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Report regarding a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $40,000 from the California State Library to support Project Read through the Family Literacy Services (FLS) program and amending the Library Department’s fiscal year 2025-26 Operating Budget and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.007 (Valerie Sommer, Library Director)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $40,000 from the California State Library to support Project Read’s Family Literacy Services (FLS) program and amending the Library Department’s fiscal year 2025-26 Operating Budget and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.007.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Project Read has been informed that an award in the amount of $40,000 from the California State Library was granted to support the continuation of the Family Literacy Services program offered for low-literacy parents and their children in North San Mateo County. This award is slightly higher than last year’s award. Project Read’s Family Literacy Services program provides story times, free books, learning activities, and parenting classes for Project Read’s participants. Funding will be used to strengthen our FLS program through community outreach and services offered to existing and new clients. FLS programming includes My First Year, a literacy program designed for parents, caregivers, and children ages 0-5. This program provides free books to help families build home libraries, opportunities to meet other parents, and encourages families to read with their children and sing songs to support early language development. Additionally, FLS offers special library story times with book giveaways, as well as digital literacy workshops where families can learn to safely search and read online content, use email and social media, and communicate through video conferencing platforms. The goal is to engage low-literacy adults, helping them develop the confidence and skills needed to support their children as they prepare for school.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds will be used to amend the Library Department’s fiscal year 2025-26 Operating Budget via Budget Amendment Number 26.007. Receipt of these funds does not commit the City to ongoing funding.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Acceptance of this funding will contribute to the City’s Strategic Plan under Priority #2, Quality of Life, by supporting family literacy programs.
CONCLUSION
Receipt of these funds will enable the Library to continue to support family literacy services in North San Mateo County through Project Read’s Family Literacy Services program. It is recommended that the City Council accept $40,000 in funding from the California State Library to support family literacy programming and amend the Library Department’s fiscal year 2025-26 Operating Budget and approve Budget Amendment Number 26.007.