Poetry festival, entrepreneurs event and recovery-center partnerships spotlighted as outreach successes

Committee members used the meeting to highlight recent community programs that drew new visitors and participation to library branches.

Members praised a poetry festival that drew “hundreds and hundreds” of entries from children and families. One committee member said the event was a “full house” and that entries included “close to a thousand” submissions across elementary and middle-school categories; staff described it as professionally run with Miss Leanna serving as master of ceremonies.

Members also highlighted a young entrepreneurs networking event and a passport service recap at a branch. Committee members said events like the entrepreneurs networking made the community more aware of library services; one member said bringing people in often leads to new library card sign-ups and wider community awareness.

Staff noted collaboration with Ruth’s recovery center at one branch as an example of successful outreach. Committee members singled out staff contributions, mentioning Jesus Moreno as a staff member who led the entrepreneurs event and Doris and Lisa for their outreach work in book clubs and programming.

Committee discussion also covered upcoming arts events tied to the poet laureate and a short-play program to be finalized in June. Members agreed to coordinate artists and clarify venues and responsibilities before the June events.

The committee did not vote on programming items during the meeting.