Library hires full‑time children’s librarian; trustees briefed on state law to expand K–3 library card enrollment

Library staff announced the hire of a new full‑time children’s librarian and updated the board on a state law that will require or encourage partnerships with school districts to provide library cards to children in pre‑K through third grade.

Staff said Leticia Chenkou began as the library’s full‑time children’s librarian on March 10; she previously served as a substitute and part‑time children’s librarian with the library. Trustees welcomed the hire and said the position will strengthen children’s programming and public services.

Staff then summarized a recently enacted state law that requires libraries to make library cards available for students in pre‑K through third grade and to coordinate with school districts. Staff said the implementation timeline requires local arrangements to be in place by early 2026; trustees discussed privacy, federal student‑data protections and operational questions such as how to onboard newly arriving students in higher grades and whether the school district must share student data. The city attorney will be asked to review requirements and advise on data‑sharing, privacy safeguards and the operational steps needed to implement the program locally.

Staff described the state law as an opportunity to expand youth access and to gather demographic information that could support future grant applications. Trustees agreed to pursue the interagency conversations and to work with the school district and city attorney to create a practical implementation plan.