Larkspur Library Board · meeting of Monday, Dec 8
Board faces a $14,000 ebook gap as Libby checkouts hit 64,418
Larkspur's digital collection has become one of the library's busiest departments, and on Monday the Library Board got the bill. Staff reported 64,418 Libby checkouts last year, up from 563 in the service's first year, and laid out Marinet's regional spending-equity formula, which sets a target of $15,643 a year for Larkspur outside of Marinet dues. The city has historically spent about $1,500 a year, partly covered by federal IMLS grant funds that are now uncertain.
“I think it's a bad look to have this new beautiful building and then say, oh well, we don't have this anymore.”— a Library Board member, on cutting digital services
Options on the table for closing the gap all involved subtraction: cutting Hoopla, dropping the Canopy streaming service, or ending newspaper subscriptions — the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Chronicle run roughly $5,000 a year. Hoopla is already rationed: the service is capped at $450 a month and eight uses per patron. "Once we hit our $450 cap, the service isn't available for the rest of the month," Director Damon told the board. Larkspur is not alone in falling short of the formula — staff noted San Rafael had spent zero to date and was also grant-dependent.
Board members were cool to the idea of passing the hat. One floated a "Hoopla genie" — a donor who would sponsor the Hoopla budget directly through the Friends or the Foundation — but colleagues pushed back on outside money as a first resort, arguing the obligation sits with the city, while acknowledging the city's pool is finite.
No decision was made; staff recommended no immediate cuts this fiscal year and suggested tracking usage data, such as the number of unique Hoopla users, before touching the budget. The question returns during city budget season, and the board will draft its annual letter to the City Council — due before that season — at its January 12 meeting.
Larkspur Library Board · meeting of Monday, Dec 8
750 volunteers, 1,000 books, 50 minutes: Book Brigade takes shape for the new library
The move to the new Larkspur Library will begin, at least ceremonially, with a human chain. Chris Linhard, a member of the Rose Lane community who has been working on the event, briefed the board on a community "Book Brigade" planned for a Saturday morning in spring, likely March or April. The working plan: roughly 750 participants handing about 1,000 books along a route that should take about 50 minutes.
“I just want to thank you, Damon, for organizing this visit and tour of the new facilities last week. It was really good to see it in person instead of just a two-dimensional rendition on paper.”— a Library Board member, on touring the new library
Details are filling in. Volunteers would wear yellow vests, with a "Larky" mascot costume supplied by the Friends of the Library; signups would run through a QR code linked to Signup Genius, promoted via the Marin Buzz app, with sponsorships from local businesses. Organizers are also exploring a combined ribbon-cutting with the Commons Foundation, complete with music and food trucks. Rain contingency: recyclable bags. And one rule already settled — "We said no dogs," Linhard said.
A board member suggested the first and last books be chosen deliberately, as something symbolic. Director Damon offered a candidate: the Larkspur history book exists in a first edition and a revised edition — "past and present."
Separately, Damon said children's programming will be scaled back before the move — last Thursday's marionette show drew about 70 kids — and a moving consultant has been hired. The library will be closed with City Hall from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Monday, Jan. 5, reopening Tuesday, Jan. 6; the book drop stays open, with one staff member clearing it, though holds won't be processed for pickup. The next Book Brigade planning meeting is January 6.