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Home My WebLink About2026-01-28; Library Board of Trustees; 01; Library Reports for November 2025 and December 2025Meeting Date: Jan. 28, 2026 To: Library Board of Trustees From: Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director Staff Contact: Andrea Hilliard, Principal Librarian andrea.hilliard@carlabadca.gov, 442-339-2041 Laura Stanger, Principal Librarian laura.stanger@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5526 Subject: Library Reports for November 2025 and December 2025 District: All Recommended Action Receive the Narrative Report and Statistical Report for November 2025 and December 2025. Executive Summary The library’s monthly narrative and statistical reports for November 2025 and December 2025 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 November 2025 2.Statistical report for November 2025 3.Narrative report for December 2025 4.Statistical report for December 2025 LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jan. 28, 2026 Item #1 Page 1 of 9 Staff Report Exhibit 1 Carlsbad City Library Monthly Library Report November 2025 Highlights: 1.Buena Vista Reservoir Park Storywalk kickoff event Georgina Cole Library staff hosted a kickoff celebration for the permanent Storywalk at Buena Vista Reservoir Park. The event was held on Nov. 13 and brought together 50 kindergarteners, teachers and parents from Buena Vista Elementary School to read the bilingual picture book, “Paletero Man” by Lucky Diaz and Micah Player. Several members of the community also attended the event including members of the Friends of the Carlsbad Library Board and colleagues from city departments such as Communications & Engagement, Parks & Recreation and Library & Cultural Arts. Programs: 2.In-N-Out Burger Cover to Cover Program Carlsbad City Library offered the annual In-N-Out Cover to Cover program, a reading challenge for readers aged 4 to 12 from Oct. 15 - Nov. 15. Children were eligible to earn a free hamburger, cheeseburger or grilled cheese sandwich by reading five books or 300 minutes. A total of 958 children logged their reading progress via the reading-tracking platform, Beanstack. Participation increased an impressive 40% from 2024. Jan. 28, 2026 Item #1 Page 2 of 9 3.Totes Thankful The Carlsbad City Libraries hosted a Totes Thankful program throughout November. Patrons received a tote bag for writing what they are thankful for on colorful leaves, which were then displayed in various places throughout all three library locations. These responses showcased the community's appreciation for the library, families, health and their community. A total of 1,060 patrons participated across the three locations, which marks a significant increase from the 650 participants recorded in 2024. 4.Eric Davis Author Event Seventeen patrons braved the rain on Nov. 15 to visit the Dove Library to hear author Eric Davis discuss his book, “Raising Men: Lessons Navy SEALs Learned from Their Training and Taught to Their Sons.” Mr. Davis spoke about how achieving his goal of becoming a SEAL was fulfilling on many levels but did not allow him to be the person or parent he wanted to be. After leaving the SEALs, Davis struggled to find a career that combined passion and purpose. Now, he has found his "flow," developing and sharing comprehensive training programs that use proven SEAL team principles to help parents and young people lead good lives. 5.50 Books Before Middle School Promotion and 100 Books Before High School Graduation The Library launched two new self-directed programs for readers in grades 6 through 12 on Nov. 3. Participants can log any book, graphic novel or audiobook in Beanstack, the library’s digital reading tracker. As readers progress toward their goals, they earn a Carlsbad City Jan. 28, 2026 Item #1 Page 3 of 9 Library pin board, a book and a series of book-themed pins that represent their milestones. The pins can be displayed on the pin board to visually track their progress. Upon completing the program, each reader will receive a lei to wear at their promotion or graduation ceremony. These programs are an extension of the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative. To date, 41 middle school and high school readers have registered for the programs. These new programs will be ongoing and do not currently have an end date. 6.Tech Help The Exploration HUB held their monthly tech help session with five community members asking for assistance on Nov. 19. Library Tech Marq Schuling and Librarian Ashleigh Hvinden assisted patrons with how to access library resources Hoopla and Libby, navigate the internet, use the snipping tool, and determine the credibility of sources on the internet. 7.Tuesday Afternoon Adventures Tidepool Activity Fifty-three elementary-aged children and their families learned about tides, tidepools and near-shore ocean inhabitants in Southern California at the Georgina Cole Library’s Tuesday Afternoon Adventures on Nov. 18. As part of a series of programs that focuses on themes of “knowing, loving, and caring for California,” Librarian Jennifer Benson and Library Technician Kristen Can shared information about tides and ocean inhabitants through a fun quiz game. Attendees then created their own art that showcased creatures they might encounter in a local tidepool. Community Connections: 8.La Costa Canyon Tour Librarian Ashleigh Hvinden hosted a group of eight students from La Costa Canyon High School on Nov. 21 at the Dove Library. The instructional goal was to have students learn about the many services offered at the library as part of developing life skills. The tour included an overview of the William D. Cannon Art Gallery, self-checkout stations, computer area, Exploration HUB, teen area and the second-floor graphic novel section. The students were enthusiastic and excited to discover all the resources available at the Carlsbad City Library. Jan. 28, 2026 Item #1 Page 4 of 9 9.Farmer’s Market On Nov. 19, Lead Librarian Darin Williamson accompanied Library Technicians Dadyar Valiki and Astrid Gonzales to the State Street Farmers Market and connected with 387 people while promoting library programs and services. Staff passed out seven boxes of books, more than 50 seed packets and shared information about library services and programs such as 50 Books Before Middle School Promotion, 100 Books Before High School Graduation, the Exploration HUB, Libby, Hoopla, California State Parks passes and the Library of Things collection. A patron told Lead Librarian Williamson a story about utilizing seeds she received from the seed library, and another patron was thrilled to find Louis L'Amour books that reminded her of her father's book collection growing up. Patrons were excited to learn how to save money by leveraging library services such as Hoopla, Kanopy and Libby. Patron Stories (heard around the library): 10.A comment from a Little Boy was heard in the children’s area at the Cole Library on Dec. 2: “Mom, I'm done. Are we going home soon?” the mom replied, “In a little bit. Remember today is daddy's birthday and he wanted to come to the library”. Jan. 28, 2026 Item #1 Page 5 of 9 Exhibit 2 LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS – NOVEMBER 2025 NOVEMBER 2024 NOVEMBER 2025 Physical materials circulation 80,506 80,054 -0.5% Electronic materials circulation 25,635 28,978 +13.4% Programs 106 120 +13.2% Program attendance 3,088 3,761 +21.8% Study room utilization hours booked and occupancy 1,447 63.6% occupancy 1,576* 67.1% occupancy +8.9% Visits 48,017 50,564 +5.3% *The number of study room hours available increased due to adding Sunday hours at Cole and Dove beginning in May 2025. Jan. 28, 2026 Item #1 Page 6 of 9 fcarlsbad City Library ~ D n --- 0000 ~ • • ~T~ t~t 0 0 0 0 0 ~'W~'W~ Exhibit 3 Carlsbad City Library Monthly Library Report December 2025 Highlight: 1.Noon Year’s Eve at the Georgina Cole Library Georgina Cole Library celebrated Noon Year’s Eve on Dec. 31 with 118 children and caregivers. Senior Librarian Ally Goodwin and Library Technician Esther Chae shared New Year’s traditions around the world, played games and made crafts with attendees to ring in the New Year. The celebration culminated in a countdown with a mini ball drop. Programs: 2.Tuesday Afternoon Adventures with Barona Cultural Center & Museum The Tuesday Afternoon Adventures program at the Cole Library hosted Seth Dalton of the Barona Cultural Center & Museum on Dec. 9. Mr. Dalton shared the history, art and traditions of the Barona Band of the Kumeyaay People in California. Thirty-two elementary school-aged students and their families listened to “Baby Rattlesnake” told by Te Ata, adapted by Lynn Moroney. Attendees created a beaded rattlesnake craft to take home. Mr. Dalton also shared some of the Museum’s Kumeyaay artifacts, including an intricately woven grass basket and gourd rattle. Jan. 28, 2026 Item #1 Page 7 of 9 3.50 Books Before Middle School Promotion and 100 Books Before High School Graduation Fourteen readers registered for the 100 Books Before High School Graduation program and 15 readers registered for the 50 Books Before Middle School Promotion program. Registrants receive a branded Carlsbad City Library pin board and a free book. Readers can earn pins to mark their reading progress. A total of 78 readers have registered since the program launched this school year and two participants have completed their respective programs. 4.FixIt Clinic Winter Edition Held in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane on Dec. 6, this FixIt Clinic marked a vibrant and creative end to the calendar year. The event emphasized hands-on repairs, community connection and resourcefulness. Ninety attendees brought a range of items needing repair, including sewing machines, headphones and food processors. Eighty patrons of all ages learned Furoshiki fabric gift-wrapping techniques and created festive wreaths from upcycled book pages at the craft booths. Republic Services was on-site to collect strands of holiday lights for recycling. The courtyard was bustling and full of energy, and each time an item was successfully repaired, a bell rang out—prompting cheers from the crowd and celebrating a small victory in sustainability. Services: 5.New additions to the Library of Things collection Playaway Launchpads were added to the library’s Library of Things webpage in December to increase visibility and access to this new service. Launchpads are durable digital tablets preloaded with educational games and activities for children in pre-kindergarten through early elementary grades. The devices are not Wi-Fi enabled, providing a safe, self-contained learning environment. Content includes educational apps, videos and games that support hours of interactive learning and play, with topics ranging from cognitive skill development and emotional awareness to STEAM-focused activities. Community Connections: 6.School visits The Cole Library and Library Learning Center staff provided Storytime programs at the Sunrise School, St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Pilgrim Children’s Center and Kruger House Preschool in December. 7.Farmer’s Market Library Technician Amanda Sealock staffed her first farmer’s market with Lead Librarian Darin Williamson on Dec. 17. The duo interacted with 334 people at the State Street Farmers Market and gave out books, seed packets, and shared information about library services and programs such as 50 Books Before Middle School Promotion, 100 Books Before High School Graduation, the Exploration HUB, Libby, Hoopla, California State Parks Passes and the Library of Things collection. Mr. Williamson spoke with three different parents of newborns emphasizing the importance of sign language and early literacy skills. Jan. 28, 2026 Item #1 Page 8 of 9 Exhibit 4 LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS – DECEMBER 2025 DECEMBER 2024 DECEMBER 2025 Physical materials circulation 73,986 79,172 +7.0% Electronic materials circulation 26,796 29,454 +9.9% Programs 84 99 +17.8% Program attendance 2,255 3,020 +33.9% Study room utilization hours booked and occupancy 1,399 56.8% occupancy 1,516* 56.1% occupancy +8.4% Visits 38,488 45,093 +17.1% *The number of study room hours available increased due to adding Sunday hours at Cole and Dove beginning in May 2025. Jan. 28, 2026 Item #1 Page 9 of 9 fcarlsbad City Library ~ D n --- 0000 ~ • • ~T~ t~t 0 0 0 0 0 ~'W~'W~