Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Corona Library trustees elect leadership for 2026, director announces innovation center construction and holiday programs
Summary
At its final 2025 meeting, the Corona City Library Board of Trustees elected Charice Leonard as chair and Ruth Heinemann as vice chair for 2026, approved the 2026 meeting calendar and consent items, and heard an update from Director Donna Finch that construction of the innovation center has begun and the library will remain open during work.
The Corona City Library Board of Trustees on its final meeting of 2025 elected Charice Leonard chair for 2026 and Ruth Heinemann vice chair, approved next year’s meeting calendar and the consent agenda, and received a construction and programming update from Library Director Donna Finch.
Finch told trustees, “We are beginning construction this week.” She said the contractor has been mobilized and the site handed over and that the library will remain open during construction; staff plan to schedule the noisiest work in the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. window to minimize disruption.
The board approved the slate of officers after nominations and roll-call votes. Miss Bacchus conducted the vote for chair and vice chair; trustees responded in the affirmative and the board confirmed Charice Leonard as chair and Ruth Heinemann as vice chair for the 2026 term. The board also voted to adopt the 2026 calendar of meeting dates, with the next meeting set for Jan. 27, 2026.
Trustees approved minutes from the Oct. 28, 2025 meeting after a motion by Trustee Heinemann and a second by Trustee Liddell; the roll call recorded one abstention by Trustee Shirley Taylor Hayes and the motion passed. The consent calendar was also approved on a motion by Trustee Leonard and a second by Trustee Liddell.
Finch previewed December programming and partnerships, including a Head Start holiday party coordinated with Corona-Norco Unified School District and the library’s holiday lighting on Dec. 7. Library manager Miss Whittington said the Head Start party will be Friday, Dec. 19, starting at 09:20 and expects about 120 students from Garretson Home Gardens in Jefferson; city employees supply gifts for attendees.
Staff reported one materials consideration form had been received and that librarians would review the request with supervisors and provide a joint response, including briefing the trustees. On concerns raised about activity outside the building, one trustee said they had heard council discussion of a nearby “meth lab.” Director Finch responded, “So, it’s a methadone clinic,” and said the clinic is intended to treat people with addiction and that staff are working with police to address undesirable activity in front of the library.
The board heard from Terry Jaggers of the Friends of the Library, who said the Friends’ bookshop yields roughly $100,000 a year to support library programs and noted recent spending on a new stage and ReaderCon; she also reported volunteer contributions near 10,000 (unit not specified) and outlined the Friends’ December activities and the upcoming Ladders and Lasagna fundraiser.
Trustees used the meeting’s closing time to thank staff for programming in 2025 and to offer ideas for 2026 presentations before Chair Kennerly adjourned the meeting at 06:08. The board’s next regular meeting will convene Jan. 27, 2026.
