DCPLA announces events; trustees discuss adult workshops on fraud, taxes and workers’ rights

A representative of the Daly City Public Library Associates told trustees about upcoming events and the status of youth programs, and trustees discussed expanding adult-focused workshops on topics such as fraud prevention, taxes and workers’ rights.

Monica Divincenzi, speaking for the Daly City Public Library Associates (DCPLA), invited trustees to the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon on March 13 and asked trustees to RSVP by March 1. She reported that the Daly City youth poet laureate application period has closed, that judges will review submissions over the next month, and that a commencement event and announcement of the winner is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30 from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at City Hall; a reception with cake will follow.

Trustees and staff reviewed existing community partnerships and past programs as context for planning future adult offerings. Director Jayla summarized partnerships with local organizations including the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, Phase 2 Careers, Help Me Grow San Mateo, Peninsula Clean Energy, Rising Sun (energy-efficiency outreach), the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability (fix-it clinic planning), Second Harvest, master gardeners/composters, Peninsula Humane Society’s Paws for Tails youth reading program, Project Read of San Mateo County, Project Sentinel, API Legal Outreach (recent immigration counseling clinic), Cartoon Art Museum, Dragonfly Arts and local hula school collaborations. Jayla said some partnerships are grant-supported and others are volunteer or low-cost.

Trustees suggested several adult-focused topics for future workshops: fraud prevention and “better money habits” with local bankers (in response to recent community reports of scams), tax preparation referrals and locations that provide free tax aid, workers’ rights clinics (bereavement leave, cell phone reimbursement, family leave), navigating county systems (unemployment, in‑home supportive services), Covered California enrollment outreach during open enrollment, and workshops on documenting local or personal history. Trustees discussed outreach strategies, including posting event notices on Nextdoor under the library’s account; Jayla said she would post as the library.

The board also announced a launch of youth art cards available now at all four Daly City locations and reported an upcoming meeting (Friday at 10 a.m., Westlake Library) among board members and DCPLA representative Astrid Joanna Roy to discuss patron-directed grants and collaboration.

Trustees and staff cautioned that certain legal/immigration clinics have had low turnout because community members may fear exposure; they discussed providing written “know your rights” materials and hotlines as alternatives to in-person clinics. No formal votes or decisions were taken on programming at this meeting; trustees asked the director to follow up on possible partners and publicity plans.