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Report regarding a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $34,750 in grant funding from the California State Library to support Project Read through the Family Literacy Services program and approving Budget Amendment 21.015. (Valerie Sommer, Library Director)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $34,750 in grant funding from the California State Library to support Project Read’s Family Literacy Services (FLS) program and approving Budget Amendment 21.015.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On August 26, 2020 Project Read was awarded $34,750 in grant funding from the California State Library to support the continuation of the Family Literacy Services (“FLS”) program offered for low-literacy parents and their children in North San Mateo County. Project Read’s FLS program provides story times, free books, learning activities, learning workshops, and parenting classes for Project Read’s participants. Grant funding will be used to strengthen our FLS program through staff training, community outreach and offering services to existing and new clients. Project Read plans to include: special FLS library story times with book giveaways to build home libraries and tips and “how to” handouts on communicating with schools and teachers; financial literacy workshops on basic goal setting and saving strategies for parents and children; and digital literacy workshops where families can learn how to safely search and read online content as well as create content using email, blogs, and tweets, and communicate through video conference platforms. The goal is to engage low-literate adults in developing the confidence and skills to support their children as they enter school.
FISCAL IMPACT
Grant funds will be used to amend the Library Department’s current FY 20-21 Operating Budget. Receipt of these funds does not commit the City to ongoing funding.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Expansion of Project Read’s Families for Literacy program will provide enhanced family literacy programming for low literate families in our community. The strengthening of learning programs is an action item in the City Strategic Plan under Priority #2: Quality of Life.
CONCLUSION
Receipt of these funds will enable the Library to continue and expand literacy services in North San Mateo County through Project Read’s Family Literacy Services program. It is recommended that the City Council accept $34,750 in grant funding to support family literacy programming and approve Budget Amendment 21.015.