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Library Trustees Hit Many Topics

The Board of Trustees of the Crowell Public Library met on Mon., Nov. 28 to review the library’s existing gift and donations policy as part of an effort to establish a comprehensive policy binder for the library.

City Librarian Irene McDermott noted that most of the changes involved reordering paragraphs and incorporating the library’s “wish list” into the policy.

“The [Library] accepts gifts…for the Library’s collection that fall within needed subject categories, as determined by the City Librarian and the staff,” the policy reads.

Other components of the policy include monetary gifts to fund materials on the library’s wish list (published below) and support the library’s two support organizations: The Friends of the Crowell Public Library and the San Marino Public Library Foundation.

The library does not accept non-library oriented materials.

McDermott added that the policy narrative has been largely consistent with the library’s current practices.

The board of trustees also adopted an updated reference policy, which it discussed at its October meeting.

Trustees found the reference policy—complete with a definition of reference service, statement of purpose and standards—to be appropriate for the Crowell Library.

Since July the board has reviewed its behavior standards, internet, reference and donations policies.

Legislative Update

Assistant City Manager Lucy Garcia said she anticipates the increase in the state minimum wage to impact the library’s staffing.

“I do think there will be some impacts to the library’s operation overall,” she said.

Currently $10 per hour, the state minimum wage will jump to $10.50 per hour on Jan. 1, 2017. The state has set a target of $15 per hour by 2020.

The library has about 40 part-time staff earning under $15 per hour.

HMS Gym Update

Garcia also provided trustees with a brief update regarding the construction of the new Barth Athletic Complex at Huntington Middle School.

Garcia noted that the library, which borders the school’s parking lot, will be most impacted by the construction of the gym during the summer. Library staff anticipate that such a schedule will have the greatest impact on the library’s popular Summer Reading Club.

Trustees asked that Garcia provide another update when more information about the construction of the new gym becomes available.

“As the project unfolds, [the city and library will] have more coordination,” Garcia said.

Uncirculated Materials

McDermott told trustees that she will work with Reference Librarian Carly Lamphere and Young Adult Librarian Terra Forrest to remove uncirculated library materials.

Over the next year, her goal is to reduce the library’s collection from 106,000 materials to 95,000.

McDermott will start the removal of uncirculated materials with the library’s collection of 500 audiobooks on tape.

Delicious Destinations

The board was informed that the Library Foundation made a profit of $35,000 at its annual Delicious Destinations fundraiser event.

That amount is approximately $15,000 less than the usual netted sum.

Trustees noted a noticeable decrease in attendance and silent auction sales.

Library Closures

The library will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 16, 2017. Library staff will remain busy that day, however, completing CPR training and other library-related training courses.

The library will also close its doors on Easter Day, Sunday, Apr. 16, 2017.

Library Wish List

Support Crowell Public Library with a monetary contribution towards one of the following items:

  • Great Courses DVDs, about $200 each.
  • Civil Service test books to help people get government jobs, $500
  • Education test books to help young people prepare for the SAT, ACT, AP exams and others, $1,000
  • United States travel books and guides to states and cities in the US, $1,500
  • VOIP Conference Phone, $400
  • Outdoor armchair (Trex), $400 each (x4)
  • SMART KAPP-IQ 65” Capture Board for Thornton Room, $5,000
  • ST ViewScan III Microfilm Scanner $10,000
  • Futon for the staff break room, $600
  • Tutor.com, $3,000
  • AWE Early Literacy Station with chairs, $3,300

For more information about how to donate to the library, contact City Librarian Irene McDermott at 626-300-0775.

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