REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Action on California Library Literacy Services Grant Awards
Report
BACKGROUND
The California State Library, California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) provides an annually funded grant for ongoing operations of public library adult and family literacy programs. In addition, CLLS provides a second family literacy award, intended to support services to low-literate adults and their families. The Library Department qualifies for both grants through its adult and family literacy program, titled “Read Santa Clara.”
DISCUSSION
For fiscal year 2019/20, the Library Department has qualified for $48,072 in adult literacy grant funds:
The grant award is comprised of a baseline (first installment) amount of $18,000, which was earlier accepted by the Board of Library Trustees and the City Council plus the additional allocation of $30,072, established by the previous fiscal year’s 1) per capita amount per adult learner served and 2) a match on local funds raised and expended for adult literacy services. Local funding for Read Santa Clara’s family literacy program is a combination of 1) donations and grants raised by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends and 2) staff salary and expenditures for books and materials covered by the City’s General Fund. A copy of the California State Library award letter, dated December 23, 2020, is attached to this report (Attachment 1).
Staff recommends acceptance of the second installment of the CLLS grant award of $30,072 to Read Santa Clara’s adult literacy program.
The CLLS grants require that the grant award must be expended or encumbered by June 30, 2020. At the end of the fiscal year, staff evaluates any remaining unexpended funds against budget and expenses and will carryover and/or encumber as necessary.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Acceptance of the $30,072 grant awards and approval of the appropriation of grant funds will help cover adult literacy programming for the Read Santa Clara program.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Board agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend to City Council to accept the second installment of the California Library Literacy Services grant award of $30,072 into the Library Adult and Family Literacy Grant Fund, and approve the appropriation of funds to Adult and Family Literacy accounts for As-Needed Salary, Contractual Services and Operating Supplies. (Requires five affirmative votes by the City Council)
Staff
Reviewed by: Hilary Keith, City Librarian
ATTACHMENTS
1. Award letter dated December 23, 2019