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San Rafael library reports $10,000 Carnegie gift, staffing and construction updates; Measure D renewal polling underway
Summary
Library staff told trustees Jan. 13 about a $10,000 programming gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, recruitment progress, a $100,000-plus book budget, Pickleweed branch construction aiming for a May–June reopening and preliminary polling for a Measure D parcel tax renewal.
Library staff used the Jan. 13 meeting to update trustees on funding, staffing, vendor changes and branch projects as the system prepares for Measure P design work and a possible Measure D parcel-tax renewal.
Staff said the Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded a $10,000 gift earmarked to support programming at the Carnegie branch. On collections and purchasing, staff reported the library’s book-purchasing budget is “just a little over $100,000” and described steps taken after the September closure of Baker & Taylor, a major supplier, to diversify vendor accounts and pre-processing arrangements.
In recruitment updates staff said they have added senior librarians and library assistants; the presentation included an overview of a "meet the team" plan for trustees to learn service-area responsibilities across adult, children’s, teen and branch services.
On facilities, staff said Pickleweed construction is progressing with an anticipated reopening in May or early June and that core services continue from a community front desk station three days a week. Northgate has received interior refreshes and programming adjustments to better serve local demand on rainy days.
Staff also briefed trustees on Measure D, a parcel-tax renewal that expires in June. Staff said preliminary polling is underway and that Measure D would generate roughly $1,250,000 — about a third of the library’s operating budget — and that the council’s Feb. 17 deadline is the last date to place measures on the ballot. A parcel-tax per-unit amount of about $72 was mentioned during discussion as one of the figures under consideration.
Trustees were told the parcel tax requires a two‑thirds voter approval; staff said preliminary polling and outreach will inform the council’s decision whether to place the renewal on the ballot.
