Manhattan Beach Library Commission
June 10, 2024 1
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, June 10, 2024
4:00 PM
Location: City Council Chamber and Zoom teleconference by Commissioner Levitt (per Government Code §54953(b))
Cornell Tech Campus, Bloomberg Center Campus Café
2 West Loop Road, New York, NY 1004
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Doll called the meeting to order at 4:16 p.m., thanking past Chair Levitt for her strong and productive leadership the past year, looking forward to working with her as Vice Chair, and welcoming new Commissioner Braitman.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Braitman, Levitt (remote), Millea, Chairperson Doll
Absent: Bond, Huber
Others Present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Kari Bell; Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow.
Commissioner Braitman gave a brief self-introduction— he is a 48-year resident, retired physician, and very active in community safety, including CERT, Neighborhood Watch and volunteering for the Police Department.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 13, 2024
Chair Doll called for any changes. Seeing none, it was moved and seconded (Millea/Braitman) to approve as submitted. The Chair announced that the motion passed by voice vote, 4-0 (Bond, Huber absent).
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
1. Librarian’s Update
Library Manager Josh Murray made the following announcements. R egistration a s applicable may be accessed at the library website: www.lacountylibrary.org.
• Baby/children’s programs : Baby Playdate ( 0-36 months ) Tuesday, June 25, 10:15 – 10:45, and Baby Rhyme Time (non-walkers), Wednesday, June 26, 10:15 – 10:30. For children 0-5 years, there will be: Smarty Pants Story Time, Thursday, June 27, 10:15 – 10:45 am; July 2, followed by an art activity and Play and Explore on Tuesday July 2, 10:15 – 10:45 am.
• Adult programs: Evening Book Club meets tonight, 5 pm to discuss “The Great Divide” by Cristina Henriquez and again on July 8
th, also 5 pm, to discuss “LA Weather” by Maria
Amparo Escandon (“One Book One County” program book title). New Parents Special Program June 15, 11 am – 12 pm, and Monday June 24, 5- 6 pm. A Saturday Yoga Manhattan Beach Library Commission
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(month-long series) with Petra Poschmann, begins July 6 10:30 – 11:30 am (advance registration required).
• Teens: Teen Study Hall, (12-18) 3-7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday June 11th and 12th.
Teen Advisory Board, Tuesday, June 18, 3 pm.; topics: Summer Discovery Program and other teen activities. June 27, Thursday, 3- 4 pm , Fused Glass Workshop with Fireworks Studio (registration available); July 2, Tuesday, 3- 4 pm: Sand Terrarium Workshop (registration available).
• Juneteenth related: Saturday June 22, 3- 5 pm; special storytelling by Ina the Sunshine Storyteller and Chazz Ross, and inauguration of Bruce’s Beach collection and talk by Dr. Anthony Lee.
• Families: July 1, Monday, 6-7 pm: Vehicle Safety Program/Storytime (car seats, travel safety) (registration available) ; July 3, Wednesday, 4:30- 5:30 pm: Johnny Cash Americana Music with Michael J. and Leticia Blumette; hear live performance of roots of Johnny Cash’s music. (registration available).
Manager Murray introduced Tricia Chaffey, new children’s librarian , an additional staff member who will be assisting Cait lyn who leads the children’s programming. Ms. Chaffey gave a brief self-introduction, is excited to devote her work more to youth services.
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 2024 Work Plan Discussion
(a) One Book, One County Program.
Manager Murray updated: on July 28 the LA Weather author will be at the Manhattan Beach library for a writing workshop and after, a writer reception —more details being hashed out will be available soon. Chair Levitt and Vice Chair Doll expressed concern regarding lack of advance publicity and Manager Murray responded that he will be attending a meeting tomorrow where more will be worked out and he explained the library does not want to release details until an event sign -up is established. Vice Chair Levitt requested that the County: 1) add the 7/28 Manhattan Beach event to all County Library publicity and, 2) provide publicity flyers to the City so it can promote the event. In addition, Manager Murray agreed to inquire and respond back to SRS Bell as to how the city’s contribution of $8,000 will be spent .
Manager Murray clarified that all libraries, including Manhattan Beach will select LA Weather for the July book club, in time for the July 28
th event and noted that the library prefers to keep
the writing workshop at 80 maximum attendees but the rece ption can accommodate more people.
SRS Bell stated she will work with Manager Murray to get feedback on publicity and resources as requested and can keep individual commissioners informed.
It was suggested that information about the July 28 writing workshop be provided to the high school AP English teachers by Manager Murray and also Commissioner Bond may be able to reach out.
(b) Library Appreciation Events
Commissioner Millea reported: Former Commissioner Jester took the lead in coordinating certificates and book gifts (two temporary librarians received books) . The events went well and there was a write-up in a school newsletter. It was suggested that the Commission interface Manhattan Beach Library Commission
June 10, 2024 3
with the school public relations staff person in charge of newsletters —Kari will provide contact info. It was noted that for the library staff event, only 4 persons out of 13 took food; Commissioner Millea feels that perhaps the timing was a little off in that Manager Murray was not present a t the library that day. Manager Murray feels certain that the staff really appreciated the gesture and all staff were made aware of the event in advance. Commissioner Millea emphasized that the main purpose was for the staff to know that they are appreciated by the city.
(c) StoryWalk
Commissioner Levitt reported that a Juneteenth related book “The Night Before Freedom” has been chosen, is being laminated and will be installed at the park this weekend. (d) Library Surplus
Chair Doll updated: She, SRM McCollum and Manager Murray, walked through the library, making a list of physical improvements needed. Most noticeable was that the HVAC system is not working upstairs and temporary cooling devices are being used on the second level. As a next step, SRM McCollum will meet with the City Manager about needed improvements and a recommendation will ultimately be taken to the city council for allocation of funds from the surplus which could include planned maintenance work.
It was clarified that when the city council approved the Commission’s 2024-2025 Work Plan, funds were allocated for a speaker series. Commissioner Levitt noted that planning is being done on this and after One County One Book concludes, there will be information. (e) Photo Op Day
Commissioner Millea reported that the event on June 1st was very nice; participants seemed very appreciative but feels it could have had more publicity. The volunteers were amazing in helping to direct people who were in the area. A summary from Commissioner Bond emailed to the Commissioners indicates that 50 groups had their photos taken and photo links are available. It was pointed out that the photos cannot be used for publicity because permission would have been required in advance. In was noted that Photo Op Day in the future will again be tied to a library event; the Commission will look at various library events and decide which to tie Photo Op to.
(f) Work Plan Committees
Chair Doll provided a brief overview of six committees she proposes going forward for the rest of the work plan year, including 1) Library Appreciation Events (continue for school and library staff), 2) StoryWalk (continue on quarterly basis) , 3) Library Events/Programming (coordinating events with Manager Murray, including Photo Op Day), 4) Speaker Series (City already allocated funding); 5) One Book, One County (tbd, finishing this year’s event and possibly continuing in some form either with County or just City-wide); and Library Surplus (to make recommendations as to how the city will spend its surplus). The Commission discussed and formed the following committees , each with co -chairs (maximum 3 commissioners per committee):
1. Library Appreciation Events: Millea, Braitman, Huber
2. StoryWalk: Millea, Huber and Bond (Commissioner Bond terms out next May)
3. Library Programming/Events (including Photo Op): Braitman, Levitt
4. Speaker Series; Doll, Levitt, Bond
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5. One Book, One County: Millea, Doll
6. Library Surplus Funding (Levitt, Doll)
Chair Doll noted that the committees will be expected to meet in between meetings and give updates at each monthly meeting.
G. STAFF ITEMS – none to report
H. COMMISSION ITEMS – none to report
I. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Doll moved, seconded by Commissioner Braitman, to adjourn to July 8, 2024. The motion passed 4-2 (Bond, Huber absent), ending the meeting at 5:22 p.m.