ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 5, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Reports TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jaritza Nunez, Management Assistant
DATE: July 24, 2026
SUBJECT: Bakerfield Youth Commission Annual Project
[Document Description]
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council receive and file the presentation.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, the Bakersfield Youth Commission (Commission) is responsible for developing and implementing an Annual Project that addresses an issue affecting local youth. In previous years, the Commission has partnered with community organizations to support initiatives such as informational booths, food drives, and school supply drives at local events.
At the January 26, 2026, regular meeting, the Commission approved the creation of "Little Libraries" as their Annual Project. The project was selected to promote youth literacy, improve access to free books, and encourage a lifelong love of reading among children and families throughout the community.
Throughout the year, commissioners worked collaboratively to complete the project by assembling and decorating the Little Libraries . Com missioners partnered with local schools, nonprofit organizations, private businesses, and local artists to assist with library placement and decoration. Commissioners also collected books to fill their libraries t hrough donations and community book drives. The Commission completed the project within its allocated budget.
Each Little Library was installed within the respective ward of the commissioner responsible for the project, except for the mayor appointee's library, which was placed just outside the ci ty limits in a highly populated area to maximize community access.
The Youth Commission will present the completed Annual Project and provide an overview of the project, including the locations of the Little Libraries.
FISCAL IMPACT:
All materials for the completion of the Youth Commission’s Annual Project were covered by the Bakersfield Youth Commission’s FY 2025 - 2026 budget. There are no further impacts to the budget.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Community Character & Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
None