LIB 10-07-2015 City of Cupertino
Library Commission
Regular Meeting
October 7 2015
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:04 pm Commissioner Ho called the meeting to order at Cupertino City Hall,
10300 Torre Avenue, in Conference Room C Cupertino.
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners: Jerry Liu, Annie Ho, Rose Grymes, Gopal Kumar, Aim Stevenson
City/County Library Staff: Gayathri Kanth,Nancy Howe,Nidhi Mathur
Absent:
Guest: Jerry Tallinger
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Liu moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
September 2, 2015. Commissioner Grymes seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
4. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
A. County Librarian Report
County Librarian Nancy Howe reported on"All About Series" of books. JPA
meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, October 29 and the agenda includes year-
end actual finance reports and service statistics report. The annual Friends,
Commissioners, Foundation and Endowment Board Members Forum is
scheduled on Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 9 am— 12:30 pm and the lunch
is included. The keynote speaker will be Susan Hildreth, Aspen Institute
Communications and Society Fellow and director of the Pacific Library
Partnership. She is the former director of the Institute of Museum and Library
Services (IMLS), and director of the San Francisco Public Library and the
Seattle Public Library. Ms. Howe reported that Smithsonian Institute
traveling exhibit"Discovering Human Origins" will be at Milpitas Library
from the end of November to December. A new program, 1000 Books Before
6 encourages children to have been read to them 1,000 books before they
reach the age of six. Silicon Valley Reads has announced its book selections
for 2016, focused on the theme"Chance of Rain". The selections,Memory of
Water by Emmi Itaranta and Sherwood Nation by Benjamin Parzybok,both
explore the effects of climate change on our lives. The featured authors will
participate in the Silicon Valley Reads 2016 Kick Off event on Tuesday,
January 26, at the Heritage Theater in Campbell.
B. Cupertino Community Librarian Report
Cupertino Librarian, Gayathri Kanth reported that Zombies program is
progressing well and more than 15 middle schools have signed up for this
program. First program will be a book discussion; a group from an insect
museum will be examining zombie insects and reading about zombie insects.
The Zombie Ball is coming and library is encouraging adults to join. She
reported the August library statistics for total circulation has increased from
last year by 9 percent. Adult circulation has been flat and children circulation
has gone up. One of the reasons of increased circulation maybe lifting the 5
book check out limit on cards. The Adult coloring program was a huge hit.
The various Cultural events were well attended; this year library is
experimenting with new groups, including a Finnish Folk group, Aztec and
Cambodian dance groups in addition to regular groups. Library participated in
Diwali Fall Festival and Happy Kids Festival. Some other events are coming
up: Creepy cupcakes and STEM Leads program.
C. Friends of the Library Report
none available
D. Cupertino Library Foundation Report-
Report was received.
E. Others
None
F. Calendar Review
Mayors meeting with Rod Sinks -November 4, 2015
5. REPORTS
A. Commission Report
Commissioners Kumar, Grymes and Stevenson had nothing to report.
Commissioner Liu reported on two items discussed in meeting with Aarti: GPA and
community benefits. He also talked to Principal from Lincoln School about library
needs and discovered their library acquisition budget for the entire year for 666
elementary students is $200. He discussed e-books and the need for better access to
electronic resources for the school. Challenges for schools differ as they need 30
copies of particular book for class reading. Commissioner Ho reported on free books
from ARA for library to review and she has an appointment with non-profit
organization to donate books, to the library and school district.
B. Staff Report
Ms. Mathur reported on upcoming events including Harvest Festival on October 24 at
Blackberry Farms from 11 am - 3 pm with pumpkin patch, carnival atmosphere and
crafts; Diwali Festival on October 17, the City sponsored Ikebana Flower Show on
October 24-25 at Quinlan Community Center. City is looking for new sustainability
commissioner.
C. Mayor's Meeting
6. OLD BUSINESS
3. Poet Laureate
Commissioner Stevenson reported on the upcoming Poet Laureate event in Library
Story Room. Jennifer S. Brown will be presenting a poem she wrote about Diwali at
the Diwali Festival. The new Poet Laureate, Amanda Williamson has been planning
her events to do during her term. The January 7 event is scheduled at the Community
Hall, to bid farewell to Jennifer S. Brown and to welcome Amanda Williamsen. On
January 14th, the new Poet Laureate, Amanda Williamsen will present her first
program.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Presentation to the Council
Based on the request of mayor, library will need to present on October 20 City Council
meeting. The presentation duration should be 5 to 7 minutes. Commissioner Ho requested
input for topics for the presentation.
B. Update on General Plan elements
Commissioner Liu reported he met with Community Development Director Aarti Shrivastava
about General Elements related to the library. Currently library is listed on GPA for
Cupertino for 2005 which is in the process of being amended.The policies 2-59, 2-60, 2-61
approval by council have been replaced by recreation and community service. In the four
sections for recreational programs being replaced library services will be added. He proposed
maybe commission would like to discuss and advocate for a more visible role of the library in
GPA. Currently Library isn't highlighted since City isn't providing it as a service and Library
function is more educational verses recreational. He proposed different wording in GPA.
Would like library commission to consider, in context of library,what useful community
benefit as input for council, so they will have the library's input and thoughts on this.
Commissioner Grymes proposed a motion to write a letter to city council and commissioner
Kumar seconded the motion and the motion passed.
7. AGENDA BUILDING
ADJOURN MENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,.
% =ar,r, ..•--
d/
t`\ j I
s-Nidhi Mathur
Library Commission Staff Liaison