HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-14-2021 Library Community Engagement Commission MinutesSaratoga Library & Community Engagement Commission Minutes - Page 1 of 4
MINUTES
SARATOGA LIBRARY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 14, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Cristina Meiser called the virtual meeting to order at 5:01p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Cristina Meiser, Vice Chair Eric Lewis, Commissioners Robert
Gulino, Steven White, Victoria Zhang
Absent: None
Also Present: Jennifer Weeks, Nichole King, Alice Patrick, Lauren Sutioso, Ahana
Chakraborty, Kayla Nakamoto, Lauren Pettipiece, Crystal Bothelio
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Library & Community Engagement Commission Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve the minutes from April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting.
GULINO/LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM APRIL 12, 2021 REGULAR
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: GULINO, LEWIS, MEISER, WHITE, ZHANG. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. Saratoga Teen Advisory Board Report
Recommended Action:
Receive Saratoga Teen Advisory Board report.
Teen Advisory Co-President Lauren Sutioso shared an update on recent Teen
Advisory Board activities, including College Day, Coffeehouse, Crafternoon, and
selection of the new Co-Presidents.
The Commission thanked Lauren Sutioso and Viraaj Reddi for their service on the
Teen Advisory Board.
New Teen Advisory Co-President Ahana Chakraborty introduced herself.
Saratoga Library & Community Engagement Commission Minutes - Page 2 of 4
3. Santa Clara County Library District Report
Recommended Action:
Receive Santa Clara County Library District report.
Jennifer Weeks, County Librarian, shared District news, including a new app available
for iOS and Android devices, the Joint Powers Authority budget, and the summer
reading program.
4. Saratoga Community Library Report
Recommended Action:
Receive Saratoga Community Library report.
Nichole King, Acting Community Librarian, shared Saratoga Library updates, including
summer reading and elimination of time limits for patron visits to the Library.
5. Friends of the Saratoga Libraries Report
Recommended Action:
Receive Friends of the Saratoga Libraries report.
Alice Patrick, Friends of the Saratoga Libraries, shared an update from the Friends,
including book sharing sessions, a grant to the Saratoga Library, fundraising efforts,
selection of new officers and directors, and Book-Go-Round signage.
6. Library & Community Engagement Commission Chair Report
Recommended Action:
Receive Library & Community Engagement Commission Chair report.
Chair Cristina Meiser shared that she met with City staff to brainstorm possible
Commission work efforts.
7. City of Saratoga Report
Recommended Action:
Receive City of Saratoga report.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, shared City updates, including Commission
recruitments, formation of a new Public Art Commission, remote public participation
at Commission meetings, Housing Element, Youth in Government, and Saratoga
Power Lunch.
8. Community News & Trends
Recommended Action:
Share news and trends within the community.
Saratoga Library & Community Engagement Commission Minutes - Page 3 of 4
Commissioner Robert Gulino discussed some of the challenges of social interactions
in virtual platforms, like sidebars and conversations that would occur normally during
in-person get togethers, and shared information about a new platform called Gather
that better replicates the in-person experience.
Chair Cristina Meiser inquired about how Library services changes adopted during
the pandemic and whether online services that existed previously have been adapted
or changed.
Acting Community Librarian Nichole King and County Librarian Jennifer Weeks
described online services offered prior to the pandemic as well as service changes
adopted as a result of the pandemic that may remain in place going forward.
9. Community Harvest
Recommended Action:
Consider whether to participate in the Community Harvest in Saratoga Heritage
Orchard on June 19, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst, shared an overview of the Community
Harvest and invited the Commission to host a resource table.
The Commission discussed hosting a table at the Community Harvest.
10. Saratoga Movie Nights
Recommended Action:
Consider whether to participate in Saratoga Movie Nights in El Quito Park on July 16
and August 20.
Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst, shared an overview of the Saratoga Movie
Nights and invited the Commission to host a resource table.
Community Librarian Nichole King offered to have a member of Library staff host a
resource table.
11. Supporting City Communications
Recommended Action:
Receive information about City communications and opportunities to support
outreach efforts.
Saratoga Library & Community Engagement Commission Minutes - Page 4 of 4
Public Information Officer Lauren Pettipiece shared information about City
communications and described how Commissioners could support the City’s
outreach efforts.
Commissioner Robert Gulino suggested that staff share City communication topics
that Commissioners can share within their networks on a 2-to-4-week basis.
SUMMARIZE ACTION ITEMS
None
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Chair Cristine Meiser proposed that the August meeting include discussion about how the
formation of the Public Art Commission could influence the Library & Community
Engagement Commission’s work efforts, possibly considering ways to collaborate or new
work plan items, such as promoting diversity in the community.
The Commission agreed to meet at 5:00 p.m. in August if the meeting occurs virtually.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Cristina Meiser adjourned the meeting at 6:42 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager