Title
Adopt a Resolution to Accept and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents to Receive Gift Funds in the Amount of $10,000 From the Carnegie Foundation to the San Leandro Public Library in Honor of the Nation’s 250th Anniversary.
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Quality of Life
SUMMARY
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of our Nation and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Carnegie Foundation is gifting each original Carnegie Library $10,000. The first public library in San Leandro was originally constructed in 1909 through a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The San Leandro-Carnegie Library served the community for 50 years until it was demolished in 1959 to make way for a larger facility that still sits on the original plot of land.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution to accept the gift award for Fiscal Year 2026 totaling $10,000 from the Carnegie Foundation and to authorize the City Manager to execute all documents and appropriate the funds.
BACKGROUND
Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries in the United States between 1886 and 1917, driven by his belief that they were “cradles of democracy”. As part of the Carnegie Libraries 250th special initiative, the San Leandro Public Library has been awarded $10,000 from the Carnegie Foundation to further our mission and benefit the San Leandro community.
Analysis
For Fiscal Year 2026, the Carnegie Foundation gift provides $10,000 to the San Leandro Public Library to continue to have a lasting impact on the community through new, relevant, fun, and diverse library programming, events, and collections which improve the quality of life in San Leandro. The City Council’s acceptance of gifts, including cash gifts, is guided by San Leandro Administrative Code Chapter 1.9.
Applicable General Plan Policies
• GOAL CSF-3: Sustain and expand a public library system that provides a destination for exploration and discovery, knowledge and information, leisure and cultural enrichment, and life-long learning opportunities for persons of all ages.
- Policy CSF-3.5: Resources for Self-Improvement. Ensure that San Leandro’s libraries and other community institutions provide a setting for the open exchange of ideas and information and provide an opportunity for residents of all backgrounds to improve their skills and knowledge.
- Policy CD-3.7 Cultural Inclusiveness. Ensure that San Leandro’s historic preservation efforts are culturally inclusive and recognize the contributions of the City’s many racial and ethnic groups to its development. Programs that trace the roots and celebrate the history of different ethnic groups should be strongly encouraged, along with outreach to minorities, youth and under-represented groups.
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney reviewed these documents and agreements and approved them as to form.
Financial Impacts
Acceptance of this gift does not impact the Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund budget.
The Carnegie funding will be awarded upfront and deposited in the revenue account 010-3803 and used for expenditures over multiple fiscal years from the expenditure account 010-68-107 (DONATION - CARNEGIE) and expended as follows:
• San Leandro Gift Fund, Account 010-68-107: $10,000
• Total $10,000
This City Council action accepting this donation will enhance additional funds available to the Library Department over multiple fiscal years to support a core service and help fulfill the Council’s Quality of Life Priorities regarding the provision of cultural programming and special events.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A: Resolution of the City of San Leandro City Council to Accept and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents Related to the Carnegie Foundation 250th Anniversary Gift of $10,000 for Fiscal Year 2026 and Appropriate These Funds for the Purpose of Enhancing Library Collections, Cultural Programming, and Special Events.
PREPARED BY: Loryn Aman, Management Analyst II, Library Services Department and Brian Simons, Library Director, Library Services Department