Library board approves minutes; hears updates on renovation, Placer AI, Library of Things and Veterans Connect

The Corona City Library Board of Trustees opened its meeting, approved routine minutes and heard a suite of staff reports addressing renovation progress, usage data, special collections and veteran services.

The board took routine actions first: trustees moved to approve the minutes for 01/27/2026 and 02/24/2026 and approved a consent-item entry for Placer AI after discussion and a verbal roll-call. Miss Bacchus (the clerk) recorded each trustee’s verbal approval.

Library Manager Danielle Whittington gave the main operational update. She said the library's innovation center is in active construction: millwork is being installed, technology equipment has been purchased and flooring began in the children’s area with hallway work scheduled to follow. Whittington said staff plan a furniture-assembly event and expect to schedule a grand-opening announcement later in the year.

Whittington reported usage figures drawn from Placer AI, a city tool that estimates visits and dwell time. She stated that ‘‘since 2023, library visits have increased 54%,’’ and read additional counts for annual and six‑month windows and an average length of stay. The oral presentation included several numeric figures but the transcript's rendering of some counts was inconsistent; the board requested additional breakdowns and age-based circulation data.

The report also covered programming adjustments tied to the renovation: some events and service points will be combined or temporarily moved while floors are replaced. Whittington said staff will post signage and maintain access to popular children’s materials by relocating them within the building during construction.

Jennifer Marlatt delivered a detailed update on the library’s Library of Things (LOT) collection. Marlatt said the LOT has grown since its 2010 start to 11 categories and 215 unique items, with nearly 21,000 total checkouts. Headphones and Chromebooks rank among the most-circulated items; state park passes carry the longest holds (she cited a range of roughly 26–76 people waiting). Marlatt described bilingual kits (gardening, early literacy, stargazing forthcoming) and said many LOT items began through donations. Checkout periods for most kits are eight weeks, and some consumable kit components (for example donated yarn in craft kits) may be kept by patrons.

Library specialist Martin Villegas presented Veterans Connect, a program launched with a California State Library grant to link veterans with benefits and local resources. Villegas said office hours run Wednesdays 10 a.m.–12 p.m., volunteers and book-club members support programming, and the program has seen increased phone calls and drop-in visits. He said organizers are planning a tentative author luncheon for May 16 focused on veterans and that hygiene-care kits are available for veterans experiencing homelessness; the program relies heavily on community donations from groups including the Corona Elks Lodge, Corona Rotary Club and the Women's Improvement Club.

Trustees asked questions about the renovation schedule, whether the homework center and book-club spaces will remain accessible, and for a more granular age breakdown of circulation statistics. Staff replied that first-floor spaces are the near-term priority and that they will move items and programs to minimize disruption. The meeting closed with trustee remarks praising staff and community volunteers; the chair adjourned at 6:23 p.m., and trustees were reminded the next meeting is scheduled for 04/28/2026 at 5:30 p.m.