Title
Report regarding a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $30,250 from the California State Library to support Project Read through the Family Literacy Services (FLS) program and amending the Library Department’s Fiscal Year 2021 - 2022 Operating Budget and approving Budget Amendment 22.020 (Valerie Sommer, Library Director)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $30,250 from the California State Library to support Project Read’s Family Literacy Services (FLS) program and amending the Library Department’s 2021-2022 (FY21-22) Operating Budget and approving Budget Amendment 22.020.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On August 5, 2021 Project Read was awarded $30,250 from the California State Library to support the continuation of the Family Literacy Services program offered for low-literacy parents and their children in North San Mateo County. Project Read’s Family Literacy Services program provides story times, free books, learning activities, learning workshops, and parenting classes for Project Read’s participants. 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-literacy adults in developing the confidence and skills to support their children as they enter school.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds will be used to amend the Library Department’s current FY 21-22 Operating Budget. 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 #3, Quality of Life, by supporting family literacy programs.
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 $30,250 in funding from the California State Library to support family literacy programming and amend the Library Department’s FY 21-22 operating budget and approve Budget Amendment 22.020.