DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2022
DEPARTMENT: LIBRARY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
FROM: KRISTAN LUNDQUIST, LCS DIRECTOR
BY: MILA RIANTO, DEPUTY LIBRARIAN
TITLE: NAMING REQUEST FOR A ROOM OR AREA AT THE JOHN STEINBECK LIBRARY IN HONOR OF MARLYS MAHER RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution authorizing a room or area at the John Steinbeck Library be named in honor of Marlys Maher.
BACKGROUND:
Library staff received a naming request application from Stephanie Loose on August 8, 2022, to name a soon to be renovated room or area at the John Steinbeck Library, in honor of Marlys Maher.
Marly Maher was a longtime supporter and an advocate of the Salinas Public Library who passed away in July 2020. She served as Library Commissioner and was actively involved with the Friends of the Salinas Public Libraries to help efforts to improve children’s literacy through library use. She was best known for her passion for local government, libraries, and deep commitment to improve Salinas, including actively participated in campaign to restore library services through Measure V.
Through her estate, Marlys bequeathed $297,671.18 to the Salinas Public Library for improvement at John Steinbeck Library. The Library plans to allocate this fund for the John Steinbeck Library’s building improvement projects.
The City Council adopted a Policy for the Naming of City Buildings, Facilities and Property at their December 6, 2011 meeting. The process requires that when an application is submitted it is forwarded to the appropriate City Commission for review and public hearing before a recommendation is made to the City Council. The policy states that naming of a public facility, or any parts thereof, in recognition of an individual posthumously may only be considered if the individual had a recognized positive effect on the community and has been deceased for more than two (2) years. The application received to name a room or area at the John Steinbeck Library after Marlys Maher meets the criteria outlined in the Naming Policy.
On October 11, 2022, the Library and Community Services Commission approved a motion to recommend to the City Council that a room or area at the John Steinbeck Library be named in honor of Marlys Maher. Notice for public hearing for this consideration was posted in the Monterey County Weekly’s edition of October 27, 2022.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This request support City Council’s Vision and Strategic Goals of Youth and Seniors, as well as Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability by providing means to improve City facility that provides services for community members of all ages.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Library & Community Services Department will work with the Finance department for procurement of services to create the signage for the area naming.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
This motion requires the use of part of Marlys Maher bequeath to design and create naming signage for a room at the John Steinbeck Library.
ATTACHMENTS:
Application for Naming of City Buildings, Facilities and Property from Stephanie Loose Resolution
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