DATE: April 7, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Library Services, Jayanti Addleman
SUBJECT: Adopt Resolutions Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate 1) Up to $350,000 Annually in Funding from the California State Library and 2) Up to $350,000 Annually in Donations, Contributions, and Grants from Various Groups and Individuals for Library Services and Programs through the End of Fiscal Year 2028-29
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts resolutions (Attachments II and III) authorizing the City Manager to accept and appropriate up to $350,000 annually in grant funding from the California State Library and up to $350,000 annually in donations, contributions, and grants from various groups and individuals to support the operation of Library services and programs through the end of Fiscal Year 2028-29.
SUMMARY
Library staff continuously seek outside funding to support programs and services. External contributions, donations and grants play an important role in supplementing City resources and allowing the Library to respond to emerging needs and opportunities throughout the year.
Staff is seeking authorization to accept $350,000 annually from the State Library and $350,000 annually from other sources. This level of authorization provides sufficient flexibility to accommodate anticipated donations and potential growth in monetary support while ensuring funds can continue to be used to enhance services for the community. Staff is seeking authorization for these levels for the next three (3) Fiscal Years (Fiscal Year 2026-27, Fiscal Year 2027-28, and Fiscal Year 2028-29). With Council approval of the attached resolutions, staff will appropriate these additional funds when available and provide services and programs per the requirements of the donations and grants.
FISCAL IMPACT
Outside funding for Library programs supplement the City’s General Fund and help support Library services. There is no negative impact to the General Fund from accepting these supplemental funds as the City is already providing these services and programs.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
State Library Funding
Hayward Public Library currently receives an annual allocation from the State Library that helps fund programs and services like Literacy Plus, Adult Literacy, Families for Literacy, Early Learning for Families, English as a Second Language, Lunch at the Library, and Zip Books. In addition, the California State Library has a variety of grants available to Libraries (e.g., Library Services and Technology Act, Book-to-Action, etc.) that the Library often applies for as they arise and receives grant funding in various amounts throughout the year.
Donations from Individuals and Groups
The Hayward Public Library has a long history of partnership with community organizations, nonprofit support groups, foundations, and individual donors amongst other miscellaneous groups who contribute funds to support Library programming, community events, and services that benefit the Hayward community. Over the last four (4) fiscal years, the Library has received an average of more than $100,000 annually in donations, contributions, and grants. Key contributors have included the Friends of the Hayward Public Library, the Hayward Literacy Plus Council, and the Donna L. & Edward E. Martins Foundation. These funds have supported program materials, special events, and other initiatives that enhance Library services.
The table below summarizes the amounts received from these sources in fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025.
FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
State Library $191,832 $259,658 $206,578
Other Sources $337,825 $227,774 $54,570
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
This agenda item is a routine operational item and relates to the Council’s Strategic Initiatives to Strengthen Organizational Health (strengthen fiscal sustainability) and Enhance Community Safety and Quality of Life (implement community enrichment).
Prepared by: Melissa Burkley, Management Analyst I
Recommended by: Jayanti Addleman, Director of Library Services
Approved by:
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Jennifer Ott, City Manager