Mayor James Tucker read a proclamation declaring the week in April 2025 as National Library Week and the Imperial Public Library used the occasion to outline services and programs that city staff said support equity and community access.

Amber (presenter) described the library’s history as Imperial County’s earliest public library and outlined services including early literacy activities, job-readiness training, a designated cooling and hydration center during high heat, and loan programs that extend beyond books. She said the library holds about 8,800 adult and 1,982 juvenile library cards and stressed that a library card is not required to access programs.

Julia Samaniego, identified in the meeting as the library’s literacy coordinator, detailed free adult literacy services: English conversation, citizenship preparation, computer classes and other programs for adults who did not acquire full literacy skills earlier in life. “These classes are for adults in our community that are looking to improve their reading skills, their writing skills, improve just them speaking in English,” Samaniego said. She noted the literacy program celebrated its 40th anniversary in California and said many learners set goals to obtain better employment or pursue further education.

The presentation listed community partnerships and offerings: monthly free reading eyeglasses provided with the Lions Club, the Imperial Unified School District supplying USDA summer lunches at the library and at affordable housing complexes (one lunch at the library Monday–Friday and plans to expand to additional complexes), and demonstration and learning gardens. The library is pursuing a “library of things” collection (toys, telescopes, hiking backpacks and energy-efficiency home-audit devices contingent on grant funding) and a state sustainable-programming grant application. Staff invited council members and the public to an autism awareness fair and other events at Eager Park and referenced outreach at county and statewide library conferences.

Council members praised the library’s programs and asked about federal grant impacts; staff said current grants are not yet affected and that several grant applications remain under review. The proclamation was adopted and staff said they will distribute details for National Library Workers Day and upcoming events to the council.