RECOGNITION OF LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER
DIANE ONORATO HUDDLESTON
May 28, 2025
WHEREAS, Diane Onorato Huddleston was appointed to and has served on the South San Francisco Library Board of Trustees for over 12 years, from July 2, 2012 to March 20, 2025, and served as President in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022; and
WHEREAS, Diane has been an active and contributing member of the Library Board including contributing knowledge from her many years of educational and literacy experience with the San Francisco Unified School District; and WHEREAS, during Diane’s terms of service, great strides were made in improving patron access to technology including the expansion of wireless access, the move to RFID self-check-out and automated return systems, the creation of Makerspaces in library facilities, and the expansion of STEAM programming, as well as library collections have also changed dramatically, including the expansion of electronic collections such as e-books, e-audio books, e-magazines, online classes, and streaming video and audio; and
WHEREAS, new services were added to the Library with the advice and support of the Library Board including the addition of Veterans Connect services, ESL classes and online learning platforms, after school homework and enrichment programs, joining the Discover and Go network to provide free access to museums and cultural institutions, participating in a State of California project to provide free passes to San Mateo County and state parks, establishing weekly digital learning classes, partnering with SSFUSD and San Mateo County Library in Big Lift Inspiring Summer programs, expanding special programs as part of the City of South San Francisco’s Cultures United initiative, and adjusting the service model during COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Diane has excelled at representing the library at many community events as well as during meetings with local and state officials and she is Secretary of the South San Francisco Public Library Foundation that raised over $11,000,000 to support the new Library I Parks and Recreation Center; and WHEREAS, Diane was an active participant and editor par excellence in the 2016 Library Strategic Plan process, and was a key stakeholder in remodels of West Orange and Grand Avenue Libraries in 2010 and 2016 and in the planning and support of the new Library and Parks & Recreation Center that opened on October 28, 2023; and WHEREAS, during Diane’s terms, the Library celebrated the 100 Year Anniversary of Library services in South San Francisco, the 30 Year Anniversary of Project Read, and the 20 Year Anniversary of the Gene Mullin Community Learning Center; and
WHEREAS, Diane’s colleagues on the South San Francisco Library Board of Trustees have recognized her distinguished contributions on the completion of her term of service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco does hereby commend Diane Onorato Huddleston for her service to the City of South San Francisco and for being an excellent representative of the citizens since her appointment.
Eddie Flores, Mayor, District 5
Mark Addiego, Vice Mayor, District 1
James Coleman, Councilmember, District 4
Mark Nagales, Councilmember, District 2
Buenaflor Nicolas, Councilmember, District 3
Dated: May 28, 2025