners regarding volunteering for set-up and attending. All Commissioners are invited to mingle with library staff as time allows, after the lunch.
Straw poll: Continue.
d. Library Commission Book Giveaway (donation drives of used books, as previously managed by former Commissioner Schreiner). Commissioner Jester updated regarding a book drive she has organized with Commissioner Jones, sponsored by Commissioner Jones “Single Mom Project” non-profit, to benefit Animo South LA, a charter high school which currently has no library. Over 600 books will be delivered Monday to the school which is most appreciative. Commissioner Jones indicated that s he hopes in the future that new resources will be available to fund new books to such schools and this project will continue, independent of the Commission.
Straw Poll: Discontinue —doesn’t align well with the Library Commission mission.
Manhattan Beach Library Commission
October 10, 2023 3
e. StoryWalk—Ongoing tasks include replacing book pages on a regular basis (involves eight books per year).
Straw Poll: Continue with a small budget to cover cost estimated at $300 for book purchases and lamination.
f. Photo Op Day—Commissioner Doll affirmed that she will not be chairing this project.
Commissioner Jones supports as it is unique and well worth the effort, but will need a new chair as she will be terming out next May. She believes that the photos taken at the event could be showcased in some way. Chair Levitt commented that this event aligns with their mission but feels there could be tie -in to other library events ; Commissioner Bond believes that the Commission could handle this event. Commissioner Doll suggested that this is a project that should be looked at in context of the full range of work plan items.
Straw Poll: Continue and develop further; needs a Chair. g. Entertainment Series – Chair Levitt suggested that this item might be something that the library can do . Manager Murray reported that the Library has a catalogue of music programs, and can do, provided there is an educational component. Chair Levitt stated, in talking with the County, however, that there is an issue , that it requires music events be held indoors for security reasons , necess itating further discussion with the County. (Manager Murray noted that the Beatles outdoor music event was a special Covid -19 exception to the indoors only policy.) Other suggestions included perhaps combining this item with another event such as the Community Read or Photo Op Day.
Straw Poll: Table until more information is obtained from County Library. h. Library Awareness Campaign —Involves developing a plan to showcase and promote the library to various community groups through a presentation ( PowerPoint or video).
Straw Poll: Take off work plan, as feedback from LA County is that the County wants to directly handle its promotion.
2. 2024 Work Plan Discussion
Chair Levitt suggested, and it was agreed that this topic be tabled until the November meeting.
G. STAFF ITEMS
SRS Bell announced that the c ity council is no longer pursuing developing a plan for an eastside library service facility in Polliwog Park with surplus library funds. SRM McCollum will attend the Council meeting on October 17 with a request that the Council provide input on priorities for spending the city’s surplus library fund.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
Commissioner Jones requested status of “feather signs”. Robb will check into.
I. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved and seconded ( Bond/Bond) to adjourn the meeting at 5:11 pm. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.