DATE: March 17, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sally Gomez, County Librarian
SUBJECT: Non-monetary Donation to the Fresno County Public Library from Fred McNairy
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution accepting and expressing gratitude to Fred McNairy for the non-monetary donation to the Library for a rare book collection valued at $26,210 to be added to the Library’s Heritage Room collection located in the Central Branch Library.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost (NCC) associated with the recommended action. The recommended action is required to satisfy the reporting requirements under the Fresno County Board of Supervisors Administrative Policy (AP) Number 30 for donations greater than $7,500 in value. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Library to accept a donation to the Library for a rare book collection valued at $26,210, to be to be added to the Library’s Heritage Room collection located in the Central Branch Library. This item pertains to a location in District 3.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose to decline the donation from Fred McNairy. If the recommended action is not approved by your Board, the rare book collection donation will not be accepted.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no NCC associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Library to accept the rare book collection, which will be added to the Library’s Heritage Room located in the Central Branch Library. The non-monetary value of the book collection is $26,210.
DISCUSSION:
Fred McNairy would like to donate a collection of his books with a value of $26,210 to the Heritage Center located in the Central Branch Library. Some of the books are very rare and the book collection includes several first editions as well as some John Muir books, and a large variety of California specific books (Attachment A).
The recommended action is required to satisfy the reporting requirements under AP 30 for donations greater than $7,500 in value.
DONOR DISCLOSURES:
To satisfy reporting requirements under AP 30 for donations greater than $7,500 in value, the following disclosures are provided:
• Fred McNairy is not a County contractor or principal in a business, agency or organization providing contracted services with the County.
• Fred McNairy is not a contractor that has bid on a County contract in the last 12 months.
• The Library has no knowledge that the donor will bid on any County contract within the next 12 months.
• Fred McNairy has provided a non-monetary donation of a book collection valued at $26,210, to be added to the Library’s Heritage Room Collection located in the Central Branch Library.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
On file with Clerk - Attachment A
CAO ANALYST:
Mary Lu Valencia