City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: APRIL 23, 2024 FROM: LIBRARY DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCEPT 60 BACKPACKS AND KITS FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY AND BIG 5 VALUED AT $6,000 AND 24 RIVERSIDE COUNTY PARK PASSES FOR THE LIBRARY EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS PARKS PASS PROGRAM VALUED AT $7,200 ISSUES:
Accept 60 backpacks and kits from the California State Library and Big 5 valued at $6,000, and 24 Riverside County Park Passes for the Library Explore the Outdoors Parks Pass Program valued at $7,200.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council accept 60 backpacks and kits from the California State Library and Big 5 valued at $6,000 and 24 Riverside County Park Passes for the Library Explore the Outdoors Parks Pass Program valued at $7,200.
BACKGROUND:
Through a partnership with the California State Parks, the California State Library Parks Pass program provides 5,000 free vehicle-day use passes for circulation at all branches of public libraries in California. The passes are a physical hangtag and are valid at over 200 parks for once car’s access. The Library Pass program was launched in April 2022 and is part of a three-year pilot program.
On June 20, 2022, the Riverside Public Library was awarded the Park Pass Program Grant Program for a total of $5,000 in California State Library funds.
June 6, 2023, the City Council authorized acceptance of an additional grant award in the amount of $75,000 for the Park Pass Program. With these funds the Riverside Public Library purchased and created explorer backpacks to circulate at all library locations. Each explorer backpack included locally printed park guides in both English and Spanish, trail maps, and information about the California Citrus State Historic Park. They also included a family hiking book/nature book in English or Spanish, a pair of children’s binoculars, a compass, and a magnifying glass. Explorer backpacks will strengthen the relationship between community members and the outdoors as it will provide all items needed to have a great day at the park. They will encourage families to gather outside together, learn about existing local wildlife and fauna, and provide the means to fully utilize the local State Park. The Park Pass Program will be offered to the Riverside Public Library customers. The Park Pass Program allows customers to check out a Park Pass for 1-3 weeks. The project term is through February 29, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
On January 9, 2024, the California State Library notified the Riverside Public Library would be receiving 30 backpacks and kits and 30 backpacks and kits from Big 5. The kits will include a few items such as a Treking Pole, binocular, compass, emergency survival horn, poncho, mosquito head net, flashlight, wildlife and plants field guide.
Additionally, the Library will be receiving Riverside County Park passes as an additional amenity to the Park pass program. The funding was made possible by the State Library Park Pass Grant. The amenities include fishing, one vehicle per pass and splash pad use the Riverside County parks.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 1 - Arts, Culture & Recreation and Goal 1.1 - Strengthen Riverside’s portfolio of arts, culture, recreation, senior and lifelong learning programs and amenities through expanded community partnerships, shared use opportunities and fund development.
The item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust - This item aligns with Community Trust by minimizing the expenditure of City funds through community partnership and involving the community.
Equity - This item aligns with Equity by facilitating equitable distribution of services to every member of the community through programs funded by grant funds.
Fiscal Responsibility - This item aligns with Fiscal Responsibility as the community would benefit with no financial implications to the City other than in-kind contributions of staff time.
Innovation - This item aligns with Innovation by continuing partnerships with the California State Library to secure funding for programming needs for the community.
Sustainability & Resiliency - This item aligns with Sustainability & Resiliency by providing fund development opportunity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is the value of the backpacks, kits and park passes in an estimated amount of $13,200.
Prepared by: Angela Henson, Senior Management Analyst
Approved by: Erin Christmas, Library Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
CSL Backpacks and Kits ● Page 2