Staff Report.Library Board Work Plan
PREPARED BY: Ryan Baker
Library Director
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 08/15/2023 ITEM NO: 11
DATE: August 3, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Review the Library Board Work Plan for Calendar Year 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
Review the Library Board work plan for calendar year 2023.
BACKGROUND:
The Los Gatos Library Board (Board) currently operates under the provisions of Town
Resolution 2016-056 adopted by Council in October of 2016. Under the current resolution, the
Board consists of seven voting members of which one also serves as a member of the Youth
Commission. General Law cities that operate a municipal library maintain a Library Board under
California Education Code Section 18910 (1970).
The function of the Board is to review and approve Departmental operational policies, and to
advise on strategic direction and priority setting for Library service delivery. This is done by
assisting in production and review of an annual Library community survey, understanding the
budget situation and usage statistics of the Department, interfacing directly with the
community in conversations about Library service, and keeping abreast of regional and national
dialog regarding issues pertaining to intellectual freedom and equitable access to information
and resources. The Board is not involved directly with Library projects, programs, or services,
nor their implementation.
The Board meets on the second Wednesday of odd number months at 3:00 p.m. The Library
Director serves as the staff liaison to the Board.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Library Board Work Plan DATE: August 3, 2023
DISCUSSION:
At the beginning of each calendar year, the Board reviews a list of potential new or outdated
Departmental policies and prioritizes their order based on the needs of the Library and the
community. Other items are regularly scheduled annually for review and recommendation.
The work plan for 2023 was adopted as follows:
January 2023
• Provide advisory direction on the Library’s approach to holidays and recognition months
March 2023
• Review Challenged Materials policy and procedures
• Provide initial advisory input on the Town’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan
• Provide advisory direction on creating and distributing the Library’s annual survey
May 2023
• Receive overview of proposed library budget for FY 23/24
• Review community survey data, and advise based on trends, needs, or opportunities
• Review Intellectual Freedom policy
• Review Library Code of Conduct (Behavior Policy)
July 2023
• Review Volunteer policy
• Begin advisory discussion of five-year strategic guidance for Library services
September 2023
• Review Materials Deaccession Policy
• Review 2022-23 fiscal year end statistics and service trend data
• Continue advisory discussion of five-year strategic guidance for Library services
• Provide input on revisions to the Town’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan
November 2023
• Finalize advisory discussion of five-year strategic guidance for Library services
• Review Unattended Minors and Lost Child Policy
• Initiate Town Poet Laureate selection process
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Library Board Work Plan DATE: August 3, 2023
CONCLUSION:
The Board wishes to express that at both a regional and national level, attempts at censorship
and/or bans of books in library collections are at an all-time high. The Board holds strongly to
the principles of freedom of information, serving a diverse community representing multiple
viewpoints, and equitable access to a widely diverse range of interests. The Board asks Council
to remain in support of library collections and programs that support these principles, engage
free and open community dialog, and stand strong against censorship or the attempts to
restrict access to information or services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.