Manhattan Beach Library Commission
March 11, 2024 1
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, March 11, 2024
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, Jones, Millea, Chairperson Levitt
Absent: Jester
Others Present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Kari Bell; Sr. Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 8, 2024
Chair Levitt called for any changes. It was moved and seconded (Millea/Doll) to approve, subject to change requested by Commissioner Jones to correct spelling on page 3, five lines from the top – entertainer’s name to read “Nathalia”.
Chair Levitt announced the motion passed 5-0-1 (voice vote, Commissioner Jester absent).
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
1. Librarian’s Update – Filling in f or Manager Josh Murray , Librarian Lauren Wubbels announced upcoming programs ; registration as applicable may be accessed at the library website: www.lacountylibrary.org
Recurring children’s programs: Tuesday mornings, Baby Playdate continuing through first week of April; Wednesday mornings continuing Baby Rhyme Time – for non-walkers and Thursday mornings: Smarty Pants Story Time for toddlers and older children. March 12 tomorrow evening adult Book Club will discuss “Absolution” by Alice McDermott.
On the 2nd (adult) floor: jigsaw puzzle in progress: “Women Get the Vote”. March 13, 3 pm (after school) the Blue Submarine will be coming with marine animals. March is Women’s History Month: Learn how to think Like a Zoologist. March 14 (Thurs): Adults - Light Up Origami with LED lights – Japanese art of paper folding.
March 16 (Sat): Friends of the Library (FOL) book sale. March 19: Learn about artist Frida Kahlo, using a Google app, learn to do a self-portrait March 30th (Sat): Master Gardener Amy Carvel, presents inaugural g ardening workshop (making organic eco pods, and bird feeder, with tea).
April 3, 3–3:30 p.m.: Total Solar Eclipse (learn about effects of a solar eclipse) 5-12 years. April 8: Library Viewing party on the patio with refreshments. Teen activity - How to Draw Super heroes (beginners).
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Librarian Wubbels noted that the library now has a hotspot lending program.
Commissioner Jones suggested that the Library display an example of the LED origami paper folded creations; Librarian Wubbels responded positively and will try to find a place to display.
Librarian Wubbels updated on the progress for the speaker series: a no -cost partnership has been approved by the library regional manager so it appears that this will become a reality.
Commissioner Jones stated that once a date is set, she knows an organization that is primed to attend and help spread the word about the series.
Rosemary Lackow the commission minute contractor announced on behalf of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments’ (SBCCOG) that its 24th annual General Assembly will be held Thursday March 28 at the Carson Community Center - the theme is: Artificial Intelligence:
Friend or Foe for the South Bay? All are invited to register for this free south -bay-wide community event at: www.southbaycities.org/24th-annual-general-assembly. For more information: www.southbaycities.org.
Chair Levitt announced some FOL items: 1) FOL needs volunteers to help this Friday and Saturday with the book sale; and 2) FOL has invited the Library Commission to attend a volunteers appreciation event on April 11 (3 pm to 4:30 pm) in the library’s community room.
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
2024 Work Plan Discussion
1. One Book, One County
Chair Levitt noted that the City Council has been requested to approve funding for a kick-off event for the program ($8,000+ from library surplus funds). Librarian Wubbels stated that a date has not yet been set for the kick off but several h ave been considered ; SRS Bell will provide an update at the next meeting and tentatively council will consider at its March 19 meeting.
2. Library Appreciation Events
Commissioner Jones reported that everything is set up for the first event on Tuesday, May 28th. Commissioner Millea, who is transitioning to chair of the subcommittee, is working with Commissioner Jester to collect names of those who will receive certificates ; Commissioner Jester will give the certificate list to staff (Linda Robb) by May 1st. It was determined that a copy of the book LA Weather will also be given. T he Commission briefly discussed how residents might get copies of the book LA Weather . T he downtown bookstore Pages was suggested as well as possible coordination for local purchases through Bookshop.org.
Chair Levitt suggested looking into having a city bookplate that could be put in the gifted books.
SRS Bell noted that if the City will be purchasing the LA Weather books as gifts, to start that process, she needs an email stating how many books to purchase and by what date the books will be needed.
3. StoryWalk
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March 11, 2024 3
Commissioner Bond showed the new book “Little Blue Truck” that she will install next week in the park. A brief discussion followed about sending out a flyer announcing the new book installation to preschools and day care facilities. SRS Bell will send out an email asking for input from the Commission with a “respond by date .” After receiving input, SRS Bell will send out flyer, and Commissioner Bond noted that she has a list of facilities and will send to staff.
The Commission discussed ongoing maintenance and publicity for StoryWalk. Regarding condensation inside the page frames, Commissioner Bond does not believe that this is a result of weather but will look into this further (caused by sprinklers?). Regarding publicity: SRS Bell is working on getting a mobile sandwich board sign t o advertise StoryWalk, once ready it will be put out every day down by the playground. She will provide an update next month.
Commissioner Bond will get a new copy of the explanation portion at the beginning of the installation as this fades over time. Commissioner Jones asked if there could be some synchronicity between StoryWalk and the Concerts in the Park program to draw attention to StoryWalk; possibly some mobile signage installed at various locations. SRS Bell will check with the Cultural Arts Manager to see what can be done. Also, it was suggested that the flyer, once done can be posted in the library, on days that young children’s activities are occurring.
4. Library Surplus
Chair Levitt noted that next week, the City Council will be considering the recommendation of the Library Commission to support a Manhattan Bea ch hosted kick-off event for the Los Angeles County-wide “One Book One County” program. Included in the request is to consider including a makerspace in the feasibility study for a new cultural center, which would be paid through the library surplus.
SRS Bell will bring back a report informing of the Council action on this matter.
G. STAFF ITEMS – none to report
H. COMMISSION ITEMS –
Photo Op Day was discussed. Commissioner Jones expressed appreciation that Commissioner Doll’s husband’s band has agreed to perform at the next Photo Op Day event. The timing of the music and Photo Op was discussed; Commissioner Jones stated she preferred that the Commission’s activity not conflict with or interfere with the Library event (summer reading launch). Commissioner Jones is setting up a meeting to discuss with Library Manager Murray (topics to be discussed include not just the timing of events, but flyers, advertising and expected attendance. SRS Bell emphasized that coordination with the Library is essential and will report back on the outcome of the discussion at the next meeting. Chair Levitt asked that this be a specific agenda item.
Commissioner Jones asked if the commission wants to maintain a spreadsheet showing each work plan item with status. Commissioner Bond will work on this after the Work Plan is approved by council. Chair Levitt asked that Commissioner Doll email the table as used in the past to her.
Chair Levitt announced that she and Commissioner Bond will be attending the meeting remotely from Cornell University Tech Campus (café), which is a publicly accessed place.
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I. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Jones moved to adjourn (seconded by C hair Levitt ) to April 8, 2 024. The motion passed 5-1 (Jester absent), ending the meeting at 5:01 p.m.