AgdaPkt 2010-11-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1 E REPORT age � To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the Cit Mana er November 8, 2010 SUBJECT � Agreement with Redwood City Library Foundation for Library Youth Services RECOMMENDATION Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement between the City and the Library Foundation for the provision of Library Youth Services BACKGROUND In March of 1997 the Redwood City Library Board accepted through Resolution 97-01, a gift of $150,000 from the estate of the late Bessie A. Evans. These one-time funds were designated by her will for the "library's general use." Ms. Evans was a longtime resident of Redwood City and walked to the library daily. The funds were deposited in account 155-20348 and had not been expended to date. With interest the amount in the account is now $225,000. The City's general fund budget does not include or consider one-time revenues for on- going programs and services. Therefore, gifts of this nature are not normally brought to the Council's attention during its budget deliberatians. The Library's current procedure for special, one-time funds is to utilize the Library Foundation to manage bequests and gifts, unless they are otherwise specifically targeted for a certain program associated with its own non-profit 501(c)3 organization (such as Project READ or the Friends of the Library). The Library Foundation, in turn, uses the funds to augment or suppo�t library services as recommended by the Library Director. One such needed service is literacy programs far youth and families that have been in high demand, and have decreased due to budget reductions. The needs of these essential programs cannot be met with the Library's existing resources. The Foundation will enter into an agreement with the City to provide services in the Library to include additional storytimes, stronger coNaboration between schools and the library, and recruitment and training of community volunteers. This is an opportunity to enhance the Library's long-standing connection with the Redwood City community and to continue to deliver strong children's programming. The Library Board and the Foundation Board have both recommended and approved this course of action. The Foundation sees this as an opportunity to provide services which promote and leverage the Foundation for ongoing fundraising, and to pursue funding opportunities that require matching funds. Additionally, these services are consistent with the Council's youth strategic initiative and goals.