DATE: April 21, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sally Gomez, Fresno County Librarian
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding with Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation (FCZ) and Fresno County Public Library (Library) for Summer at Your Library (SAYL) program events at Library branches, effective upon execution through December 31, 2026.
REPORT
There is no net County Cost (NCC) associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Library and FCZ to enter into an MOU agreement, which will allow FCZ to collaborate with the Library on programs, resource sharing, and community participation through the SAYL 2026 program. FCZ will also provide the blueprints for a zoo-related craft, a logo to be used on SAYL marketing materials, and includes the donation of tickets for the SAYL Reading Challenge, which will be brought to your Board for approval under a separate item on a future date. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended actions. If not approved, FCZ will not collaborate with the Library on programs, resource sharing, and community participation through the SAYL 2026 program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no NCC associated with the recommended action. Costs associated with program supplies and implementation will be covered within Org 7511. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Library Org 7511 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and is funded through Measure B library sales tax revenue. Upon receiving the donated tickets valued at $8,380.75 from FCZ, the Library will return to your Board for approval in accordance with Administrative Policy No. 30.
DISCUSSION:
FCZ, located in Fresno, California, is a 39-acre AZA-accredited zoo dedicated to inspiring people to care for animals, create connections, build community, and save wildlife. FCZ is home to over 200 species and engaging exhibits like African Adventure and Kingdoms of Asia. FCZ welcomes over 800,000 visitors each year and has been a treasured part of the Central Valley’s history for nearly 100 years.
The Library is dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening communities by providing opportunities to connect, grow, and be inspired. The Library’s Annual SAYL is a countywide program that embodies that mission by providing its communities with a reading challenge, educational presentations and activities. The Library will return to your Board for approval on SAYL programming in accordance with Administrative Policy No. 81.
Both FCZ and the Library have a shared goal of promoting education and community engagement and desire to collaborate on programs, resource sharing, and community participation through the SAYL 2026 program.
Approval of the MOU will allow FCZ to staff up to three events at Fresno County Public Library branches, with the Library providing space at branch locations and incorporating FCZ materials into SAYL programming and outreach efforts. FCZ will also provide the blueprints for a zoo-related craft, a logo to be used on SAYL marketing materials, and includes donation of tickets for the SAYL Reading Challenge. Both FCZ and the Library will create and repost SAYL social media content as appropriate.
The recommended MOU differs from standard County agreements, in that it has a mutual indemnification clause. The Library believes the benefits of entering into the recommended MOU outweigh any risk posed by the nonstandard clause.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - MOU with Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation
CAO ANALYST:
Mary Lu Valencia