Loomis library, chamber and community volunteers outline programs and trustee recruitment

Library staff told the council about a successful community 'puzzle swap' and listed upcoming offerings including story time, a Japanese story time, a Lego club STEM project, a manga club and AARP tax-aid sessions available through the library. Staff said the library will start strategic planning in the coming weeks and that four residents applied for the open library trustee seat; the mayor and at least one councilmember were conducting interviews and a recommendation is expected at the February meeting.

Anne Baker, speaking for the committee supporting a continuation measure for the Loomis Library and Community Services, urged the council to preserve the library, noting it serves children, families and seniors in partnership with UC Master Gardeners, the Friends of the Loomis Library and other volunteers. "The library is primarily funded through the existing quarter cent sales tax revenue," Baker said, and she recalled that the library previously closed for several months before that funding was established.

The Loomis Chamber of Commerce provided a brief update as well, announcing the start of the 2024 cohort for the Leadership Loomis program, a Jan. 18 mixer at Santosho Yoga and a recent successful internship placement that produced a new logo for a local small business. A representative of a local car club thanked the town for cooperating on a charity car show scheduled for the third weekend in May.

Council members noted the trustee appointment process and public feedback on representation and said staff will bring the interview-based recommendation to council in February. No formal vote on trustee appointments occurred at this meeting; the appointments item was pulled from consent for separate consideration and will return to council for action.