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Home My WebLink About03-16-2026-BLT-PUBLIC COMMENTS March 16, 2026, BLT Agenda Item 6 Comments These comments on a Newport Beach Board of Library Trustees agenda item are submitted by: Jim Mosher Item No. 6. Library Gift and Donor Policy (NBPL 3) As a general comment, I don’t see within NBPL, existing or revised, any acknowledgement that per City Charter Subsection 708(f), the Trustees’ acceptance of any donation to the Library is provisional, conditioned upon approval by the City Council. I am also confused by the proposed deletion of anything regarding contributions to the Library’s Literacy Program. While the Board may understand (per the staff report) that “Donors interested in contributing funds to support the Library’s Project Adult Literacy Program are now directed to the Foundation,” shouldn’t the policy make some mention of that? As to Attachment C, the proposed “final” version of the revised policy NBPL 3, starting on agenda packet page 29, I have the following comments and suggestions: Page 29 1. Should the title be “Library Gift and Donor Donation Policy”? Or possibly just “Library Gift Policy” or “Library Donation Policy”? I don’t see much in it regulating donors. 2. “It is the position of the Board that gifts and bequests given to the Library shall be used to supplement those funds the normal City funding appropriated for use by the Library and shall not in any way supplant replace such funds appropriated for Library salaries and maintenance and operations of the Library.” [note: My dictionaries indicate “supplant” has a sense of replacement by force or other mischief, which may or may not be intended here.] 3. “The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) institutionally-related independent foundation.” [Add dash.] 4. “The Foundation solicits funds, conducts programs, and disburses grant monies for the benefit of the Library.” [comments: While the Foundation certainly conducts programs, I am doubtful that is consistent with its Articles of Incorporation. I am also unsure of its role regarding “grant monies.” Is that referring to estates or endowments, rather than government grants?] 5. “All donors who contribute to the Foundation shall be recognized in a manner as designated by the Foundation.” [comment: What does “as” add?] 6. “All service clubs, Parent Teacher Associations, schools, or other organizations who collectively donate $2,500 or more shall may be recognized by the organizational name.” [comment: This seems to be setting a minimum donation for the Foundation to allow donor recognition as an organization. I do not see why it would be imposed as a requirement.] 7. “Donors of gifts of $25,000 or greater shall have no more than may be given up to five years to complete the pledge.” 8. “A donor recognition wall consists of a listing of the name of a person (or persons) or a company that contributed funds to a capital campaign or other major fundraising.” [comment: Shouldn’t it also be possible to honor someone or something other than the donor(s)?] March 16, 2026, BLT agenda Item 6 comments - Jim Mosher Page 2 of 2 Page 30 1. “Guidelines for the The lettering on donor walls is limited to a single line, with the exception of “Second Floor Reading/Study Area (West Side)”, which already serves as a donor recognition wall and is no longer available.” [comment: I don’t see what the deleted parts were intended to add. If the existing signage in the West Side area differs from the policy that is already explained by the final paragraph saying the Board can grant exceptions.] 2. “The design and content of donor recognition walls, consisting of stainless-steel lettering that adheres to the size of letters and the single line banner length parameters must be reviewed and approved by the Board.” [note: The deleted parts are unnecessary in view of the following sentence, which indicates the only thing the donor has control over is the proposed content.”] 3. “If, after five years, a pledge payment is not paid in full within 90 days following written notice to the most recent address provided to the Foundation, the Board shall have the right to remove the name recognition.” [? I do not understand the intended interplay between the various rules citing a five year limit. Is recognition revoked only in a case where the pledge is not paid in full within the five years, after notice of the failure is given? Or is missing a single promised installment payment after notice of the lapse has been given also cause to permanently revoke any recognition?] 4. “If the pledge payment is due from an estate settlement, the estate shall have up to three years from the date of the pledge payment date to fulfill the pledge.” [comment: Since estates can take many years to settle, it is quite unclear to me when the clock starts on this three year limit. What is the “pledge payment date”? And if the date is missed must the Foundation refuse the gift?] 5. “In the event that the area of the Library with the donor's name a named donor recognition wall is significantly renovated, …” [comment: Again, couldn’t an organization, including the Foundation or the Friends, conduct a campaign to raise money to name an area after something other than themselves (the donors)?] 6. “Any modification to the foregoing dollar amounts or to the letter size and banner length, or any other exception to this policy concerning donor recognition walls will require the express approval of the Board.” 7. “The Friends accept donations of used books and other materials to be sold in the Friends Bookstore.” 8. “Recognition of donations shall may be recommended by the Friends and considered for approval by the Board.” [note: As proposed, this seems to compel the Friends to make a recommendation regarding every donation.] 9. “All donations of gifts and property not covered by Library Policy NBPL 2 and offered directly to the Library will must be reviewed and approved by the Board.” [comment: Is “gifts and property” supposed to define some special subset of “donations”? If so, what donations would not fall in that subset? If not, what does it add? As to “will,” it seems to promise an approval will follow the review.] 10. “Recognition of donations by plaques, signage or other permanent display shall may be approved by the Board.” [comment: I assume such recognition is not guaranteed.]