Deputy Director Keller used the Dec. 8 board meeting to introduce Salwa Sheme as the Sacramento Public Library’s new deputy director and chief operations officer and to preview several facility projects scheduled over the next two years.

Keller welcomed Sheme and said this was Sheme’s first authority board meeting. Keller called 2025–26 a major capital-project period and provided timelines for three highlighted projects: Colonial Heights Library, Del Paso Heights and North Sacramento Hagan Wood.

Keller reported Colonial Heights is close to a soft reopening after a utilities issue was resolved that morning; final HVAC testing was underway and the authority expected to announce a soft opening that week and a full grand reopening in January. Keller said the Del Paso Heights library parking lot project experienced “a minor delay,” that city staff had resumed work and the site was expected to reopen early in the year. Keller also noted a Nov. 20 groundbreaking for the North Sacramento Hagan Wood project and said the community could expect a new library home ‘‘in 2027, if not sooner,’’ according to council member remarks he cited.

Keller warned that some libraries will close temporarily as projects proceed in 2026 and said the mobile services department will broaden outreach to maintain service. Board members thanked Keller for the report and the meeting proceeded to the financial report and adjournment.

No construction budgets, contractor names or firm completion dates beyond the general target years were provided on the record.