Corona Public Library unveils seed library, highlights National Library Week and programs; vandalized story walk repaired

Library staff told the Corona City Library Board of Trustees that the library has launched a seed library, expanded program offerings and reported no library incidents for the month, while reporting and repairing vandalism to story-walk panels at Mountain Gate Park.

Library Manager Danielle Whittington said, “We officially have a seed library,” located in the adult area in a refurbished card catalog. Whittington said the seed library was produced in partnership with Girl Scout Troop 2066, and that seeds are available for patrons to take home to plant. The troop provided a donation of additional seeds that staff keep in reserve to restock the display.

Whittington also shared an adult literacy success story: a Corona resident identified as Mrs. Yuan who has been attending literacy classes and recently read to her grandchildren on video. Whittington noted the library’s book-club kits are available at the adult information desk for eight-week checkouts; each kit contains about 8 to 10 copies of a title and discussion questions. Whittington said the library purchases the books used to assemble the kits but did not specify how often kits are replaced or rotated.

Librarian Casey Lee presented a recap of National Library Week programming. Lee said a book-to-movie marathon drew about 50 attendees. A tie-dye event hosted with Make or Exchange had ‘‘over a hundred attendees, ages 6 and up,” and an adult and family literacy showcase had about 78 attendees, the transcript records. Lee said the week’s theme highlighted local Corona history and the opening of the Heritage Room.

On incidents, Whittington told trustees the library reported no incidents during the month. Separately, Whittington said that on April 7 the library’s story-walk panels at Mountain Gate Park were vandalized: “the frames themselves were ripped from the wooden posts,” she said, and that Director Donna Fitch and the facilities and parks teams responded to repair the frames the same day.

Upcoming items Whittington listed included Read to a Dog on May 14, closure for Memorial Day, and a summer program preview at the board’s May 27 meeting. Trustees and Friends of the Library announced community events: the Friends’ authors event (historical fiction authors) is this Saturday with limited tickets, and the Circle City Chorale spring concert is May 17 at Santiago High School at 4 p.m.

No public speaker cards or written comments were submitted for these agenda items.