REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Possible Action on Conducting Outreach to Support the Library due to Federal Funding Cuts to Library Services and Potential Establishment of a Subcommittee to Implement Board's Actions
Report
BACKGROUND
At the April 7, 2025 Board of Library Trustees meeting, the Board received an informational update on the federal funding cut to the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the services at Santa Clara City Library that are likely to be impacted. This federal budget cut resulted in the termination of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) federal grant awards, whose contributions to the California State Library helped support access to resources, collections and services used by the Santa Clara City Library.
Anticipated likely impacts reviewed by the Board include the elimination or reduction of funding to support informational databases and e-resources used by the community, as well as grant support used in past years to support Read Santa Clara's literacy programs, and summer enrichment, STEAM and literacy programs provided for youth and teens. Recent efforts such as outreach to underserved communities like Montague Park, the Homework Help Center and the Teens Lead and Learn program were supported by California State Library grants, supported by LSTA funds.
The California State Library has provided more specific information on the services to be impacted, indicating that unless federal funding is restored or backfilled, State Library LSTA-funded competitive grant programs will be discontinued. These include
* Community Impact Grants
* eBooks for All California
* Play for All
* Sustainable California Libraries
* Teens Succeed
The following resources are also expected to be discontinued:
* Funds to add titles to California's Bookshelf and statewide access to the materials
* Subscriptions to the New York Times
* Free access to Cal Matters for Learning
* Free access to continuing edu...
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