Life Enrichment Committee
February 11, 2025
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Jestin D. Johnson FROM: Jamie Turbak
City Administrator Library Director
SUBJECT: Library Grants from Friends of the
Oakland Public Library
DATE: January 6, 2025
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To Apply For And Accept Grants, Gifts And Donations From The Friends Of The Oakland Public Library, Including Donations Of Money, Goods, And In-Kind Services, In The Cumulative Amount Not To Exceed $5,000,000 Through June 30, 2030; And Appropriate Said Funds For Library Services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Oakland Public Library depends on donations from individuals and organizations to fund library programs, services and other needs that cannot be funded through the City of Oakland’s budget. The Friends of the Oakland Public Library (FOPL) raises funds and makes grants, gifts, and donations to the Library annually. The purpose of this report and resolution is to authorize the City Administrator to accept grants, gifts, and donations of money, goods, and/or services, which typically range from $2,000 to $20,000 each from FOPL for the Library within specified dollar and time limits to improve the efficiency of accepting grants, gifts and donations from this organization. Specifically, the proposed resolution will authorize the City Administrator, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and appropriate grants, gifts, and donations of money and accept grants, gifts, and donations of goods and services from FOPL in the cumulative amount not to exceed $5,000,000 through June 30, 2030.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
FOPL is a volunteer-led nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to supporting the Oakland Public Library since 1950. FOPL’s mission is “to advance the role of the Oakland Public Library as a vital community resource and as an institution critical to the culture, education, and welfare of our diverse community.” FOPL raises funds by operating a quality used bookstore in downtown Oakland (933 Broadway) staffed primarily by volunteers and offering a membership program through which over 1,000 individuals and families support the Oakland Public Library.
FOPL also accepts donations, grants, and bequests for the exclusive benefit of the Library. As a result of these activities, FOPL offers grants, gifts, and donations to the Oakland Public Library.
Jestin Johnson (Jan 22, 2025 14:04 PST)
Jan 22, 2025
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Library Grants from Friends of the Oakland Public Library Date: January 6, 2025 Page 2
Life Enrichment Committee
February 11, 2025
Each FOPL grant, gift, and/or donation received, typically ranges in value from $2,000 to $20,000, and is used to support a variety of Library programs, services, projects, and other needs, including the Youth Poet Laureate program, Youth Leadership Council, Summer Reading Programs for all ages, Children’s Programming, branch equity grants, special programs, and collections and projects, as well as volunteer programs and staff recognition.
Recent FOPL grants, gifts, and donations have been accepted and appropriated under Resolution No. 89222 C.M.S. dated June 7, 2022, by which the City Administrator is authorized to apply for, accept, and appropriate grants from FOPL up to $3,000,000 through June 30, 2025. This new Resolution would allow the City Administrator to continue accepting and appropriating grants from FOPL at the same rate through June 30, 2030, or equivalent to up to $1 million per year for the time period.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
FOPL’s contributions improve the quality of library services for all residents at no cost to the City. The proposed resolution furthers the goal of Resolution No. 79714 C.M.S. “to improve the City’s efficiency in accepting, appropriating and utilizing grants in order to encourage the solicitation and offering of grants to the City and to facilitate their timely use by the City of the public’s benefit.” The alternative is to request authorization from the City Council to accept and appropriate individual grants from FOPL, a process which decreases efficiency, increases administrative costs, and delays the implementation of the public benefit generated by these grants, gifts, and donations.
FOPL grants are used to pay for programs and materials that benefit library patrons of all ages.
FOPL support provides children’s enrichment activities (including art, music, science, crafts, and storytelling), furniture and furnishing for children’s spaces, and supplies for the annual Kids’ Summer Reading program. Teen programs funded by FOPL develop leadership skills, encourage community engagement, and build skills in writing, public speaking, cooking, crafts, and more. FOPL grants also support adult library programming (author talks, garden programs, seed libraries, etc.) and staff needs such as special trainings, outreach materials, and archival supplies. These grants, gifts and donations help elevate patron experiences, improve libraries, increase patron vitality, empower the community with knowledge and skills, and enhance equitable access to library programs. This advances Citywide priorities 1 and 2, holistic community safety and economic and cultural security.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact on the City’s General Purpose Fund. Funds received will be deposited and appropriated to the Oakland Public Library Trust Fund (7540) in project numbers to be assigned.
The authorization to accept and appropriate grants, gifts, and donations of money and accept grants, gifts and donations of goods and in-kind services from FOPL will commence on the date of the approval of the proposed resolution and continue until earlier June 30, 2030, or the time at which the $5,000,000 grant amount is reached.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Library Grants from Friends of the Oakland Public Library Date: January 6, 2025 Page 3
Life Enrichment Committee
February 11, 2025
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
No public outreach was conducted or required for the preparation of this report. The Friends of the Oakland Public Library promotes membership through book sales, a quarterly newsletter, social media, a website (www.fopl.org), and tabling at events, farmers markets, and book festivals.
COORDINATION
This report and legislation have been reviewed by the Office of the City Attorney and the Budget Bureau.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: These grants, gifts, and donations provide support for the Oakland Public Library which offers programs and services available to all Oakland residents to enhance their educational and economic opportunities.
Environmental: No specific environmental opportunities have been identified.
Race & Equity: The services of the Oakland Public Library are available at no charge to all residents of all ages to acquire knowledge and develop skills they need to ensure equity in education, employment, housing, and community opportunities. Support from Friends of Oakland Public Library increases the programs and resources provided by Oakland Public Library to decrease disparities in life outcomes of marginalized communities and to facilitate equity of opportunity throughout Oakland.
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Administrator to apply for and accept grants, gifts, and donations from the Friends Of The Oakland Public Library, including donations of money, goods, and in-kind services, in the cumulative amount not-to-exceed $5,000,000 through June 30, 2030; and appropriate said funds for library services.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Jamie Turbak, Library Director, at (510) 238- 6110.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Library Grants from Friends of the Oakland Public Library Date: January 6, 2025 Page 4
Life Enrichment Committee
February 11, 2025
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie Turbak
Library Director