DATE: April 22, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Library Department
TITLE: ACCEPTANCE OF 2026 DONATIONS FROM FRIENDS OF THE OCEANSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council accept and appropriate donations totaling $103,300, to be disbursed throughout 2026, from the Friends of the Oceanside Public Library, awarded to the City to support Library services.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Friends of the Oceanside Public Library (Friends) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that has supported the Library since 1971. Its primary source of income derives from the sale of used books and other items that have been donated to the Library, or removed from the Library collection. The Friends operate three bookstores , sells books every Thursday at the Farmers Market, and on Amazon. The organization also raises funds through memberships and special event fundraisers.
The Friends donate an average of $100,000 per year to the Library. This financial support funds Library events, services and special purchases, including the current amount of $40,000 per year in books and materials for the Library’s circulating collection, literacy materials, marketing expenses and makerspace support. The Friends support expenses related to the many Library programs, special events, concerts and cultural celebrations, including supplies, refreshments, presenter fees and other related expenses. Such Library programming is made possible by Friends or grant funding, and no regular City General funds are expended on these efforts.
For 2026, the Friends’ Board of Directors have approved disbursing a total of $103,300 to the Library. This amount will be disbursed as needed and will include $40,000 for books and materials; $16,500 for children’s programming and services; $10,000 for teen programming and services; $14,500 for adult programming and services; $1,000 for literacy materials; $6,000 for marketing expenses; $7,000 for cultural celebrations and concerts; $500 for Makerspace, and $3,000 for discretionary spending.
FISCAL IMPACT
Of the total $103,300 support for 2026, $45,800 will be deposited and extended into retail checking accounts for Library programming expenses, and $57,500 will be appropriated and expended as follows:
|
Description |
Account |
Amount |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
Contrib from NonGovt Source |
Reader Services-Youth 350358101.4393 |
$40,000 |
|
Contrib from NonGovt Source |
Library Admin 350010101.4393 |
17,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$57,500 |
|
Expenditure |
|
|
|
Children’s Books |
350358101.5455.0003 |
$40,000 |
|
MS&S Friends of the Library |
350010101.5355.0007 |
17,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$57,500 |
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Library Board of Trustees approved acceptance of the 2026 Friends Support funding at its regular February 24, 2026 meeting.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
Does not apply.
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Prepared by: CJ Di Mento, Library Director
Reviewed by: Michael Gossman, Assistant City Manager
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
Attachments:
1. Staff Report
2. Donation Acceptance Form Signed 2026