FONPL Monthly Meeting Minutes

Friends of North Park Library Board of Directors Meeting

The Mission of the Friends of the San Diego Public Library, North Park Chapter is to enhance the North Park Public Library so that it may fulfill its literary, educational, technological, community, and cultural purposes.

North Park Public Library, 3795 31st St, San Diego, CA 92104

Board Meeting Minutes for Thursday, March 20, 2025

Present: Steve Schmal, Mark DeAnda, Katy Bailey, Patrice Maller, Ellen Goodwin, Gerry Vanderpot, Zar Shain, Sandy Chase, Alisa Feinswog, Lily Alcantara

Call to Order - 5:33 p.m.

Membership report: Membership/Corporate are revamping the website

Corporate Report: Steve suggested that other board members attend the Corporate Friends Meeting at the Mission Valley Library from 10:30 - 12:00 every second Saturday.

A discussion was held on putting together a message to send out to the Mayors office before April 14th when

the City Budget is revealed.

The Board discussed putting a Subcommittee for Business Outreach. This will be discussed next month.

A motion was made by Steve to give Sandy Chase $10 for a Bubble Juice. Katy seconded. The motion

carried.

Dinner with Friend began at 6 p.m.

The Patron Satisfaction Survey was passed out to all present.

The Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

The Mission of the Friends of the San Diego Public Library, North Park Chapter is to enhance the North Park

Public Library so that it may fulfill its literary, educational, technological, community, and cultural purposes.

North Park Public Library, 3795 31st St, San Diego, CA 92104

Board Meeting Minutes for Thursday, February 20, 2025

Present: Steve Schmal, Mark DeAnda, Katy Bailey, Patrice Maller, Ellen Goodwin, Gerry Vanderpot, Zar Shain,

Sandy Chase, Alisa Feinswog

Call to Order:

Membership report: New members are being added weekly.

Corporate Report: Due to City Budget constraints, the Library Budget (for the whole city will be impacted).

The Board discussed inviting a representative from the Mayor’s office to events that the NP Library is hosting

in March.

A motion was made by Steve to give Zar Shain $25 for a pack of 20 story mats. Gerry seconded. The motion

carried.

A motion was made by Katy to spend up to $250 for the food for March Dinner With Friends. Ellen

seconded. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Katy to give Steve $73 to purchase stamps for Membership mailings. Gerry seconded.

The motion passed.

The Meeting was adjourned at 6:11 pm.

North Park Public Library, 3795 31st St, San Diego, CA 92104

Board Meeting Minutes for Thursday, January 16, 2025

Present: Steve Schmal, Mark DeAnda, Katy Bailey, Patrice Maller, James Ferguson, Ellen Goodwin, Gerry

Vanderpot, Zar Shain, Sandy Chase

Call to Order:

President James Ferguson called the meeting to order at 5:37 pm.

Mark is fully on board with the bank.

A discussion was held (and tabled) about looking into another bank or credit union for the FNPL account.

Gerry discussed finding a process to get rid of the old books that we have in the back room. Katy will follow

up with information on the “Books Thru Bars” group.

A motion was made by Steve to pay $500 for the Lunar New Year Lions Dance. Katy seconded. Motion

passed.

Board Elections were held. By unanimous votes James Ferguson was re-elected President, Mark DeAnda was

re-elected Treasurer, and Ellen Goodwin was re-elected Secretary.

Three new members joined the board: Gerry Vanderpot, Alisa Feinswog, Lily Alcantara

The Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.

Friends of the San Diego Public Library North Park

Monthly Meeting Minutes

August 15, 2024

Held at the North Park branch of the San Diego Public Library

Motions & Discussions

- Approved $250 for Santa and Mrs. Claus

- Approved $275 for Sparkles the Clown

-Set date of December 10th for Santa Visit

-Approved $1395 to fund Baby Dance Party

-Approved up to $400 for Sugar Skull Program

-Discussion of applying for ET Perry Grant

      -End of November to apply

      -Use funds to purchase items for Farmer's Market ( Table Cloth, Banner, Branded Tent, A-Frame Signage)

Membership Report

During the period since my last report, we got six new memberships – three at this month’s book sale and three at the Farmers Market. We also received one membership renewal. As best as I can calculate it, the new memberships and the renewal raise the number of current annual members to 158 – 89 new members and 69 who’ve renewed their memberships (again, some from 2020, 2021 and 2022). By including our life members . . . and they definitely need to be included . . . we currently have, again as best as I can calculate it, 176 members.

Submitted by Steve Schmal

Corporate Report

This report is on the meeting of the FSDPL President’s Advisory Committee held on August 10.

Jean Coddington, the Corporate Friends treasurer, reported that all but five chapters have turned in their FY 2024 financial reports. She also mentioned that Gene Long has been designated as the chair of the FSDPL’s Finance Committee. Finally, she indicated the FSDPL had made about $88,000 from book sales (about $55,000 from online sales and about $33,000 from in-person sale) in FY 2024. Judy Kravitz, who manages the Corporate Friends book sales, reported the July sale, which was a week later than usual, brought in about $3,000. She also said that the Corporate Friends had received a tremendous number of donated books.

Sarah Clayton, who heads the E.T. Perry Centennial Chapter Grant Committee, indicated that the grant process for FY 2025 would begin shortly, with a closing date for applications to be November 30. She also distributed a document that contains questions that chapters might look at in deciding whether to apply for a grant. [Note: I sent an e-mail to those on the Friends of the North Park Library board, asking whether we want to consider applying for a grant. I attached the document distributed by Ms. Clayton to that e-mail.]

Misty Jones represented the San Diego Public Library at the meeting. She explained what had led to the up-coming three-month moratorium on the use of matching funds to support programs and indicated where things are headed. Problems in paying performers, which had existed since at least 2020, had worsened due to the city contracting department’s paperwork requirements, which are onerous, and the involvement of the state’s compliance office, the latter because of the living wage requirement for which the compliance office requires extensive paperwork. Misty noted that the living wage requirement only applies to organizations that employee 12 or more people but even though most performers are independent operators the compliance office is nevertheless requiring all performers to submit paperwork. Misty said that the SDPL had met with representatives of the contracting department and the compliance office in July in an effort to streamline the process. The next step will be to see if the city attorney’s office is on board with a simpler process for solo and small group performers. She said that if that doesn’t happen the matter will be taken to the city council (which will be in recess in September). She

indicated that the SDPL concluded that it would be best to have the three- month moratorium, from October through December, to give enough time for the process to work. Meanwhile, the SDPL’s business office is working with branches regarding programs from January through June in anticipation that the problems will be satisfactorily resolved and matching funds can again be used. Misty indicated that during the moratorium there are alternatives to funding programs using matching funds, including having chapters paying for programs out of their own funds, having library staff conduct them and having the Library Foundation or other organizations fund them. Finally, Misty also noted that FY 2025 matching funds will not carry over into FY 2026. 

Related to this, Pat Wilson noted that chapters that pay for performers or other program presenters out of their own funds need to get a W-9 from each performer and also submit a form to the FSDPL for each payment. This will enable the FSDPL to meet IRS requirements. Pat also said that the FSDPL will be developing a grant program to enable chapters without significant resources to pay for programs. Pat Wilson presented a very short president’s report. She noted that FSDPL volunteers had gotten ten memberships at the Pride Festival and would examine ways to improve for next year. And she mentioned that the Pacific Highlands Library is set to open in September, adding that the FSDPL has names of quite a few people interested in being part of an FOL chapter there and that the library will have bookstore space.

Chapter Reports

Maryelizabeth Yturralde of the Balboa chapter said the chapter’s book sale was disappointing, perhaps due to the weather, but the chapter would be participating with the other chapters in the area in Clairemont Family Day. Anne Box of the Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox chapter indicated that it was making about $3,000 in book sale. [Note: The library had a book sale

room with an entrance separate from the library’s.] Ann Marie Hornblower of the Carmel Valley chapter noted that the impending opening of the Pacific Highlands library would take pressure off the Carmel Valley library and its staff as people living in that area start to use it rather than (or presumably in addition to) the Carmel Valley library. Patricia McFadden of the Valencia Park-Malcolm X chapter said that the chapter would holding Gift Day, its major fundraising event, on September

14. The chapter’s event flyer is attached and shows that there are actually two events that day, a free one and a ticketed one. Sam Yoeuth of the Serra Mesa chapter indicated that it had sponsored programs in which other chapters might be interested, one involving an artist who does murals and several involving authors. Bob Kavanaugh, representing the Tierrasanta chapter, made several comments about book sales –that it is important to rotate stock and that, while making money is important, he thinks the main focus of book sales should be to promote the library and its programs. Carol Hankins of the Paradise Hills chapter indicated that the chapter’s annual butterfly release will be held on September 7, with other related activities taking place that day. [Note: The chapter also does an annual ladybug release.] 

Sarah Clayton of the Rancho Penasquitos chapter showed a large banner, called a feather flag, which says “Sale”. The chapter had purchased some years ago. The chapter no longer needs it so it is available if another chapter wants it. Helen Lebowitz of the University Community chapter said her chapter had= given $10,000 to matching funds but is also able to fund programs directly during the matching funds moratorium. She also said she will be running a calligraphy program. And she mentioned that the chapter would be holding its annual book sale on November 9 and would be auctioning off a quilt at

the event. Bren Breithaupt of the University Heights chapter said the chapter is paying or three programs this month. He also said the chapter would be participating in the University Heights Fall Harvest Festival in October.

As it was noted that some chapters have run out of storage space for books, several participants in the meeting mentioned places that are in need of used books. One participant voiced a complaint that library volunteers can take books off of shelves but cannot shelve them. It was indicated that this is because a union represents library staff and prohibits non-employees from performing functions that union members perform. Before the meeting concluded, Pat Wilson indicated that the FSDPL is still looking for people with web site experience and for additional committee members.

Submitted by Steve Schmal

Friends of the San Diego Public Library North Park

Monthly Meeting Minutes

May 16, 2024

Held at the North Park branch of the San Diego Public Library

Motions

Motion: replacement of toys for kit, motion to spend no more than $75 

JF motion

KB second

Approve

Motion: Sensory floor tiles, motion to spend no more than $250

SS motion

KB second

Approve

Matching Funds

$2,730 towards Signing Storytime

$500 towards Concept Collection

$250 Program supplies

$2,450 for adult plan leased books

$1,796 for youth plan

$1,000 for paper backs

$8,726 total

Motion: to spend $8,726 for the above named programs in matching funds

JF motion

KB second

Approve

Motion: to spend up to $300 for Dr.Dons Button Supplies

JF motion

KB seconds

Approve

Membership Report

During the period since my last report, we got seven new memberships – five at the May book sale – and had four membership renewals.  Three renewals were the result of an effort that I mentioned in my previous report of sending out an e-mail to those 2023 members who hadn’t yet renewed their memberships, encouraging them to do so.  I should add that payment for all three renewals was by using Venmo.  The remaining renewal was from a 2022 member. The new memberships and membership renewals raise the number of current annual members to 135 – 69 new members and 66 who’ve renewed their memberships (again, some from 2020, 2021 and 2022).  Including our life members, we currently have 153 members.

Corporate Report

FRIENDS OF THE NORTH PARK LIBRARY CORPORATE REPORT
May 13, 2024
This report is on the joint meeting of the Corporate Friends Board of Directors and President’s Advisory Committee held on May 11. Jean Coddington, the Corporate Friends treasurer, reported the Board had  reviewed the FY 2025 budget and anticipates $90K in revenue.  The Board  also approved a contribution of $100K to matching funds. Judy Kravitz, who manages the Corporate Friends book sales, reported the  April sale brought in $3276 (compared with about $2600 for the March sale and $2100 for the February sale.)  The Corporate Friends are looking for  more volunteers to help sort and shelve books on Tuesday and Thursday  mornings in preparation for sales. Jennifer Jenkins of the San Diego Public Library gave a report for the  library system.  She thanked everyone who advocated for libraries during the city council budget hearings.  She also thanked the Corporate Friends  for the financial support provided for library staff to attend the ALA  conference, noting that the library system intends to document the benefits  derived from staff conference attendance.  And she thanked Carolyn Satter  of the Kensington-Normal Heights chapter for the management of its essay contest.   Carolyn, chair of the McAllister Scholarship Committee, in turn thanked  Jennifer for promoting the scholarship program.  She indicated that  seventeen applications were received, 15 which met filing requirements,  which far exceeds the number of applications in recent years.  Five awards  will be made totaling $7875.  FSDPL President Pat Wilson said the  scholarship award recipients will be announced at the soon-to- take-place  FSDPL annual meeting. Jennifer concluded her report by distributing drafts, in English and in Spanish, for the reward vouchers to be given participants in the adult summer reading program who complete the program.  After discussion, Jennifer indicated the draft will be revised to give chapters flexibility in award amounts (e.g., number of books to be awarded, value of books).

In her president’s report, Pat Wilson first mentioned that the Library Commission had met in April, but with only four members present.  She  noted that there are 12 places on the Commission but many are vacant,  with representatives needed from city council districts 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.  [Note:  Our district – district 3 – is represented.]  Pat also noted that Commission meetings are only in person, not virtual, under state law (the Brown Act).The Pacific Highlands Library is scheduled to be completed in July and to be opened in September.  A branch manager and a YSL have been selected.  The request for proposal for the Ocean Beach Library remodel and extension is scheduled to be issued this summer and responses to the Oak Park Library request for proposal are due next week.Pat noted that the mayor’s initial budget proposal is a non-starter.  City council members have indicated opposition to many of mayor’s proposed cuts.  His revised budget will come out this Thursday and it is rumored that three full-time YSLs will be added, matching funds may be increased to $1M (from $900K in initial proposal but less than current $1.2M) and library program and computer hardware and software replacement money may that were initially cut may be restored.  After the mayor issues his revised budget, the city council will review it and make final decisions in June. Gordon Gidlund of the Corporate Friends board discussed the revision of the FSDPL Bylaws he has prepared.  The 2017 version and the 2022 amendments to it contained redundant language and outdated provisions (e.g., references to the Corporate Friends’ Executive Director, which position has not been occupied for several years and is not to be refilled).  He indicated the bylaws have been cut from 12 to eight pages.  Comments on the revision can be sent to Gordon.  Bylaws can only be changed by the membership at FSDPL annual meetings so the revision will be voted on at the upcoming meeting. Carolyn Satter spoke about the annual meeting, which will take place on June 8 at Central Library.  Registration will be from 9:30 to 10, the meeting will be from 10 to 11:30 and there will be social time afterwards.  Carolyn said the Corporate Friends is looking for a chapter to obtain food of the event (for which the chapter will be reimbursed) and also for volunteers to set up and serve the food, at the registration table, at the prize wheel, at  the brag board and to hand out programs.  Pat Wilson said that names of volunteers to be recognized at annual meeting must be submitted no later than next Saturday as they are to be included in the event program.

Friends of the San Diego Library Chapter Reports:
Bill Bischoff of the San Carlos reported nothing has been finalized regarding the status of the project to build a new San Carlos Library project but indicated there is lots of community support. Patricia McFadden of the Valencia Park-Malcolm X chapter encouraged chapters to have member appreciation days/events.  At a recent event at Malcolm X, the chapter’s life members were given specially made certificates. Megan Murfey of the Balboa chapter said the chapter will soon hold the
second of three books sales for the year, with funds going to support adult craft classes at the library. Carol Hankins of the Paradise Hills chapter said the chapter held its third annual ladybug release last Saturday, with 27 attendees.  The event
included a story time and a craft activity.  Carol stressed that this is an inexpensive event.  Carol also noted that this coming Saturday will be Dumpster Day in the community and the chapter will be distributing info about the library and the FOL at it.
Elida Chavez of the Oak Park chapter indicated the library’s YSL had reached out to Carver Elementary School for library card registration and events.  She also said the chapter wants to buy books for children at that school and Oak Park Elementary School.  She stated that the chapter recently had a book sale that netted about $600, noting that attendance at the sale was helped by banners and signs purchased with money granted the chapter through the ET Perry Centennial Chapter Grant program.  She said the chapter and its members had been honored by city councilmember Foster.  And she indicated that her chapter is to collaborate with the Valencia Park/Malcolm X chapter on a 5K run. Renee Daniels of the Point Loma chapter said the chapter held its annual appreciation lunch with small thank-you gifts for volunteers.  She also indicated the chapter is looking to develop metrics for programs and the like and asked whether other chapters had done or are doing something similar.

Jan Hinzman of the College-Rolando chapter indicated that the issue of parking at the library remains in the forefront.  Many people have sent letters to the mayor and the city council on the subject and Jan expressed thanks for that support.  She said that the issue is ongoing so more support will be welcomed.  [Note:  I have prepared a letter on the subject to go to our councilmember Stephen Whitburn and will share it on request once Jan indicates it is factually sound.]

George Wargo of the Linda Vista chapter reported the Linda Vista Multicultural Fair and Parade held on May 4 was very successful for the chapter, with six new members gained.  [Note:  He thanked the undersigned for the help he provided in that endeavor.] Carolyn Satter of the Kensington-Normal Height chapter announced that the annual Kensington Parade will take place on Memorial Day and that the chapter will distribute flyers about the library and the FOL at it.

Ann Marie Hornblower of the Carmel Valley chapter noted that the chapter subsidizes concerts at the library.  In making her report, Ann Marie also indicated the chapter has had difficulties getting volunteers and FOL members. Before closing the meeting, Pat Wilson indicated that Gene Long, chair of the Nominating Committee, is still accepting applications to become Corporate Friends board members and to become Corporate Friends secretary (with Christa Gush, the current secretary, termed off at end of June).  Also, the Corporate Friends are looking for people with marketing expertise to become board members as the organization wants to improve its marketing

YSL Report

• Summer Reading Program - Presented the log; program is also for adults

• You can also do activities in lieu of reading hours

• Reusable utensils are prize for adults and 2 tickets to the Nat and free book from Friends book sale

• Starts June 8

• Kids - 3 oz Yogurtland; free kids meal at Mendocino farms and Panda Express

Branch Manager Report

End of fiscal year - matching funds is $11,039.81

Funds used for books, supplies, and programing

Branch is closing on July 1 so that staff can go to ALA Conference that day.

Listener’s Advisory - podcast of librarian interviews; local authors; interviews

Find Odi contest - find Odi the coyote in each branch, starts July 2

Hotspots can be checked out for 90 days; can’t be placed on hold. Serves 12-14 devices in household.

Chrome books can also be checked out for 90 days.

California State Parks Pass can be checked out for 14 days.

Mayor’s Budget

About seven branches only have half time YSLs. Three branches will now get full time YSLs. Library has strong advocacy at the budget meetings.

City of SD spends less on library materials than the county of SD. Coalition of library advocates will likely be pressing for more to be spent on library materials.

New Business

We will contribute $8,726 towards matching funds.  Library improvement project - losing treasurer puts us in limbo - our focus was budget advocacy this month - not much movement on the open house event.

Friends of the San Diego Public Library North Park

Monthly Meeting Minutes

March 21, 2024

Held at the North Park branch of the San Diego Public Library

Manager’s Report:

Oasis retirement and estate strategies upcoming event on May 14 at 3pm. Chelsea Clinton visited the Central Library last week. Yearly patron satisfaction survey is conducted through April 13. New book carts were ordered. NP received from the matching funds pool distribution $14,913.91

YSL Report: 

Spring into STEAM March - May for tweens. March 27 - Mad Science - Living in Space program

April 7-13  is National Library week; fun facts per day will be posted by the library; Like our Facebook page!

Membership Report:

We continue to get new members; 10 since the last meeting and renewals are trickling in. 

Corporate Report: City budget season coming up; will not be a good year. Mayor is asking to cut budget by 2%.

Treasurer’s report:

Starting balance:$15,702.71

Ending balance: $15,507.30

Debits:

2/9/24, CK 1186; SDFOL Corporate; $10

2/9/24, CK 1188; KB for SONOFEST: $50

2/9/24, CK 1189; TC for Dinner with Friends; $135.41

No Deposits.

New Library discussion:

James reported on meeting with Patrick Stewart. We need to make noise, make a buzz, this is the goal; get the business community involved; OB’s library was built with 1/3 from donations (businesses); 1/3 city; 1/3 federal funds; Steven Whitburn, Toni Atkins, Chris Ward - Invite them to the branch. North Park planning committee is the alliance we need. Biggest obstacle is that we are close to UH and they are higher up on the list. Do an open house. Let’s get back to what we were doing pre-pandemic. Open house will have a fundraising goal. Let’s get in touch with the business community. Soliciting for donations from bookstores first. Would be good practice to hone these skills. Let’s be deliberate and strategic about this process. 

Steve: Re: Funding - the city will not pay for most of it. Libraries get built by cities paying some (developers fees); Whitburn has a discretionary fund. Current planning committee may not be the planning committee.