12-06-2025
New Lodi Library director brings decades of experience with her
Jun. 12—The Lodi Public Library Board of Trustees appointed a new director on Monday.
Jennifer Fontanilla has more than 18 years of experience in the library system, serving in a variety of roles with the Stockton-San Joaquin County Library.
Fontanilla oversaw the library's annual $16 million budget as deputy director/city librarian. In this role, she optimized performance across the board and collaborated with the department finance officer to review, create, and administer the budget.
The board said that throughout her career, Fontanilla has demonstrated her leadership abilities by managing and evaluating staff for the county's five library branches, as well as technical and delivery services.
Fontanilla holds a master's degree in library and information science from San Jose State University, and a bachelor of arts in business family and consumer sciences/human sciences from California State University, Long Beach.
She is also certified as a supervisor by the City of Stockton, and has completed the Leadership Academy program.
Fontanilla takes over for Akiliah Manuel Mills, whose last day was July 31.
Manuel was appointed Lodi Public Library director in 2021 after serving in a similar role with the Riverside County Library System.
She told the News-Sentinel last summer that she would be working and traveling abroad as a corporate consultant in a variety of industries.
Earlier this year, the Lodi City Council considered three options regarding the Lodi Public Library's future, including entering into a contract with the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library.
Staff said joining the countywide system would save the city some $580,000 in annual operational costs.
Lodi is the only library in the county that is not part of the SSJPCL, and staff said it could be more efficient to join the county system, as it would be responsible for administrative duties and keep costs low by purchasing materials in bulk and providing a wider range of resources to residents.
In addition, a larger shared catalog would give users access to all materials throughout the system, including a wider selection of digital services and eBooks, as well as a simpler process for placing holds and having items delivered to the library.
A second option was to integrate the library with Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services, which staff said would provide better financial sustainability than the current operating model, as well as opportunities for co-programming with recreational activities.
The option would allow the city to retain control of the library, but it would increase the workload of an already very busy PRCS department, staff said.
Ongoing savings with this option is estimated to be about $150,000 annually.
A third option was continue operating the library as the city has done, but make small improvements such as expanding community programming, modernizing technology, adding a librarian and creating clear documentation for the board of trustees.
While the other two options would save the city in operating costs, this one would require as much as $200,000 in annual spending, staff said.
During a special meeting in January, many residents vehemently opposed give an outside party control over the library.
The council has yet to take action on the library's future, and is expected to discussion the matter at an upcoming meeting.
