LIB 06-05-24APPROVED MINUTES
LIBRARY COMMISSION
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:04 p.m., Chair Panda called the meeting to order at the Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre
Avenue, Room 201A.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Archana Panda, Liyan Zhao, Qin Pan, Janki Chokshi
Commissioners absent: Sheela Sreekanth
City/County Staff present: Molly James, Bryant Bao, Jennifer Weeks
Guest Speakers: Pranav Gupta, Sudisha Kumar, Shivika Biswari, Jean Bedord
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Subject: May 2, 2024 Library Commission Special Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Review and approve the May 2, 2024 Library Commission special
meeting minutes.
Chair Panda motioned to approve the May 2, 2024 Library Commission special meeting
minutes as submitted. Commissioner Chokshi seconded. Motion with 3 yes (Panda, Zhao,
Chokshi), 1 abstain (Pan), and 1 absent (Sreekanth).
POSTPONEMENTS
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Toby Leavitt invited the Commission to free Shakespeare in the Park and thanked the
Cupertino Library Foundation for their support.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
2. Subject: Cupertino Library Services Feedback from Teen Commissioners
Recommended Action: Discuss and receive feedback from Teen Commissioners on Cupertino
Library services for teens.
The Teen Commissioners introduced themselves (Sudisha Kumar, Shivika Biswari, and Pranav
Gupta) and shared their experiences at the Cupertino Library.
Commissioner Gupta shared that he comes to the Library in a group to study or for test
preparation as it provides more of a collaborative environment. Commented that when he
comes to the Library for finals or test preparation, it is very crowded on some days.
Recommended another room for people who need to de-stress or take a break from their
studies.
Commissioner Kumar shared that her experiences are similar to Commissioner Gupta’s and
added that the teen room can get crowded and noisy at times.
Commissioner Biswari shared that she has been coming to the Library since she was little, and
as a teen she has participated in some Library events that have allowed her to meet other teens.
Agreed with the other two Commissioners that the teen room can get crowded and suggested
having more space available. Recommended the Library have more events for teens to gather
and study together, and more opportunities for volunteer hours such as tutoring young
children.
Chair Panda requested clarification on the requirements for tutoring at the Library. Bryant Bao,
Cupertino Community Librarian, commented that there is a homework tutoring opportunity
during specified sessions for teen volunteers 14 years and older.
Commissioner Chokshi recommended the Library add additional space for studying during AP
exams. Community Librarian Bao commented that during final exam season, the Library will
book out Room 201 for additional space with tables and chairs. Added that the Library is
actively brainstorming on ways to address the issue of space.
Commissioner Pan requested clarification on whether there was any data from the previous
final exam season on how often the additional space was available for teens to study on the
weekends. Community Librarian Bao clarified that they book out the additional space through
the entire day on the weekends in addition to after school hours.
Commissioner Chokshi requested feedback from the Teen Commissioners on what types of
events or activities at the Library they would they participate in. Chair Panda added that any
ideas can be shared with Community Librarian Bao.
Commissioner Pan noted the comments surrounding areas for de-stress, and requested
feedback from the Commissioners on any ideas or recommendations they had that would help
teens de-stress at the Library. Commissioner Gupta recommended a separate space for teens to
socialize and hang out, bean bag chairs, and other items such as a ping-pong table.
Commissioner Kumar recommended mental health resources or a wellness corner within the
current teen space. Commissioner Biswari recommended having events purposefully for teens
to de-stress and meet other teens at the beginning and end of the school year. Community
Librarian Bao noted that he will pass along the feedback and discuss with the Teen Librarian.
Commissioner Biswari noted that the Library does host a lot of great events already, but teens
are not aware of the programs offered so recommended increasing marketing specifically to
teens. Community Librarian Bao asked for suggestions on how the Library could better
outreach to teens. Commissioner Biswari recommended promoting through social media,
specifically Instagram.
Molly James, Recreation Manager, added that she has also talked to Sonya Lee, Recreation
Manager and Teen Commission Liaison, about future opportunities for a Joint Commission
meeting for collaboration amongst the Library Commission and Teen Commission.
3. Subject: Cupertino Library Services Feedback from Senior Advisory Council President
Recommended Action: Discuss and receive feedback from Senior Advisory Council President
on Cupertino Library services for seniors.
Jean Bedord, Senior Advisory Council President, presented as submitted. Provided an overview
of the Senior Advisory Council (SAC), 50+ programs, Community Assessment Survey for Older
Adults (CASOA), and initial asks for the Cupertino Library.
Chair Panda requested clarification on how and where the Commissioners can learn about the
available resources for older adults. SAC President Bedord clarified that there is a dedicated
webpage for senior resources.
Commissioner Chokshi recommended ongoing conversations with SAC to continue discussing
issues for older adults. Recreation Manager James commented that Library Commissioners
could also attend SAC meetings.
Commissioner Pan recommended the Library host programs such as a book club specifically
targeted for older adults categorized by age. Community Librarian Bao clarified that there is a
book club hosted by a Librarian at the Cupertino Senior Center. Added that there are specific
programs for senior adults at the Library, but the category tag for those programs are for senior
adults and adults.
SAC President Bedord commented that their objective is to get more people to the Senior
Center, as many CASOA respondents are aware of the Library but not the Senior Center.
Kathy Stakey, Cupertino resident, recommended that the Cupertino Go Go Biblio visit the
Cupertino Senior Center, and encouraged the Library to continue their large print book
collection for seniors.
Commissioner Zhao requested clarification on whether or not there is a link to the Senior Center
on the Library website. Community Librarian Bao noted that the Library can add a link to their
resources webpage, and if there are any additional flyers from the City the Library can help
post them on the community bulletin board which has high foot traffic.
Community Librarian Bao asked a question to the group – how best do you think libraries can reach
out to seniors? Added that the Library does have new resources that they are hoping to spread
awareness. Noted that they have a Community Outreach Specialist who is very knowledgeable
in resources and services, and seniors can book a one-on-one appointment for one hour every
Tuesday and Thursday. Jennifer Weeks, County Librarian, added that potentially the Library’s
Community Outreach Specialist could come to the Senior Center for an introduction.
Commissioner Chokshi recommended having the Community Outreach Specialist come to the
Senior Center annually. County Librarian Weeks commented that they will take the feedback
into consideration. Recreation Manager James recommended that potentially the Community
Outreach Specialist could attend the annual Health Expo at the Senior Center.
Chair Panda recommended the Library hosts a program to help spread awareness and learn
more about the Senior Center and the resources available from the Community Outreach
Specialist.
REPORTS/UPDATES
4. Subject: Monthly Update Reports
Recommended Action: Receive Monthly Update Reports from:
- Cupertino Community Librarian
Reported as submitted.
- County Librarian
Reported as submitted.
- Friends of the Library
No updates.
- Cupertino Library Foundation
No updates.
- Poet Laureate
No updates.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Recreation Manager James provided a Staff Liaison Update on the following:
- Cupertino Poet Laureate
o The current Poet Laureate, Keiko O’Leary, has accepted the Library
Commission’s request to extend her term to the end of 2025, allowing the
Commission to work on the Poet Laureate Playbook before the next recruitment.
- Summer Concert Series – Thursdays, June 6 to August 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the
Memorial Park Amphitheater
- Disco at Dusk Intergenerational Event – Friday, June 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at
Community Hall. Advanced registration required.
- Independence Day Celebration
o Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Quinlan Community Center
o Flag Raising and Children’s Parade at 10 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial in
Memorial Park
o Phil n’ the Blanks Concert from 10:30 a.m. to Noon at the Memorial Park
Amphitheater
o Visit cupertino.gov/4thofjuly for more information.
- Cupertino Campout – Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, July 21 at Creekside Park. Advanced
registration is required.
- Shakespeare in the Park – Saturday and Sunday, July 20, 21, 27, 28, and August 3, 4
starting at 6 p.m. at the Memorial Park Amphitheater
- Movies in the Park – Fridays, August 2 to 23 at Creekside Park. Movies start at 8 p.m.
Chair Panda reported on the May Mayor’s Commissioners meeting.
COMMISSIONER ATTENDANCE AT UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Commissioners to attend the upcoming Mayor’s meetings as follows:
Wednesday, July 17 at 5 p.m. via Zoom – Chair Panda
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
Chair Panda requested inviting and collaborating with other City Commissions. Commissioner
Chokshi seconded.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Panda adjourned the meeting 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jessica Javier, Administrative Assistant
Parks and Recreation Department
Minutes approved at the 08.07.24 regular meeting