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Home My WebLink About2026-04-22; Library Board of Trustees; 01; Library Reports for March 2026Meeting Date: April 22, 2026 To: Library Board of Trustees From: Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director Staff Contact: Andrea Hilliard, Principal Librarian andrea.hilliard@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2041 Laura Stanger, Principal Librarian laura.stanger@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5526 Subject: Library Reports for March 2026 District: All Recommended Action Receive the Narrative Report and Statistical Report for March 2026. Executive Summary The library’s monthly narrative and statistical report for March 2026 provides 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 2026 2.Statistical report for March 2026 LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES April 22, 2026 Item #1 Page 1 of 6 Exhibit 1 Carlsbad City Library Monthly Library Report March 2026 Highlights: 1. “Percussion Play” at the Sculpture Garden The library celebrated the opening of “Percussion Play” at the City of Carlsbad’s Sculpture Garden on March 18 with a Preschool Storytime program and hands-on exploration of the new percussion sculptures. One hundred eight patrons, including board members from the Carlsbad Library & Arts Foundation and Library & Cultural Arts staff, gathered to celebrate and support enthusiastic young readers. Librarian Jennifer Benson and Library Technician Esther Chae provided readings of “Everything a Drum” by Sarah Warren and “Music Everywhere” by Maya Ajmera along with a singing of “The Petes Go Marching” by James Dean. After storytime, the children crafted their own rain stick or bell bracelet to take home and explored the percussion sculptures. 2. “Explore More!” Arts Education Program Staff led a library tour on March 30 at the Dove Library for a third-grade class from Aviara Oaks Elementary as part of the “Explore More!” Arts Education program. This program provides spring and fall arts‑based learning experiences tied to the current William D. Cannon Art Gallery exhibit, “Alchemy + Light”. Families were able to register students for library cards ahead of the tour, and the cards were distributed to teachers at the end of the visit in support of the California State Library’s Student Success Cards initiative. Students explored library resources, learned about services that will support their learning and creativity, and received a take-home activity from the Cultural Arts staff to encourage future visits. Programs: 3. Tuesday Afternoon Adventures Puzzles were the focus of Tuesday Afternoon Adventures at the Georgina Cole Library on March 24. Staff read “Jigsaw: Mystery in the Mail” by Bob Graham before nine elementary school children worked in teams to assemble puzzles and design their own puzzle to take home. The children engaged in STEAM learning, team building and developing peer-to-peer relationships. April 22, 2026 Item #1 Page 2 of 6 4. Preschool Storytime Preschool Storytime at the Cole Library celebrated the birthday of beloved children’s author Theodore Geisel with a special Dr. Seuss Day on March 4. Staff read “Green Eggs and Ham” (with many lines recited by the children) and “The Shape of Me and Other Things” by Dr. Seuss, along with the juvenile biography “Dr. Seuss” by Jennifer Brand. Sixty-three children and their families created their own ‘The Shape of Me’ collages with die-cut images that celebrated their individuality and then contributed to a community mural representing the group, which was displayed in the children’s area. 5. Adult Bilingual Craft Night Adult Bilingual Craft Night took place at the Dove Library on March 11. Led by Library Assistant Erik Garcia, 17 patrons created four‑leaf clovers using cardstock and faux stems. Patrons shared that craft night offers a meaningful way to enjoy personal time while connecting with others who want to practice Spanish, be creative and engage with fellow community members. The event continues to attract a growing following. 6. Small Business Bootcamp Library staff partnered with the Small Business Development Center, MiraCosta College and the City of Carlsbad Innovation & Economic Development Department to present four 4-hour sessions of the Business Bootcamp Series at the Cole Library. Business Advisor with the San Diego SBDC Network Daisy Alonso led interactive discussions on the following topics: • March 5 - Concept Development • March 12 - Customer Discovery and Acquisition • March 19 - Financial Fundamentals • March 26 - Business Creation Senior Program Manager, Rachel Maltz with the city’s Innovation & Economic Development Department showed attendees the Carlsbad Digital Resource Hub webpage and informed them about the city’s one-on-one business support meetings. Lead Librarian Darin Williamson shared information on study rooms, printing services, A-to-Z databases, streaming services and other business-related books and materials, while encouraging attendees to sign up for library cards. Over the four workshops, there were 33 attendees. 7. Persian New Year Celebration As part of the quarterly Creative Cultures Festivals, Carlsbad hosted its first Nowruz event on March 28, bringing together 79 attendees for an afternoon of cultural connection. Nowruz, the Persian New Year, also encompasses Persian Nature Day – a tradition that celebrates April 22, 2026 Item #1 Page 3 of 6 renewal and time spent outdoors. The celebration featured hands-on craft booths such as paper egg painting and cookie making, traditional cultural dancers, a jazz band performing covers of popular Persian songs and guest speaker Doug Hansen who shared lived experiences from Iran. Community Connections: 8. Farmers Market Library Technicians Dadyar Vakili, Amanda Sealock and Susan Chavez staffed the State Street Farmers Market to spotlight library services and programs. The group interacted with 408 community members and handed out books, puzzles, and seed packets. One patron pointed to “Flat Stanley” and told his family, "We should take this home, I loved this book as a kid”. 9. Coastal Academy Career Fair Librarians Marin Faeyera and Ashleigh Hvinden were invited for a second year to visit Coastal Academy to recruit teen volunteers for the 2026 Summer Reading Adventure. Library staff spoke with about 100 students, with 31 signing up to receive more information. Students were offered free books, candy and library-branded swag after answering a question about their favorite books. Staff also promoted the new in-person teen book club and the 100 Books Before High School Graduation program. 10. J.I.V.E. Outreach at Sage Creek High School On March 18, Librarians Marin Faeyera and Ashleigh Hvinden, and Library Assistant Jasmine Valencio visited Sage Creek High School to recruit teen volunteers for the 2026 Summer Reading Adventure. This annual expo gives high school students the opportunity to explore jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities. The team connected with about 200 students, with 50 signing up to receive more information. Library staff also engaged students in conversation about their favorite books while sharing details about the upcoming program. 11. Health and Wellness Fair, Carlsbad by the Sea Library Assistant Sheri Hanlon and Librarian Sameera Redkar participated in the Carlsbad by the Sea “Spring into Health” Fair on March 26 engaging with senior residents and staff to promote the library’s health and wellness resources and services. They connected with about 110 participants, distributed library promotional items, registered four new library cardholders and identified potential new patrons for the library’s Homebound Program. April 22, 2026 Item #1 Page 4 of 6 Patron Stories: 12. Literacy learner leader Mihoko Z. was honored at a luncheon as a nominee for Senator Catherine Blakespear’s 2026 Women Who Inspire program for California’s 38th District. Mihoko was nominated for her leadership and service in the City of Carlsbad Library Literacy program. Mihoko leads learner book clubs, creates displays and plays an integral role in organizing and supporting other learners. 13. Literacy learner Nyla H. won the 2026 Writer to Writer competition in the intermediate category and was honored at the Southern California Library Literacy Network Conference in Buena Park where she read her letter aloud to an audience of over 250 attendees. We applaud her for her writing skills and her courage. April 22, 2026 Item #1 Page 5 of 6 Exhibit 2 LIBRARY MONTHLY STATISTICS – MARCH 2026 MARCH 2025 MARCH 2026 Physical materials circulation 84,902 83,915 -1.2% Electronic materials circulation 29,741 29,988 +0.8% Programs 157 157 Program attendance 5,111 4,806 -5.9% Study room hours booked 1,908 1,963 +2.9% Visits 49,411 52,118 +5.5% April 22, 2026 Item #1 Page 6 of 6