Written Communications
Library Commission
Special Meeting
April 1, 2025
Written Communications
From:Santosh Rao
To:City of Cupertino Library Commission Group; Molly James; Bryant Bao
Subject:Feedback for Cupertino Library Commission.
Date:Monday, March 31, 2025 6:52:30 AM
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[Writing on behalf of myself only, as a Cupertino and SCC voter and resident. ]
Dear Cupertino Library Commission,
1. To optimize library utilization, extend operating hours to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
These extended hours will allow the community to fully benefit from the library’s services.
Families would love to utilize the library weekend evenings if kept open.
2. To maintain a conducive and quiet environment, enforce the library’s quiet rules. Be
mindful of patrons who arrive loudly, leave children unattended, or create excessive noise. If
you encounter unruly or noisy individuals, kindly request their departure from the library.
3. To prioritize hygiene and prevent the library from becoming a temporary shelter for the
homeless, prohibit individuals from occupying the library and restrooms. This is a significant
health and safety concern that should not be overlooked. The library’s primary function should
be as a place for reading and relaxation, not as a temporary shelter for the homeless.
4. To streamline the book return process, ensure that book returns at other libraries are
reflected in your system. This will eliminate the need for patrons to visit the library to inform
you about the library they returned a book to. Residents like me live equidistant from
Woodland and Cupertino and make use of multiple libraries in the area, this change will help
ensure book returns at one location reflect at the other.
5. To enhance the book return experience, provide an option for patrons to receive their book
return receipts via email, similar to the book borrowing workflow. This will ensure patrons
have a soft copy of receipt that they can retain as proof of book return.
6. To accommodate the growing number of patrons returning books, increase the number of
book return terminals and keep them functioning and open. This will reduce waiting times and
enhance the efficiency of the book return process.
7. To address the issue of frequently out-of-paper restrooms, ensure that restrooms have
adequate paper supplies. This will ensure that patrons can use the restrooms without any
inconvenience.
8. To streamline the patron entry process for library private rooms, implement a self-service
option. This will eliminate the need for librarians to physically open the doors, allowing
patrons to enter and exit the rooms independently. Library cards can be utilized for entry, and
reservations can be verified against the library card.
9. To enhance the library’s ambiance and promote a greener environment, plant additional
trees surrounding the library. This will improve air quality and create a more inviting
atmosphere for patrons.
10. In light of the reduced traffic to the city hall due to remote work, eliminate permit parking
in the parking lot and adjacent curbside. This measure will save time and resources for patrons
and reduce the number of available parking spaces.
11. To allow more quiet reading on the ground floor limit the seating area for elementary kids
to a smaller section and expand a seating section for middle school kids so they can enjoy a
quieter reading experience. The library currently optimizes the 1st floor for young families but
the second floor is optimized for adults and high schoolers. This leaves middle schoolers with
no proper place to do focussed reading. Please increase the seating in the first floor for quiet
reading focussed on families with middle school age kids.
Thank you for your consideration of my feedback.
Sincerely,
San Rao
From:Preeti Gulati
To:City of Cupertino Library Commission Group
Subject:Topics for consideration for commission meeting
Date:Monday, March 31, 2025 9:05:41 AM
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Hello Sir/ madam,
I am Preeti Gulati, Cupertino resident for last 12 years. I and my 2 kids thoroughly enjoy the
programs our beautiful library has to offer.Being mother of high school and elementary
school age kids, I want to request following changes to the library.
1. There is not sufficient spaces for kids to sit and do their homework on first floor. The
homework room gets fully occupied pretty quickly. I have seen adults who accompany kids
sit there and just work on their laptops. The homework room should be strictly for kids. I am
not sure but , I have heard that this homework room is going to be converted into a small kids
play area. I strictly oppose this. There are already 2 play areas for small kids on first floor. The
space needs of school going kids is already not being met by current seating plan. We can not
afford to loose more work seats for older students . This area needs more markings too to
prioritize kids upto grade 8th grade for sitting.
The main library room, there are tables which can seat 4 people. Usually these tables get
occupied by one tutor/ parent and one child. This space for 4 becomes underutilized by 2
people. Possibly having split tables with 2 seats at least some if not all can be changed will be
able to accommodate more kids and their caregivers.
I would urge library commission to visit the library between 3pm and 6pm and see how all age
school children enjoy this safe space to do homework solitary or in groups.
Regards,
Preeti Gulati