DATE: January 17, 2023
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Library Services
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $200,000 from Edward Martins to Support the Purchase of a Techmobile for the Hayward Public Library
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment I) authorizing the City Manager to accept and appropriate $200,000 from Edward Martins to support the purchase of a Techmobile for the Hayward Public Library.
SUMMARY
Edward Martins has been a well-known local figure, practicing law and serving in a variety of roles in the Hayward community. In 2020, he and his wife Donna donated $250,000 towards the purchase of a bookmobile for the Hayward Public Library. Based on the success of the bookmobile, which has now been in service for over a year, and based on the known technology needs in the City, the Library plans to introduce mobile tech services. Mr. Martins would like to contribute funds towards the purchase of a Techmobile. His first donation towards this purchase is $200,000.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Edward Martins has been a well-known local figure, practicing law and serving in a variety of roles in the Hayward community. After learning about the Library’s plan for the Bookmobile and the services it could provide to the residents of Hayward, he and his wife Donna gifted a check for $250,000 in 2020 to support the acquisition of a Bookmobile for the Hayward Public Library. This donation, in addition to additional funding from 4Cs of Alameda County, fully-funded the purchase of Hayward Public Library’s first bookmobile. This bookmobile, Curbie, has allowed Hayward Public Library to bring early learning and other Library resources into hard-to-reach Hayward neighborhoods.
Curbie has been a transformational addition to the Library because many Hayward residents lack transportation to the two Hayward Public Library locations and the various community resources spread throughout Hayward. The Bookmobile acts as a mobile branch bringing resources directly to underserved neighborhoods around Hayward.
In addition to transportation issues, many Hayward residents do not have the technology to connect in this 21st Century world. The Tech Lending Library funded through the ARPA grant has allowed the library to begin addressing this technological divide, but residents currently must come to the Downtown or Branch library locations to obtain in-person tech help or must come to one of the locations or a Curbie stop to pick up and return the technology devices. A technology-focused bookmobile, also known as a “Techmobile”, would allow the Hayward Public Library to bring tech lending devices and tech instruction out to the community in the same way Curbie has with books.
The idea for a Techmobile was presented to Edward Martins in 2022 and he was in complete support. He has been very happy with the success of Curbie and would like to donate the funds to make the Techmobile a reality for the Hayward community. He has already provided a check for $200,000, with additional funding to come later this year.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
A Techmobile will impact residents throughout Hayward, providing them mobile access to technology. The vehicle will help reduce the number of barriers that families face when trying to access technology.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item supports the Strategic Priority of “Support the Quality of Life.” Specifically, this item relates to the implementation and sustainability of Hayward Public Library’s Techmobile project and providing accessible resources to Hayward community members in hard-to-reach neighborhoods.
FISCAL IMPACT
The purchase of the Techmobile unit and related equipment and accessories will be paid for in full using funds secured from donations and grants. Staffing the bookmobile will be fully funded through grants for the first three (3) years. After that, additional staffing may be needed to best utilize the Bookmobile and Techmobile.
NEXT STEPS
Upon Council’s approval, the funds provided from Mr. Martins will be deposited into a library project setup for the purchase of the Techmobile.
Prepared by: Brad Olson, Management Analyst II
Recommended by: Jayanti Addleman, Director of Library Services Approved by:
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Kelly McAdoo, City Manager