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Library board authorizes staff to share or donate materials during restoration
Summary
The Carmel Public Library Board approved a motion giving library staff discretion to share, transfer, or donate materials that cannot fit into the temporary Wayfarer Church space during the Harrison Memorial Library restoration.
The board voted to authorize library staff and the director to decide how best to share, transfer or donate collection materials that will not move to the temporary library site, a motion the board approved unanimously.
"I would like to make a motion that we approve of the proposal that the library staff and director will make the decisions about how best to share and or donate library materials that we will not move to the temporary library space," the Chair said before the motion was seconded and approved by the board. The vote recorded the motion as approved with all members present voting yes.
Librarian explained the practical driver for the action: the full collection is about 33,000 items while the temporary basement space can hold roughly 6,500 items, creating an immediate need to rehome large portions of the collection. Staff outlined options including permanent transfers to the Monterey County Free Libraries, temporary "floating" arrangements with neighboring libraries such as Pacific Grove and Monterey City, and donations to Better World Books. The motion allows staff to use discretion to apply these or other suitable approaches rather than requiring board approval for each individual transfer.
The board directed staff to continue coordinating with the Carmel Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library to manage rehoming, public awareness, and practical logistics. Next steps include staff finalizing agreements with partner libraries and returning with implementation details or constraints as needed.
