HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-26-2018 Library Commission Agenda PacketSaratoga Library Commission Agenda - Page 1 of 2
Saratoga Library Commission
Regular Meeting
Agenda
Date: Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Saratoga Library/Community Room
13650 Saratoga Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Call to Order
Roll Call
Oral Communications on Non-Agendized Items
Any member of the public may address the Library Commission for up to three (3) minutes on matters
not on the Agenda. The law generally prohibits the Library Commission from discussing or taking action
on such items. The Library Commission may choose to place the topic on a future agenda.
Approval of Minutes
Draft minutes for the April 24, 2018 meeting
Agenda Items
1. West Valley College Collaboration
Summary: One of the Library Commission’s work plan items includes identifying opportunities
to partner with West Valley College, including the 2019 Coral Reef Crochet Project.
2. Commissioner-Led Events: Junior Achievement
Summary: The Library Commission work plan includes providing support for Library events and
program. The Library Commission has been working to support the Library through
coordination of events, such as Junior Achievement.
3. Community News & Trends
Summary: Share news and trends within the community.
Reports
1. Nancy Howe, Santa Clara County Librarian
2. Michael Eitner, Saratoga Community Librarian
3. Alice Patrick, Friends of the Saratoga Libraries
4. Saratoga Library Teen Advisory Board
5. Karen Burley, Library Commission Chair
6. Crystal Bothelio, Saratoga Deputy City Manager
Saratoga Library Commission Agenda - Page 2 of 2
Summarize Action Items
Agenda Items for Next Meeting – August 28, 2018
Adjournment
Certificate of Posting of the Agenda, Distribution of Agenda Packet, & Compliance with Americans
with Disabilities Act
I, Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting
of the Library Commission was posted and available for review on June 21, 2018 at the City of Saratoga, 13777
Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 and on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us.
Signed this 21st day of June 2018 at Saratoga, California.
Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials prov ided to the Library
Commission by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the City Clerk at 13777
Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070. Any materials distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made
available for public review at the office of the City Clerk at the time they are distributed to the Library Commission.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, pleas e
contact the City Clerk at 408.868.1294 or npimentel@saratoga.ca.us. Notification 24 hours prior to the meeting will
enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 5.102 -35.104 ADA
title II]
LIBRARY COMMISSION AGENDA PLANNER
MEETING AGENDA ITEMS REPORTS
February 27, 2018 Community News & Trends
2018 Commission Work Plan
Library District Year End Service Report
Summarize Action Items
Nancy Howe, County Librarian
Michael Eitner, Community Librarian
Alice Patrick, Friends
Teen Advisory Board
Karen Burley, Chair
Crystal Bothelio, Liaison
March 5, 2018
5:00 p.m.
Commission Work Plan Study Session
April 24, 2018 Community News & Trends
West Valley College Collaboration
Commissioner-Led Events: Junior Achievement
Library Card Promotion: Commissioner Engagement
Library Space Utilization
Summarize Action Items
Nancy Howe, County Librarian
Michael Eitner, Community Librarian
Alice Patrick, Friends
Teen Advisory Board
Karen Burley, Chair
Crystal Bothelio, Liaison
June 26, 2018 Community News & Trends
Summarize Action Items
Nancy Howe, County Librarian
Michael Eitner, Community Librarian
Alice Patrick, Friends
Teen Advisory Board
Karen Burley, Chair
Crystal Bothelio, Liaison
August 28, 2018 Community News & Trends
Summarize Action Items
Nancy Howe, County Librarian
Michael Eitner, Community Librarian
Alice Patrick, Friends
Teen Advisory Board
Karen Burley, Chair
Crystal Bothelio, Liaison
October 23, 2018 Community News & Trends
Summarize Action Items
Selection of Chair and Vice Chair
Review 2018 Work Plan, Consider 2019 Work Plan
Rescheduling December Meeting Date
Nancy Howe, County Librarian
Michael Eitner, Community Librarian
Alice Patrick, Friends
Teen Advisory Board
Chair
Crystal Bothelio, Liaison
December 25, 2018* Community News & Trends
Finalize 2019 Work Plan
Summarize Action Items
Nancy Howe, County Librarian
Michael Eitner, Community Librarian
Alice Patrick, Friends
Teen Advisory Board
Chair
Crystal Bothelio, Liaison
Unscheduled Future
Items
Interior Space Review Recommendations
West Valley College Collaboration & Next Steps
* Meeting will be canceled or rescheduled
LIBRARY COMMISSION DUTIES/PURPOSE, WORK PLAN, & MEMBERSHIP
COMMISSION DUTIES/PURPOSE:
Resolution No. 16-043:
The Library Commission shall serve as a senior advisory and liaison body. Its basic responsibilities shall
include the following:
1. Provide counsel and recommendations on Library policies, budgets, plans and procedures to the
Saratoga City Council, the City staff, and the Santa Clara County Library staff and Saratoga
Library Supervisor.
2. Identify and bring to the attention of the Ci ty Council , the City staff, and the Santa Clara County
Library staff (as appropriate) present and prospective issues and questions relating to Library
operation.
3. Participate, along with other appropriate governmental units, in explaining and interpreting
matters pertaining to Library operation to Library users, Library support groups, and the general
public.
4. Perform such other activities as may be directed by the Saratoga City Council.
In carrying out its basic responsibilities, the Library Commission shall perform the following duties:
1. Hold formal meetings as required (see preceding Section on "Administration”).
2. Maintain communications with the City Council, the City staff, the Santa Clara County Library
staff, and the Saratoga Library Supervisor on matters that have a significant impact on the
Library's budget and operation.
3. Outreach to different community groups to inform them of library services and to receive
suggestions on improving Library operation.
4. Maintain within the Commission a continuity of knowledge of the Library, its operation and its
problems.
5. Keep generally informed on technical developments that could have a bearing on the Library's
operation.
6. Participate in the general planning of the library's operation and in the planning of events
related to the Library.
7. Work with "Friends of the Saratoga Libraries" and other support groups as may be desirable in
the planning of their activities.
8. Promote optimal utilization of the library space, and encourage service mindedness on the part
of all having to do with providing Library service to the public.
9. Engage the Saratoga Library Youth Advisory group in matters concerning use of the Library and
programs.
2018 LIBRARY COMMISSION WORK PLAN
KEY POINTS OF WORK PLAN
1. Support library events and programs
2. Promote library events and programs; engage in information sharing with library and public
3. Identify continuing opportunities to partner with West Valley College
4. Help increase the number of residents with library cards
TOPICS IN DETAIL
Support Library Events and Programs
I. Attend library events as Commissioners and/or participants (eg, Silicon Valley Reads
programs, trivia events, etc.)
II. Volunteer to assist library staff at library events (for example, Junior Achievement)
III. Volunteer at outreach programs (eg, Saturday Farmers Market, Movie Nights, Blossom
Festival) to increase number of card holders to 85% of Saratoga and Monte Sereno
residents
Promote library events and programs; engage in Information sharing with the library and the
public
I. Brainstorm with Diane Roche (County marketing person) on ways to promote Library events
and programs
II. Spread awareness via our networks of library events and offerings and encourage
attendance (for example, post in Nextdoor Saratoga, post on Facebook page, tell our Book
Clubs, etc.)
III. Update Saratoga News of upcoming library events
IV. Write an article for Saratoga Source (monthly e-newsletter) or Saratoga Newspaper to
feature library program(s)
V. Provide recommendations to library staff at Commission meetings. This would include ideas
for programs that our community is interested in (eg, 3D printing); new trends, and
upcoming community events where outreach might occur
VI. Attend annual Friends and Commissioner forum
VII. Visit other County Library Commission and JPA meetings
Identify continuing opportunities to partner with West Valley College
I. Work on 2018 – 2019 Coral Reef Crochet Project (schedule viewing of Chasing Coral at
Library, encourage crochet circles, attend seminars, help with displays), with West Valley
College taking the lead on this effort
Help increase the number of residents with library cards
I. Volunteer at outreach programs
II. Target Monte Sereno residents
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP
Name Term End City Email
Anandi Krishnamurthy 9/30/2018 akrishnamurthy@saratoga.ca.us
Flora Hoffman 9/30/2019 fhoffman@saratoga.ca.us
Karen Burley 9/30/2020 kburley@saratoga.ca.us
Steven White, Monte Sereno Representative 9/30/2021 swhite@saratoga.ca.us
Robert Gulino 9/30/2021 rgulino@saratoga.ca.us
Saratoga Library Commission Agenda - Page 1 of 3
Minutes
Saratoga Library Commission
Regular Meeting
April 24, 2018
Call to Order
Chair Burley called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Saratoga Library at 13650 Saratoga
Avenue.
Roll Call
Present: Chair Karen Burley, Vice Chair Flora Hoffman, Commissioner Robert
Gulino , Anandi Krishnamurthy, Steven White
Absent: None
Also Present: Nancy Howe, Michael Eitner, Alice Patrick, Elicia Ye, Rita Wang, Crystal
Bothelio
Oral Communications on Non-Agendized Items
None
Approval of Minutes
WHITE/KRISHNAMURTHY MOVED TO APPROVE THE DRAFT MINUTES FOR THE
FEBRUARY 27, 2018 MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BURLEY, GULINO, HOFFMAN,
KRISHNAMURTHY, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Agenda Items
1. West Valley College Collaboration
Summary: One of the Library Commission’s work plan items includes identifying opportunities
to partner with West Valley College, including the 2019 Coral Reef Crochet Project.
Chair Burley provided an update on the efforts to collaborate with West Valley College on the
2019 Coral Reef Crochet Project.
2. Commissioner-Led Events: Junior Achievement
Summary: The Library Commission work plan includes providing support for Library events and
program. The Library Commission has been working to support the Library through
coordination of events, such as Junior Achievement.
Chair Burley provided an announcement on the Junior Achievement Program, which is expected
to run in May.
3. Library Card Promotion: Commissioner Engagement
Summary: The Library Commission has been discussing opportunities to increase the number of
residents with library cards and the initiative is included in the Commission’s work plan.
Strategies identified for increasing the number of residents with library cards includes
Saratoga Library Commission Agenda - Page 2 of 3
volunteering at outreach programs/events and conducting targeted outreach to Monte Sereno
residents.
The Library Commission discussed outreach at events to promote library card signups.
4. Library Space Utilization
Summary: Discuss and consider utilization of Saratoga Library space.
The Library Commission discussed the need for meeting space, the space needs of Saratoga
Library, and funding for interior space modifications that became available to the Saratoga
Library.
5. Community News & Trends
Summary: Share news and trends within the community.
Commissioner Gulino suggested future programing on cryptocurrency and shared that he would
be attending an event on robotics. He also noted interest in sustainability.
Vice Chair Hoffman also suggested another topic of interest could include social media privacy
and manipulation or selling of personal data.
Reports
1. Nancy Howe, Santa Clara County Librarian
County Librarian Nancy Howe reported on Food for Fines, passport services, the upcoming Joint
Powers Authority meeting, the proposed budget, the Library staff development day, and Silicon
Valley reads.
2. Michael Eitner, Saratoga Community Librarian
Community Librarian Michael Eitner reported on recent Library events, the new Library gate
counter, the Public Library Association Conference in Philadelphia, upcoming programs in May,
and potential volunteer projects.
3. Alice Patrick, Friends of the Saratoga Libraries
Friends of the Saratoga Libraries President Alice Patrick shared information about participation
at City events, Board nominations, bylaw changes, a recent Friends’ speaker event, and selection
of the Go Go Biblio colors and fonts.
4. Saratoga Library Teen Advisory Board
Teen Advisory Board Members Elicia Ye and Rita Wang shared information about recent Teen
Advisory Board events.
5. Karen Burley, Library Commission Chair
Chair Burley provided a recap of the Commission Work Plan Study Session in March.
6. Crystal Bothelio, Saratoga Deputy City Manager
Saratoga Library Commission Agenda - Page 3 of 3
Deputy City Manager Crystal Bothelio announced the City of Saratoga’s Youth in Government
program, Arbor Day, the Saratoga Safety Fair, and RYDE.
Summarize Action Items
None
Agenda Items for Next Meeting – June 26, 2018
No additional items
Adjournment
Chair Burley adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
City of Saratoga
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
May 2018
Commission Report
Nancy Howe, County Librarian
Summer Reading is one month away…
Reading takes you everywhere… especially this summer at all SCCLD Libraries. Reading
can help you see a new place or learn what it’s like inside a flower…REALLY thanks to our
sponsors, Gilroy Gardens, the SF 49ers and The Tech Museum.
This year’s GRAND PRIZE is a Unique 49ers Game Day experience!
All kids ages 5 -12, teens and adults who enroll through Beanstack and read and log at least
5 books by July 31st are entered into the drawing for this amazing prize.
Check out our website for more patron prize details at www.sccl.org/summerreading2018.
Your library is a special place in your city. All kinds of people come to take advantage of the
wonderful programs, fun spaces and of course, the books. And with our fabulous online
library, some simply visit us virtually. AND all of these visitors are part of the SCCLD
community, and Summer Reading helps build this community of readers. All reading is
good reading, and we want all of our residents to be a part of the fun.
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
If 10% of all SCCLD
Library cardholders enroll
in Reading takes you
everywhere and read at
least 5 books, we can read
over 100,000 books
TOGETHER. We want
everyone on the journey to
read together. This year
we will be tracking the
number of books read
every week and mapping
the progress!
Readers can sign up easily online with Beanstack or at the library. Preregistration opens
today so make sure and sign up and let everyone know they can enroll now. If you are
already registered in Beanstack, just log back in with your email and join with a click.
Thank you for making summer special at the library.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Did you know Mental Health Awareness Month
has been observed in the United States since
1949?
The Gilroy Library received a grant from the
California State Library to hold a Mental Health
Resource Fair. The event, Mindquest, will be
held May 19 at the Gilroy Library in recognition
of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Visit resource tables from local organizations,
take part in our arts and crafts for families, or
enjoy yoga classes for adults and kids. Other
activities include chair massages, adult coloring
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
for mindfulness, and lectures in English and Spanish on emotional intelligence, dealing with
trauma and various mental health topics.
Whether you come for a massage, a yoga class, or to learn more about mental hea lth, we look
forward to seeing you at Mindquest!
Update from the April Joint Powers Authority Meeting
On April 26, the SCCLD Joint Powers Authority Board met to discuss various agenda items.
Below are the main agenda items and the outcome of the discussions:
Consider and discuss the FY18/19 SCCLD preliminary budget
o The preliminary budget was discussed. Final budget will be presented at the next
JPA meeting scheduled for June 7, 2018.
Receive the expanded hours report and provide direction to staff
The JPA unanimously directed staff to prioritize the addition of open hours, favoring
Option 2 in the staff report which would increase all community libraries to a minimum
of 61 hours per week including Sunday hours and in accordance with the funding
formula. Also discussed was the need to open hours that are most convenient for our
public; sustainability of hours; and efficiency of costs.
Consider and discuss a resolution supporting the Library’s full cooperation with the
County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters to increase voter participation.
o A JPA board member requested the JPA review the Library District ’s policy on
offering early voting and/or voter ballot boxes in and/or near the entrance of the
library. The discussion involved two important civil rights: The right of fre e
speech and the right of civic involvement. (Note: No campaigning or tabling can
take place within 100 feet from an official ballot drop off box or voting site.) The
conflict involved a voter drop off box that is located within 100 feet of the
entrance of the Cupertino Library in the Civic Center Plaza.
It was determined by the JPA board that SCCLD will continue to support
the County Registrar of Voters as an early voting site and/or offering
voting ballot drop off boxes within the library if asked. The library has no
jurisdiction over where voting ballot boxes are located outside of the
library.
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
Cupertino Library to Expand Hours to 72
Beginning June 1, Cupertino Library will be expanding their
hours from 66 to 72 hours per week. Based on information
from the State of the Valley 2018 Index Report, the average
commute is 30 minutes and commutes over 90 minutes have
doubled in the past 5 years. In response to SCCLD’s Patron
Satisfaction Survey findings from Cupertino residents the
Cupertino Library will be open Monday through Friday 10am
– 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 6:30pm starting June
1.
Please save the date for Saturday, June 9 . We plan on having a community celebration event
for all ages to celebrate our extended hours. Details will follow.
Library Trends:
As the federal and state support for funding public libraries continues to change, it is important
to remain aware of voter perceptions on the importance of, and support for public libraries.
SCCLD is fortunate that a majority of our funding is sourced from local property taxes. As our
economy and property value have continued to increase as a whole in the Silicon Valley, we
have been able to make improvements to our libraries, increase hours and provide valuable
services to our patrons.
The following article, From Awareness to Funding, was published by OCLC in partnership with
the American Library Association (ALA) and its Public Library Association (PLA) division to
investigate current perceptions and support among US voters and how they may have shifted
in the past decade since the report was first issued in 2018.
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
In 2008, OCLC published From
Awareness to Funding: A
Study of Library Support in
America, a national study of
the awareness, attitudes, and
underlying motivations among
US voters for supporting library
funding. The research, which
was led by OCLC with funding
by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation and conducted by
Leo Burnett USA, dispelled
longheld assumptions and
provided eye-opening insights
about who supports public
library funding and for what
reasons. A decade later, OCLC has partnered with the American Library Association (ALA)
and its Public Library Association (PLA) division to investigate current perceptions and support
among US voters and how they may have shifted in the intervening years. The partners re -
engaged Leo Burnett USA and revisited the survey instrument used in the original research.
To allow for comparisons across segments and time, the new study is based largely on the
original survey instrument and population (voters age 18 to 69 living in populations of 300,000
or less), yet expands queries into new types of library services, comm unity impact, perceptions
of funding sources other than taxes, and attitudes toward federal funding. Two population
segments that were not part of the original research panel —people age 70 or older and people
who live in large cities (populations greater than 300,000)—have been added and analyzed
separately. The Methodology section (p. 30) details the methods and research questions used
for this study in comparison to the original research and provides definitions of some of the
terms used in this report. This summary includes key findings from the 2018 research and
highlights notable comparisons to 2008 results. The analysis shows that libraries remain
valued institutions that most voters have a positive association with and find useful. There
continues to be stalwart support for library funding in many communities as evidenced by the
fact that the majority of local library ballot measures in recent years have passed. This new
national voter data, however, indicates a softening in committed support for libra ries over the
past decade. Libraries and library advocates should take action to address this downward
trend. Readers can visit oc.lc/awareness2018 to access 2018 survey questions, data set and
data tables, and summary analyses of the two additional popula tion samples. Case studies,
commentary, resources, and programming related to this research will be added to the website
as they are made available.
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
For the full report, please visit https://www.oclc.org/research/awareness-to-funding-2018.html
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
June 2018
Commission Report
Nancy Howe, County Librarian
Summer Reading has Arrived!
This summer at SCCLD, Reading Takes You
Everywhere with great books, amazing programs, fun
prizes and new sponsors.
From June 1-July 31, SCCLD will encourage patrons of all
ages to join in the 100,000 book challenge. If 10% of all
SCCLD cardholders enroll in Summer Reading and read at
least 5 books, we’ll achieve our community goal. We want
to encourage people of all ages to read and enjoy the
adventure stories offers.
This year, our sponsors include The Tech Museum, Gilroy
Gardens, Monster Jam and the SF 49ers! As a new
sponsor, the 49ers have partnered with SCCLD to support
Summer Reading. They are providing prizes including
tickets to training camp practice, autographed memorabilia,
and for the GRAND PRIZE, four tickets, plus four pre-game
field passes, plus a parking pass to the Aug 30 pre-season
game against the Los Angeles Chargers. In addition, we
have the opportunity to encourage reading by having a
player visit one of our libraries this summer and Sourdough
Sam, the 49ers mascot, visit during Lunch at the Library.
This will be a special treat for the kids to meet a
professional athlete and take their picture with the mascot
at the library. By partnering with the 49ers, we also hope to
encourage more boys and adults to take part in Summer
Reading.
At SCCLD, our Summer Reading program targets early learners 0-5, children 6-12, teens
and adults alike. We offer programs, events and more to encourage life-long learning and
avoid the ‘summer slide’. We have a summer planned that is sure to keep our patrons
engaged with learning at all levels and the kids ready to start the next school year, ready to
learn.
Check out our website for more details at www.sccl.org/summerreading2018.
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
Lunch at the Library
After a successful first year of introduction in
2017, SCCLD is offering Lunch at the Library
for our second summer. Did you know, of
those children who receive a subsidized
meal during the school year, only 1 in 6
children receive that meal during the
summer months? SCCLD has partnered with Second Harvest and Silicon Valley YMCA to
provide a healthy, nutritious, free lunch to children 2-18 at the Gilroy Library, Morgan Hill
Library and through a partnership with San Martin Gwinn Elementary School and our
bookmobile, we’ll be able to provide Lunch at the Library in San Martin as well.
Lunch at the Library offers a safe and positive environment that p rovides not only a nutritional
meal, but also access to books, interactive learning resources, and engaging educational
activities throughout the summer. With Lunch at the Library, we are able to feed the body and
the mind.
San Martin Gwinn Elementary/SCCLD Bookmobile
100 North Street, San Martin
Tuesday & Thursday
June 19- August 9
11:00am-1:00pm
Doors open at 10:30am
Kids’ activities begin at 11:00am
Lunch served from 12:00pm-1:00pm
Morgan Hill Library
660 West Main Ave, Morgan Hill
Monday through Friday
June 11- August 3
12:00pm- 1:00pm
Gilroy Library
350 W. Sixth Street, Gilroy
Monday through Friday
June 18-July 27
12:00pm-1:00pm
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
Acorn TV at SCCLD?—Brilliant!
Newly added to the SCCLD online library, Acorn TV offers
5,000 hours of world-class mysteries, dramas and
comedies from Britain and beyond; 2,800+ episodes in
all. Stream the latest seasons of popular shows such
as Doc Martin and Inspector George Gently as well as
Acorn TV original programming like Loch Ness and Agatha
Raisin. Enjoy 80+ exclusive shows such as A Place to
Call Home and The Brokenwood Mysteries. New shows
are added weekly.
Discover Acorn TV at https://scclca.rbdigital.com/ or https://www.sccl.org/emovies under
RBdigital.
Joint Powers Authority Board Meeting- June 7
The next JPA board meeting will be held on June 7, 1:30pm at the Services and Support
Center in Campbell.
New business will include final approval on the FY18/19 budget as well as reviewing the official
audit of FY16/17.
Library Trends:
On May 30, 2108, California moved one step closer to establishing its own net neutrality law in
the wake of the FCC's decision to kill federal measures. The state Senate passed a bill that
would not only institute rules like those the FCC implemented in 2015, but would forbid the
practice of zero-rating services to give them advantages over competitors.
The bill still has to clear the state Assembly before it can be signed into law. In light of the
movement and discussion around net neutrality, it is important to think of this in context to how
it can affect our public libraries.
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
What public libraries will lose without net neutrality
A Q&A with NYPL president Tony Marx and associate director of information policy Greg Cram
By Kaitlyn Tiffany Dec 14, 2017, 8:00am EST
The FCC will vote on a measure today that would repeal net neutrality and pave the way for
the end of the free, open internet as we’ve always known it. Librarians aren't happy about it.
Yesterday, The Verge published an op-ed written by the heads of the New York Public Library,
the Brooklyn Library, and the Queens Library systems, which called the measure “appalling,”
and argued that the end of an open internet would contribute to inequality of education and
opportunity, widening “the already yawning digital divide.” Later, in a phone call, the New York
Public Library’s CEO and president Anthony Marx and associate director of information policy
Greg Cram broke the issue down further, explaining exactly which library resources an open
internet protects, who would be hurt the most by net neutrality’s rollback, and why handing the
internet to ISPs could threaten the basic foundation of American democracy.
What stake do public libraries have in this issue?
Greg Cram: So, for fiscal year 2017 [the New York Public Library] provided 3.1 million
computer sessions — and that’s sessions across all of the branches — using 4,700
computers. And in addition to that, we provided 3 million wireless sessions. For the first quarter
of fiscal year 2018 we had 16.2 million pageviews on our digital collections.
Anthony Marx: That gives us a little bit of the sense of the scale of how much of the library
goes across wires, and the simple fact is that the poorest of New York rely on the library as the
only place they can go and get free use of computers and free Wi -Fi. It’s one of the reasons
why the library is the most visited civic institution in New York. We have also, in recent years,
been lending people what we call hot spots, which are Wi-Fi boxes they can take home,
typically for a year. That gives them digital access at home — broadband access — which
something like 2 million New Yorkers can’t afford and don’t have. We’re still doing thousands
of those. We’d like to do more and we’re exploring how to do more, because in this day and
age, if you don’t have internet access that works and goes fast enough, you can’t do your
homework, you can’t do research, you can’t apply for jobs, you can’t find jobs.
“IF YOU DON’T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS THAT WORKS AND GOES FAST
ENOUGH, YOU CAN’T DO YOUR HOMEWORK, YOU CAN’T DO RESEARCH, YOU
CAN’T APPLY FOR JOBS.”
We live in a world where access to information is essential for opportunity, for learning, for
success, for civic life, for checking facts. Anything that reduces that, particularly for people who
can’t afford alternatives, is a body blow to the basic democratic principles that the library
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
stands for. Whether people or the library are shoved to the slow lane, and / or forced to pay to
be in the fast lane with resources that are already stretched thin, is really sort of shocking. To
put it sort of bluntly, the Federal Communications Commission should
be defending communications.
More broadly speaking then, what you’re saying would also apply to other public
libraries, as well as libraries in publicly funded educational settings. High schools,
community colleges, etc.
AM: There are libraries in pretty much every community in this country. We happen to be the
biggest one. And they are a vital resource. Libraries have never been used more. It’s partly
because of internet access that people are coming in and benefiting from them, and all of this
gets seriously whacked [without net neutrality guarantees]. That’s true not just for us but, as
you say, across the country.
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARIES: THE
PROPOSAL TO KILL NET
NEUTRALITY IS 'APPALLING'
What exactly, as far as resources that
libraries provide, would be affected
by killing net neutrality?
GC: Our users depend on the library,
and libraries in general, for things like
completing homework assignments,
locating e-government resources, e-
government services, accessing oral
histories and primary source materials. Things that are resource -intensive like video and audio
and image collections are dependent on a free and open internet. Also things like applying and
interviewing for jobs. More and more jobs involve a first round of interviews that are done over
the internet. If we have to put things in the slow lane, we’re worried about those interview
services being downgraded. In a research library capacity, we’re thinking about large datasets,
the use of high-power broadband is needed to access those large datasets.
[Places] like the National Library of Medicine have huge data sources that need resou rce-
intensive access to be able to use that data. Even things like interactive broadband
classrooms, where there’s high-speed access to that classroom so the teacher or professor
can use the classroom as a window into the world. All of those things, all of those uses, require
high-speed access that’s dependent on a free and open internet.
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
Can you speak to how this would affect resources for people with disabilities?
The American Library Association has pointed out that people with hearing loss, for
example, have a particular need for videos with captioning.
AM: An obvious example is that the New York Public Library runs the Andrew Heiskell Library
for the visually impaired. I believe it is a three-state depository, so it plays a role in getting
access in all the ways you described — not just in New York City but way beyond. A lot of that
now happens online and it could simply stop working, which means they’re gonna cut people
off completely.
Can you explain exactly how the rolling back of net neutrality would threaten these
resources, as simply as possible?
GC: I should say, the rollback of net neutrality opens the possibility for ISPs to start to play with
how we pay for the internet, but because [it hasn’t] been rolled back yet, we don’t have
evidence that they will in fact do those things. It’s a little speculative at this point. I think
everyone is speculating a little bit in this. But the indications we got from the ISPs are that
there will be paid prioritization and for us, there are specific things that would likely end up in
the slow lane.
In the war on fake news, school librarians have a huge role to play
From the content side, the NYPL serves a lot of content through its networks. We serve a lot of
video content, audio and image content, both from kind of a cloud server to our meeting rooms
and also to the general public when they access the collections off -site. We know that if there
is paid prioritization, we’ll have to pay to have that content delivered at a similar rate that the
larger media companies will be able to. That for us, means slower and worse access to our
collections. We don’t know exactly what it will cost to stay in the fast lane or be in the fast lane
if paid prioritization is implemented by the ISPs, but it seems like that’s the way the ISPs are
gonna go once this rollback happens.
Is that something libraries have to plan for preemptively, as far as worst-case scenarios
in budget planning?
GC: We don’t know what the timeline would be, what the fees would be, but it’s something
we’re starting to keep in mind as we’re thinking about the budget. We suspect that if this
rollback happens and it’s not blocked by the courts, then it will mean increases or reques ts
from ISPs to put our content in the fast lane. The other side of that is from the user standpoint.
[We’re] also worried about the ISPs instituting an à la carte menu that would either block
access to certain content, move it to lower service tiers, or charge users more on that menu of
options.
Serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and the cities of Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Altos Hills | Milpitas | Monte Sereno |
Morgan Hill | Saratoga
“WE ARE A FOUNDATIONAL PART OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT. ALL LIBRARIES
ARE.”
All users should be able to access, to seek, and receive information from all points of view,
without any kind of restriction. I think both of those aspects are worrisome and troublesome to
us. We don’t know yet how the ISPs are gonna react once these rules go away, but we’re
certainly worried about it in terms of planning.
That brings us to the more fundamental idea of information access, where, theoretically,
ISPs might be able to block or downgrade publishers or content providers they don’t
agree with.
AM: Well, we happen to believe in the First Amendment. We are a foundational part of the
First Amendment. All libraries are. And you know, if you curtail people’s access to information,
not only will they not be able to do their homework or look for a job or use our collections, they
will not be able to inform themselves as citizens. And in this day and age, when accusations of
false news are flying every day, the citizens need to be able to check facts and gather facts
and argue about facts.
And they do that online, from the library. If we don’t continue to ensure that, our democracy is
at risk. Not just the First Amendment.
Are you seeing library patrons expressing concern about this vote?
AM: I fear, as is often the case, people don’t really focus on what’s at risk until they’ve lost it.
And that would be a tragedy. I’m sure there are many of the library’s users who are aware and
have joined us, but I fear there will also be some number who will wake up one day and realize
that something essential has been lost.
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SARATOGA LIBRARY REPORT
May 2018
Mike Eitner, Community Librarian
SUPER HERO ACADEMY AND FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
On May 5, more than 120 children enjoyed Free Comic Book
Day. Comic books are an excellent way for new and
experienced readers to engage their imagination. Comic
books also teach readers important values such as right and
wrong.
To fully enjoy the day, some children dressed as super
heroes. Aaron – one of Saratoga’s own super heroes –
showed his incredible strength by lifting a boulder.*
*Special thanks to Children’s Librarian Holly Okamura for making the boulder.
STATISTICS
March 2017 March 2018 April 2017 April 2018
Total Circulation 93,011 98,245 92,328 95,845
Adult/Teen Circulation 48,293 51,049 47,880 48,028
Children’s Circulation 44,718 47,196 44,448 47,817
Use of E-Book Collection
(OverDrive Vendor) 2,401 2,931 2,399 3,301
Use of Downloadable Audio
Books (OverDrive Vendor) 1,122 1,746 1,232 1,700
Total Number of Programs 77 94 62 75
Programs Total Attendance 2,902 2,928 2,415 2,358
Unique WiFi Users 5,674 5,392
New Library Cards Issued 213 246 198 211
Gate Count: Library Use 36,814 36,624 33,770 33,067
Outreach Events 3 2 2 4
Outreach Total Attendance 376 108 139 1,135
Volunteer Hours 1,458 1,429 1,503 1,466
OUTREACH
Saratoga Library staff attended Redwood Middle School’s Wellness Fair, Daves Avenue Elementary
School’s Earth Week, Saratoga High School, and the State of the City.
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CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS
Saratoga Library and the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries have very dedicated volunteers. As a way of
thanking the volunteers for their dedicate service, staff hosted a luncheon on Monday, April 23. Senior
Library Clerk Archna Singh planned and executed the celebration.
SPOTLIGHT ON JUNE PROGRAMS
Children
Coventry and Kaluza, Wednesday, June 6, 3:00 p.m.
We're kicking off Summer Reading with fun and laughter. Join us for an afternoon with circus artists
and comedians, Coventry and Kaluza. Be amazed at their high-flying, dazzling feats of skill and laugh
out loud at their funny antics. All ages are welcome!
Mike Della Penna, Wednesday, June 13, 3:00 p.m.
Magician Mike Della Penna is coming to the Saratoga Library! He's silly, he's funny and he'll make you
go WOW! Join us for a magical afternoon of wonder and laughter. All ages are welcome!
More than Money Presented by Junior Achievement, Saturday, June 16, 23, and 30, 10:30 a.m.
3rd-5th Graders: Want to learn more about money? Have you ever dreamed of starting a business and
want to learn how? Then sign-up for this 3-day workshop for 3rd - 5th graders. You must register
ahead of time and plan on attending all 3 classes. Register here: tinyurl.com/yc4alzp9
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For Goodness Snakes, Wednesday, June 20, 3:00 p.m.
Don't panic, but there will be snakes in the library. Get up close, meet, and learn about these
fascinating creatures and other reptiles in an unforgettable educational experience.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries. All ages are welcome.
Teen
Bullet Journal Workshop for Teens and Adults, Saturday, June 2, 2:00 p.m.
Join us for an interactive workshop on creative journaling. Kanesha Baynard, author and creativity
coach, will share tips, tools and fun supplies for creating a travel journal. Whether you're dreaming
about destinations on your bucket list, capturing plans for a future trip, highlighting adventures from
past trips, documenting travel experiences in real time or just exploring how to start or organize a
creative journal - this workshop is for you.
Henna Art for Teens, Friday, June 15, 3:00 p.m.
Teens: join us for a henna workshop with local artist Rachel Palacios. Learn about the history of henna
art, get a design created on your hand and create your own design on a candle. Registration required.
This workshop is for patrons ages 12 to 18.
Adults
Book Discussion Group, June 4, 7:30 p.m.
June’s selection is I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Join us for a lively discussion of the book.
Chinese Mahjong Lessons, Wednesday, June 6, 13, 20, 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Beginning Mahjong lessons will be taught using Chinese rules. Weeks 1 and 2 will focus on learning the
game and the last session will focus on practicing the game. Wilson Liu is the instructor.
Succulents and Garden Designs, Tuesday, June 19, 7:00 p.m.
Master Gardener Laura Balaoro will describe the growing habits and conditions for many succulent
varieties and how to use them in your garden design by planting them directly in your garden or in
containers.
For additional details about events, click on “Events” at www.sccl.org.
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RECENT PROGRAMS
Chamber Music by the Bay
Paws to Read
Thank you Friends of the Saratoga Libraries for generously funding library programs and events!
1
SARATOGA LIBRARY REPORT
June 2018
Mike Eitner, Community Librarian
READING TAKES YOU EVERYWHERE
Summer Reading is here again! In addition to a personal goal of
reading five books, our community-wide goal is to read 100,000
books from June 1-July 31. As of June 18, the community has
logged 16,030 books – a fantastic start!
Our 2018 sponsors include The Tech Museum, Gilroy Gardens,
Monster Jam, and the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are
providing prizes including tickets to training camp practice and
autographed memorabilia. The grand prize is four tickets,
including pre-game field passes as well as a parking pass, to the
August 30 pre-season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
As always, Summer Reading is for everyone from prereaders to
experienced readers of any age. More than 1700 Saratoga Library
patrons have already registered for summer reading. Join us!
STATISTICS April 2017 April 2018 May 2017 May 2018
Total Circulation 92,328 95,845 85,554 94,094
Adult/Teen Circulation 47,880 48,028 45,411 49,311
Children’s Circulation 44,448 47,817 40,143 44,783
Use of E-Book Collection
(OverDrive Vendor) 2,399 3,301 2,394 3,362
Use of Downloadable Audio
Books (OverDrive Vendor) 1,232 1,700 1,181 1,859
Total Number of Programs 62 75 75 85
Programs Total Attendance 2,415 2,358 2,514 2,916
Unique WiFi Users 5,392 5,561
New Library Cards Issued 198 211 178 211
Gate Count: Library Use 33,770 33,067 34,546 33,574
Outreach Events 2 4 7 10
Outreach Total Attendance 139 1,135 1,676 1,831
Volunteer Hours 1,503 1,466 1,530 1,263
OUTREACH
Saratoga Library staff attended Lexington Elementary Earth Week, gave book talks to sixth graders at
Redwood Middle School, and went to numerous schools in the area to build excitement for Summer
Reading.
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SPOTLIGHT ON JULY PROGRAMS
Children
The Statute of Liberty, Saturday, July 7, 3:00 p.m.
Come learn the fascinating story of the Statue of Liberty from the lady herself.
Ventriloquist Steve Chaney and Corny Crow, Wednesday, July 11, 3:00 p.m.
Join us for a hilarious show of puppetry, juggling and magic with Ventriloquist Steve Chaney and Corny
Crow. All ages are welcome.
Juggler Jeremy Shafer, Wednesday, July 18, 3:00 p.m.
Let the library take you to a place of imagination and wonder. Join us for a zany, comedic spectacle of
juggling, transforming origami, magic and more with entertainer, Jeremy Shafer. Fun for all ages!
Musical Fun with Asheba, Wednesday, July 25, 3:00 p.m.
Dance, sing, and clap along to the sweet Caribbean-inspired rhythms and catchy melodies of childhood
with children's musician Asheba.
Teen
How to Answer Different Essay Prompts on a College Application, Saturday, July 21, 10:00 a.m.
Are you working on your college application? Learn from a professional on how to best answer
different essay prompts. This presentation is for high school students and their parents.
Adults
Truth and Beauty: The Pre-Raphaelites and the Old Masters, July 13, 10:00 a.m.
In 1848-seven young Englishmen formed the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, rebelling against the
contemporary Victorian art world. San Francisco Fine Arts Museum docent Ellen Harden describes the
current DeYoung Museum exhibit that runs until September 30, which juxtaposes their work with
examples of the Renaissance masters who inspired them.
For additional details about events, click on “Events” at www.sccl.org.
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RECENT PROGRAMS
Bullet Journal
Make Your Own Play Dough
Thank you Friends of the Saratoga Libraries for generously funding library programs and events!
Friends report for the June 26, 2018 Library Commission meeting
1. We approved a $141,000 grant request for the Saratoga Library.
2. For our Author event on 4/20, Carole Bumpus, author of “A Cup of Redemption” and “Recipes
for Redemption”, presented a very interesting talk about her travel to France for World War II
remembrances and her work recording the recollections of many French residents.
3. The Book-Go-Round participated in the Saratoga Spring Wine Stroll on May 12. About 170
people came into the store, many for the first time.
4. Although we had chosen a color and font for the Friends logo on the Saratoga GoGo Biblio
popup vehicle, we needed to vote again on the color of the logo and the size of the fonts.
5. Membership numbers have increased to 923 active members, up from 800 at this time last
year.
6. Cynthia Lee is retiring after 25 years of handling Membership Correspondence. Debbie Jensen
will be taking her place.
7. We will have three tables at the 6/23 Blossom Festival.
8. Our annual General Meeting will be 6/27 where the membership will vote on the slate of
officers and on the revised by-laws.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Patrick
CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Library Commission
From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Date: June 26, 2018
Subject: Commission Report
Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate Independence Day with the community on July 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at
Kevin Moran Park. The event will include music, historical American characters, a family parade,
recognition of veterans and soldiers, and more. Visit www.saratogajuly4.com for more
information.
Summer Movie Nights
Join the Parks and Recreation for the Summer Movie Nights at El Quito Park on the 3 rd Friday of
the Month. The events begin at 7:30 p.m. with the movie starting at sunset. The next event will
take place on Friday, July 20 and will feature the movie, Coco. For more information, visit
www.saratoga.ca.us.
Saratoga CERT – Next Academy July 9
The need for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program was recognized after
the 1985 Mexico City earthquake when untrained volunteers lost their lives while saving others.
The CERT program was then established nationwide, and even in fore ign countries, to train
citizens to safely help take care of themselves and others during a crisis. This allows first
responders to focus on the most critical needs. Saratoga residents can participate in the next
Santa Clara County Fire Department CERT training academy beginning on July 9 in Cupertino.
CERT academies consists of six evening training sessions and a final skills exercise. Volunteers
will learn to prepare, locate and turn off utilities, treat injuries, conduct light search and rescue,
extinguish small fires, help relieve survivor stress, and more. For more information, visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/CERTacademy
City Council Candidate Nomination Period – July 16 through August 10
The nomination period for Saratoga City Council candidates in the 2018 local election opens on
Monday, July 16 and runs through Friday, August 10. During this time, prospective candidates
may call the City Clerk’s Office at 408.868.1294 to schedule appointments to receive and file
nomination papers.
To be listed on the ballot as a City Council candidate, prospective candidates must file the
necessary paperwork and collect a minimum of 20 signatures from Saratoga voters before the
nomination period closes on August 10.
An Election Workshop for prospective candidates is scheduled for Thursday, June 28 beginning
at 7:00 p.m. in the Joan Pisani Community Center to review the process. More information is
also available online at www.saratoga.ca.us/election
Volunteer Drivers Needed!
The Saratoga Area Senior Center is seeking volunteer drivers for Reach Your Destination Easily
(RYDE), a curb-to-curb transportation service for adults ages 55 and older living in the West
Valley Cities. The majority of RYDEs are provided by volunteer drivers, and you can volunteer as
little as 2 hours per week to help seniors age in their own homes and prevent social isolation.
For more information about this rewarding volunteer opportunity, or to register for RYDE
services, contact the Saratoga RYDE Coordinator at 408.892.9739