HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2024 0910 LB REG ITEM 08A ITEM: 8.A.
CITY OF MOORPARK
MOORPARK LIBRARY BOARD
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Moorpark Library Board
FROM: Jessica Sandifer, Deputy Parks and Recreation Director
BY: Bernadette Mc Dowell, President Moorpark Friends of the Library
DATE: 9/10/2024 (Regular Meeting)
SUBJECT: Receive Update from Moorpark Friends of the Library
DISCUSSION
Verbal Report from Bernadette Mc Dowell, President Moorpark Friends of the Library.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Receive verbal report.
Attachment – Moorpark Friends of the Library President’s Quarterly Update.
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Library Board Regular Meeting
September 10, 2024
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Moorpark Friends of the Library (MFOTL)
President’s Quarterly Update
for the Moorpark Library Board
September 10, 2024
The current Board of the MFOTL consists of the following members:
President Bernadette McDowell
Vice President Rosalie Barili
Secretary Christine White
Treasurer Carmen Jerome
Book Sales Director Diana Fowler
Fundraising Director Lori Preciado
Membership Director Lou Langkusch
Membership Assistant Eleanor Villanueva
Parliamentary Consultant Dona Pugh
Publicity Director Vacant
Technical Director Larissa Gurrola
Member at Large Ellen Blunt
Member at Large Linda Goble
Members will hold office until May 2026.
MFOTL Board of Directors General Information
➢Bimonthly meetings are held in the Conference Room at the Ruben Castro Human Services
Center, the most recent held on July 23, 2024, and the next scheduled for September 17,
2024. Members of the Library Board and all Moorpark residents are cordially invited to
attend meetings with prior request to attend.
➢We continue to seek one or two people to fill the vacant Publicity Director position.
➢Four new Board positions (Fundraising Director, Technical Director, and two Members at
Large) have been added to accommodate the increasing activity level of the MFOTL
resulting from the upcoming construction of the new library. MFOTL is particularly focused
on raising funds for interior enhancements for the new library while maintaining its
commitment to funding current programs and services.
➢Efforts continue to increase the number of MFOTL members and the level of their
involvement in activities such as the bookstore, book sales, and fundraising events.
Membership currently stands at 98.
Outreach and Promotion
➢MFOTL held a successful Membership Appreciation event on June 21. Members were
encouraged to bring a nonmember friend, neighbor, or family member to learn more about
the MFOTL along with the opportunity to join. The event featured an informative
presentation on the New Library Project by City Parks & Recreation Director Jeremy
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Library Board Regular Meeting
September 10, 2024
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Laurentowski, and an inspiring presentation by Library Director Christine Conwell, Teen
Librarian Emma Schaefer, and Children’s Librarian Kellsie Gifford on the expanded
programs and services being planned for the Moorpark community when the new library,
with its larger space, opens in 2026.
➢Members of the MFOTL Board and some general members assisted at the library’s Heroes’
Homecoming event on August 10.
➢As liaison to the Moorpark Women’s Club, the MFOTL president continues to promote
upcoming MFOTL fundraising events at Moorpark Women’s Club meetings.
Fundraising
➢A new Fundraising Committee has been established with Lori Preciado as Director and Chair
overseeing MFOTL’s expanded fundraising activities. Several new MFOTL members have
joined the committee, bringing their enthusiasm and new ideas. A fundraising calendar of
events is being put together.
➢On Wednesday, September 18, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., MFOTL is sponsoring a
fundraising event at the M on High Restaurant to benefit the Moorpark City Library. M on
High will donate 10% of food sales when presented with a copy of the M on High flyer,
available at the MFOTL website (https://www.mfotl.com/events) when ordering.
➢The bookstore and seasonal and special book sales remain a steady source of income. The
month of August featured a Super Summer Blowout sale of adult fiction and nonfiction
books ($1.00 per bag) to sell off a large inventory of items to make way for new incoming
donations.
➢Upcoming events include “Open Your Hearts for the Library” during the month of October; a
Holiday Cookie Decorating Class on December 6; the fourth annual Letters from Santa event
in December; and the third annual International Night of Dance and Culture in spring 2025.
Publicity will be forthcoming.
Finances
➢A new Finance Committee has been formed to more closely manage MFOTL’s funds and to
improve strategic financial management. The Committee will work closely with the MFOTL
Treasurer and financial advisor to develop investment recommendations, including risk
management practices; it will act in an advisory capacity to the MFOTL Board, which will
vote to approve any recommendations.
Technical
➢A Technical Committee has been formed to update the MFOTL website, to improve its
attractiveness, reduce repetitious material, and simplify links. A general update to format
and content has been completed.
➢The Committee is investigating adding Zelle, Venmo, and QR codes.
➢Also being considered is the use of WhatsApp for a closed group; the Committee is currently
investigating the value and process of creating an email domain.
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Procedural Improvements
➢The Bylaws and Standing Rules are being reviewed and updated. Final versions will be
presented for discussion and subsequent vote to approve at the MFOTL Board meeting on
September 17, 2024.
Library Board Liaison
➢MFOTL would like to invite a Library Board member to act as liaison with the Moorpark
Friends of the Library. Although the Library Board is not required to provide a liaison, the
MFOTL would welcome such a connection to facilitate informal communication between the
Library Board and MFOTL through occasional attendance at MFOTL Board meetings. If
interested, please contact Bernadette McDowell at mfotlpresident@gmail.com.
Bernadette McDowell
President, Moorpark Friends of the Library
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