DATE: November 4, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sally Gomez, County Librarian
SUBJECT: Department Celebrations and Recognitions
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Ratify the County Administrative Officer’s approval of the Library’s celebration of Fall events described in Attachment A, pursuant to Administrative Policy No. 81; and
2. Approve and authorize the Library to recognize and celebrate holidays, themes, events, days, weeks, or months described in Attachment A for five years or until approval is rescinded by the Board, in accordance with Administrative Policy No. 81.
REPORT
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). This agenda item seeks retroactive approval by your Board, as the proposed Celebrations came to the Library’s attention and would occur prior to this Board meeting, so the County Administrative Officer (CAO) approved the Celebrations subject to your Board’s ratification, in accordance with AP 81. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Library will not celebrate or continue to celebrate or recognize the holidays, themes, events, days, weeks, or months described in Attachment A.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Library Org 7511 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and funded through Measure B library sales tax revenue.
DISCUSSION:
On June 10, 2025, your Board discussed department sponsorships and County financial contributions to community events. Your Board gave direction to the CAO to create a process for Board approval of contributions of County funds to third-party events. Additionally, your Board directed the CAO to return at a later date to discuss and recommend celebrations that County departments may officially recognize or celebrate.
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.
AP 81 provides that if a Celebration opportunity arises that, in the CAO’s judgment, would be approved by the Board, but comes to a Department Head’s attention prior the next scheduled Board meeting, and would occur or begin prior to the next scheduled Board meeting, the CAO may approve the Celebration subject to ratification by the Board. The requesting department must then submit an Agenda Item to the Board of Supervisors for the earliest practicable Board date after the CAO’s approval.
On October 2, 2025, the Library received CAO approval to celebrate Fall events as listed below:
1. Halloween - October 2025
A variety of programs, from craft programs creating ghosts, spider webs, and pumpkins, to a jack-o-lantern contest, to the third annual Community Trick or Treat, in which community organizations and County departments share resources like books and information with hundreds of families.
2. Dia de los Muertos - October to November 2025
Dia de los Muertos programs will offer ways to participate in the Mexican blend of cultural traditions remembering and celebrating the lives of deceased loved ones through practices like creating an ofrenda to decorate in honor of a loved one, as well as learning about and making traditional elements of the celebration like sugar skulls and papel picado (cut paper folk art).
3. Fall/Autumn Themes - September to November 2025
Displays and programs will include stories and crafts centered around common autumn elements like colorful leaves, pumpkins, harvest, changing/cooler weather, Thanksgiving, colors of fall (orange, red, yellow).
4. Fresno County Reads (Finding Gobi) October 2025
Fresno County Reads (FCR) is an annual One Read event where Fresno County Residents are encouraged to read the same book in the months of October and November and participate in themed activities such as book club discussions, crafts, presentations, and other library events. Similar “read-a-like” books are suggested for children and teens to encourage families to participate together. The 2025 selection is Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard. The read-a-like selections will be Finding Gobi: Young Reader’s Edition and Finding Gobi for Little Ones, also by Dion Leonard. This year, in addition to other library activities, Fresno County residents will be able to meet the author at one of three author talks being held at Fresno County Public Library (FCPL) branches.
5. Genre challenge, Beanstack - Ongoing, year-round
The Genre Challenge is a year-round reading challenge using FCPL’s online reading tracking app, Beanstack. Readers can earn badges in the Beanstack app by selecting books in different genres and tracking their reading during the year. The genres for 2025 include science fiction, realistic fiction, biography or autobiography, poetry, informational or non-fiction, mythology or fairy tales, fantasy, historical fiction, romance or thriller, mystery, young adult or children’s books, and a free choice month.
The majority of events listed are recognized through Library social media posts, internal or external newsletters, and informational materials that can be themed around the observance, to raise awareness of Library services and encourage community engagement.
The proposed events 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
BAI #9, July 8, 2025
BAI #11, June 10, 2025
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Attachment A - CAO Approval Memo
CAO ANALYST:
Mary Lu Valencia