- Electronic agenda packet viewing is available at: https://ccclib.org/commission/

- Hard copy agenda packets are available for viewing at each Contra Costa County Library

- The Library Commission will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with

disabilities planning to attend Library Commission meetings who contact Library

Administration at least 72 hours before the meeting, at (925) 608-7700. After 72 hours prior,

accommodations will be on a best-efforts basis.

Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda

and distributed by the Contra Costa County Library Commission to a majority of members of

the Library Commission less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public

inspection at Contra Costa County Library Administration, 777 Arnold Drive, Suite 210,

Martinez, CA 94553.

Library Commissioners, please call Library Administration, at (925) 608-7700 by 5 p.m.

Wednesday, July 16th if you will NOT be at the meeting. A quorum must be established

in-person before a meeting can be held. A record is maintained of Commissioner’s attendance.

CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER / ROLL CALL

Chair Nicole Gemmer called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. Walt Beveridge took roll and with 13

voting members present, a quorum was established.

Jim Dexter, Robin Eckert, Nicole Gemmer, Marina Hsieh,

Heather Lurvey, Richard Means, Amit Prayag, Robert

Sanguedolce, Linda Sendig, Tommy Smith, Bryan Thomas,

and Bethany Woods

Present

Julia Dozier, Sue Hamill, Zelda LeFrak-Belleci, Dennisha

Marsh, Robert Mason, Frederick Page, and Rachel Rosekind

Excused

Absent

Matt DeFraga, Vivian Faye, Shrikant Garde, Stacie Hinton,

Anne Kingsley, Amenda Kung, Lynn Mackey, Jo Ellen

Marcotte, George Pursley, and Donna Rennie

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

Chair Gemmer introduced several new commissioners who each took a moment to say a few words

about themselves.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No members of the public were present at this meeting.

LC Minutes May 2025 - Final

Attachments:

With 13 "Aye" votes and one abstention, the motion to accept the 5-15-2025 meeting

minutes as they were presented was passed.

Motion:

Hsieh

Second:

Prayag

Co Librarian Report July 2025

Attachments:

County Librarian Alison McKee highlighted several items in her written report to the

commission then called for any questions. No one had any so the meeting continued.

COMMISSIONER WORK PLAN ACTION ITEMS (Report Out / Current Events)

Commissioner Fitzpatrick: In his previous role as a Oakley Commissioner, Arnold was involved in

fundraising efforts for the Clayton Library. He also has been attending programs there to show

support.

Commissioner Prayag: Amit had 3 items to report. 1. He attended a Clayton Foundation meeting to

report on the May Commission meeting to the group; 2. Amit and his family participated in the

Clayton 4th of July parade to show support; 3. Amit has joined the Clayton Foundation

Communication Sub-Committee and they are now reviewing the Library Marketing Plan for both the

Foundation and the Clayton Library.

AGENDA SETTING FOR NEXT MEETING and FUTURE TOPICS

Commissioner Swernoff suggested an update on efforts regarding a new library for El Cerrito.

Alison stated that she thought that was more of a city function than an item for the full commission

and suggest that Commissioner Swernoff might huddle with Commissioner Fischer from El Cerrito

to speak about this topic.

SSS Survey Results 2025

Attachments:

Alison's PowerPoint slides are attached to these minutes.

Self-service Sundays Pilot Results

WORKING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Attachments:

Commissioner Lurvey provided the report this meeting due to Commissioner Dozier being absent:

Legislative Update

California

In June, Governor Newsom signed the 2025 State Budget Bill. California State Library Parks Pass

program was funded through 2026-it had been subject to end in 2025 due to an $6.75 million budget

cut proposed in the legislature’s budget plan earlier this year. The California State Parks Foundation

obtained over 8,000 signatures supporting the program. The funds are appropriated for the State

Parks & Rec Fund, not directly to the libraries. $3.6 million was allocated to the Altadena Library

District. The libraries in Altadena were damaged by the fires earlier this year. The Library District

expects to receive reduced funding from property taxes for the next few years due to the widespread

loss of homes and property damage. The governor stated the State of California would not be able to

replace the funds IMLS had provided to California.

Federal

No library-related bills in Congress right now.

In FCC v. Consumers’ Research and SHLB v. Consumers' Research decided in June, the Supreme

Court held the Universal Service Fund, which encompasses the E-Rate program which subsidizes

internet connectivity for libraries, is constitutional, overturning the Fifth Circuit. ALA v. Sonderling

and State of Rhode Island v. Trump, two lawsuits challenging the administration’s Executive Order

14238, are pending in federal courts.

10.

CORRESPONDENCE

Walter reported that the only correspondence since the previous meeting had to do with information

relating to how an interested person could apply for an open spot on the commission. Walter referred

the inquiry to the appropriate city clerk and the person asking was sent an application and a

description of the process involved.

11.

COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Hsieh shared that the San Ramon Pedestrian Bridge over Highway 680 was opening

on Saturday July 19th and there would be a pop-up book sale by the Friends along the path of the

walk. She also mentioned that the Dougherty Station Library would shortly be celebrating its 20th

anniversary and for a $20 donation, yard signs celebrating the library were available to the public.

12.

ADJOURNMENT to the Thursday, September 18, 2025, LIBRARY COMMISSION

MEETING.

Chair Gemmer adjourned the meetng at 7:33 pm.