(SAN RAMON, CA) - The San Ramon City Council meeting, which convened on Apr. 14, held quite a variety of proclamations.
The first proclamation declared Apr. 19-25, 2026 as National Library Week, with Mayor Mark Armstrong presenting to San Ramon Senior Library Manager Dr. Francis Adebola-Wilson and Dougherty Station Library Manager Elaine Pedley.
“Our San Ramon libraries serve as vibrant community hubs connecting people with knowledge, technology, and resources while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and lifelong learning,” Armstrong said.
Photo Credit: City of San Ramon Youtube // Mayor Mark Armstrong with Dr. Francis Adebola-Wilson and Elaine Pedley
He continued to speak on what libraries represent for the community.
“Libraries protect the right to read, think, and explore without censorship, standing as champions of intellectual freedom and free expression,” Armstrong said. “And dedicated librarians and library workers provide welcoming spaces that inspire discovery, collaboration, and creativity for all.”
Adebola-Wilson took the podium to commemorate the success of the community libraries.
“Over the past year, the library has remained a vital community hub, welcoming an average of approximately 600 visitors daily at the San Ramon Library with additional traffic at the Dougherty Station Library, which serves hundreds of customers each day,” Adebola-Wilson said.
He proceeded to highlight the installation of two Zoom booths, which have provided soundproof spaces for people to attend virtual meetings, job interviews, and telehealth appointments, along with study hubs for students seeking a quiet space to work.
He emphasized the importance of the San Ramon Library Foundation, which has contributed to the expansion of library services through funding programs, supporting community events like book sales, and catering to furniture, equipment, and space enhancements.
“Together with the city, the foundation, and our dedicated staff, we remain committed to ensuring that both libraries continue to thrive as welcoming, innovative, and essential spaces for all,” Adebola-Wilson said.
Photo Credit: City of San Ramon Youtube // San Ramon Senior Library Manager Dr. Francis Adebola-Wilson
Pedley took to the podium to acknowledge the city’s support as well, further adding the work the libraries are doing to improve school engagement.
“This is part of both libraries’ branch work plans in the past year since state bill 321 became law which promotes library access and strives to ensure every student has a library card by third grade,” Pedley said.
To make this happen, both libraries visit second-grade classrooms or invite them for a field trip. San Ramon librarians visit seven elementary schools and Dougherty Station librarians visit five, with two middle schools added to ensure that students who missed out on this opportunity during the pandemic would still have access.
Pedley talked about how libraries don’t generate revenue in traditional ways, but are still a high return investment in the community.
She noted how libraries strengthen the local economy by helping people build skills, find jobs, and start their own businesses. Libraries provide valuable educational opportunities for students and their families, which benefits schools and the workforce for the long run.
“To conclude, the library multiplies every public dollar invested, delivering economic, educational, and social returns that benefit the entire community,” Pedley said.
Photo Credit: City of San Ramon Youtube // Dougherty Station Library Manager Elaine Pedley.
The meeting then moved to declare April 2026 as Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month.
Councilmember Richard Adler presented the proclamation to the founder of the Visual Arts Society of San Ramon, Ranjini Venkatachari, and owner of the San Ramon Academy of Music, James Daly.
This year is the 8th annual statewide celebration of the month, in which it was first celebrated by the California legislature in 2019.
“Art, culture, and creativity shape neighborhood character, attract tourism, foster civic pride, and contribute to public safety and social well-being,” Adler said. “And creativity sparks innovation, provides youth with a well-rounded education, and equips our future workforce with critical skills and civic values.”
Venkatachari took to the podium to thank the city for the meaningful recognition.
“I'm grateful to be part of a city that really believes in the power of creativity because a city that invests in the arts is a city that really invests in its people and its passion and the future,” Venkatachari said.
Photo Credit: City of San Ramon Youtube // Founder of the Visual Arts Society of San Ramon Ranjini Venkatachari
Daly came up next to talk about the San Ramon Academy of Music. He has run music programs in San Ramon for the last five years, and has served residents at every stage, including babies.
“What initially started as a tiny group piano class has blossomed into a year-round semester group class schedule with over a hundred students every semester right here at the Doherty Station Community Arts Center,” Daly said.
The academy has an award-winning chamber ensemble, string orchestra, and choir, along with categories for music production, group percussion, and more.
“I am very much looking forward to the future because of partnerships with the school district, California Symphony, scholarship efforts- all these things to create more opportunities for the families of San Ramon, and it's because we are in a community that values arts, that values the importance of arts education,” Daly said.
Photo Credit: City of San Ramon Youtube // Owner of the San Ramon Academy of Music James Daly
The meeting then moved to its last proclamation recognizing the San Ramon Valley Islamic Center (SRVIC)and San Ramon American Muslim community.
Councilmember Sridhar Verose presented to the president of the San Ramon Valley Islamic Center, Faridha Barra, and policy coordinator for the Council on American Islamic Relations, Musa Tariq.
“There is a thriving community of 250,000 Muslims in the Bay Area and over 50 mass and religious centers,” Verose said. “Muslims pursue diverse professions and make rich contributions to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of the United States and have distinguished themselves by fostering greater respect and understanding among all people through faith and services.”
The meeting recognized the California designation of April as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.
A representative for the youth committee of the SRVIC named Ibrahim came up to speak to the council.
“At the San Ramon Valley Islamic Center, we strive to serve our neighbors through initiatives like food distribution, flood drives, blood drives, and interfaith partnerships,” Ibrahim said. “Efforts that bring people together and strengthen our city.”
Photo Credit: City of San Ramon Youtube // SRVIC Youth Committee Representative, Ibrahim
The youth committee partnered with the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County to host a coat drive, and was able to donate more than 240 coats with the help of donors, with 130 being contributed by the Muslim community.
SRVIC is also becoming a new food distribution partner with the Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank, with the goal of serving food distribution to 150 families on a bi-weekly basis.
The meeting featured a diverse array of different proclamations recognizing valuable and vital contributions from the community.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please email me at yashi.s@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below.
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