TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Bonnie Hagan, Acting City Manager
FROM: Dave Curtis, Library Services Director
1. Subject
title
Appropriation of $33,874 in designated grant funding received from California Library Literacy Services.
body
2. Summary
Grant funds from California Library Literacy Services will be used to enhance and expand the Library’s Adult Literacy Program.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Accept into the City’s revenue budget a $33,874 grant from California Library Literacy Services, into revenue account number 100.2001.45290.30170, General Fund - California Library Literacy Services Grant.
2. Authorize the appropriation of $33,874 to California Library Literacy Services Grant into the following expenditure account numbers:
|
$12,000 |
100.2001.50312.30170 |
Part-time Misc. Salaries |
|
21,874 |
100.2001.53001.30170 |
Materials and Supplies |
|
$33,874 |
|
|
end
4. Fiscal Impact
The total appropriations for this grant are funded by the additional revenue received from the State of California.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance and promote quality of life in the community
e: Develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships to enhance and promote quality of life programs, projects and services.
6. Discussion and Background
History
In Fall 2016, the Orange Public Library (Library) was awarded a $41,000 literacy grant by California Library Literacy Services (CLLS), a program of the California State Library, to establish a literacy program for adults. The goal of the Adult Literacy Program was to improve the reading skills of adult, English speaking community members through the recruitment and training of literacy tutors. A Library Literacy Coordinator was hired to oversee the program, and the first group of literacy volunteers was trained in Spring 2017 and subsequently matched with adult learners.
Orange Public Library has received the CLLS grant for the past six years. Each year, the Adult Literacy Program has grown. A Literacy collection of books and workbooks was established, and the Literacy Office, Reading Lab, and Study Room at the Orange Public Library & History Center were refreshed with new paint, computers, and furniture through partnership with Public Works and IT. A grant-funded Library Literacy Assistant position was introduced to provide much-needed support to the Literacy Coordinator and to expand the program further. The program expanded to the El Modena and Taft Branch Libraries to allow tutor-learner pairs to use their local community library. Tablets loaded with literacy, reading, and phonics-based apps were introduced to the Literacy collection. Book clubs were added to the program. In 2020, in response to the pandemic, the Literacy Coordinator adapted Literacy services as needed. For example, tutor training sessions were provided virtually, and safety measures were installed in the Literacy spaces at the Library.
Adult Literacy Program participants continue to be actively engaged with the program and each other. Learners have developed their reading skills to meet goals to help their children with homework, complete a job application, follow prescription medicine instructions, pass a citizenship test, get a driver’s license, and vote. At its height, the program has contained approximately 50 tutor-learner pairs. Since 2017, Literacy volunteers have served nearly 6,000 hours. The Library has celebrated their accomplishments at a Volunteer Recognition, where attendees enjoy refreshments, games, giveaways, and appreciation from their peers, City staff, and Councilmembers. The community has also shown its appreciation through donations of thousands of dollars received from the Friends of the Orange Public Library, Orange Public Library Foundation, Orange North Rotary, and the Community Foundation of Orange.
The Orange Public Library has been awarded a $33,874 literacy grant for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 (FY22). California Library Literacy Services, a program of the California State Library, has generously provided support to the Library to expand and enhance its Adult Literacy Program. Funds must be spent or encumbered by the end of FY22 and will be used for staffing, technology, program materials, and marketing.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• None