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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLB Minutes: 06/18/2026ARCADIA PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Thursday, June 18, 2026 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hsiuchen Chen called the meeting to order at 4:30pm in the Library's Conference Room. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Pro-Tempore Miriam Carter. ROLL CALL: Chair Hsiuchen Chen; Chair Pro-Tempore Miriam Carter; Trustee Barbara Ansell; Trustee Barbara Delphey; Trustee Connie Liao; City Council Liaison David Fu; City Manager Domini Lazzaretto; Human Resources Director Anely Williams; Library Services Manager Samantha Alba; Principal Librarian Andres Garza; Office Coordinator Elizabeth Manzano ABSENT: Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: PUBLIC COMMENTS: No public comment. Councilmember David Fu answered questions from the Trustees and spoke about the recent City Council meeting and the appointing of Arcadia's new Councilmember, John Han. He also spoke about the City's July 4 event which includes a Drone Show, and the upcoming City's participation with the Olympics. Chair Chen asked Councilmember Fu about the appointment of the two new Library Board Members (Elizabeth Renfrew and Jeff Chang). Trustee Liao spoke about Jeff Chang's work with the Arcadia Chinese Association. CLOSED SESSION: The closed session concluded at 4:51 pm. There was no reportable action. REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS: Chair Pro-Tempore Carter shared an example of some items she recently obtained from a seed library she recently visited. Trustee Delphey reported that the Friends of the Library presented the Library with a $50,000 donation at the last Council Meeting. Trustee Ansell asked about the Friends' eBay book sales, and a brief discussion followed. Trustee Liao highlighted the recent collaboration event between the City and the Arcadia Chinese Association (ACA), which offered free legal assistance to the public. The Library presented a gift of flowers on behalf of Director Bradley to Chair Pro-Tempore Carter and Trustee Liao for their work on the Board. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR: Announcements / Statements / Future Agenda Items Director's Update: Library Services Manager Alba mentioned that the recent Council Meeting went to 1 a.m. At the meeting, City Council appointed two new Library Board of Trustee members, Elizabeth Renfrew and Jeff Chang. Library Services Manager Alba shared Trust Fund balances and explained how they have recently been used for audio, video and lighting updates to the Auditorium; a new public print station; new books; and public programs. Monthly Statistical Report: May 2026: Library Services Manager Alba turned the meeting over to Office Coordinator Elizabeth Manzano who presented Library statistics and explained the changes to data collection that have impacted the outcome of the statistics. The areas covered included: changes to digital circulation numbers, the impact of self -checkout outages, serial processing changes, changes to adult program statistics as they no longer include online views or virtual programs, the Smart Squad program is now counted as an individual program, Teen Zone is counted as a separate program from all other Teen programming, changes to how Children's Services counts outreaches, and how the English Conversation Class is no longer classified under Adult Programs. Library Services Manager Alba asked the Board to consider the way the library shares its statistics and asked them to consider if there is a better way to share this information that would assist them in looking at the numbers. Office Coordinator Manzano shared issues with the Average column. Chair Chen agreed and didn't find the Average column helpful. Chair Chen and Trustee Ansell found the year -by -year comparisons on the statistical breakdown to be helpful. Library Services Manager Alba discussed the difference between Check In and Check Out, and a terminology change on the statistics was recommended: "In House Use" will now replace "Check In" for improved legibility. Library Services Manager Alba answered a question from the Board regarding how the Library counts its outreach statistics. For the Library, an "Outreach Event" does not include City-wide events that the library participates in such as the Pancake Breakfast and the Patriotic Festival. These participations are included in the narrative, but not in the statistics under "Outreach Events". Trustee Ansell asked what happens to discarded books and Library Services Manager Alba explained the process. Monthly Report Narrative: May 2026: Library Services Manager Alba highlighted recent children's programs, and staff participation in the City's recent Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Drill. She mentioned that participation in the City's recent EOC drill was higher than ever. Trustees Delphey and Ansell asked follow-up questions about the EOC regarding its function and who leads the drills. Library Services Manager Alba talked about a recent network power outage at the Library, and how staff worked together to meet patrons' needs despite the interruption. Additionally, she reviewed recent shelving and collection moves. For example, newspapers were weeded down to two months of back issues, and moved, while the Memory Care Kits and the English Language Learner Collection were both relocated to a new location. Chair Chen inquired about the demographics of the English Conversation Class and what languages are spoken by participants. Library Services Manager Alba discussed the conclusion of the English Conversation Class (ECC), and Trustee Ansell shared a story about a student who was happy to receive his ECC certificate. Chair Chen and Trustee Delphey commented that the Monthly Narrative Report has become more detailed than necessary and recommended that future reports offer less detailed information and fewer pages. The Board noted that a more concise report would help save staff time and provide the Board with the information needed for its review without excessive detail. Chair Chen mentioned that over time, the Monthly Report has gradually increased. She also mentioned that they appreciate the photos in the report. Financial Report: May 2026: Chair Chen inquired if Adult Services materials expenditures are on track to spend out their section budget by the end of the fiscal year. Library Services Manager Alba responded that the library is on track to expend its budget this fiscal year. Staff Update: Library Services Manager Alba announced that Steven Park will begin his role as Library Services Manager on Monday, June 22. He will oversee the Public Service Division, which consists of Adult, Teen and Children Services. Staff Reports: The Library received a $50,000 donation from the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library. The Board reviewed the approved Staff Reports for Tsai Fong, OCLC and OverDrive. Glib Museum of Arcadia Heritage: The Museum recently onboarded its Summer Getty Interns and is currently accepting applications for the Military Banner Program. Additionally, a temporary City of Arcadia Diorama exhibit is currently on display at the Museum. Calendar of Activities for Adult and Teen Services: July 2026: Library Services Manager Alba shared the Adult and Teen Program Calendar with the Board. Flyers/Articles/Posters/Attachments: Board Members reviewed all flyers. Trustee Ansell shared program flyers from the Sierra Madre Library, which recently reopened. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2026 Recommended action: Approve The motion to accept the Minutes of May 21, 2026, as amended was moved by Trustee Chen, seconded by Trustee Ansell, and carried on a unanimous voice vote. AYES: Chair Chen, Chair Pro-Tempore Carter, Trustees Ansell, Delphey, Liao NOES: None ABSENT: None ADJOURNMENT Chair Chen adjourned the meeting at 6:12 p.m. to July 16, 2026, at 4:30 p.in the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. %prved�-�. iuchen Chen, Ch Samantha Alba, kSecretary Minutes prepared by: Andres Garza