HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-25; Library Board of Trustees; ; Letter of Appreciation to Library & Cultural Arts Staff
Jan. 25, 2023 ITEM 2 Page 1 of 3
Meeting Date: Jan. 25, 2023
To: Library Board of Trustees
From: Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director
Staff Contact: Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director
suzanne. smithson@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2010
Subject: Letter of Appreciation to Library & Cultural Arts Staff
District: All
Recommended Action
Review and approve a letter from the board to staff in appreciation of their support of the
Registrar of Voters’ mail ballot drop off program at all library locations
Executive Summary/Discussion
At the Dec. 14, 2022 Library Board of Trustees special meeting, Chair DeForest requested the
board share a letter of appreciation to Library & Cultural Arts staff for their partnership with the
San Diego County Registrar of Voters to provide mail ballot drop off kiosks at all Carlsbad City
Library locations.
Next Steps
Approve letter of appreciation to Library & Cultural Arts staff for distribution.
Fiscal Analysis
None.
Public Notification
Public notice of this item was posted in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available
for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
1. Letter of Appreciation
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Staff Report
EXHIBIT 1
Library & Cultural Arts Department
1775 Dove Lane Carlsbad, CA 92011 442-339-2011
Jan. 25, 2023 ITEM 2 2 of 3
Jan. 25, 2023
TO: LIBRARY & CULTURAL ARTS STAFF
FROM: Library Board of Trustees
SUBJECT: APPRECIATION OF LIBRARY STAFF FOR SUPPORT OF MAIL BALLOT DROP OFF
KIOSKS DURING THE 2022 ELECTIONS
The Library Board of Trustees would like to recognize staff at all three library locations for their
support during the 2022 U.S. Midterm Elections. Carlsbad City Library partnered with the San
Diego County Registrar of Voters (ROV) to provide Mail Ballot Drop Off kiosks at the Carlsbad
City Library on Dove Lane, Georgina Cole Library, and the Library Learning Center starting on
Oct. 11, 2022, through Election Day on Nov. 8, 2022.
This election was exceptional due to a change in voting format, moving away from ROV-staffed
tables at each location and installing temporary Mail Ballot Drop Off kiosks as a replacement
county-wide. This change involved educating staff and the public on how to use the new
system. To accommodate the change, staff coordinated with Library & Cultural Arts leadership
and the ROV to install the kiosks at select locations in each library, FAQs were developed and
deployed to all Library & Cultural Arts staff and ROV information cards were produced and
distributed to the public for additional questions.
Election support is one of the hallmarks of public service, and Carlsbad City Libraries have
historically served as key locations for Mail Ballot Drop Off voting. The 2022 elections were no
exception. The numbers below are proof that Carlsbad City Libraries are a trusted steward for a
vital democratic privilege.
• Carlsbad City Library locations collected 18,831 mail ballots between Oct. 11 and
Nov. 8.
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Library & Cultural Arts Department
1775 Dove Lane Carlsbad, CA 92011 442-339-2011
Jan. 25, 2023 ITEM 2 3 OF 3
Page 2
• Carlsbad City Library locations were second only to the Registrar of Voters headquarters
in terms of ballots collected.
• On Election Day, door counts at each library location were up an average of 345%
compared to average Tuesday visitor counts.
Increased visitors to the library provides an opportunity for staff to educate the public on
library programs and services and introduce new and potential patrons to our spaces.
We want to thank all staff for contributing your time and expertise to support this election.
Thank you for patiently fielding questions from voters and referring them to the ROV for
additional questions, and a special thank you to staff who adjusted their schedules to
accommodate voters from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
You are all greatly appreciated by this board and the Carlsbad community.
Respectfully,
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Sherman DeForest, Chair Stan Schatt, Vice-Chair
Trustee Gina McBride Trustee William Sheffler Trustee Laurel Moran
SS: jd
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager