Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Santa Monica
Public Library
Board
Judith Meister
Chair
Dana Newman
Vice Chair
Antonio Spears
Jason Lin
Lucien
Plauzoles
June 24, 2024
Santa Monica City Hall
1685 Main Street, RM 209
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dear Mayor Brock and City Councilmembers,
On behalf of the Santa Monica Library Board, I am writing to request a council member be assigned as a Council Liaison to the Library Board per Resolution Number 11510, Section 15. Council Liaisons.
As you may know, the practice of council appointed liaisons to boards and commissions was a standard practice in years past. We see the value in bringing on a liaison to inspire a well-informed council member who can advocate for the library and understand the challenges facing the library as well as the significant positive impacts the library provides to our community. A board liaison would have the benefit of hearing the Board’s perspective in addition to the usual reports from City staff. We often have the chance to meet with library board members from other communities who report this practice to be helpful in bringing more attention to the library.
As you are aware, the library is one of the remaining City departments that has not yet returned to pre-Covid budget levels. We are fortunate that the library staff, under the able and creative leadership of Director Erica Cuyugan, has been able to find ways to expand services and programs with limited resources. Board discussions with a Council Liaison may help to identify other creative ways to generate resources.
The library is one of our most cherished community institutions. Library staff and board members regularly engage with the public. Serving as a Council Liaison is a great opportunity to be out in the community and hear directly from residents.
We look forward to the chance to welcome a Council Liaison to the Library Board.
Sincerely,
Judith Meister, Chair
Santa Monica Public Library Board
cc: Erica Cuyugan, Director of Library Services