TITLE
Recommendation to, by motion of the City Council, direct City Manager to allow Library Services to continue to work with the Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries in implementing "I Love My Public Library" and Library Round Up citywide.
DISCUSSION
The City has had to cut back on the materials and events budget of our libraries for the past several years. In 2007, the 5th Council District launched "Library Round Up" with the non-profit, Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries, as a way to "round up" spare change that could be used for funding materials and events at Fifth District libraries. Collection boxes were placed in Bach and EI Dorado libraries and at local businesses. The spare change was collected and donated to the Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries which in turn contributed funds to restore an entire paperback book collection and to host several children's events.
Because of the success of The Library Round Up, The Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries would like to expand this effort citywide to include all library branches. This would enable each branch to receive the donations that could be used for materials or events as needed.
Library Round Up collection boxes would be placed at the library branches (and any local business which wants to participate) for the months of February - April (National Library Month). The funds would be collected by the Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries and then disbursed appropriately. Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries will also be hosting a series of events during this same time period entitled: I Love My Public Library, to encourage residents to show their support of public libraries by getting involved in helping our local libraries.
FISCAL IMPACT
This effort would bring revenue to each library branch in the City for materials and events at no cost to the City.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILWOMAN GERRIE SCHIPSKE
FI...
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