March 24 2026 Library Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

City of Mesa  
Library Advisory Board Meeting Minutes 
 
Date: 
 
March, 24 2026 
Time: 
 
5:30 p.m. 
Location: 
5036 S. Eastmark Parkway 
Mesa, AZ 85212 
 
 
 
Members Present 
 
 
  Staff Present 
 
 
                                
 
Lonica Rowley, Chair 
 
 
  Polly Bonnett 
Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson, Vice Chair 
  Jesse Simms 
James Martherus  
 
 
  Stacey Akahoshi 
Karina Wilhelm 
Jenn Lopez 
 
Anna Mathews 
 
 
 
   
 
  Sara Lipich 
 
 
 
                                                   
  Megan Guderian 
Members Present Online  
 
  Zach Gomez-Robinson 
Megan Sterling  
    
 
  Megan Guderian 
Ellen Bachman 
 
 
 
   Erin Jones 
 
 
 
 
 
  Brandon Williams 
 
Members Absent 
 
                 Guests Present 
Jo Wilson    
    
 
                 Nicole Lind 
Mark Powell  
 
 
 
  Charlotte McDermott 
Christal Cline   
 
 
 
 
    
    
 
 
    
AGENDA ITEM 
 
 
DISCUSSION 
 
Call to Order 
 
 
 
 
Chair, Lonica Rowley, called the meeting for the City of Mesa Library Advisory Board to order at 5:32pm. 
on March 24th, 2026.  
 
Approval of May Meeting 
Minutes 
 
 
 
Public Comments 
 
Introductions, 
Recognitions, and 
Announcements 
 
Library Advisory Board 
members present items 
they would like to share 
with the group  
 
Hear a presentation on the 
City of Mesa’s AI 
Initiative 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The January 20th minutes were moved by Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson, and seconded by James Martherus. 
The minutes were not approved by board members.  
 
 
 
No Public Comments 
 
No introductions, recognitions or announcements 
 
 
 
No items to present or share.  
 
 
 
 
Stacey Akahoshi, Library Branch Coordinator at Main Library, gave a presentation on Mesa’s AI  Intiative 
and the library’s participation. She began by outlining the City of Mesa’s AI training initiative, which 
provides learning opportunities for both residents and City staff through the Mesa Public Library and the 
City’s iLearn system. She explained that the program includes over 100 LinkedIn Learning courses 
covering AI fundamentals, prompting, and ethical and responsible use, with tailored tracks for residents 
and staff . Stacey noted that resident access will be available through library accounts, with programs 
launching in May, and that staff training will be integrated into required learning pathways. 
 
Karina asked whether residents would be required to take courses on ethics and responsible AI use. Stacey 
responded that courses cannot be required for residents, but staff will be assigned training. Karina also 
asked how the Library will encourage responsible use. Stacey shared that staff are incorporating AI literacy 
into library programming, including presentations on AI scams, interactive activities demonstrating how 
AI can be misled, and discussions on using AI for readers’ advisory. Polly added that the Library will also 
provide links to recommended courses on its website. James asked how staff are currently using AI tools. 
Stacey reported that 54% of surveyed staff are already using tools such as ChatGPT for writing, editing, 
research, and data analysis. She noted that Claude has been effective for data analysis and that Microsoft

AGENDA ITEM 
 
 
DISCUSSION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hear a presentation on 
America 250  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hear a presentation on 
collection development 
guidelines and parental 
control information 
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copilot can assist with email and search functions. Jesse added that AI has been used to create early design 
concepts, such as renderings for signage. Kristin asked about potential liability concerns and whether 
LinkedIn assumes responsibility. Stacey explained that the Library is already using LinkedIn Learning and 
offers a range of materials with different viewpoints. Polly noted that while usage metrics can be tracked, 
individual user data is not shared. Brandon added that LinkedIn courses are taught by subject matter experts 
and have been used by the City for many years, though usage cannot be limited specifically to Mesa 
residents. Polly provided additional context, noting that the initiative was inspired by similar efforts in 
other cities and brought forward through City leadership to expand access to AI learning opportunities. 
 
 
Jesse Simms, Assistant Library Director, presented an overview of the Library’s America 250 
programming efforts and shared that he will also be presenting this work at the Public Library Association 
conference. He explained that the initiative stems from a city-led effort, with the Library committed to 
supporting the broader celebration through systemwide programming and unique experiences. 
Jesse outlined the Library’s approach to programming, which includes three categories: one-off programs, 
themed programs, and volunteer or passive activities. He described one-off programs such as Ken Burns’ 
The American Revolution at the ASU MIX Center, Arizona Traveling Museum exhibits, Falcon Field tours, 
sourdough-making workshops, and colonial toys and games. He noted that themed programs build on 
existing offerings, such as storytimes and crafts, by incorporating an America 250 theme without requiring 
significant additional resources. Jesse also highlighted volunteer and passive programming, including 
activities such as cards for first responders, scavenger hunts, and take-and-make kits, noting these continue 
to be popular with participants. He shared that the Library currently offers approximately 270 programs 
per month systemwide, with about 27 programs monthly connected to America 250.  Jesse emphasized the 
importance of partnerships in expanding programming, including collaborations with ASU’s MIX Center 
and Latinx Oral History Lab, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Phoenix Zoo, the United States 
Post Office, and Falcon Field Airport . He noted that these partnerships help position the Library as a civic 
space and broaden community engagement. He also discussed the diversity of programming, which 
includes topics such as the Underground Railroad, Indigenous storytelling through “Embracing Your Inner 
Trickster,” the Latinx Oral History Lab, Women Air Service Pilots in World War II, and an upcoming 
American Music Festival featuring multiple genres. Jesse emphasized that the goal is to present a broad 
and inclusive view of American history and culture. James asked for additional details about the 
“Embracing Your Inner Trickster” program, and Jesse explained that it explores Indigenous storytelling 
concepts through activities such as zine-making. Karina asked about the timeline for the initiative, and 
Jesse responded that while some programming may conclude around July, efforts will continue throughout 
the year. 
 
 
Nicole Lind provided an overview of the Library’s Collection Support Services (CSS) department, 
explaining that it is a systemwide team responsible for selecting, purchasing, cataloging, and processing 
all physical and digital materials for the Library, as well as managing databases and collection maintenance 
activities such as weeding and replacement . She noted that the team is based at the Main Library and also 
supports Interlibrary Loan services. Nicole described the composition of the team, including librarians 
responsible for selection, library associates who handle cataloging, and technical staff who manage 
purchasing, invoicing, and processing of materials. She noted that most materials are processed through 
vendors, with staff providing quality control before items are distributed systemwide. Nicole highlighted 
recent major projects and challenges, including the Gateway Library opening, which required processing 
approximately 50,000 items and significantly increased workload during 2025. She also discussed the 
unexpected closure of Baker & Taylor, which required a transition to Ingram as the primary vendor and 
resulted in shipment delays and additional cataloging work. She noted that staff have worked to keep pace 
despite these challenges. Nicole reviewed current and upcoming projects, including catching up on 
collection gaps following the Gateway opening, ongoing weeding and replacement efforts, and updates to 
collections such as the Stuffbrary and juvenile materials. She shared that staff are exploring leveling 
juvenile fiction collections and introducing a new video game collection, anticipated to launch in the next 
fiscal year.  Nicole explained that collection decisions are guided by publicly available selection guidelines 
and twelve principles of selection, with a strong emphasis on patron demand and popular appeal. She noted 
that staff use a variety of tools to inform decisions, including professional reviews, circulation data, vendor 
lists, and user suggestions submitted through the Library’s website. 
James asked whether the Library is subject to any legal requirements similar to school libraries regarding 
notification of new materials. Staff responded that there are currently no such requirements for public 
libraries, though legislation has been proposed. Polly Bonnett discussed parental responsibility and noted 
that parents are responsible for monitoring their children’s reading, with existing policies requiring 
children under 12 to be accompanied. 
Nicole also explained the process for reconsideration of materials, noting that requests are reviewed by 
staff using established guidelines and professional reviews, with an opportunity for appeal to a committee 
that includes librarians and Library Advisory Board members. Polly added that concerns are sometimes 
raised informally by staff regarding item placement. Lonica Rowley asked about differentiating early 
reader and middle grade collections, and Polly noted ongoing discussions around supporting grade-level

AGENDA ITEM 
 
 
DISCUSSION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Identify Items for Future 
Agendas*  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hear reports from Library 
Advisory Board Members 
on current events, 
meetings, and/or 
educational topics related 
to public library matters*  
 
reading. Lonica also expressed interest in expanding formats such as hardcover titles, Playaways, and 
emerging formats like Yoto-style audio devices. Nicole responded that staff evaluate requests and are 
exploring pilot opportunities for new formats. Karina asked about transparency around reconsideration 
requests, and staff noted that while records are public, they are not proactively published. Staff also 
confirmed that community members may submit input through the reconsideration process. 
 
Mesa Reads was in 2025. It ended up with over 15 million books read. Megan Guderian’s child won, she 
is raising readers. Thanks to Brenna Klassen for all their work on this. Staffing announcement, Tony 
Garvey moved to the City Manager’s Office. Brandon is now Assistant Library Director. Working with a 
consultant over the next 6 months to redo the website. Let Polly know if there is anyone who would like 
to have input or participate in testing.  
 
 
 
Karina Wilhelm shared that she is working on a paper preservation workshop planned for this summer. 
She noted that she approached staff about hosting the workshop and was connected with Sharon Skinner 
to further discuss a related grant opportunity. Karina stated that additional information about the grant will 
be presented as part of the workshop. 
 
 
  
 
 
Next Meeting Dates 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 19, 2026 – Main Library- Saguaro 
 
 
 
 
Adjournment 
 
 
Board member Karina Wilhelm moved, and Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson seconded that the meeting be 
adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 pm.  
 
 
Lonica Rowley, Chair signs for minutes 
 
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