Title
Proclamation Declaring October 21-27, 2018 as Friends of the Alameda Free Library Appreciation Week. (City Manager 2110)
Body
Proclamation
Whereas, National Friends of the Library Week will be celebrated in public libraries throughout the country, including the State of California and the City of Alameda, from October 21st to October 27th, 2018; and
Whereas, the Friends of the Alameda Free Library have been serving the Alameda community since 1975, when they held their first book sale with the intent to raise funds for a new Main Library, a goal which has since been achieved; and
Whereas, last year, the Friends provided more than 5,000 hours of service and gave our local libraries more than $70,000 to fund programs, buy books, support adult literacy, purchase new equipment, present cultural programs, and bring the community together; and
Whereas, the work of the Friends highlights that libraries are a cornerstone of the community providing opportunities for all to engage in the joy of lifelong learning and connection with the thoughts and ideas of others from ages past to the present; and
Whereas, the Friends understand the critical importance of well-funded libraries and advocate to ensure that the Alameda Free Library gets the resources it needs to provide a wide variety of services to all ages, including access to print and electronic materials along with expert assistance in research, readers’ advisory, access to technology, and services for children, teens, and adults; and
Whereas, the Friends’ dedication is a demonstration of their commitment to the library and the library’s mission to connect our community with each other and the world, by providing opportunities to read, learn, and connect; and
Whereas, the commitment by the Friends of the Library to support our Library by organizing and hosting book sales, staffing the Café, producing for the 10th year “Live @ the Library” concert series, and organizing fundraisers as their primary sources of income, have funded over $1.27 million dollars in programs, equipment and “ideas” for the Alameda Free Library for over 40 years.
Now therefore, be it resolved, that I, Trish Herrera Spencer, Mayor of the City of Alameda, hereby proclaim October 21-27, 2018 as
Friends of the Alameda
Free Library Appreciation Week
in the City of Alameda and join the Library Board in urging all residents to support our Friends of the Library by supporting their book sales, attending concerts, socializing in the Café, volunteering time, and participating in this celebration.
Trish Herrera Spencer
Mayor