Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Branch Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fairview Branch update: staff report increased usage, LEAP literacy and expanded ESL and tech programs
Summary
Staff reported Fairview branch had roughly 9,700 visits last year (open two days per week), an average of about 90–100 visitors on service days, and highlighted programs including LEAP literacy, ESL conversation classes, Career Online High School, Tech & Tasks tech assistance, and a pilot community discount program with about 20 local businesses.
At the Fairview Branch, library staff reported continued growth in community programming and steady usage despite the branch operating as a two-day-per-week self‑service location.
Branch manager Susan Lam told the board that Fairview logged about 9,700 visitors last year and staff estimate an average of roughly 90–100 visitors on typical open days. Staff described youth programming (Tuesday Tales), class visits from Will Rogers, a six-week summer camp with activities ranging from chess to robotics, and the annual Christmas Book Fair (planned for December). "We had quite a few events for youth," Lam said in her update, and staff emphasized how these activities engage caregivers and families in the neighborhood.
Staff also reviewed the LEAP literacy program (funded through the California State Library) and recent expansions to English‑as‑a‑Second‑Language offerings. Vanessa Alvarado, newly introduced to the board as a staff member who grew up in the city, described upcoming ESL conversation classes and volunteer tutor training. "Born and raised in Santa Monica," Alvarado said as she introduced herself and her background to the board.
The board heard that Career Online High School learners are enrolled and progressing; staff said a graduation event is scheduled in December (meeting participants discussed Dec. 10 and Dec. 12 as possible dates during the update). The Tech & Tasks drop-in program—offering help in English and Spanish with phones, DMV forms and other online tasks—was described as very popular with sustained volunteer support.
Staff outlined a pilot 'community discount' program launching in September that currently includes about 20 confirmed local businesses offering limited discounts to people who show their library cards. The community-mapping survey work was also described: staff reported having about 770 survey responses in their tracking and plan additional focus groups in September and October with graphic recording support.
What happens next Staff and board members said they will continue focus-group outreach through September and October, formalize the ESL conversation classes schedule, and invite board members to Career Online High School graduation in December. The Fairview update was followed by board discussion about extending hours, marketing, and potential staffing options to provide more in-person days at self‑service branches.
