STAFF REPORT
LIBRARY AND MUSEUM SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: June 16, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Darlene Bradley, Library and Museum Services Director
SUBJECT: DONATION FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE ARCADIA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Accept
SUMMARY
The Friends of the Arcadia Public Library have offered a donation of $50,000 to fund Library services, including the popular summer reading program and teen programming. It is recommended that the City Council accept this donation of $50,000 to support programming at the Arcadia Public Library.
DISCUSSION
As part of their ongoing mission to support the Library’s goals and objectives, the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library (the “Friends”), are donating $50,000 to the Library to fund ongoing programming for children, teens, and adult programs. The Friends of the Arcadia Public Library raise funds through the sale of used books in the Friends Bookstore, located inside the Arcadia Public Library. The Friends also raise funds by selling Friends memberships, hosting several daylong book sales, and selling gently used items on eBay.
The funds donated by the Friends help the Arcadia Public Library provide quality programs for the community, specifically children and teens, beyond the current capacity of the Department’s Operating Budget. All gifts over $10,000 are subject to approval by the City Council pursuant to City Charter Section 1218 and Resolution No. 7514.
Donation of $50,000 from the Friends of the Library
June 16, 2026
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under Section 15061(b)(3) of 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 $50,000, including the programs for children, teens, and adults that it will fund.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and accept a donation from the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library for library programming in the amount of $50,000.