Carpinteria library reports events, literacy hire and librarian Jody Thomas announces June retirement

The Carpinteria City Council received the January 2025 community library report and heard that City Librarian Jody Thomas plans to retire, with a target date of June 2, 2025.

Jeanette Gantt, director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, delivered the report on behalf of an ill Jody Thomas. Gantt summarized December programs: a “Know Your Rights” forum held Dec. 18 in partnership with the Carpinteria Children’s Project drew roughly 61 participants and included immigration attorneys and a representative from Congressman Carbajal’s office; an early‑music candlelight concert attracted 67 attendees; and the library’s “Silent Night Book Club” — a read‑together format without discussion — began and is planned as a recurring program.

Gantt said the library extended a conditional job offer for a part‑time literacy coordinator (about 10 hours per week), funded by a private donation, to help expand volunteer‑led literacy programming.

She told the council that Thomas has announced her retirement (target date June 2, 2025) and staff plan to post a recruitment to allow for significant overlap between incumbent and new librarian to preserve institutional knowledge. Glenn Birdwell, chair of the Library Advisory Commission, spoke during public comment urging an expedited recruitment and overlap to keep momentum for programs such as the summer reading program.

Council members praised Thomas’s service in remarks during the report. No formal council action was required beyond receiving the report; staff said they would return with updates as the recruitment progresses.