HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-11; Library Board of Trustees; 01; Library Reports for October 2024Meeting Date: Dec. 11, 2024
To: Library Board of Trustees
From: Andrea Hilliard, Principal Librarian Digital Initiatives & Special Projects
Laura Mendez, Principal Librarian Strategic Partnerships & Outreach
Staff Contact: Andrea Hilliard, Principal Librarian Digital Initiatives & Special Projects
andrea.hilliard@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2041
Laura Mendez, Principal Librarian Strategic Partnerships & Outreach
laura.mendez@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5526
Subject: Library Reports for October 2024
District: All
Recommended Action
Receive the Narrative Report and Statistical Report for October 2024.
Executive Summary
The board will review the library’s monthly narrative and statistical report for October 2024.
These reports provide a summary of work completed across all Carlsbad City Library locations
as well as data and information about the services and programs provided for the community.
Explanation & Analysis
None.
Fiscal Analysis
No financial impact.
Next Steps
None.
Environmental Evaluation
This item does not require environmental review because it does not constitute a project within
the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under California Public Resources Code
Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the
environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Exhibits
1.Narrative report for October 2024
2.Statistical report for October 2024
Dec. 11, 2024 Item #1 Page 1 of 7
Exhibit 1
Carlsbad City Library
Monthly Library Report
October 2024
Highlights:
1.Small Business Success Series
In October, the Small Business Development Center and MiraCosta College presented four
workshops covering various strategies to grow and improve a business. The workshops
were held at the Georgina Cole Library and had 35 participants.
•"AI for Business Growth: Pivot, Innovate, Thrive": Cheryl Brown provided attendees
with actionable insights and practical tools to leverage artificial intelligence to
transform a small business.
•"Pricing for Profit: Mastering Small Business Pricing Strategies:": Diana Barbiani
demystified the art and science of pricing strategies that drive profitability.
•"Profit Boost: Strategies to Raise Prices and Cut Costs": Diana Barbiani taught the
dual strategies of increasing prices and decreasing expenses to enhance the bottom
line.
•“Marketing & Networking Mastery: Unlocking Sales Growth": Pam Covarrubias
demonstrated how to leverage marketing as a key driver of sales and learn proven
techniques for networking efficiently and effectively.
2.Fix-It Clinic Halloween Edition
On Oct. 26, 95 participants attended a Halloween edition of the Fixit Clinic at the Georgina
Cole Library. The event featured five activities including a repair station for broken items,
two sewing workshops where participants created capes and repaired clothing, and a
costume giveaway that helped 17 people find Halloween attire. Additional booths from the
Carlsbad Sustainability Department and Republic Services provided eco-friendly resources
and e-waste collection.
Dec. 11, 2024 Item #1 Page 2 of 7
Programs:
3. Bilingual Storytime
On Oct. 7, 21 and 28, Dove Library staff presented an American Sign Language Bilingual
Storytime. Families and children ages three to five participated in this interactive storytime
with songs and finger play, followed by a 15-minute group play time and a craft.
4. Halloween Family Events
Over 140 attendees enjoyed two special Halloween themed toddler times on Oct. 29 at the
Dove Library. Patrons and staff dressed in costumes to enjoy a reading of “The Wheels on
the Bus at Halloween” and parade through the library.
5. Not-So-Spooky Halloween Celebration
The Not-So Spooky Halloween Celebration took place in the Children’s Garden at the Dove
Library on Oct. 30 and welcomed over 200 attendees in costume. Library staff provided a
not-so-spooky storytime, themed crafts, a Dia de los Muertos altar, photo opportunities and
activities for families to enjoy. The Carlsbad Strawberry Fields also donated a “Big Mac”
Pumpkin. Families guessed the weight of the pumpkin and the closest guess took the
pumpkin home.
Dec. 11, 2024 Item #1 Page 3 of 7
6. TeenTober
October 2024 marked Carlsbad libraries’ inaugural participation in TeenTober, established
by the Young Adult Library Services Association to combine previous events like Teen Read
Week and Teen Tech Week. Throughout the month, staff invited Carlsbad teens to
rediscover and connect with library services and resources.
Programs included:
• A teen art contest at all locations encouraged teens to reimagine a banned book or
their favorite book's cover. Eleven teens submitted work to be eligible to win a
Kindle Fire tablet and have their work displayed in the facility.
• On Oct. 4, teens were invited to play a game of Coco Lotería followed by an author
visit with Ashley Granillo, author of "Cruzita and the Mariacheros," at the Learning
Center. Ms. Granillo discussed her writing and teaching career and took questions
from the audience of 11.
• A college prep advice series was held at the Cole Library.
• A “Carlsbad Teens Through the Years” display featuring snapshots of teen life in
Carlsbad over the past 140 years, was presented by Genealogy & Carlsbad History
staff in the Carol Tico display case at the Cole Library. This fun display featured
treasured historical images and materials from the Carlsbad History Collection
archives.
7. College Prep Advice Series:
In October, the Cole Library hosted four college prep advice workshops with a total of 40
attendees.
• Palomar College Recruitment Specialist Dr. Andrew Mertig discussed higher
education options, navigating the college admissions process and tips for crafting a
standout application.
• MiraCosta Outreach Coordinator Gaby Love made a presentation on the college
application and admissions process.
• The MiraCosta College team led a hands-on financial aid application workshop. They
helped attendees start their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or
California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and learn about the financial aid process.
• Sage Creek counselor Stephanie Gray gave expert advice on getting informed and
organized, writing the college application essay, highlighting your extracurricular
activities and gathering letters of recommendation to make the case to your chosen
colleges.
Dec. 11, 2024 Item #1 Page 4 of 7
Services:
8. eResource Sharing
On Oct. 24, Librarian Sameera Redkar hosted a hands-on eResources learning session for
learners enrolled in the literacy program. Participants learned how to bookmark the library
website and access various apps on their personal devices. Learners explored resources for
language learning, citizenship preparation, read-along books and career development.
9. Homework Zone at the Library Learning Center
October marked the return of Homework Zone at the Library Learning Center, running
Monday through Thursday from 4 - 5:30 p.m. This program offers students from
kindergarten through high school the chance to receive homework help from qualified
volunteers. After a hiatus, we’re excited to see Homework Zone back in action, supporting
students with their academic needs and offering meaningful community connection for our
volunteers.
10. Hispanic Heritage Month
Exploration HUB staff incorporated the Mexican art form of alebrijes, folk art sculptures
that depict fantastical creatures, animals, people and objects, to introduce patrons to the
software used to create 3D models. Patrons received an orientation on TinkerCad, the 3D
modeling software and applied basic skills to create a fantastical creature that would
eventually print through the 3D printer service.
Community Connections:
11. Rotary Club Celebration
Librarian Yolanda Aubuchon joined Library Technicians Cory Oakes and Cathryn Coburn to
staff a booth at the Rotary Club’s annual Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 5. The booth near
the pumpkin patch featured a children’s art activity, book giveaways for all ages, library
swag and information on programs and services. Staff interacted with 214 people at the
family-friendly event.
12. Dual Language Immersion School Visit
Sixty-three middle school students from the Dual Language Immersion School in Vista
visited the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane on Oct. 17 in order to learn more about
available library resources. Librarian Ashleigh Hvinden and Library Assistant Brandon
Tiongison divided the group and gave a tour of the facility, highlighting the Children’s
Garden and the Exploration HUB. Following the 20-minute tour, the teens assembled into
groups of four and worked on history assignments for the next two hours. Library staff
Dec. 11, 2024 Item #1 Page 5 of 7
provided guidance to the students, showing them how to utilize both in-house print
resources, and digital information on public access. The teacher in charge of the visit was
delighted by the students’ excitement and wants to schedule another visit soon.
Patron Stories (heard around the library):
Community Outreach Supervisor Christina Lorenzo coordinated two school tours with first-
grade teacher Emily Host at the Library Learning Center on Oct. 24. Each student received a
tote bag filled with a free book, an event calendar, a workbook and a library card application.
Ms. Host expressed her hope to make this a biannual tradition with her classes. Twelve parent
chaperones were overheard sharing how welcome they felt in the friendly community space.
Several parents mentioned they hadn’t been to the Learning Center and were excited to return.
Other:
October Exploration HUB patron creations
Dec. 11, 2024 Item #1 Page 6 of 7
Exhibit 2
LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS – OCTOBER 2024
OCTOBER 2023
OCTOBER 2024
Physical materials circulation
84,075
85,886
2.2%
Electronic materials circulation
24,522
25,840
5.4%
Programs
133
132
-0.8%
Program attendance
4,129
4,057
-1.7%
Study room utilization
hours booked and occupancy
1,565
61.9% occupancy
1,750
66.9% occupancy
11.8%
Visitors
39,087
57,884
67.5%
Dec. 11, 2024 Item #1 Page 7 of 7