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CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
STAFF REPORT
N
ovember 3, 2025
To: S
imi Valley Library Board of Trustees
Fr
om: Office of the City Manager
Luis Garibay, Assistant City Manager
Subj
ect: Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2024- 25 Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report
Staff Recommendation
I
t is recommended that the Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees receive and file the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report.
Background
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n July 2013, the City began operating the Simi Valley Public Library (Library). In the first four years of operation, from 2013 to 2017, the Library focused on forming community partnerships, conducting outreach within the community, and improving service levels for all Library users. The Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees (Board) adopted a Collection Development Plan to guide the types of materials the Library should purchase, and a Technology Plan to address the increasing demand for online and wireless services.
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n 2017, the Board adopted a five- year Strategic Plan (2017- 2022), which provided direction and goals for the Library with an intentional focus on five priority areas: Making Access Easier, Telling the Library’s Story, Empowering Customer Service, Cultivating Community Creativity, and Supporting Educational Pursuits. Following an intensive community engagement campaign in FY 2021-22, the Board adopted a second Strategic Plan, providing the Library with direction for another five- year term (2023- 2027), with focus on four new priority areas: Build Community, Connect and Increase Access, Enhance Services, and Build Awareness.
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ach year staff presents an Annual Report to the Board, which includes information on Library usage trends throughout the year and an update on how the efforts of Library and City staff are supporting the Strategic Plan’s priority areas. In 2024 , Library Systems & Services transitioned the Annual Report to a web- based format for easier year -round access for all stakeholders and Library users. Anyone with a mobile phone can refer to the report without the need to download or print a document. The format highlights images of people using Library space and resources and connecting with other community members. Telling the Library’s story in this manner offers a picture of the modernized services that the Simi Valley Public Library seeks to provide.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
9C
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Discussion
The Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report for FY 2024-25 can be accessed online at Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report . Attachment A includes a brief overview of statistics from the past year. The priority areas of the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan were the focus of staff efforts in FY 202 4-25, and an overview of some of the Library’s recent successes are provided below:
• 2,905 Service Hours
• 172,806 Library Visits
• 5,045 New Library Card Holders (31,666 Total Library Card Holders) • 390,342 Physical Items Borrowed
• 2,175 Mobile Library Community Members Served
• 66,878 Digital Items Borrowed
• 11,428 Volunteer Hours
• 13,398 Program Attendees
• 7,322 Story Time Attendees
The launch of the state-of-the-art Library on the Go mobile library in February marked a major milestone in expanding library services throughout Simi Valley. This innovative service helps bridge existing service gaps by providing unique offerings and increased community engagement, making the library more accessible and responsive to the needs of today’s learners. The Mobile Library makes regular scheduled stops at key community locations, including the Samaritan Center, various senior living facilities, the Simi Valley Free Clinic, The ARC of Ventura County, Shepherd of the Valley Food Pantry, and local schools. It also supports special outreach efforts by participating in community events such as the Simi Valley Street Fair, National Night Out, and Metrolink Holiday Train.
Mobile Library Services staff work collaboratively with Children’s, Teen, Adult, and Literacy staff members to extend core library services to residents who may not otherwise have access. Additional programming opportunities include STEAM activities for children and teens, adult literacy support, computer access, homework help, and story time, all of which are available at off-site locations throughout the City. The Mobile Library was made possible through a generous donation from the trust of Lynee C. Eigler. Additionally, the Friends of the Library secured a Community Projects Grant to fund a dedicated collection of library materials for use on the Mobile Library.
The Library continues to serve as a vital community hub, offering a wide range of events, classes, workshops, and programs designed to meet the diverse needs of residents.
Through collaboration with local agency partners, the Library has successfully hosted events such as job fairs , wellness expos, performances by the Chamber and Youth Orchestras, cultural programs, photography panels and exhibitions, and has also supported various clubs and classes for special interest groups in the City. A strong partnership with the Simi Valley Unified School District further enhances access to information and resources for all students. The Library remains committed to promoting accessibility, inclusion, and service availability for the entire Simi Valley community.
The Adult Literacy Program continues to thrive, addressing a significant need in our community. During FY 2024- 25, the Library successfully tripled the program's reach, 2 15/10-25
establishing 27 active tutor/learner matches, with some tutors supporting m ultiple learners. These trained volunteers provided one- on-one and small group literacy instruction and coaching. Learners who aspire to improve their literacy skills were assessed and set personal goals with their tutors. Personal aspirations for the learners included interviewing for a job, improving performance at a current job, r eading prescription labels, communicating with medical professionals, and becoming more involved with the community. The Adult Literacy P rogram also includes an English as a Second Language (ESL) component, offering one-on-one tutoring and an English Conversation Class. Collectively, adult learners participated in 672 hours of personalized literacy and language instruction over the past fiscal year.
Children’s and Teen Services experienced notable growth in programming for tweens, an age group often underserved by Library programming. New programs included monthly STEAM-based Courageous Chronicles, Lego Club, and a Tween Craft Program led by members o f the Teen Advisory Group, fostering leadership and peer engagement.
Additionally, the Library launched a Coding Club for ages 10-18, utilizing the Fiero Coding platform. This program helps participants develop valuable coding skills while providing a space to collaborate, problem -solve, and connect with peers in a supportive learning environment.
The Simi Valley Library Foundation Board remains an active advocate for the Library, participating in community events and fundraising efforts to support future improvements.
The Library also benefits from the ongoing generosity of the Simi Valley Friends of the Library, whose contributions help fund a wide array of programs and services, including the library’s Summer Reading program and the electronic and streaming content from Hoopla and other digital platforms.
Financial Impact
There are no financial impacts.
City Council Priority
This item supports the Excellent City Government and Thriving Community Pillars of Excellence.
Suggested Motion
I move to receive and file the Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report for FY 2024-25.
Summary
In 2013, the City of Simi Valley began operating the Simi Valley Public Library. Since that time, the Library has focused on forming community partnerships, conducting outreach within the community, and providing an enhanced level of service. F iscal Year 2021-22 saw the completion of the Simi Valley Library’s 2017- 2022 Strategic Plan. F ollowing an intensive community engagement campaign, a second Strategic Plan was developed providing the Library with direction for another five-year term (2023-2027), with focus on 3 15/10-25
four new pr iority ar eas: B uild Community, Connect and Increase Access, E nhance Services, and Build Awareness.
Each year staff presents an Annual Report to the Board, which includes information on the Library’s operation and performance throughout the year, as well as an update on how the efforts of Library and City staff are supporting the Strategic Plan’s priority areas.
It is recommended that the Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees receive and file the Simi V
alley Public Library Annual Report for FY 2024-25 a s presented.
Attachment
Attachment A – Fiscal Year 2024-25 Library Activities an d Statistics 4 2024-2025
672
11,428
2,175
66 Attachment A
5