The Carmel Public Library Board of Trustees unanimously adopted the library’s 2025 strategic plan and the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and approved a set of end‑of‑year budget adjustments at a regular meeting held in Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea. The board also voted to hold Agenda Item 5 — the contract/agreement related to the House Memorial Library project — for consideration at a later date.

The strategic plan, covering 2025–2027, was presented to the board after community outreach and an internal review; trustees said the plan incorporated minor formatting and grammatical edits from public feedback. The board then adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget after discussion of several recalibrations and pending subscription invoices. Trustees described the budget as “lean” yet sufficient to continue current programming for children, teens and adults.

Board members approved a package of year‑end adjustments to the current fiscal year to cover maintenance and collection needs. The adjustments included funds to reupholster worn children’s bench seating and a pilot purchase of “Wonder Books” (audio/print variants) for teens to test demand. The board also directed staff to report back with an end‑of‑year financial reconciliation and to continue coordinating with the Carmel Public Library Foundation on disbursements.

During the meeting the board voted to pull Item 5 — a contract/agreement involving Moore Rebel Yoder and the House Memorial Library project — from the agenda and to bring it back at a future meeting; the item was described by staff as under review by the city attorney and delayed for more detailed examination.

Trustees and staff noted a few operational follow‑ups: communications to patrons about discontinuing some third‑party services (including hoopla and Flipster) are planned, parks passes funded through California State Parks will remain available through the fall and sunset in December unless future boards choose to restore them, and staff will present an end‑of‑year financial update at the next regular meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to hold Item 5 (contract/agreement related to the House Memorial Library project): motion carried; outcome recorded as postponed/held for a future date (vote: unanimous).
- Adoption of the 2025 strategic plan for the library: motion carried; outcome recorded as approved (vote: unanimous).
- Adoption of the fiscal year 2025–26 budget: motion carried; outcome recorded as approved (vote: unanimous).
- Year‑end budget adjustments (items to reupholster children’s bench seating and to purchase teen “Wonder Books” audio/print items, plus cataloging/collection transfers): motion carried; outcome recorded as approved (vote: unanimous).

Board members said they will continue to monitor subscriptions and collection spending; staff reported approximately $21,000 in outstanding collection orders that will be reconciled as part of an end‑of‑year report. The board also asked staff to continue coordinating with the Carmel Public Library Foundation on timing and size of future disbursements to support the renovation project and other capital needs.