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Home My WebLink About2025-04-23; Library Board of Trustees; 01; Library Reports for March 2025Meeting Date: April 23, 2025 To: Library Board of Trustees From: Andrea Hilliard, Principal Librarian Laura Mendez, Principal Librarian Staff Contact: Andrea Hilliard, Principal Librarian andrea.hilliard@carlabadca.gov, 442-339-2041 Laura Mendez, Principal Librarian laura.mendez@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5526 Subject: Library Reports for March 2025 District: All Recommended Action Receive the Narrative Report and Statistical Report for March 2025. Executive Summary The board will review the library’s monthly narrative and statistical report for March 2025. 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 The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by CEQA Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to report on the library’s monthly narrative and statistics is an organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA Guidelines. Exhibits 1.Narrative report for March 2025 2.Statistical report for March 2025 LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES April 23, 2025 Item #1 Page 1 of 7 Exhibit 1 Carlsbad City Library Monthly Library Report March 2025 Highlights: 1.Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium Renovation Celebration Event Library & Cultural Arts celebrated the re-opening of the Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium with a reception and concert on March 29. Refreshments were served in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard at 5 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. performance by Camarada Tango Quartet which included piano, bass, violin, flute. Approximately 180 attendees enjoyed light refreshments and the concert, which showcased the upgraded lighting and sound capabilities. The event was sponsored by the Carlsbad Library & Arts Foundation. 2.Explore More Cultural Arts partnered with Children’s Services staff to begin offering library tours and library card sign-ups in conjunction with the Explore More program. This program invites area second and third grade students to a private visit to the William D. Cannon Art Gallery accompanied by an art project coordinated to the exhibit. Library staff provided tours to 11 of the 33 visiting classes during the month of March. Students were especially excited to get a behind-the-scenes view of the automated book sorter from library circulation staff. 3.Start Up Essentials Business Series In partnership with the Small Business Development Center, MiraCosta College and the City of Carlsbad Economic Development Department, library staff helped to present 4, four-hour sessions of the Start Up Essentials Business Series. MiraCosta College Instructor Diana Barbiani led an interactive discussion on the following topics: Concept Development, Customer Discovery and Acquisition, Financial Fundamentals and Business Creation. While advocating for getting library cards, Lead Librarian Darin Williamson presented on the library’s study rooms, printing services, A to Z databases, streaming services and other business-supporting resources at the library. April 23, 2025 Item #1 Page 2 of 7 Comments from the Workshops: o “Topics presented are tailored to the different types of participants' "businesses", helping to personalize any needed advice/guidance. Ms. Diana is great!!” o “Diana Barbiani is a great presenter. Excellent at helping the audience adopt the concepts she's presenting. This helps the audience feel more connected and engaged while learning.” Programs: 4. Sustainable Puppet Making Tinker Tuesday, on March 25 at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, featured puppet making using recycled materials. Stations were set up for children at three different ability levels so that all ages could participate. Participants stayed after the craft to perform with their new creations. 5. Tuesday Afternoon Adventures Young patrons in kindergarten through grade six attended Tuesday Afternoon Adventures at the Georgina Cole Library on March 18 to celebrate the vernal equinox. Attendees enjoyed an enlightening discussion led by Librarian Jennifer Benson and Library Technician Jade MacEoghain on how Earth's movement affects our days and seasons. The group discussed local birds’ nesting habits and assembled springtime nests using natural materials including small twigs, dried grass, dried leaves, and plant fluff. April 23, 2025 Item #1 Page 3 of 7 6. Women’s History Month Author Sara Sundin In celebration of Women’s History Month, Author Sara Sundin visited Dove Library on March 29, where she discussed her historical fiction and gave a special lecture about Rosie the Riveter. There was an audience of 38 for the presentation and the Q & A and book signing that followed. After the event, library staff instructed attendees on signing up for the library’s eNewsletter, finding more author events and how to download books on Libby. 7. Cultural Arts Program at the Library Learning Center – Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Coaching in a Male Dominated Industry On March 13, Cultural Arts staff hosted an inspiring event celebrating Women’s History Month featuring one of North County’s trailblazers, Jessica Montiel. Jessica is currently the Younger Girls Director SDSC SURF – Escondido, Head Girls Soccer Coach for Mission Vista High School in Oceanside and Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at Palomar Community College in San Marcos. Jessica discussed the barriers women face in coaching and how to overcome them. There were 28 community members in attendance. Jessica followed up with a free mini-soccer clinic at Holiday Park on March 22 with 8 families in attendance (11 children). April 23, 2025 Item #1 Page 4 of 7 Special Projects: 8. Family Literacy During the last week of March, Literacy Services hosted an Educational Game Giveaway, providing an opportunity for learners and tutors to explore a variety of educational games designed to support reading development. A total of 104 games were distributed, enabling literacy learners and ESL students to continue practicing their reading skills at home while also engaging their families in fun, literacy-rich activities. By incorporating these games into their routines, learners can reinforce their skills and support their family members in developing stronger literacy habits while having fun together. Community Connections: 9. Carlsbad by the Sea The library participated in the Carlsbad by the Sea Health Fair on March 20. Librarian Sameera Redkar engaged with approximately 80 residents, issuing and renewing library cards, and helping attendees place materials requests. Three individuals expressed interest in the Homebound Services Program. Popular giveaways included 20 pill boxes, 60 seed sample packets, and 50 eyeglass cleaning cloths. 10. La Costa Glen Ninety-two residents enjoyed a special outreach presentation by library staff at La Costa Glen Senior Living Facility in Carlsbad on March 18. Library staff delivered a PowerPoint that highlighted Libby, eResources and Genealogy & Carlsbad History. The overflow crowd asked enthusiastic questions, paid compliments and submitted 20 library card registrations. The library team was invited back for a future presentation. 11. Red Cross Club Youth Services Librarian Angelica Mejia collected 128 gently used juvenile books that had been donated and presented them to Sage Creek High School Red Cross Club for the club’s drive to provide materials for hospitals and military families. April 23, 2025 Item #1 Page 5 of 7 12. Teen Volunteers Librarians Marin Faeyera and Ashleigh Hvinden, Volunteer Coordinator Samantha Yeilding and Library Assistant Jasmine Venancio participated in the Coastal Academy Career Fair on March 14 to promote summer volunteering opportunities. Marin and Ashleigh spoke to 75 high school students, explained the Summer Reading Adventure program, utilized the prize wheel, gave away books and encouraged teens to sign up for the volunteering interest list. 13. JIVE Library staff from all three locations visited Sage Creek School on March 19 to attend the Jobs Internship Volunteer Expo (JIVE) event. The quartet, which included Marin Faeyera, Jasmine Venancio, Samantha Yielding and Ashleigh Hvinden were there to encourage teens to volunteer for the upcoming Summer Reading Adventure. The group spoke to 100 teens. Post event, library staff will email the teens who signed up to keep them informed of important dates regarding volunteering and the 2025 Summer Reading Adventure. Patron Stories (heard around the library): 14. Saturday Chess Meet Up After being demolished in 4 games of chess in 30 minutes by an enthusiastic 7-year-old on March 22, an adult patron commented that the competition is fierce and that our future generation certainly is intelligent and promising. To further illustrate how talented the young person is, they were playing games with multiple patrons at the same time. This program occurs on Saturdays at the Library Learning Center. April 23, 2025 Item #1 Page 6 of 7 Exhibit 2 LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS – MARCH 2025 MARCH 2024 MARCH 2025 Physical materials circulation 87,802 84,902 -3.3% Electronic materials circulation 26,512 29,741 +12.2% Programs 130 157 +20.8% Program attendance 3,973 5,111 +28.6% Study room utilization hours booked and occupancy 1,673 63.4% occupancy 1,908 70.7% occupancy +14.0% Visits 45,241 49,478 +9.4% April 23, 2025 Item #1 Page 7 of 7