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Report regarding a resolution accepting $25,000 from Genentech, Inc to support the Library’s Summer Learning Challenge 2026, amending the Library Department’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget, and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.013. (Valerie Sommer, Library Director)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution accepting $25,000 from Genentech, Inc. to support the Library’s Summer Learning Challenge 2026, amending the Library Department’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating Budget and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.013.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Library has been awarded $25,000 from Genentech, Inc. to support the Library’s Summer Learning Challenge (SLC) 2026. From 2013 through 2024, the Library received SLC grants from the County of San Mateo through Measure A and Measure K countywide sales tax funds. Starting Summer 2025, the County has not designated Measure K funds to support the SLC. This year, Genentech, Inc., as part of their Community Giving Priority, partnered with the Library in awarding $30,000 to fund free book distributions and programming. The SLC 2026 $25,000 award from Genentech will continue to support this annual program. The purpose of summer learning programs is to address summer learning loss among children and teens by focusing on increasing summer reading participation, advancing literacy, and academic performance by engaging children, teens, and families in reading and enrichment activities, and promoting library use. This funding will be used to fund free book giveaways for children and teens as well as special programs and hands-on STEM activities. Free books, in Chinese, English, Spanish, and Tagalog will be distributed in the Library, via South San Francisco Unified School District school connections, Parks and Recreation licensed preschools and summer camps, as well as at other programs and events to be scheduled from May through August 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds will be used to amend the Library Department’s current fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 Operating Budget. Funds not expended in FY 2025-26 will be carried over into FY 2026-27. Receipt of these funds does not commit the City to ongoing funding.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Strengthening of learning programs is an action item in the City’s Strategic Plan under Priority #2: Quality of Life. This funding will allow the Library to encourage and support reading and learning during the summer break.
CONCLUSION
Receipt of these funds will enable the Library to enhance summer programs and support learning and reading for children and teens. It is recommended that the City Council accept $25,000 from Genentech, Inc. to support the Library’s Summer Learning Challenge 2026 and amend the Library Department’s FY 2025-26 Operating Budget pursuant to Budget Amendment Number 26.013.