REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 18, 2026
FROM
MELANIE OROSCO, County Librarian, County Library
SUBJECT
Title
Acceptance of Gift from the Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center Friends of the Library
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Authorize the San Bernardino County Library to accept a gift from the Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center Friends of the Library, in the amount of $125,000, to purchase unbudgeted fixed assets that will be used to create a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics activities space at the Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center.
2. Approve a budget adjustment for the San Bernardino County Library 2026-27 budget after accepting a gift of $125,000.
3. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post budget adjustments, as indicated in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Melanie Orosco, County Librarian, 387-2220)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). This item authorizes the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the following adjustments to the Library’s budget:
|
Fund center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
6400002600 |
40809970 |
Other Revenue |
Increase |
$125,000 |
|
6400002600 |
54404040 |
Equipment |
Increase |
$125,000 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Acceptance of the $125,000 gift from the Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center Friends of the Library (FOL) will enable the County Library to establish a dedicated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) learning space at the Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center (Fontana Library). The FOL is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that operates a bookstore and hosts regular book sales to provide supplemental funding for library programs, summer reading initiatives, and technology enhancements at the Fontana Library.
The new STEAM space will expand access to hands-on, age-appropriate STEAM learning opportunities for children of all ages. It will be especially beneficial for children under the age of eight who are not able to participate in the Fontana Library’s existing Animaker Space due to equipment safety requirements and age restrictions. The new STEAM space will provide learning experiences for younger visitors while complementing the existing Animaker Space that supports older learners.
To support this initiative, the Library will purchase interactive fixed assets including a light wall, magnet ball wall, laser harp, earthquake table, and wind tube. These interactive learning tools will introduce young children to foundational STEAM concepts through hands-on learning experiences while highlighting local geographic and environmental phenomena. For example, the earthquake table and wind tube will help children explore the region's proximity to fault lines and the effects of Santa Ana wind patterns. This dedicated STEAM area will serve as an educational steppingstone, fostering early interest in science and technology and preparing participants for future engagement with the Animaker Space as they become eligible to participate.
County Policy 06-01 and Standard Practice 06-01SP requires Board approval of gifts and donations having a value greater than $10,000.
PROCUREMENT
In coordination with the Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center Friends of the Library (FOL), County Library developed a list of interactive STEAM equipment to be purchased using the donated funds. County Library then conducted an informal competitive procurement by soliciting quotes from multiple vendors for each product pursuant to County Policy 11-04. Because several of the requested items are proprietary to their respective manufacturers, quotes were obtained from vendors capable of providing the specific equipment identified.
|
Product Description |
Vendors Solicited |
Lowest Responsive Cost |
|
Lightwall |
Everbrite Momentum Interactives |
$29,885 (Everbrite) |
|
Magnet Ball Wall |
Science Kinetics Momentum Interactives Kodo Kids |
$11,910 (Science Kinetics) |
|
Laser Harp Deluxe |
Science Kinetics Mountain Glen Harps |
$24,600 (Science Kinetics) |
|
Air Tube XL |
Momentum Interactives Science Kinetics Flexhibit |
$13,333 (Science Kinetics) |
|
Earthquake Table |
Science Kinetics Flexhibit Creative Machines |
$9,500 (Science Kinetics) |
After reviewing the quotes received, County Library determined that the recommended vendors best met the County's needs based on product availability, functionality, and pricing. Upon Board approval to accept the $125,000 gift, Library will purchase the STEAM equipment.
Purchasing supports this competitive procurement based on the informal quotes solicited for the interactive STEAM equipment.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniella V. Hernandez, 387-5455) on July 24, 2026; Purchasing (Jessica Barajas, Supervising Buyer, 387-2065) on July 30, 2026; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, ATC Manager, 382-7022) on August 6, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on July 31, 2026.