Manhattan Beach Library Commission
June 9, 2025 1
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, June 9, 2025
4:00 PM
Location: City Council Chambers, 1400 Highland Avenue and Zoom
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Braitman called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present (5): Commissioners Doll, Cullen, Crabtree-Kampe, Vice Chair Chou, Chair Braitman Absent (2): Ferris, Levitt,
Others Present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Kari Bell; Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
Chair Braitman welcomed new Commissioners Crabtree-Kampe and Cullen who gave self- introductions. Commissioner Crabtree-Kampe, a long-time resident is very active in the community, managing a non-profit “MB SAFE – Safe Alternatives for Everyone” the Chair added that she has done a lot of good work with unhoused issues. Commissioner Cullen is a Mira Costa Junior, is very involved in various activities and loves research. Both look forward to working with the other commissioners to help meet project goals.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 12, 2025
It was moved and seconded ( Doll/Chou) to approve, with one change : page 2, under 2.b. (Speaker Series) strike “Vice” (Chair Doll…); motion carried 5-0-2 (Ferris, Levitt absent).
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
1. Librarian’s Update – None (Manhattan Beach Library Manager not in attendance)
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Discuss adding commissioners to sub-committees
Chair Braitman led discussion resulting in the following sub-committees:
Library Appreciation Events: Ferris, Cullen
Speaker Series: Braitman, Chou, Levitt
StoryWalk: Chou, Crabtree-Kampe, Cullen (Commissioner Chou noted the Juneteenth book has been installed).
Library Needs Assessment: Doll, Levitt, Braitman.
2. 2024/2025 Work Plan Discussion
Manhattan Beach Library Commission
June 9, 2025 2
a. Library Appreciation Events (Commissioners Ferris, Cullen ) Chair Braitman was happy to note success for library staff appreciation event on May 13, 12-2 pm (food catered by Caffé Altamura, everything good); and May 27 school librarian event – signed copies of the Choi cookbook were given, and much appreciated. Commissioners participated in the event.
b. Speaker Series (Commissioners Braitman, Chou, Levitt ) Chair Braitman opened discussion. It was noted by SRS Bell that the City Council approved an expenditure in the work plan of $75,000 as requested by the Library Commission; the next speaker series event will be in the fall; tomorrow there will be a planning team meeting with LA County Library for a recap of Roy Choi and next steps.
c. StoryWalk (Commissioners Chou, Crabtree-Kampe, Cullen) See 1. above.
d. Library Needs Assessment (Braitman, Doll, Levitt)
See Staff Items report
G. STAFF ITEMS – SRS Bell noted that she has received a tentative timeline for the Needs Assessment project from the project consultant and will email information to the Commission.
And additional progress reports will be forthcoming. future progress reports will be made.
April - May: gather information
June - July: hold focus groups, conduct survey(s)\
August - September: develop an action plan, including designing a workshop September – October: conduct a site spatial assessment and another workshop Post October – submit a report.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS – Chair Braitman asked for a commissioner volunteer to bring bagels to the library ahead of the next commission meeting; C ommissioner Crabtree-Kampe volunteered for this task . SRS Bell requested Commissioner Crabtree-Kampe to coordinate city payment with her.
I. ADJOURNMENT
It was noted that there will be no meeting in August . It was moved and seconded (Chou/Crabtree-Kampe) to adjourn the meeting at 4:21 pm to July 14 ; m otion passed 5-2 (Ferris, Levitt absent).