Presentations and Reports Library Commission
Special Meeting May 12, 2021
Presentations
Item 2
Update on the Library Expansion Project
Library Commission Progress Report
May 2021
Library Expansion Project
Iii
CUPERTINO
i,
Construction
Progress
Construction
_
Progress
+I
..........
F
- r
-rJ f. � -
i -
. ��'��� a
;w d �_
k ..l
c `1' ._
.. ;Y1�11
. �, a '� -ra. �
�.
�, �.
Mi - !�
�� - � � .. i
- ,�
�� ;�
�,
� , , � �.
��� ,
�`� �� r!;
11 �I� � i
_. r"r
i
� _ � €
�1
' 1 :� I
+ � i� �,
t' � ��
�► - . �1
�7 �
i
•
• •
5 iA
Construction t
Progress
._a
Public Outreach event dates
• Livestream camera is in place & functional
• Tour # 1 : end of August
• Tour #2: end of October
• Q&A/Forum event: after summer (mid-Sept)
• Monthly Social Media updates
• Website updates & Fact Sheet posted
Donor & Art Wall
ART WALL
low
Ems—
May 24, 5pm
t ��
Thank You
112 1 1
UPERTINJ
Library Commission
Special Meeting May 12, 2021
Presentations
Item 3
Overview of Conducting Commission Meetings and
Review of Subcommittees
Library Commission Meeting 5.12.21
Item 3
Commission Meetings • •
Subcommittees
Library Commission
May 12, 2021
CUPERTINO
Agenda
• Resources
• Rosenberg's Rules of Order
• Commissioner Handbook
• Ralph M. Brown Act
• Subcommittees
• Public Comment and Commission Reports
• Virtual Meetings
2
1
Library Commission Meeting 5.12.21
Item 3
Resources
• Rosenberg's Rules of Order
• Commissioner Handbook
• Ralph M. Brown Act
3
Rosenberg's Rules of Order
• Parliamentary Procedure
• Establishing a quorum
• Role of the Chair
• Discussing an agenda item
• Motions
• Voting
• Courtesy and Decorum
• Public input
4
2
Library Commission Meeting 5.12.21
Item 3
Rosenberg's Rules of Order
• Meetings are facilitated by the Chair
• Sequence for each agenda item:
• Chair announces item number and subject
• Chair invites report on the item
• Chair opens clarifying questions for Commissioners
• Chair invites public comment
• Chair facilitates discussion
• If required, Chair invites a motion and a second
• Chair ensures understanding of the motion
• Chair initiates a vote
• Result of the vote is announced
5
Commissioner Handbook
• Adopted by City Council on January 19
• Outlines expectations and resources for
Commissioners
• Training provided by the City Clerk at the
February 3 Commission meeting
6
3
Library Commission Meeting 5.12.21
Item 3
Ralph M. Brown Act
• Ensures all meetings of the Commission are
open and public, and all persons are
permitted to attend
• Congregation of a majority of the
members regarding any item that is
within the jurisdiction of the body
Ralph M. Brown Act
• Outlines requirements for agendas and
notices
• Regular meeting
• 72-hour notice
• Special meeting
• 24-hour notice
s
4
Library Commission Meeting 5.12.21
Item 3
Subcommittees
• Appointed by the Chair
• Less than a quorum of the Commission
• Can meet at their convenience
• Must serve a limited or single purpose
• Must dissolve once the specific task is
completed
• Report progress at Commission meetings
9
Public Comment and Commission Reports
• Oral Communications
• Public Comment on an Agenda Item
• Commission Reports
• Brief updates pertaining to Commission's
jurisdiction
• Should not include discussion of matters
not on the agenda
• Items can be added to future agenda
Zo
5
Library Commission Meeting 5.12.21
Item 3
Virtual Meetings
• Use the "raise your hand" function
• Allow for the Chair to call on participants
• Ensure audio and video are functioning
11
Questions
12
6
Library Commission
Special Meeting May 12, 2021
Presentations
Item 5
Update on the Library Commission Budget
Library Commission Meeting 5.12.21
Item 5
Library Commission
Budget
May 12, 2021
CUPERTINO
Budget Overview
• The fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends
on June 30 of the following year
• City Council approved the Fiscal Year
2020-2021 budget on June 16, 2020
• The Library Commission's budget was
approved for $31 ,709
2
1
Library Commission Meeting 5.12.21
Item 5
Budget Summary
Budget Amount
Employee Compensation $9,915
Administrative Employee Benefits $5,228
Costs
Cost Allocation $14,126
Materials $380
Contract Services $2,000
Contingencies $60
Total $31,709
3
Budget - Poet Laureate Program
- -.oudget Amount
July 2020 $2,000
August 2020 ($440.79)
Current Amount $1,559.21
Estimated Budget Amount
July 2021 $2,000
January 2022 ($300)
Total Available $1,700
4
2
Library Commission Meeting 5.12.21
Item 5
Budget - Website/Important Dates
• Cupertino.org/budget
• May 18 - Study Session for FY 21 -22
Proposed Budget
• June 2021 - Review, Approval and
Adoption
5
Library Commission
Budget
May 12, 2021
CUPERTINO
3
Library Commission
Special Meeting May 12, 2021
Presentations
Item 6
Monthly Update Reports
AmericanAsian - . • - Month
Celebrate by
writing apoem!
q a)eEproem
celebrate Asian American Pacific
l&ietb#(beMsimth
paper or the attached template
Drop your poem off with Cupertino
[vrer"tafftby May
inedte
View your poem on the front
window of Cupertino Library in the
month of May
Celebrate poetry all year
.
Santa Clara
A county
li bra ryd�bi�t
A cupertino library
CUPERTI NO
POET LAUREATE
Qleb.en C.renu.
Title:
Author:
Santa Clara
librarydsb�l
cuper[ino library
CUPERTINO
POET LAUREATE
Glherc�n.:ry
santa dara
library•
cupertino library
"lino libr
LIBRARY COMMISSION UPDATE 5/12/2021 -
DOGZ ci.P READING
MEETS
DOG -:
Welcome back. We have
reopened Cupertino
Library, upstairs and down, Ate,
for browsing and public r f -_ fit ; � � £ . . � :`
®IH I�1 l F119C9 C.PY➢F
computer
�
use. It is
wonderful to see our _
patrons back at the library-
thankyou for continuing to • ,� �,
read, learn and use your
a 'an
library!
- Clare Varesio, Community Librarian - -- ---
i
The library fosters life-long learning,
promotes cultural enrichment, and
supports education.
n
0 '
ILSanta Clara
county
librarydi5«i«
Boohmobile Gilroy Morgan Hill
Campbell Los Altos Saratoga
Cupertino Milpitas Woodland
STU E
SUPPORT
• Student Portal
• Resources for Students
• Programs & Outreach
x
5CCLD
STUDENT student.sccld.org Search.-.
PORTAL
El....to ry School Middle High School All Ages Teachers&P.—m Slog Help
LEARN
ABOUT
/Ol
f
YOUUIBRARY: c
STUDENT SUPPOki
Start Here
Elementary School Middle&High School All Ages Homework Assistance
Homework and study rasources for English Homeworkand study resourcesfor English K-12 resourres inclu ding dictionaries and Explore homeworkand study help with live
language arts and reading,math,science, language arts,math,znceandtechnology, encyclopedias,science experiments,and online tutoring!In addition,dismver skill
cial studies,and 6iagraphies.Find helpful vial studies,history,biographies,language language learning,plus music,eBooks and building tools and tutorials,as weH as other
a tiara
rL.-1pNow
rary� ® _ Rosetta
SlOr1E'
®E>ro.rr M.4 O v ®cai.eor.0 FFr
•`:'�_,..ter — .r ..e."��_', ,� u ,
lo
LEARN ABOUT
� t
Online Research Language
YOU IBRARY:
Tutoring Resources Learning
STUDENT SUPP5iti I G.Kr
_ All the'1Colars
of tlx fiainbm
.W teh the Story Reod th.8oek
eBooks & STEAM . . . & More !
eMagazines Subjects
LEARN ABOUT
YOU I B R A R Y
STUDENT SUPPO" Go�I
dad.�d � GQe�inoLibrarY
COP
go
� r
+i
t
�J.
Monday to Saturday, 1 - 6 pm
APRIL
• Browse the collection
HIGHLIGHT • Pickup holds
y
• Computer/ printer use
LIBRARY • Self-serve checkouts
Ir • Limit visits up to 1 hour
SERVICE - -
• Face coverings and social
distance required
r
1 _
� f
} ►
APRIL =
HIGHLIGHT
-
wrr.
CE
APRIL
HIGHLIGHT
l�
LIBRARY
SERVICE
rM
HIGHLIGHT � - - y - •
`•
`�
CHECKOUTS BY MONTH
JANUARY - APRIL 2021
APRIL bk ca cu gi hq I-a mh mi &a wa
NUMBERS
HE K T
C C OU S
40r
1/2021 2/2021 3/2021 4/2021
BORROWERS BY MONTH
JANUARY - APRIL 2021
APRIL — bk fa fu gi hq la mh mi s.a w�
12,OWAk
NUMBERS
1�, —
BORROWERS 4,OW
1/2021 2/2021 3/2021 4/2021
CUPERTINO LIBRARY - WEEKLY VISITORS MARCH / APRIL 2021
4000
3500
APRIL
3000
NUMBERS
2500
VISITORS 2000
1500
1000
500
0
Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr May May
13 13 20 20 27 27 03 03 10 10 17 17 24 24 01 01
03
- Celebrate poetry
- Enjoy virtual events
OKING
AHEAD - Follow our construction progress
- Visit us at the library!
santa Clara
county ■
librarydistrict or
vvv)vNvw . sccld
Cupertino library • `�
UPDATE 1111kiiiiin"
CUPERTINO LIBRARY
STOP BY YOUR
LIBRARY
Cupertino Library service hours have _
changed with expanded library CONSTRUCTION IS
access. Stop by your library Monday COMING ALONG
to Saturday, 1:00 - 6:00 pm to browse
our collection or use a public Continue to keep up with our library
computer. sccld.org/informed/ expansion by viewing project
updates and our live feed of
construction on the city of
Cupertino's project website.
BRINGING HOME THE BOOKS cupertino.org libraryexpansion
Cupertino Library patrons
�i checked out 68,884 items
in the month of April, a16% SUPPORT YOUR STUDENT
increase from March. As CUSD and FUHSD students
Checkouts on Fridays and wrap up the school year, point
Saturdays accounted for them to our SCCLD Student
40% of our April total. Portal, where they have free
Keep reading! access to online tutoring, study
resources, eBooks, language
learning, and more.
AWARD WINNING AUTHORS student.sccld.org
Join us online for the final two
events in our Distinguished Author
Series, featuring renowned writers GROW GREAT BASIL
Joyce Carol Oates and Jhumpa Learn from Master Gardeners in
Lahiri. Register in advance for these this online event, which will cover
virtual visits, held Saturdays May 8 how to grow basil from seeds and
and May 22. transplants, and how to provide
the garden culture it needs to
� thrive. Register online for this
program, held May 18 at 7:00 pm.
santa Clara
county
libraryd strut
Cupertino library
STAFF PICKS - MAY 2021
CUPERTINO LIBRARY
LIBRARIAN JUDITH RECOMMENDS...
Bloom by
Kenneth 0 ppel - An invasive species of plant comes out of nowhere and is
threatening crops thereby endangering food supplies.They are growing in a rapid rate
and show the ability to kill humans with their branches.A group of teens with severe
allergies seem to be the hope to save the planet.Two books are out in the series;for
pre-teen and teen readers. https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/771152118
p R.
LIBRARIAN MATT RECOMMENDS...
Dan Versus Nature by Don Calame- When his mom arranges a camping trip for Dan
and his step-father-to-be, Dan seizes the opportunity to put him to the test through a
series of embarrassing pranks.Aided by his friend Charlie,the two pranksters end up
getting lost in the woods setting off a series of unfortunate and hilarious events.
https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/4942S7118
-E-ANH-Rr LIBRARY PAGE RENELLE RECOMMENDS...
Urveaurv❑
American History Unbound:Asians and Pacific Islanders by Gary Y. Okihiro- Asian
(including East Asians, West Asians,and native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders) history in
its complexity,acknowledging the similarities and differences of experiences
between Asian people, Black/African-American people,and mainland Native people.
deeply appreciated the chance to dive into a complex history that is hard to find.
https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/645871118
LIBRARIAN JENNY RECOMMENDS...
The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg-a warm-hearted novel about chosen
family. While visiting his wife's grave, Arthur,who is in his eighties, meets 18 year old
Maddie who has come to the cemetery to avoid the bullies at her high school. In time,
the unlikely pair strike up a friendship which expands to include Arthur's grieving
neighbor Lucille.The trio become a loving family,supporting each other through some
tough times. https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/543160118
Use your library card for access to our entire online library,
santa Clara available 2417, including eBooks, audiobooks, downloadable
county
i bra rydistrkt movies, music, magazines, newspapers, international content,
online learning, research and more.
Boohm" Don't have a library card? Sign up for an eCard at
CupertinoCampbell Los Altos Saratoga
Milpitas Woodlandsccid.org/card-application/.
Santa Clara
county
I i bra rydisbict
cuperrino library
SCCLD County Librarian Report
Distinguished Author Series 177
-------------
• The Santa Clara County Library District's four-part, virtual author series
concludes in May. The Distinguished Author Series brings together great authors
who spark new thoughts, ideas and deep discussion .
rr
CUFF. mo UHRARY FouPMAnON
n
r =
Los Altos
�jEndowment
Friends of the
Milpitas Library
OF THE
SARATOGA LIBRARIES
Asian American / Pacific Islander
Heritage Month 77
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Island Americans in May
• Learn to and a chant from the last monarch of Hawaii- Queen Lili'uokalani
• May 1 -31
• in Mandarin/English
• for Adults
• Distinguished Author
• Recommended reading for , and
Y
R
`off
New SCCLD Mobite Library App
SCCLD will introduce an all-new, modern library app, designed to bring you an exceptionally
personalized mobile library experience.
Features include:
• User friendly navigation
• In-app library card
• Easy library account access
• Improved relevant, accurate catalog search
• Browse new titles, library events and staff lists
• Access library hours and locations
AVAILABLE MAY 10 for free download from the store or store
out r
Summer Reading Program 2021 W OR L 0.
Reading helps all expand their world through kindness,
growth , and community.
• Pre-registration starts on May 1 , 2021 at
• Reading Colors Your World runs from June 1 through July 31
• Fun virtual programs for all ages
• Earn a reward by signing up, reading and logging 5 books, and completing 1 activity.
• Register and track your books with
WE ARE
i
Campbett • LO'VI
- -
ti
..........
• Campbell Library: Last day of service for walkup or curbside holds pickup: May 8
• Book drops will remain open at Campbell Library through May 24
• Campbell Temporary Library: Opens Monday, May 24
• 1 W. Campbell Avenue, Building E, Room 46 (across the hall from Orchard City Banquet Hall in
Campbell Community Center)
• Limited browsing, computer and printer use, book returns
For more information, including a map to the new location, visit
Save Date
• Library Joint Powers Authority Board Meeting
• Thursday, June 3 C 12pm
-� Ito
r �
110 j%V -''.A
1
Praise for the Library
• : Milpitas Library: My family's journey through the
phased re-opening (yes, it's OPEN ! )
"On Monday, April 19th, the kids and I lugged 70 books back to the library, to
receive the greatest surprise of our lives: It was fully open. The excitement in
that building was palpable as my kids went crazy, exploring each aisle — eager
learners with endless options once more. "
santa Mara
county
i b ra rydistrict
May 2021
Library Stakeholder Report
Jennifer Weeks, County Librarian
Distinguished Author Series
The Santa Clara County Library District's four-part Distinguished
Author Series concludes in May, bringing together great authors who
spark new thoughts, ideas and deep discussion.
Delve into the minds of celebrated authors Joyce Carol Oates and
Jhumpa Lahiri this month. All talks are virtual and will include an
opportunity for audience Q&A.
Advanced registration required. All events are free, held online, and =
open to the Ub11C. DISTINGUISHED
p P AUTHOR SERIES
Thank you to our generous sponsors to make the Distinguished Author
Series possible!
Los Altos Library Friends of the
Endowment Milpitas LibraryE-OF THE
CUPERTINo LIBRARY Fot)NDAnoN SARATOGA LIBRARIES
Joyce Carol Oates
Award-Winning Novelist, Poet, Playwright and Essayist
Versatile and accomplished author Joyce Carol Oates has penned bestselling
novels, critically acclaimed collections of short fiction, essays, plays and a
memoir. Several of her stories have been adapted to films or television. Her
writing has earned awards such as the National Book Award, O. Henry Awards,
the National Humanities Medal and the Jerusalem Prize. Notable works
include We Were the Mulvaneys (1996), The Falls (2004), Night. Sleep. Death.
The Stars (2020) and The (Other) You (2021).
Saturday, May 8 @ 3:00 pm
REGISTER HERE
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell I Cupertino I Gilroy I Los Altos I Los Altos Hills I Milpitas I Monte Sereno
Morgan Hill I Saratoga
santa Mara
county
i b ra rydistrict
Jhumpa Lahiri
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Short Story Writer and Novelist
Jhumpa Lahiri received the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for Interpreter of Maladies, her
debut story collection that explores issues of love and identity among immigrants
and cultural transplants. Her novel, The Namesake (2003), also received great
acclaim, expanding the perplexities of the immigrant experience and search for
identity. She was awarded the National Humanities Medal, the PEN/Hemingway
Award and an O. Henry Prize, among others. See some of Jhumpa Lahiri's
works.
Lahiri will be in conversation with Author, Meg Clayton.
Saturday, May 22 @ 3:00 pm
REGISTER HERE
This event is full but a waitlist is available. There will also be an opportunity to register to receive a
passcode to view the full recorded program if you are unable to watch it live on May 22.
sccld.org/authorseries
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
Month, designated to recognize "the contributions
and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific
Islander Americans to the history, culture, and
As I Ark K achievements of the United States." The library will
be celebrating with some delightful and educational
PACIFIC programs and booklists.
Aloha! Learn some hula moves to a chant from the
AMERICAN last monarch of Hawaii -- Queen Lili'uokalani. Watch
and enjoy an olapa performance that takes you to the
MONTHHERITAGE islands. Let's spread a little Aloha! This video will be
available from May 1 through May 31.
And, of course, we have our weekly streaming Bilingual Storytimes in Mandarin and English and
our Virtual Yoga for Adults. Attend our Distinguished Author series program on May 22nd with Pulitzer
Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri. And be sure to check out the recommended reading for adults, teens, and
kids.
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell I Cupertino I Gilroy I Los Altos I Los Altos Hills I Milpitas I Monte Sereno
Morgan Hill I Saratoga
sanCa Mara
County
i b ra rydistrict
A New SCCLD Mobile Library App Coming May 10!
SCCLD will introduce an all-new,
modern library app, designed to bring
you an exceptional personalized
mobile experience.
Features include:
• User friendly navigation =�
• In-app library card
• Easy library account access
(place holds, renew checked out
items, manage your account)
• Improved relevant, accurate
catalog search experience
• Browse new titles, library events & staff lists
• Access library hours & locations
The SCCLD app will be available for free download in the Apple iTunes store and Google Play store
on May 10. Visit our website for more information. Please note the current SCCLD app will be
discontinued as of May 3.
Summer Reading Program—Reading
Colors Your World R L
It is time to register yourself and each of your family
members for the annual Summer Reading Program , 1 0�
2021—Reading Colors Your World. Reading helps
all expand their world through kindness, growth, and ORL P.
community. It is a feel-good activity that can last a
lifetime. You're never too young to be introduced to
books and you're never too old to enjoy reading.
Pre-registration starts on May 1, 2021 at
sccld.org/summer2021 and Reading Colors Your
World officially runs from June 1 through July 30, _
2021.
This summer will be filled with fun virtual programs s�,p .,. M
for adults, teens and kids including animals, book
clubs, magic, storytimes, art, STEAM, LEGO, and # m
more!
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell Cupertino Gilroy Los Altos Los Altos Hills I Milpitas Monte Sereno
Morgan Hill I Saratoga
santa Clara
County
i b ra rydistrict
Earn a reward by signing up, reading 5 books and completing 1 activity. You can register and track
your books with Beanstack online, or download the free Beanstack App to track your reading on the
go. If you participated last year, signing up is as easy as clicking a button.
Getting all of your books for Summer Reading 2021 will be easier than last year as our Community
Libraries are open to the public for full browsing! Come in during open hours and pick up books,
magazines, comics, and more to count towards your reading goals. And for our online library fans,
sccld.org is available 24/7 and online reading counts too!
Get ready, get set, and get started at sccld.org/summer2021!
Campbell Temporary Library Opening May 24
Thanks to Campbell residents voting to pass Measure O,
Campbell can look forward to a fully renovated Library and
a new Campbell Police facility. WE
ARE
The Campbell Library staff is preparing to move library MOVING
services to a temporary facility, conveniently located in 1 W.
Campbell Avenue, Building E, Room 46. It is next to the it
Orchard City Banquet Hall in the Campbell Community
Center. The last day of service at the Campbell Library to
pick up holds using walkup or curbside service, is Saturday,
May 8. The book drops at the Campbell Library will remain
open until the temporary facility is available.
We will welcome patrons to the new, temporary facility on Monday, May 24 to pick up holds, browse a
limited collection, and use the public computer and printer. Items can be returned through a book drop
at the new temporary facility starting May 24. Contactless curbside service is not available at the
temporary location but is available at the other SCCLD libraries. Patrons are invited to visit
the Cupertino, Saratoga or any other SCCLD library for additional services.
SAVE THE DATE:
The next JPA Board Meeting will be on Thursday, June 3 at 12:00 p.m.
J
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell I Cupertino I Gilroy I Los Altos I Los Altos Hills I Milpitas I Monte Sereno
Morgan Hill I Saratoga
santa Clara
County
i b ra rydistrict
Praise for the Library
As SCCLD Libraries continuously resumed more services throughout the year, our patrons have
expressed their appreciation and thanks. This past year has been tough on everyone, and the Library
is happy to be supporting our communities and bringing joy to our residents.
Below is an article recently published in the Milpitas Beat. While this particular story is about the
Milpitas Library, the many wonderful messages we receive from patrons shows that this sentiment is
true for all of the Santa Clara County Library District locations. Thank you to our staff, our patrons, and
our stakeholders for your support. Together, we are able to safely and successfully provide library
services to our communities.
Milpitas Library: My family's journey through the phased re-
opening (yes, it's OPEN!)
ByVanessa Dueck
April 27, 2021
Milpitas Library is my family's y'
absolute favorite place in the
community — well-organized, 0 ,
friendly staff, and great _ �. �.
programs. What's not to love? ,
The first thought that occurred
to me last March when I found
out about lockdown was We'd -
better get to the library!The
kids and I frantically gathered -
up nearly a hundred books (we
have a library book-specific
bookshelf to keep track of them all...that's how much we frequent the place), and hightailed it down to
the Milpitas Library, already talking strategy: who would go where and get which type of books and
how many we would get to keep us entertained while we hunkered down at home. But to our horror,
we saw the dreaded sandwich board informing us that the library was closed until further notice.
There's nothing like holding a book in your hand — flipping through the pages, turning it over to read
the summary, and feeling the excitement as you add it to your stack to take home. I don't care what
anyone says — virtual books are not the same. I can't stand watching my kids staring at their
computers after another day of online school. I need real life in the real world and I don't want some
person on the internet reading to the kids...I want to read with them! Or have them read with each
other and point at the pictures and share ideas. Virtual anything these days is starting to give me a sick
feeling. But, you do what you have to. My kids, of course, loved the extra screen time. 1, on the other
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell I Cupertino I Gilroy I Los Altos I Los Altos Hills I Milpitas I Monte Sereno
Morgan Hill I Saratoga
santa Mara
county
i b ra rydistrict
hand, after refusing to buy a Kindle, started reading my 700-page novel on my phone screen, which
turned it into a 3,000-teeny-page novel, and had a hard time staying engaged.
A month or so later, we discovered we could start reserving books for pick-up. This drastically changed
the way that we selected books. Gone were the days of browsing, meandering through aisles chock full
of familiar favorites and budding authors with new and exciting stories. Now we had to remember
which series we were enjoying before the shutdown (there had been so many!) and which books we
had yet to read. I was impressed with the efficiency and staff through the whole process. I've always
been amazed by the organization and efficiency of the library, but even more so now that the books
were all ordered over computer and organized for pickup.
I never knew quite what to choose, so I stuck with a tried and true favorite author. Just as his books
were feeling stale to me, a new, glorious option came to Milpitas: book bundles. The kids excitedly
began expanding their horizons with graphic novel bundles, a genre they hadn't known existed. And I
started reading the "memoir bundles" and getting to know inspiring women I hadn't previously
known.
We devoured books. Every week, while returning full bags of them, we would choose new bundles,
along with reservations of tried and true favorites.
Then, one beautiful day about four weeks ago, it happened: the lobby opened up. Now, we had small
tables of books for every age group to choose from. Our visits became even more frequent: twice a
week, with more worlds to explore.
On Monday, April 19th, the kids and I lugged 70 books back to the library, to receive the greatest
surprise of our lives: It was fully open.The excitement in that building was palpable as my kids went
crazy, exploring each aisle — eager learners with endless options once more. I watched smiling parents
taking pictures and videos as children tore books off of shelves and marveled at all there was to see.
My kids are already asking when we will go back. Maybe Milpitas Library will become a thrice-a-week
ritual in our quiet schedule. Until then, I've got a stack of Garfields calling my name...
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell I Cupertino I Gilroy I Los Altos I Los Altos Hills I Milpitas I Monte Sereno
Morgan Hill I Saratoga