Pleasanton Library Commission reviews FY2526 program plan, discusses outreach, volunteers and mobile vehicle

The Pleasanton Library Commission reviewed the library’s proposed program plan for fiscal year 2526 and discussed outreach and volunteer strategies, including a mobile outreach vehicle and an upcoming Friends book sale, during its Feb. 6, 2025 meeting.

Senior Librarian Jeff Gibson told commissioners the plan ties programming to the library’s strategic goals and department values and “assumes a status quo budget” for FY2526. Gibson described a mix of quantitative and qualitative inputs — surveys, Polaris integrated library system data and community feedback — used to shape programming and collection priorities.

The plan groups programming into adult, teen, family and special outreach offerings and emphasizes high‑participation events. Gibson said staff track attendance, circulation and digital resource usage to guide decisions and noted digital use surged during the COVID‑19 period then declined as in‑person services resumed.

On volunteers, Gibson said the library maintains a formal high‑school volunteer program with about 30 accepted, active high‑school volunteers and a summer advocate program; he explained volunteer onboarding includes background fingerprinting that can take “up to a 2 month process” and online training. Gibson also identified the volunteer management platform the library uses: “The software’s called Better Impact. The volunteer facing page would be myimpactpage.com.”

Commissioners pressed staff about a reported drop in teen program counts in the presented data (a figure cited in the packet showed 47 in 2022 and 23 in the subsequent period). Library staff said the change likely reflects different age‑group measurement categories used for state reporting and that staff would provide a definitive explanation and updated figures.

Discussion of outreach centered on giving commissioners concrete tasks when tabling at events, and on reaching groups that don’t regularly visit the library. Library staff described outreach points that work well — large summer programs, Paws to Read (staff and volunteers sign in participants and issue name tags), Gingerbread and other family events — and said commissioners who volunteer at events can be given specific duties such as sign‑in, demonstrating the website or showing how to sign up for an eCard.

Staff provided an update on a mobile outreach vehicle the city is acquiring. Library staff said the vehicle is nearing final stages but “is not in California” yet and needs to complete state inspection and wrap adaptations; staff are arranging a storage site and plan to return to the commission with a full presentation once those items are finalized.

Friends of the Pleasanton Library reported on fundraising and the spring book sale. Sharon, representing the Friends, said the group’s last fall sale raised “over $17,000.” She announced a spring book sale described in the meeting packet as “March 20 through the 20 third” (the transcript phrasing was inconsistent) and asked for donations and volunteers; she also noted an annual members’ meeting planned for Sunday, April 27 (time to be determined).

Commissioners and staff discussed other program items in the plan: international films and culturally reflective programs (a recent screening of a Korean film drew high attendance and discussion), teen offerings such as career‑oriented “adulting” workshops, and collection considerations including analysis of digital‑vs‑print acquisition models and vendor pricing for apps like Libby and Hoopla.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the minutes from the Dec. 5, 2024 meeting by roll call. Commissioners Chen, Dillon, Emerson, Kimsey, Murphy, Stroud and Chair Sabatini recorded “Aye.” The motion and second were made during the meeting but the transcript did not record the mover and seconder by name.

The commission noted upcoming agenda items: a joint recommendation on the Teen (Youth) Poet Laureate program, the library privacy policy, and a collection development plan; staff and commissioners also encouraged participation in upcoming city budget workshops that will affect FY2526 funding decisions.