Carmel Public Library trustees adopt 2025 strategic plan and FY2025–26 budget; approve small year‑end transfers

Carmel-by-the-Sea — The Carmel Public Library Board of Trustees voted to adopt the library’s 2025 strategic plan and to approve the fiscal year 2025–26 budget during their regular meeting. Trustees also approved two year‑end budget transfers and several routine items, and agreed to hold a separate agenda item about the Hirsch Memorial Library project for a future meeting.

Why it matters: Adopting the strategic plan sets the library’s priorities and gives staff a framework for work plans and quarterly reviews; approving the FY2025–26 budget commits the board to the revenue and spending plan the library will use through the coming year. The small budget transfers authorize immediate repairs and targeted collection purchases that staff said cannot wait until the new fiscal year.

What the board approved and how members voted (roll-call summaries): - Motion to hold agenda item 5 (Hirsch Memorial Library intent/resolution project) for a future date — Approved unanimously (5–0). Vote: Marie Claire Gorham yes; John Krisscher yes; Susan Murphy yes; Phil Pardue yes; Mary Jo Williams yes. - Motion to adopt the 2025 strategic plan for Carmel Public Library — Approved unanimously (5–0). Vote: Marie Claire Gorham yes; John Krisscher yes; Susan Murphy yes; Phil Pardue yes; Mary Jo Williams yes. - Motion to adopt the FY2025–26 budget — Approved (4–1). Vote: Marie Claire Gorham yes; John Krisscher yes; Susan Murphy no; Phil Pardue yes; Mary Jo Williams yes. - Motion to approve two year‑end budget adjustments (transfer $5,300 to children’s bench reupholstery and $215 to teen collections/cataloging) — Approved unanimously (5–0). - Routine approvals: April 23 regular meeting minutes, special meeting minutes and April check register — each approved by roll call, unanimously (5–0).

Budget adjustments and clarifying details: The board approved two small transfers from the current fiscal year to cover immediate needs: $5,300 moved to children’s bench seating reupholstery (furniture repairs) and $215 moved to teen fiction/cataloging (OCLC). Staff told trustees these benches date to the 1989 renovation and are threadbare and in need of reupholstery now; the teen collection transfer will fund “wonder books” and Spanish/English graphic novels the teen librarian has proposed. Staff also noted roughly $21,000 of collection orders have been placed that are not yet reflected in the documents and that a rebalance of the six‑month operating reserve will be brought forward at the end of the fiscal year.

Other organizational updates: The Carmel Public Library Foundation reported it approved its 2025–26 budget, added two new board members and authorized release of funds for Phase 1 of the Centennial Restoration Project. The trustees discussed coordinating with the foundation on fundraising plans as the renovation effort progresses.

What’s next: Trustees asked for follow‑up items on the agenda for the next meeting, including an update on the renovation/timeline and a staff report on Saturday hours (a recurring community request). The held agenda item about the Hirsch Memorial Library intent/resolution project will be returned for board consideration at a later meeting.

Ending: The board adjourned after approving routine items and setting the next meeting’s priorities.