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Benicia library trustees hear updates on Library of Things, grants and staffing
Summary
At their April 6 meeting, the Benicia City Board of Library Trustees heard a circulation report from staff highlighting popular Library of Things items, learned the library secured funding for a book bike and remains waitlisted for privacy pods, and reviewed staffing and literacy grant uncertainties.
The Benicia City Board of Library Trustees met April 6 and received staff reports on circulation and special collections, updates on grant-funded equipment, and staffing and program funding developments.
Amber Kelly, the library’s circulation and collection development staffer, said items in the Library of Things are increasingly popular. “The fruit picker, inevitably every year becomes the most circulated thing,” Kelly said, and added that hotspots have long hold lists after Solano County changed its circulation process.
Trustees and staff said some large or multi-piece items were removed from public circulation because returns required extensive staff time to check pieces and clean items; examples included tents, carpet cleaners and telescopes. Kelly said tool checkouts require an annual waiver and that tool borrowing is restricted to adults.
The board president reported two recently submitted grant applications: one for privacy pods and one for a book bike. The library has received notice it is being funded for a book bike and has ordered the equipment; it remains waitlisted for an additional privacy pod and the Southern California Library Cooperative is working with the state library to secure more funds. Trustees were told that, as long as funds are encumbered by the end of the fiscal year, purchases may be completed or rolled over.
On staffing, the president said the city manager approved posting for a full-time children’s librarian. The position is open to internal candidates and the application window closes this week; trustees were encouraged to send messages of thanks to the city manager for approving the hire.
The board discussed literacy services funding: an existing adult literacy grant is a five-year award that expires at the end of the fiscal year and future state funding is uncertain pending the governor’s May revised budget. The library has an agreement to pay $5,000 from the grant to Solano County to manage tutor matching, and the trustees said they will seek letters to the governor and appropriations committee to support restoration of California Library Services Act (CLSA) funding, which supports delivery, the Libby platform and shared collections with NorthNet.
Liaisons reported on local cultural partners: the art gallery liaison said an invitational reception for Linda Fleming was successful and a revised call for artists will be issued, the foundation liaison said the foundation has hired a grant writer to pursue a Bay-region grant to develop the library basement and is seeking city co-applicant status, and the historical society liaison outlined upcoming events and a new “Jewel of the West” exhibit celebrating local history.
The board approved the agenda and the March 2 minutes by voice votes and then adjourned at 6:40 p.m.; the next meeting is scheduled for May 4 at 6:00 p.m.
