DATE: August 11, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sally Gomez, County Librarian
SUBJECT: Department Celebrations and Recognitions
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Library to recognize and celebrate holidays, themes, events, days, weeks, or months, in compliance with Administrative Policy No. 81.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost (NCC) associated with the recommended action. Administrative Policy No. 81 (AP 81) requires prior approval by a majority of the Board of Supervisors for department celebrations and recognition of holidays, themes, events, days, weeks or months (collectively, Celebrations). The recommended action will allow Board approval to recognize and celebrate proposed Celebrations. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may approve all or some of the proposed celebrations and recognitions. Should your Board not approve a specific Celebration or recognition, the Library will not officially and publicly celebrate or recognize that specific holiday, theme, event, day, week, or month.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no NCC associated with the recommended actions. Costs associated with program supplies and implementation will be covered within Org 7511. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Library Org 7511 FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget and are funded through Measure B library sales tax revenue.
Any event or causes in which the Library intends to incur expenses for sponsorships or contributions will be brought to your Board for approval in accordance with Administrative Policy No. 80.
DISCUSSION:
On August 5, 2025, your Board discussed and provided direction for an approval process for Celebrations by County departments. On September 9, 2025, your Board approved AP 81 - Department Celebrations and Recognitions, which allows County departments to officially and publicly celebrate or recognize those Celebrations that are approved by a majority of the Board of Supervisors by resolution, proclamation, or through the agenda item process prior to their occurrence.
The Library requests Board approval to celebrate and recognize the following events:
National Library Card Sign-up Month
Promotes awareness of library services and encourages the public to obtain and use library cards.
Deaf Awareness Month
A celebration honoring Deaf culture, sign languages, and the hard-of-hearing community.
International Literacy Day
Highlights the importance of literacy and lifelong learning.
National Grandparents Day
Recognizes the contributions of grandparents and older adults to families and communities.
Constitution Day
Commemorates the signing of the United States Constitution and promotes civic education.
Talk Like a Pirate Day
A fun holiday encouraging individuals to use words like “ahoy” in everyday conversation. This holiday can encourage general discussions of language.
Yom Kippur
Recognizes a significant religious observance in Judaism.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans.
Fat Bear Week
An educational observance that promotes awareness of wildlife conservation and natural ecosystems by observing bears preparing for hibernation.
Filipino Heritage Month
Celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans.
Pearl Harbor Day
Commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor and honors those who lost their lives and those who served.
Bill of Rights Day
Commemorates the ratification of the Bill of Rights and recognizes the constitutional protections of individual rights and freedoms.
Kwanzaa
A week-long cultural observance celebrating African heritage, family, community, and cultural traditions within the African American community.
Gary Soto Day
Recognizes the literary contributions of Fresno author and poet Gary Soto.
The majority of Celebrations are recognized either through Library displays, booklists, website announcements, social media posts, internal or external newsletters, activities, and informational materials that can be themed around the observance, to raise awareness of Library services and encourage community engagement. Additionally, the themes may be used in programming and displays throughout the year.
The proposed Celebrations represent the Library’s core services, which include providing relevant and meaningful programs and services that reflect community needs. These programs are a part of the regular and traditional offerings that foster social connections and support cultural and civic engagement and lifelong learning.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #7, September 9, 2025
BAI #9, August 5, 2025
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Department Celebration Forms
CAO ANALYST:
Mary Lu Valencia