DATE: June 17, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Darlene Bradley, Director of Library and Museum Services
SUBJECT: DONATION OF $30,000 FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE ARCADIA
PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMMING
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Accept
SUMMARY
The Friends of the Arcadia Public Library have offered a donation of $30,000 to fund Library programming, including the popular summer reading programs and teen programming. According to the Arcadia City Charter and Resolution No. 7514, gifts or donations over $10,000 are subject to approval by the City Council. It is recommended that the City Council accept this donation of $30,000 for children’s and teen programming at the Arcadia Public Library for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
DISCUSSION
The Friends of the Arcadia Public Library (the “Friends”), as part of their ongoing mission to support the Library’s goals and objectives, are donating $30,000 to fund ongoing programming for children and teens. The Friends of the Arcadia Public Library raise funds through the sales of used books by the Friends Bookstore, located inside the Arcadia Public Library. The Friends also raise funds through Friends memberships from the community. This past year, they hosted several daylong book sales that also helped to boost sales and have begun selling gently used items on eBay as well.
The funds donated by the Friends help the Library provide quality programs for the children and teens of Arcadia, beyond the current capacity of the City’s General Fund.
All gifts to the Library over $10,000 are subject to approval by the City Council pursuant to City Charter Section 1218 and Resolution No. 7514.
Donation of $30,000 from the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library June 17, 2025
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Library’s programming for the residents of Arcadia is enhanced by this gift of $30,000, including the programs for children and teens that it will fund.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and accept a donation of $30,000 from the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library for Library programming.