BC - Item 3A - Little Free Libray Project Status UpdateM F
s
City of Rosemead
Memorandum
To: Beautification Chair, Vice -Chair and Commissioners
From: Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk
Date: June 6, 2019
Re: Little Free Library Program Status
On May 28"', staff presented before the City Council, the Little Free Library program.
The City Council is in full support of a program that inspires children to read and
beautify an area at the same time. Staff will present a complete timeline and fundraising
ideas to discuss with the Beautification Commission at the June 12, 2019 meeting.
Thank you.
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GLORIA MOLLEDA, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MAY 28, 2019
SUBJECT: LITTLE FREE LIBRARY PILOT PROGRAM
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The City of Rosemead's Beautification Commission is a citizen -based community group
appointed by the Rosemead City Council, that organizes community service projects designed to
clean and beautify the community. With different projects in the works, the Beautification
Commission is taking it a step further by giving back to the community in proposing a concept to
adopt a "Little Free Library Program", which promotes literacy in the community and inspires
children to read, while beautifying an area. The book exchange program is a good way for people
to share their love for reading, inspire others to read and bring unity in the area.
The Beautification Commission is partnering with Boy Scout Troop No. 1726, as part of their
Eagle Scout project, in a joint effort to build five (5) Little Free Library boxes to serve the
Rosemead community. The Rosemead Girl Scout Troop No. 1521 is also participating by
collecting and donating books to the program.
City staff received support from the Garvey School District, two of their schools have committed
to adopting a Little Free Library for their students. Beautification Commissioners will continue
to reach out to other local Rosemead Schools to keep promoting the Little Free Library Program.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council provide feedback on the implementation of a Little Free
Library Pilot Program.
The Beautification Commission would like to pilot the adopt a "Little Free Library Program"
first to local Rosemead schools. Once a Little Free Library box is adopted by a school, they will
be the designated "Stewards" of their Little Free Library box and responsible for general
maintenance and assure books are supplied. The school may keep the Little Free Library box
with no time restriction, free to relocate it, and/or return to the City at any time, if it no longer
serves its purpose.
City Council Meeting
May 28, 2019
Page 2 of 3
The Beautification Commission, along with City staff, will coordinate the funding of the project
with donations from the community and fundraising efforts. The cost to start the Little Free
Library box project is estimated at $2,000 to produce five book exchanges, which includes the
cost of construction materials, paint and paint materials, and cost of Charter registration. The
Beautification Commission will be partnering with the Southwest Regional Council of
Carpenters to provide the carpentry expertise, tools, and skilled staff to construct the Little Free
Library boxes. Library boxes measure approximately 3' ft. x 2' ft. and are mounted on a 4" x 4"
post that is 5' ft. long. Participating schools will not bare any cost in the construction, installation
of library boxes or first set of books when adopting a Little Free Library.
The following chart is a tentative project timeline:
TASKSCHEDULE
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
Task 1:
Assess potential locations
X
X
with local schools
Task 2:
Present program to City
X
Council for consideration
Task 3:
Set-up book donation drives &
X
X
X
funding efforts at City events
Task 4:
Construction of five (5)
X
X
Little Free Library boxes
Task 5:
Start installing Library boxes at
X
redesi nated locations
BACKGROUND
The Little Free Library is a "take a book, return a book" free book exchange popularized by the
nonprofit organization Little Free Library. Little Free Libraries typically take the form of a small
wooden box of books mounted on a post in front of property where a passerby can easily
access the books. The Beautification Commission expressed interest in increasing access to
books by inviting local schools to take part in the Little Free Library program to assure that
children could benefit from accessing free books.
According to the Littlefreelibrary.org website, there are currently more than 80,000 registered
Little Free Library book -sharing boxes in 88 countries worldwide. Little Free Library boxes have
been installed in neighboring San Gabriel Valley Cities such as Temple City, Alhambra, South
El Monte, Pasadena, and South Pasadena.
Studies have consistently shown that young children who have access to books in the home
achieve markedly higher literacy levels later in life. According to the Children's Literacy
Foundation, 61% of low-income families do not have age-appropriate books in their homes.
City Council Meeting
May 28, 2019
Page 3 of 3
FISCAL IMPACT
No City General Funds will be used for the project.
STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT - None
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared by:
Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk
Attachment A: Program Information and Application
B: Littlefreelibrary.org Information
Rosemead Beautification Commission
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY PILOT PROGRAM INFORMATION
Program `
The Little Free Library is a "take a book, return a book" free book exchange popularized by the nonprofit
organization Little Free Library. Little Free Libraries typically take the form of a small wooden box of books
mounted on a post in front of a property where a passerby can easily access the books. The City of
Rosemead's Beautification Commission invites local schools to take part in the Little Free Library Program
to assure that children could benefit from accessing free books. In exchange, participating schools, also
known as "Stewards", will be required to sign a written pledge to keep the Little Free Library on their property,
curate its collection of books and keep it in good condition. All complete boxes ready for adoption will be
fully painted, unless prior arrangements are made with City staff when, applying.
Library boxes measure approximately 3' x 2' and are mounted on a 4" x 4" post that is 5' long. Boxes may
vary by design and size during the preliminary construction phase.
Application Process
• Applications must be completed by the authorized signer of the school requesting to adopt a Little
Free Library box. Applications may be submitted during City Hall's regular business hours Monday
through Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Applications will be reviewed by the City Clerk's Office.
• Applicants will be notified of the result of their request within 2 to 3 business days.
• Please print, sign and return your completed hardcopy application to the City Clerk's Office,
located at 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, CA 91770
Program Acceptance of Requirements
• The school adopting'a Little Free Library box will be the designated "Stewards" of their Little Free
Library box.
• Stewards will accept the responsibility for general maintenance of their Little Free Library box and
curate its collection of books. 'r
• After a Little Free Library box is installed, the authorized personnel entering into this agreement
indemnifies and holds harmless the City of Rosemead in the event of any damage, loss, or injury
related to the Little Free Library.
• The Stewards will keep the Little Free Library box with no time restriction, free to relocate it, and or
remove it at their discretion. In addition, the Little Free Library may be returned to the City, if it no
longer serves its purpose, releasing the Stewards of their obligation to the Little Free Library box.
Waitllst
If more requests are received than there are Little Free Library boxes available during the pilot phase of the
Program, applicants may request to be placed on a waitlist. Applicants on the waitlist will receive first
consideration, if additional Little Free Library boxes become available in the future.
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY PILOT PROGRAM
APPLICATION
Contact: information
Name of Requestor:
Date:
School:
School District:
Primary Phone:
Email:
School Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Application Checklist
1. Are you the authorized person to request a Little Free Library box for your school? Yes No
(If no, please provide the primary contact name)
Name Phone:
2. The school is located within the City of Rosemead? Yes No
3. The School District is informed of my request to adopt a Little Free Library box. Yes No
4. 1 have read, understand and accept the Program requirements. Yes No
Acknowledgement and agreement
As the Authorized Representative of my school to participate in the Little Free Library Program, I will enter
into a legally binding agreement with the City of Rosemead, in which I will accept responsibility for all
general maintenance, minor repairs and curation of the Little Free Library. After it is installed, I will
indemnify and hold harmless the City of Rosemead in the event of any damage, loss, or injury related to
the Little Free Library on school property.
Print Name and Title
Authorized School Representative Signature Date
(handwritten signature required)
Please print, sign and return your completed hardcopy application to:
Little Free Library Pilot Program, c/o City Clerk's Office, located at 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, CA 91770.
For Office Use
Date received: Reviewer: Approval Date: Waitlist: