HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-2025-BLT-APPROVED MINUTESCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Board of Library Trustees Civic Center Council Chambers 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA Meeting Minutes Monday, November 17, 2025 – 5:00 PM I. ROLL CALL Vice Chair Antonella Castro called to order the Board of Library Trustees meeting for November 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in Chair Lauren Kramer’s absence.
II. ROLL CALL
Trustees Present: Vice Chair Antonella Castro, Secretary Dorothy Larson, Trustee Chase Rief Trustees Absent: Chair Lauren Kramer, Trustee Meghan Murray (both excused) Staff Present: Melissa Hartson, Library Services Director Francine Jacome, Administrative Support Specialist Rebecca Lightfoot, Library Services Manager Andrew Kachaturian, Adult Services Coordinator Annika Helmuth, Branch and Youth Services Coordinator Miranda Gentry, Circulation Coordinator III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Members of the Mayor’s Youth Council led the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Administrative Support Specialist Francine Jacome read the Notice to the Public.
V. CONSENT CALENDAR Administrative Support Specialist Jacome read the Consent Calendar Notice to the Public. A. Consent Calendar Items
1. Minutes of the October 20, 2025 Board of Library Trustees Meeting
2. Patron Comments
Monthly review of evaluations of library services through suggestions and requests received
from patrons.
3. Expenditure Status Report
Monthly expenditure status of the library’s operating expenses, services, salaries, and
benefits by department.
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4. Board of Library Trustees Monitoring List
List of agenda items and dates for monthly review of projects by the Board of Library Trustees.
Vice Chair Castro opened the items to public comment, and there was none. Motion made by Secretary Dorothy Larson, seconded by Trustee Chase Rief, and carried 3-0-0-2 to approve the Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-4. AYES: Castro, Larson, Rief NOES: ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENCES: Kramer, Murray VI. CURRENT BUSINESS
A. Items for Review
5. Laptop Borrowing Policy (NBPL 10)
Staff recommends that the Board of Library Trustees review and approve minor revisions to Library Policy NBPL 10, Laptop Borrowing Policy. Vice Chair Castro opened public comment, and there was none.
Motion made by Trustee Chase Rief, seconded by Vice Chair Antonella Castro, and carried 3-0-0-2 to approve the revisions to Library Policy NBPL 10.
AYES: Castro, Larson, Rief NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENCES: Kramer, Murray
6. COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY (NBPL 2)
Staff recommends that the Board of Library Trustees review and approve revisions
to Library Policy NBPL 2, Collection Development Policy, to be compliant with the California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825). Secretary Larson stated that she likes the changes made by the State through Assembly Bill 1825. In response to Secretary Larson’s inquiries, Library Services Director Melissa Hartson confirmed that Branch and Youth Services Coordinator Annika Helmuth oversees the
children’s collection in accordance with the current policy. She confirmed that staff reviews potential new materials, with the ultimate responsibility falling to the Library Services Director, who gives ordering approval to the Youth Services Coordinator. She reported
that the Library has not acquired any new third-party vendors. Vice Chair Castro opened the item to public comment, and there was none.
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Motion made by Secretary Dorothy Larson, seconded by Trustee Chase Rief, and carried 3-0-0-2 to approve the revisions to Library Policy NBPL 2.
AYES: Castro, Larson, Rief NOES: ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENCES: Kramer, Murray
7. Review Holidays and Meeting Schedule
Staff requests that the Board of Library Trustees review the Library’s holiday and meeting schedule for 2026 and approve as presented.
Vice Chair Castro recommended moving the proposed February 17, 2026, meeting to February 23, 2026, due to several schools having a winter break the week of Presidents’
Day and Trustees likely being out of town. Trustee Rief added that the intended December 21, 2026 meeting is also likely during a school break week. Vice Chair Castro and Secretary Larson reported that December 21, 2026, is probably a date when they would be available for a meeting. Library Services Director Hartson stated that she will confirm if a room is available for their meeting on February 23, 2026.
Vice Chair Castro opened the item to public comment, and there was none. Motion made by Vice Chair Antonella Castro, seconded by Trustee Chase Rief, and
carried 3-0-0-2 to approve the 2026 holiday and meeting schedule with an amendment to change the February 17, 2026, Board of Library Trustees meeting to February 23, 2026.
AYES: Castro, Larson, Rief NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENCES: Kramer, Murray
8. Grant Acceptance from California Library Literacy Services
Staff recommends that the Board of Library Trustees accept a grant from California Library Literacy Services to support the Newport Beach Public Library’s Project Adult Literacy program. Library Services Manager Rebecca Lightfoot reported that staff is requesting that the Board accept a grant from California Library Literacy Services to help support Project Adult Literacy. She added that, if the Board accepts the donation, final approval will go to the City Council in January of 2026. In response to Vice Chair Castro’s inquiries, Library Services Manager Lightfoot clarified
that the City usually receives about 90% of the funds around this time of year, and the remaining 10% comes in March or April of the following calendar year. She clarified that,
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although the City has received a check from the State, the funds cannot be utilized until approved by the City Council.
Vice Chair Castro opened the item to public comment, and there was none. Motion made by Trustee Chase Rief, seconded by Secretary Dorothy Larson, and carried
3-0-0-2 to accept the grant. AYES: Castro, Larson, Rief
NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENCES: Kramer, Murray
9. Library Activities
Monthly update of library events, services, and statistics. Library Services Director Hartson reported that October saw continuous construction and movement. She stated that a partition has gone up around the café space in the Central Library to begin the tenant improvements for Kit Coffee. She added that café construction should take 8-10 weeks with an opening target for the end of January, 2026. She reported that the Central Library’s public elevator has reopened. She reported that the new Tech Toys for Kids collection was immediately popular on its opening day on October 6, and staff is already looking at how the collection can grow in the future. She corrected her staff report to note that Spotlight on Science will be held on Wednesday, November 19, and not Thursday as written.
Trustee Rief recommended waiting until Fiscal Year 2026-27 to expand the Tech Toys for Kids collection with assistance from the Friends of the Library and/or the Library
Foundation. Library Services Director Hartson reported that the Tech Toys for Kids collection will be
included as an option in their annual Giving Tuesday request. Vice Chair Castro opened the item to public comment, and there was none. Vice Chair Castro received and filed the report. B. Monthly Reports
10. Library Foundation Liaison Report
A. Library Foundation Board – Report of the most recently attended meeting. B. Library Live Lectures Committee – Report of the most recently attended meeting. C. Witte Lectures Committee – Report of the most recently attended meeting. Vice Chair Castro stated that she will open public comment at the conclusion of the three monthly reports instead of opening it individually for each report.
Trustee Rief commended the meeting report included in the Agenda packet by Library Foundation Chief Executive Officer Jerold D Kappel. He reported that the Foundation is rebranding and will soon change its name. He added that fundraising is going well.
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Secretary Larson reported that the Library Live lecture series is working on authors for 2027. She stated that the current season is going extraordinarily well.
11. Foundation Literacy Liaison Report
Trustee update of the most recently attended Foundation Literacy Committee Meeting.
Vice Chair Castro reported that they did not meet but Project Adult Literacy’s annual holiday potluck will be held on December 6 at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Room. She encouraged all to attend.
12. Friends of the Library Liaison Report
Trustee update of the most recently attended Friends of the Library Board meeting. Trustee Murray’s absence prevented a report. Library Services Director Hartson reported
that they did not meet this past month, but did hold a volunteer luncheon. Vice Chair Castro opened the items to public comment, and there was none. Vice Chair Castro received and filed the reports. VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS – THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER
None. VIII. BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS
WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION ACTION OR REPORT
(NON-DISCUSSION ITEM)
None. IX. ADJOURNMENT – 5:18 P.M.
The next meeting will be on February 23, 2026.
Submitted by: Lauren Kramer
Chair Approval of Minutes