HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2025 0211 LB REG ITEM 07A ITEM: 7.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: 2/11/2025 (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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MFOTL President’s Update February 11, 2025 Page 2 of 4
Moorpark Friends of the Library (MFOTL)
President’s Quarterly Update
for the Moorpark Library Board
February 11, 2025
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 July 2026.
MFOTL Board of Directors General Information
➢Meetings are held at 2:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every other month, starting in January, in the
Conference Room at the Ruben Castro Human Services Center. The 2025 meeting dates are:
January 21, March 18, May 20, July 15, September 16, and November 18. Library Board members,
MFOTL general members, and all Moorpark residents are welcome to attend with prior request. To
join a meeting, please email the Board President at MFOTLpresident@gmail.com three days in
advance for attendance details.
➢We continue to seek one or two individuals to fill the vacant Publicity Director position.
➢Efforts continue to grow MFOTL membership and increase involvement in activities such as the
bookstore, book sales, and fundraising events. Membership currently stands at 105.
➢MFOTL remains committed to supporting current programs and services at the Moorpark City
Library while also raising funds for interior enhancements in the new library.
➢Our bimonthly newsletter (published in February, April, June, August, October, and December)
keeps members informed about MFOTL and Moorpark City Library activities. It is sent to all
members, with the latest issue available at https://www.mfotl.com. Additionally, we plan to release
short "Newsflashes" to update members on the Brick Fundraiser in months without a full newsletter.
Outreach and Promotion
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MFOTL President’s Update February 11, 2025 Page 3 of 4
➢During National Friends of Libraries Week (Oct. 21-25, 2024), members of the MFOTL Board
staffed an information table in the Library, sharing membership materials, answering questions, and
encouraging community support for the Library.
➢On October 5, several MFOTL Board members and their spouses walked with library staff in the
Country Days Parade, carrying signs and banners showcasing the library’s many resources and the
role of the Friends in supporting the library.
➢On October 17, MFOTL President Bernadette McDowell, Vice-President Rosalie Barili, and
Fundraising Chairman Lori Preciado delivered a presentation to the Moorpark Morning Rotary Club
on the intertwined history of the library in Moorpark, the Moorpark Women’s Fortnightly Club, and
the Moorpark Friends of the Library. The invitation by the Morning Rotary Club was extended to
become better acquainted with MFOTL in preparation for collaborating on a brick fundraising
campaign for the New Library.
➢As liaison to the Moorpark Women’s Club, the MFOTL president continues to strengthen
connections with the Moorpark Women’s Club, and actively promotes upcoming MFOTL
fundraising events at their meetings.
Fundraising
➢A Christmas Cookie Decorating Class on December 6, 2024, led by master baker Julie Safley, was a
huge success. Participants went home with six large “professionally decorated” holiday-themed
cookies with skills for creating their own at home. The event raised $1,150 to support programs at
the library.
➢The fourth annual Letters from Santa event, culminating in a visit from Santa on December 14 to a
lucky raffle winner, brought joy to those children whose parents and loved ones purchased packages
for them that included a personally addressed letter from Santa and coupons for books and treats
from local businesses. This heartwarming event raised $700 for the library.
➢MFOTL is partnering with the Moorpark Morning Rotary Club to launch a Brick Fundraiser in
support of the New Library. Funds raised will go toward purchasing furniture, fixtures, equipment,
and materials for the new building. Individuals, families, organizations, and businesses are invited
to memorialize their support by purchasing paving bricks engraved with their name. The bricks will
cost $250 each and will be installed on the north-side entry walkway. MFOTL is working with
Brick Markers USA (the brick maker) on a website that will be used for placing orders; the website
is expected to be ready by mid-February. Information on how to purchase bricks will be available at
https://www.mfotl.com. The Brick Fundraiser will run through 2025.
➢Afternoon of International Dance & Culture will take place on Saturday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m. at
the High Street Arts Center. This special event will feature a diverse lineup of talented performers,
including classical guitarist Michael Gullo and dance groups Bollywood Beyondancing, Megill &
Company, The Gypsydancers, and O’Shaughnessy Academy of Irish Dance. Tickets are $25 for
general admission and $15 for children 12 and under.
➢The MFOTL bookstore and seasonal book sales continue to provide a steady source of income.
February’s sale will feature DVDs, available on a designated table inside the library. Unsold
nonfiction books are scanned for potential sale to World Books (formerly Sell Back Your Books)
and Thrift Books; high-value items are listed on eBay. Any remaining books are donated to
Goodwill. The addition of Zelle as a payment option has helped to increase sales.
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MFOTL President’s Update February 11, 2025 Page 4 of 4
Finances
➢MFOTL has committed $15,000 for library programming in FY 2025-2026 and allocated $10,000 to
the permanent investment fund for the New Library.
Technical
➢Zelle and QR codes are now offered as payment options for most purchasing.
➢Tech Team members are working toward making the MFOTL website ADA-compliant.
Procedural Improvements
➢The newly revised MFOTL Bylaws and Standing Rules were presented and approved with revisions
at the MFOTL Board meeting on September 17, 2024.
Bernadette McDowell
President, Moorpark Friends of the Library
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