HomeMy WebLinkAboutLIB 06-03-2026APPROVED MINUTES
CUPERTINO LIBRARY COMMISSION
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:03 p.m., Chair Xu called the Library Commission regular meeting to order at the Cupertino
Library, 10800 Torre Avenue, 2nd Floor Think Tank Room.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Minna Xu, Chandra Sakthivel, Qin Pan, Liyan Zhao
Commissioners absent: Janki Chokshi
City/County Staff present: Molly James, Karen Dixon, Marlene Iwamoto
Guest Speakers: Thomas Celerier
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Subject: April 23, 2026 Library Commission Special Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Review and approve the April 23, 2026 Library Commission special
meeting minutes.
MOTION: Commissioner Pan moved and Commissioner Zhao seconded to approve the April
23, 2026 Library Commission special meeting minutes as submitted. The motion carried with
the following vote: Ayes: Pan, Zhao, Sakthivel, Xu. Noes: none. Abstain: none. Absent: Chokshi.
POSTPONEMENTS – None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None
OLD BUSINESS – None
NEW BUSINESS
2. Subject: Cupertino Poet Laureate Update
Recommended Action: Receive an update on programs and events from the Cupertino Poet
Laureate.
Thomas Celerier, Cupertino Poet Laureate (CPL), provided an update on programs and events.
Commissioner Zhao requested clarification on whether or not the Rotary Club of Cupertino
Student Poetry Contest event [on June 10] is open to the public or requires registration. CPL
Celerier clarified the event is only open to the Rotary Club, friends of the Rotary Club, and
participating students and their families.
Vice Chair Sakthivel requested clarification on whether or not Rotary’s Student Poetry Contest
was a competition. CPL Celerier clarified that it was a competition and three winners were
selected out of 73 entries. Added that the winning poems will be featured online and the high
school students will read their poems at the event.
Vice Chair Sakthivel requested clarification on how the Commission can provide support for
the poet laureate program. CPL Celerier clarified that any feedback or new ideas help along
with participation at events.
Vice Chair Sakthivel requested a flyer [for future competitions] so Commissioners can help
circulate.
3. Subject: Santa Clara County Library District StoryWalk Project Subcommittee Update
Recommended Action: Receive an update from the Santa Clara County Library District
StoryWalk Project subcommittee.
Written communications for this item included a presentation.
Vice Chair Sakthivel and Commissioner Pan provided an update on the StoryWalk Initiative
and reviewed the presentation slides that will be presented to the Parks and Recreation
Commission.
Molly James, Recreation Manager, commented that next steps include the Parks and Recreation
Commission providing a recommendation and ranking of the three proposed parks, and then
the recommendation will be taken to City Council for consideration.
REPORTS/UPDATES
4. Subject: Monthly Update Reports
Recommended Action: Receive Monthly Update Reports from:
- Cupertino Community Librarian
- County Librarian
Written communications for this item included Cupertino Community Librarian and County
Librarian presentations.
Monthly updates were reported as submitted.
Commissioner Pan commented that the WiFi signal in the library courtyard has a weak
connection. Karen Dixon, Adult and Teen Supervising Librarian, replied that they will bring up
the concern with the IT Department.
Chair Xu requested clarification on how someone can inquire about a new event or program at
the Cupertino Library. Librarian Dixon clarified there is an event application online.
Chair Xu requested clarification on whether or not the Cupertino Library has story time for
special needs. Librarian Dixon clarified they have sensory story time.
Vice Chair Sakthivel requested clarification on private business sponsorships of library events.
Librarian Dixon clarified it would depend on the event and organizer, but they would still need
to go through an application process.
Vice Chair Sakthivel requested clarification on whether or not there is a giveaway for the
summer reading program. Librarian Dixon clarified yes and it is typically a selection of books.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Recreation Manager James provided a Staff Liaison Update on the following:
- Updated Commissioners’ Handbook 2026 – At the April 7, 2026 City Council meeting,
Council approved several updates to the Commissioners’ Handbook. The revised
handbook was sent to all Commissioners and is updated online. These updates are
intended to provide additional clarity regarding commissioner roles, meeting
procedures, communication expectations, and commission operations. Please take time
to review the updated handbook and familiarize yourself with the revisions and new
policies.
- Summer Concert Series – Thursdays, June 11 to August 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the
Memorial Park Amphitheater. View the full concert lineup at
cupertino.gov/summerconcert.
- July 4th Celebration – Saturday, July 4, all day. Activities include a pancake breakfast,
flag raising, children’s parade, blackberry farm pools open, kids activities, concert, and
fireworks. For more information visit cupertino.gov/july4.
- Free Shakespeare in the Park (Antony and Cleopatra) – Saturday and Sunday, July 25 &
26, August 1, 2, 8 & 9 at 6 p.m. at the Memorial Park Amphitheater.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
Chair Xu requested to invite a CUSD Board Member who is conducting a community survey on
local libraries to share feedback and results.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Xu adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jessica Suntay, Administrative Assistant
Parks and Recreation Department
Minutes approved at the 08.05.26 regular meeting