Minutes – April 2, 2025 – Alameda County Library Advisory Commission

  • Meeting Summary Action Minutes
  • April 2, 2025
  • Niles Library

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Michael Baldwin at 7:02 p.m.

Roll Call

  • Members Present:    
    • Michael Baldwin
    • Peggy McQuaid
    • John Morada
    • Terrence Grindall
    • Lance Nishihira
    • Subru Bhat
    • Sarah Wilson
  • Members Absent:    
    • Teresa Keng

Public Comment

Penny Peck, a resident of San Lorenzo, is a prospective member of ACLAC, pending approval by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

Maggie Fero, a resident of Oakland, is recommended to be an At Large member of ACLAC, pending approval by the City members of ACLAC.

Darrell Choy, a resident of Castro Valley, is recommended to be an At Large member of ACLAC, pending approval by the members of ACLAC.

Consent Calendar

  1. Approval of Minutes of January 15, 2025
    Commissioner Peggy McQuaid moved and Commissioner Lance Nishihira seconded for the approval of the January 15, 2025 minutes. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.

Discussion Calendar

  1. Appointment of Commissioner Seats
    Darrell Choy is recommended for appointment by the City Members of ACLAC.
    Commissioner Terrence Grindall moved, and Commissioner McQuaid seconded the motion to appoint Darrell Choy as an At Large member. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
    Margaret Fero is recommended for appointment by All Members of ACLAC. Commissioner Subru Bhat moved and Commissioner Sarah Wilson seconded the motion to appoint Margaret Fero as an At Large member. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
  2. Library Budget Process & Strategy
    Darshan Chattha, Financial Services Officer. Gave an overview of the Library’s Budget Process.
  3. Tour of Niles Library
    Acting County Librarian Deb Sica introduced Niles Library Manager Elizabeth Gamell, who led a tour of the Niles Library.
  4. County Librarian's Report 
    • Library Structure overview
      The Library Administration recently restructured its departments. There are now three divisions: Community Libraries, Equitable Libraries, and Library Logistics. These are overseen by Division Directors Ramses Escobedo (Community Libraries), Erin Berman
      (Equitable Libraries), and Ben Gomberg (Library Logistics).  
    • System Coordination Role
      Within the new Library structure, there are five Librarian IVs (three in Equitable Libraries and two in Library Logistics) whose roles are focused on systemwide function. 
      • Family Services (A. Davis) - Children's Space Planning
      • Youth Services (E. Berman) - Summer Adventure, Volunteers, Interns
      • Equitable Services (J. Martinez) - JEDI Support and Equity Action Planning
      • Access Services (S. Denton) - ADA and Circulation Support
      • Online Services (J. Oborny) - Website Development and Online Tools Assessment
    • Soft Launch of Library Lockers
      The Library Lockers located at Wally Pond and Warm Springs Community Center soft launched on the 14th. The goal is to test out the service, get feedback, and make improvements before the full launch.
    • Youth Poet Laureate
      Alameda County’s annual Youth Poet Laureate competition returns for its 5th year and runs from April 1st-30th.
      Our inaugural Youth Poet Laureate, Zoe Dorado (2021) was named Vice Youth Poet Laureate for the United States in 2024 during a ceremony at the Kennedy Center.
      During our inaugural competition, a young man detained at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center was named Alameda County Vice Youth Poet Laureate - a nationwide first.
      Youth have read at various County and City Events: AC Women's Hall of Fame, Poetry Programs, Pride Events, and much more
      Current Alameda County Youth Poet Laureate, Jovina Zion Pradeep, has been named the West Regional Youth Poet Laureate and is in the running to become the Youth Poet Laureate for the United States.
    • Advisors Give Back
      This new program connects library members to free online appointments with financial advisors.
      Supervisor Marquez (District 2) recently shared the service in her latest newsletter.
    • Emotional & Artificial Intelligence Programming
      Highlighting Union City Library’s vast range of programming. Artificial Intelligence program on April 5th and Emotional Intelligence program on May 24th.
    • Executive order: Institute for Museum & Library Services
      What IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) has done for us in the past will likely be dissolved.
    • Planning Ahead for FY 25/26
      Acting County Librarian Sica asked the Commission, “What would you or the population you represent like to see the Library do?”
      The Commission will revisit and discuss this at the July meeting.
  5. Commissioners’ Updates and Reports
    Commissioner Baldwin shared that he’s noticed a lot more programs at Castro Valley Library, and it’s been great to see how busy they are.
  6. Next Meeting Reminders, Location, Date & Adjournment     
    • Reminders for the next meeting: Brainstorm: What would you or the population you represent like to see the Library do?
    • Location of next meeting:     
      • Date: July 2, 2025
      • Place: Dublin Library
      • Time: 7:00 p.m.
    • Adjournment: Commissioner McQuaid moved, and Commissioner Sarah Wilson seconded for
      adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

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

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