Minutes – April 15, 2026 – Alameda County Library Advisory Commission

  • Meeting Summary Action Minutes
  • April 15, 2026
  • Newark Library

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Michael Baldwin at 7:00 p.m.

Roll Call

  • Members Present:  
    • Michael Baldwin
    • Penny Peck
    • Warren Cushman
    • Peggy McQuaid
    • Terrence Grindall
    • Lance Nishihira
    • Subru Bhat
    • Darrell Choy
    • Sarah Wilson
  • Members Absent:  
    • John Morada
    • Yajing Zhang
    • Margaret "Maggie" Fer

Public Comment

None

Consent Calendar

  1. Approval of Minutes of January 7, 2026
    Commissioner Peggy McQuaid moved, and Commissioner Subru Bhat seconded for the approval of the January 7, 2026 minutes. Commissioner Warren Cushman abstained from voting. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.

Discussion Calendar

  1. Library Budget Overview
    County Librarian Deb Sica introduced Acting Financial Services Officer Inez Carrasco and Deputy County Librarian Ben Gomberg, who presented an overview of the Library’s Budget and highlighted different achievements of the Library in the last fiscal year.
  2. Learning Session: Core Values of Librarianship
    County Librarian Sica and Deputy County Librarian Gomberg led a learning session on the Core Values of Librarianship as outlined by the American Library Association (ALA)
  3. Tour of Newark Library
    Newark Library Manager Joe Stoner led a tour of the Newark Library
  4. County Librarian's Report   
    • Highlighting Programs Across ACL   
      • Accessible Yoga at Castro Valley Library: Many of our libraries have expanded their programs to include accessible and sensory-friendly activities for our communities. They have been very well attended.   
      • Kids Public Speaking at Union City and Centerville: Union City is the latest library to hold a kids public speaking program. Children take the time to build their speeches and then present in front of an audience.
      • Live Concert Series at Dublin: Dublin’s popular concert series features song styles of different genres and is extremely popular in the community.
      • Russell City: The Life and Legacy of a Displaced Community
      • Celebrating Centerville's 50th Anniversary: Centerville Library rings in its 50th birthday with a party and special library card decal in the style of its famously beloved carpet.
      • Spanish Language Book Club At Newark: The Newark Promotoras Community Network, which provides resources to community members, started a book club that has been meeting at the Newark Library for the last three years. The group and book club were featured in the local Spanish newsletter El Timpano Journal.
      • Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion of The Librarians: Fremont Main Library will host a documentary screening of The Librarians on April 18th. The documentary centers on the fight against book banning and defending intellectual freedom amid censorship efforts across the US.
      • Albany Reads: On March 1, the City of Albany and Albany Library began the city-wide "book club" and is reading The Poet and the Silk Girl by Satsuki Ina.
      • Rethink AC: The County's annual hackathon competition took place on February 26. The contest encourages groups or teams of youth and County employees to innovate processes in the County. Oftentimes the County takes some of these ideas and implements them. This year, a team made up of several library staff developed an AI program called Purchi the Parakeet Procurement Portal, which earned them the Best of the Best Award.
      • Intellectual Freedom Manual: Erin Jones, AC Library’s Division Director of Equitable Libraries, along with the Intellectual Freedom Office of the American Library Association, published a new edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual.
      • California Love, California Strong Event at Fremont Main: California Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom visited Fremont Main Library for the kickoff event of California Love, California Strong. The organization aims to combat loneliness and strengthen social connection across the state.
      • Every Story Counts: For one week in January 2026, California State Library asked communities across the state to share how and why they use their public libraries. Over 16,000 responses were received from 99 public library jurisdictions submitting feedback, stories, and photos.
      • Youth Poet Laureate: Alameda County Youth Poet Laureate applications are open through the month of April. Teens between the ages of 13–18 are encouraged to participate.
      • I Love My Librarian Award: County Librarian Deb Sica was the recipient of the I Love My Librarian Award—a highly prestigious honor awarded to librarians for their outstanding work in public service. The American Library Association (ALA) received more than 1,300 nominations this year. Deb is one of only 10 librarians in the country to receive this year’s award.
      • Ben Gomberg is AC Library’s new Deputy County Librarian: We’re pleased to announce that Ben Gomberg has been appointed Deputy County Librarian for Alameda County Library. He most recently served as Library Logistics Division Director, where he built a new division and strengthened key systems and operations. Previously, as Community Libraries Division Director, he led ten libraries and a large team, focusing on equity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  5. Commissioners' Updates and Reports 
    None
  6. Next Meeting Reminders, Location, Date & Adjournment   
    • Reminders for the next meeting: None
    • Location of next meeting:   
      • Date: July 1, 2026
      • Place: Fremont Main Library
      • Time: 7:00 p.m.
    • Adjournment: Commissioner McQuaid moved, and Commissioner Peck seconded for adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m

These minutes are subject to Alameda County Library Advisory Commission's approval at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

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