HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2025 1112 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: 11/12/2025 (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 November 12, 2025 Page 2 of 5
Moorpark Friends of the Library (MFOTL)
President’s Quarterly Update
for the Moorpark Library Board
November 12, 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.
• Efforts continue to grow MFOTL membership and increase involvement in activities such as the
bookstore, book sales, and fundraising events. Membership currently stands at 108.
• 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 occasionally to update members on the Brick Fundraiser in months
without a full newsletter.
• MFOTL is governed by its bylaws and standing rules, most recently amended and approved by
the Board of Directors in 2024.
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MFOTL President’s Update November 12, 2025 Page 3 of 5
Awards
• On October 14, the Moorpark Friends of the Library was honored as Non-Profit of the Year 2025
by the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce at its Community Awards Dinner. MFOTL also
received certificates of recognition from the City of Moorpark and the County of Ventura.
• MFOTL Vice President, Rosalie Barili, was also honored by the Moorpark Chamber of
Commerce as Active Adult (65+) of the Year 2025, and likewise received certificates of
recognition from the City of Moorpark and the County of Ventura.
Fundraising and Special Events
• Following the City Council’s unanimous vote on August 6 to award the construction contract for
the new Moorpark City Library, MFOTL has been actively promoting its Brick Fundraiser in
partnership with the Moorpark Morning Rotary Club. All proceeds will support interior
enhancements for the new library, including furniture, fixtures, equipment, and materials.
Individuals, families, organizations, and businesses are invited to show their support by
purchasing engraved paving bricks for $250 each, which will be installed on the north-side entry
walkway. As of the end of September, 151 commemorative bricks and 52 mini keepsake
bricks have been ordered, generating total proceeds of $40,236. The fundraiser is expected
to continue for approximately one year after construction begins, extending at least through Fall
2026.
• Magma Pizzeria sponsored a fundraiser for MFOTL on Wednesdays, September 10, 17, and 24,
during the hours of 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 4:00–8:30 p.m. each day. David of Magma
donated 20% of net food sales, rounding up the total contribution to $350 to support programs at
the Moorpark City Library.
• MFOTL partnered with Tierra Rejada Golf Club to host a “Putts for Pages” chance drawing
fundraiser on Friday, September 19. Participants received raffle tickets and putts based on their
donation amount, plus additional tickets for putting a hole-in-one. Prizes included: 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 participated in a special Putt-A-Thon with
small prizes. Net proceeds of $900 will support programs at the Moorpark City Library.
• Che Gelato! sponsored a fundraiser for MFOTL on Tuesday, October 21 from 1:00 to 8:00 PM.
20% of sales resulted in a donation of $160.15 to MFOTL to support programs at the Moorpark
City Library.
• California Bun will sponsor a generous fundraiser November 10–14 during regular business
hours (7:00 AM–8:00 PM). The restaurant will donate 20% of proceeds to MFOTL in support of
programs at the Moorpark City Library.
• A Cookie Decorating Class is being planned for Wednesday, December 3 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM
at Tierra Rejada Golf Club. Further details to be announced.
• The MFOTL bookstore and other book 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
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MFOTL President’s Update November 12, 2025 Page 4 of 5
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.
Promotional Efforts
Members of the MFOTL Board of Directors, Fundraising Committee, and Tech Team continue to
actively promote the Brick Fundraiser for the new Moorpark City Library, as well as our ongoing events
and fundraisers supporting current library programs.
• Brick Fundraiser Promotions:
o Banners: Three 4’x5’ banners designed by Library Director Christine Conwell were
purchased. City staff install these banners at various locations around Moorpark for two-
week intervals, in compliance with City sign regulations. When the City removes the
banners, we are allowed to place them on private property with the owner’s written
permission.
o Yard Signs: Sixty yard signs have been distributed for display at members’ homes.
Signs will be rotated periodically to new neighborhoods to maintain visibility.
o Newsletter Ad: A business card–size ad is running in ten consecutive issues of the
Moorpark Women’s Club Wild Rose Reporter newsletter.
o Car Magnets: Ten 10”x30” car magnets will be purchased with a $300 donation from an
MFOTL member.
o Library Display: A display board in the Library tracks the number of bricks sold and
total sales, with donor names featured on paper “bricks” posted on the wall.
o Digital Promotion: A looping slideshow highlighting the fundraiser runs continuously
on the Library’s TV.
• Additional Event and Fundraiser Promotions:
o Event Flyers: Flyers featuring QR codes linking to event information and ordering sites
are distributed through local businesses, Chamber of Commerce events, the Library, and
MFOTL’s website and social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
o Targeted Advertising: MFOTL is using and evaluating pay-per-click Facebook ads to
extend our promotional reach.
Outreach
• Community Engagement: 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 on February 3, 2026.
• Country Days Participation: MFOTL members joined City Library staff in the Country Days
Parade on October 4 and later staffed a booth next to the Library’s. Visitors received flyers
about upcoming events, the Brick Fundraiser, and MFOTL membership. Several bags of
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MFOTL President’s Update November 12, 2025 Page 5 of 5
donated Legos were sold, raising $225, and many expressed interest in the Brick Fundraiser.
Corn Hole and Jenga games were available for young visitors to play.
•Membership Appreciation event: Held on October 17, this event featured speakers, raffle
prizes, a chocolate tasting, and appetizers. Open to the public, it drew approximately 40
attendees who enjoyed a fun evening while learning about MFOTL’s recent activities.
•National Friends of Libraries Week: To celebrate the week, MFOTL hosted events at the
Library, including origami (October 20), cupcake decorating (October 22), and a classical guitar
performance by Michael Gullo (October 23). The events highlighted MFOTL’s role in
supporting the Library and provided opportunities to share information and answer questions.
•Community Visibility: Informational flyers about the Brick Fundraiser were distributed by
library staff during the Haunted High Street event on October 31.
•Partnership with Moorpark Women’s Club: The MFOTL President, serving as liaison to the
Moorpark Women’s Club, continues to strengthen ties and promote fundraising efforts through
MWC meetings and the Club’s Wild Rose Reporter newsletter.
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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