HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2025 0909 LB REG ITEM 07AITEM: 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: 9/9/2025 (Regular Meeting)
SUBJECT: Consider 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 September 9, 2025 Page 2 of 5
Moorpark Friends of the Library (MFOTL)
President’s Quarterly Update
for the Moorpark Library Board
September 9, 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
Marketing Director Emily Hickey
Membership Director Lou Langkusch
Parliamentary Consultant Dona Pugh
Website Director Eleanor Villanueva
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.
•Emily Hickey has been newly appointed to the position of Marketing Director. This Board
position, formerly titled Publicity Director, was renamed to better reflect the broader scope of
responsibilities that Emily has assumed, thanks to her strong background in marketing. Emily is
eager to put her more than 20 years of experience to work for MFOTL to create even more
opportunities to enhance library programming.
•Efforts continue to grow MFOTL membership and increase involvement in activities such as the
bookstore, book sales, and fundraising events. Membership currently stands at 102.
•MFOTL remains committed to supporting current programs and services at the Moorpark City
Library while also raising funds for interior enhancements for 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, short
"Newsflashes" are released to update members on the Brick Fundraiser in months without a full
newsletter.
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MFOTL President’s Update September 9, 2025 Page 3 of 5
• MFOTL is governed by its bylaws and standing rules, most recently amended and approved by
the Board of Directors in 2024.
Fundraising and Special Events
• With the City Council’s unanimous vote on August 6 to award the construction contract for the
New Moorpark City Library, MFOTL has resumed promoting its Brick Fundraiser, in
partnership with the Moorpark Morning Rotary Club. Proceeds will go toward interior
enhancements of the New Library, including furniture, fixtures, equipment, and materials.
Individuals, families, organizations, and businesses are invited to commemorate their support by
donating paving bricks engraved with their name. The bricks cost $250 each and will be installed
on the north-side entry walkway. As of the end of August, 132 commemorative bricks and 47
mini keepsake bricks have been ordered, with a net total of $31,598. The Fundraiser is expected
to extend about a year beyond the start of construction (at least until Fall 2026).
• On Monday, August 18, the Moorpark location of Habit Burger & Grill sponsored a fundraiser
for MFOTL. Habit donated 20% of net food sales, which will go to support programs at the
Moorpark City Library. The fundraiser netted $223.25.
• Magma Pizzeria will also sponsor a fundraiser for MFOTL on Wednesday, September 10, 17 &
24 during the hours of 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 to 8:30 PM on each of those days. 20%
of net food sales will be donated to MFOTL to support programs at the Moorpark City Library.
Patrons are asked to show a copy of the flyer (available at the library or downloaded to a
smartphone from the mfotl.com website) at the time of ordering.
• MFOTL is partnering with Tierra Rejada Golf Club to host a “Putts for Pages” chance
drawing fundraiser on Friday, September 19. Participants will receive raffle tickets and putts
based on their donation amount, plus additional tickets for putting a hole-in-one. Prizes include:
10% of the raffle proceeds; a picnic basket with wines and gourmet foods from MFOTL; and an
Odyssey golf putter donated by Tierra Rejada Golf Club. Kids can join a special Putt-A-Thon
with small prizes. Proceeds will support programs at the Moorpark City Library.
• The MFOTL bookstore and porch sales at the library continue to provide a steady source of
income. The bookstore operates with eight volunteers. More than just books are donated—the
bookstore also receives audiobooks, games, puzzles, and other specialty items. Before puzzles
are put out for sale, teen library volunteers count every piece in each box to make sure none are
missing. Special sale items are displayed on a table outside the Friends’ workroom.
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. Proceeds
from the Bookstore and other sales avenues average about $725 each month.
Because of the high volume of donations the bookstore receives and the small space available for
storing and sorting donations, it is requested that only two boxes or bags of books per household
per day be brought in. Donors are asked to call ahead to make special arrangements for large
donations.
• Marketing Director Emily Hickey, in collaboration with Library Director Christine Conwell, has
organized a special program at the Moorpark City Library on September 9, sponsored in part by
MFOTL. Attendees will meet the author, illustrator, and composer of Otto Normal’s
Monsterton! The event will feature a live reading, drawing session, music from the audiobook,
a signed-book giveaway, and a Q&A with the author.
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MFOTL President’s Update September 9, 2025 Page 4 of 5
Promotional Efforts
• Members of the MFOTL Board of Directors, Fundraising Committee, and Tech Team continue
to find new ways to promote the Brick Fundraiser for the new Moorpark City Library. New
efforts include:
o Purchasing three 4’x5’ banners designed by Library Director Christine Conwell. City
staff place the banners in various locations around the City for two weeks at a time, after
which the banners are taken down for a period of time before being put up again (per City
regulations regarding signs).
o Considering the purchase of up to 30 yard signs.
o Purchasing a business card ad running in 10 consecutive issues of the Moorpark
Women’s Club Wild Rose Reporter newsletter.
o With a $300 donation from an MFOTL member, purchasing ten 10”x30” car magnets.
o Creating a Library display board showing the number of bricks sold; donor names are
featured on paper bricks posted on the wall.
o Adding a looping slideshow presentation on the Library’s TV.
• Additional promotional strategies to support all MFOTL events and fundraisers include:
o Designing event flyers with QR codes linking directly to event information and ordering
sites. Flyers are distributed to local businesses, at Chamber of Commerce events, in the
Library, and through the MFOTL website and social media platforms (Facebook,
Instagram, etc.).
o Testing pay-per-click Facebook advertising to expand promotional reach.
Outreach
• MFOTL Board members regularly connect with fellow Chamber of Commerce members at
mixers and breakfasts. MFOTL is also planning to host a Chamber mixer at the Library,
tentatively scheduled for February 2026.
• A Membership Appreciation event is being planned for National Friends of Libraries Week
(October 19–25). The exact date will be announced. This event, held at the Moorpark City
Library, will be open to the public. Members are encouraged to invite non-members to learn
about the Friends organization while enjoying a welcoming social gathering with refreshments.
• On June 2, Fundraising Director Lori Preciado and President Bernadette McDowell met with
John Bandek, the City’s Economic Development Manager, to discuss the business community
and explore ways to approach large businesses about contributing funds for interior
enhancements for the New Library.
• On July 10, MFOTL President Bernadette McDowell, Vice President Rosalie Barili, and
Fundraising Director Lori Preciado met with Moorpark’s new City Manager, PJ Gagajena, to
introduce MFOTL, share its history, and highlight current projects, including the Brick
Fundraiser.
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MFOTL President’s Update September 9, 2025 Page 5 of 5
•As liaison to the Moorpark Women’s Club (MWC), the MFOTL President continues to
strengthen ties and promote fundraising efforts through MWC meetings and the Club’s Wild
Rose Reporter newsletter.
Projects
•Revising membership dues with modest increases planned for early 2026. A member survey may
be conducted to gather input on preferences, such as:
o Willingness to join/renew online only
o Use of free used books perk
o Use of membership card for other purposes
o Possession of a Moorpark City Library card.
•Developing a refund policy.
•Evaluating accounting software to streamline financial processes.
•Expanding social media skills by:
o Attending Chamber of Commerce social media workshops
o Participating in SCORE programs, such as Digital Marketing 101 (June 3 at Moorpark
City Hall), presented by Luisa Arzate, which offered hands-on training in effective digital
and print marketing, including brand-building strategies.
Tracking
•MFOTL has established a procedure for reporting funds received through the Brick Fundraiser,
and for moving these funds into designated financial accounts.
Website
•Website Director Eleanor Villanueva regularly updates www.mfotl.com with new information
about Brick Fundraiser orders and donors, as well as details on current and upcoming events.
•Ongoing efforts ensure the MFOTL website remains ADA-compliant.
Volunteer Statistics
•In 2024, members of the MFOTL Board of Directors and general membership contributed an
estimated 6,341 hours of their time to activities that ultimately supported the programs and
services of the Moorpark City Library.
Bernadette McDowell
President, Moorpark Friends of the Library
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