Annual Report
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Santa Monica Public Library
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L As we look back on FY 2022-23, I am proud to share our successes and continued commitment to delivering world
class service to the communities that live, work, learn, and connect in Santa Monica. We continue to restore and rebuild programs across our 5 library locations and have piloted a number of innovative approaches, working alongside partner organizations and other City departments.
Our libraries are the portals and pathways to living better, more fulfilled lives. Whether through sharing stories and experiences, learning new skills, connecting to resources, or simply enjoying spaces that encourage reflection and calm, the library introduces us to new ideas and opportunities.
The report and this year’s theme is ACCESS. This single word has a variety of definitions, but in the context of our work, it means one very important thing: Possibility. Access to our programs and services widens the possibilities for so many of the people we serve. At SMPL, we help make ideas and
dreams possible.
We look forward to exploring the possibilities with you the next time you visit the Santa Monica Public Library.
A Word from the Director
ERICA CUYUGAN
Director of Library Services
Access
Santa Monica Public Library’s story for fiscal year 2022-2023 was ACCESS. While the first two years following the 2020 COVID-19 shutdowns were a period of rebuilding, our most recent fiscal year turned to a period of intentional
restoration of access to the library. Enhanced hours,
increased access to facilities and resources, an expansion of children’s and adult programming, focused outreach
to promote our services among the community, and
much more.
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ac·cess
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BACK IN BUSINESS
2022-2023 saw the reopening of Montana Avenue Branch to the public, as well as the Fairview Branch using the Open+ self-service model. All locations increased seating, and the Pico Branch made enhancements to its Teen area to increase usage.
verb: to be able to use, enter, or get
near (something)
ENHANCED HOURS & SATURDAY BRANCH HOURS
SMPL increased its hours of service to include later hours, as well as opening at 11:00 a.m. at Main Library. In November 2022, the Montana Avenue and Pico Branches opened for business on Saturdays, significantly increasing access for patrons. Overall, we increased hours open to the public by 30% this year.
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5,332 hours open
6,498 new library cards issued
7,867 library cards renewed
223,876 in-person visits
575,810 virtual visits
THE NUMBERS
1,739 Open+ registered users
“Thanks to you, our life is richer, our horizon broader, our thoughts challenged, our understanding of the world bettered.” - SMPL Patron
MORE CHECKOUTS
This year, we saw a 15% increase in
physical items checked out by the public.
Our residents, staff, and Library Boards
have supported patrons’ freedom to
read throughout the year. We have
ensured access to a wide variety
of print, audiovisual, and electronic
formats to engage all ages of
readers. Materials budget increases
have also allowed us to purchase
more books, audiovisual materials,
periodicals, and electronic formats,
resulting in boosted circulation. We
continue to develop Read Engage Discover
(RED) Kits to promote hands-on learning opportunities
and connections to interesting topics for adults and families. noun: freedom of or ability to obtain
or make use of something
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655,273 physical items checked out
15% increase in physical items checked out
THE NUMBERS
165,843 electronic items checked out
138,310 holds placed on library materials
114 RED Kits created
“Dear Librarians, Hats off to all of you, for continually providing the community with an array of books on all manner of topics, displayed so enticingly.” - SMPL Patron
40,408 items added to the library catalog
ADULT FICTION
1 Tomorrow, and
Tomorrow, and
Tomorrow
Gabrielle
Zevin
2 Lessons in
Chemistry
Bonnie
Garmus
3 Demon
Copperhead
Barbara
Kingsolver
4 It Ends with Us
Colleen
Hoover
5 Trust
Hernan
Diaz
ADULT NON-FICTION
1 I’m Glad My
Mom Died
Jennette
McCurdy
2 Atomic Habits
James
Clear
3 Crying in
H Mart
Michelle
Zauner
4 Spare
Prince
Harry
5 The Body
Keeps the
Score
Bessel
Van der
Kolk
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TOP 5
Most Requested Titles
TEEN FICTION
1 A Court of
Thorns and
Roses
Sarah J.
Maas
2 The Summer I
Turned Pretty Jenny Han
3 A Court of Mist
and Fury
Sarah J.
Maas
4 Catching Fire
Suzanne
Collins
5 Kindred
Octavia E.
Butler
CHILDREN’S FICTION
1 Keeper of the
Lost Cities
Shannon
Messenger
2 Exile
Shannon
Messenger
3 Sideways Stories
from Wayside
School
Louis
Sachar
4 Are You There
God? It’s Me,
Margaret
Judy
Blume
5 Harry Potter
and the Goblet
of Fire
J.K.
Rowling
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TOP 5
Most Requested Titles
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ac·cess
verb: to open or load (a computer file,
an internet site, etc.)
noun: the opportunity or ability to
use something
TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING SPACES
The need for access to computers, wifi, and spaces to study and work remains strong within our community. We reactivated a Main Library 2nd floor area and made it into a reservable open workspace. We reinstated our study rooms, added a drop-in Tech and Tasks programs, and created kits that encouraged active learning through themed bags that include books, supplies, instructions, and technology.
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19,053 public computer sessions
40% increase in public computer sessions
THE NUMBERS
8,328 AWE Station kids’ computer sessions
166,346 database sessions
17,480 Image Archives sessions
205 Workspaces checked out (NEW)
188 learners served - Tech & Tasks
“Getting the help and support...is great for seniors such as myself, who don’t always have that kind of great community support available.” - Tech & Tasks Participant
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WE’VE GOT PROGRAMS
Access means more in-person days and hours, which translates to more opportunities to present educational and entertaining programs that attract new and returning patrons.
noun: the ability
to approach or
communicate with
a person or thing
PARTNERSHIPS
The Library maintained or renewed several important partnerships, including Virginia Ave. Park (Arts & Literacy Fest), YALLWEST (Fierce Friday), SMMUSD (class visits), Adult Education Center (Citizenship Classes/LEAF), and established new ones, including Santa Monica College (The Sum of Us) and the Library of Congress (AAPI Heritage Month veterans’ oral history).
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271 total programs
10,923 program attendance
THE NUMBERS
3,557 volunteer hours
42% increase in volunteer hours
7,014 study rooms checked out
729 adult learner instruction hours
30 adult learners served - LEAF Tutoring
“I appreciate all that you, library and [my tutor] have given and continues to give to all of us that were left behind in the education process.” -Career Online High School Graduate
451 books provided to build home libraries
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The Human Library Tuesday Tales storytime
with Councilman Zwick
Pop-Up Beach Library Birdwatching with
Library Board member Lu P.
Santa Monica Reads 2023
with Heather McGhee
Tech & Tasks
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Arts & Literacy Fest
Fierce Friday at Pico Branch Career Online High School
Tutors, Students & Graduate
Summer Reading Outreach
Assembly at Franklin Elementary
Juneteenth Story time
Adult Summer Reading
Kickoff
SMR 2023: Author Heather McGhee’s “The Sum of Us”
Santa Monica READS All Summer: Authors Lisa See & Naomi Hirahara New Collection: Read Engage Discover (RED) Kits & Related Programming Soundwaves Monthly Concert Series
Adult & Neighborhood Services created and oversaw numerous programs and outreach efforts for our community.
Highlights this year include:
Adult & Neighborhood Services
Special and Traveling Storytimes
Collaborations w/various community organizations
Positive Parenting Workshops
17 class visits and 19 school visits
Summer Reading ‘22 - participation doubled from ‘21
The Youth & Family Services team curates specialized programs, services, and collections specifically designed for youth and families at all library locations.
Highlights this year include:
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Youth & Family Services
Branch Services
Our Team
By the end of FY2022-23 all branch locations were open for in-person or self-service access, with Fairview Branch as the last location to reopen with self-service access in November 2022. Branch staff connected with partners across the City, including several neighborhood associations.
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Literacy
Literacy Education for Adults and Families (LEAF) serves many of our more vulnerable patrons, helping them advance reading, writing, and literacy skills.
This year, the team re-established a drop-in model “Tech & Tasks” and computer basics programs. Literacy volunteers logged over 1,100 hours of service, and the team applied for and was
awarded a grant to implement English as a
Second Language (ESL) services.
Storytimes with Tuesday Tales (in partnership with YAFS) Open Houses at Fairview and Ocean Park branches
Fierce Friday for Teens at Pico branch
Partnered with ANS to bring programming to our neighborhoods Quarterly Human Library events
Branch programming increased for all ages:
Our Team
Patron Services
The Collections and Technology teams support the library’s core services including collection development and technology infrastructure. A large focus this year was on replenishing collections, providing the newest and latest books to our patrons as soon as they are available and creating new and exciting collections like RED Kits, State Parks Passes and Sustainability Kits to ensure there is something for everyone.
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Collections & Technology
Additionally, this year the Main Library introduced 2nd Floor Workspaces, a new service which allows patrons to reserve a space for study, work or play for up to 4 hours with a reservation.
Our Patron Services team continues to provide
excellent customer service for the community.
This year, we implemented online library card registrations and automatic renewal, which gives our patrons convenient ways to keep their accounts updated and active.
Consistent security presence at all 5 library locations Staff training through a Safety & Security Onboarding manual Collaboration with SMPD’s HLP Team and other City partners as part of clean and safe efforts in Downtown
Advisement and enforcement of the Library Rules of Conduct Our Library Services Officer Team provide a welcoming greeting and a safe environment in our library locations. This
team also transports materials between locations every day, ensuring that our community gets access to their holds in a timely manner. They provide essential services, including:
Safety & Security
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Administration
Library Administration supports the many business and
internal services that keep operations running. They
provide guidance and support to the Library Board and
Friends of the Library.
This year, the team worked with HR to hire and onboard 23 new parttime and full-time staff and reinstated meeting room rentals for the public. In addition, Administration coordinated system-wide communication efforts, using social media, the Library E-newsletter, and the website to inform the public of expansion of hours and programming.
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Our Supporters &
Advocates
Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library
Our Friends of the Library consistently fund library programs and services.
Prior to the reopening of the Friends of the Library Bookstore, they held large scale outdoor book sales and worked tirelessly to organize and process book donations. Their volunteerism and active engagement have been valuable assets to the Library’s restoration efforts. Their advocacy has funded many programs throughout the year, including:
Youth and Adult Summer Reading
Santa Monica Reads
Arts & Literacy book giveaways
Image Archives digital content
College Prep. and Career for Teens
Santa Monica Reads
Take & Make Kits
Movie Screenings
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Our Supporters & Advocates
California State Library
Santa Monica Public Library received more than $350,000 in grants during FY2022-2023, as well as free access to databases and resources. This funding and support assisted library staff with service and program development, and replacement of specific Main Library building systems and equipment:
The Santa Monica Public Library Board is a 5-member
board appointed by the City Council. This year, the
Board promoted Banned Books Week and The
Freedom to Read, presenting a proclamation for City
Council to read.
They have re-engaged with the Friends of SMPL
to discuss joint efforts of advocacy
and community connections and
future program ideas.
Library Board
Adult Literacy
Family Literacy
Zip Books
Career Online High School
Open+ (Fairview)
Building Forward
Workforce Development
Platforms
2023-24 will focus on our continued efforts to increase library open hours and staffing, think creatively about programming, and gain a better understanding of how our community’s needs have changed.
We will re-activate dormant spaces at the Main Library, as well as explore ways to increase programming at our neighborhood branch locations.
Our Pico Branch Library is turning 10 next year, and there will be much to celebrate!
We will align our work with City and Council priorities and integrate our own priority areas of Community Engagement, Equity & Inclusion, Safety & Security, and Facilities & Infrastructure.
We will partner with the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library and local nonprofits to find new ways to make meaningful connections with residents and visitors.
We will advocate for MORE ACCESS to our materials, facilities, programs, and services, and we will continue to imagine the possibilities.
Come visit us soon!
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Looking Ahead