DATE: December 3, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Library & Cultural Arts Department
TITLE: ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS FROM CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY TO CONTINUE LITERACY SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council accept $172,439 in grant funds from California State Library, awarded to the City for continuing literacy services provided to adults and families of adults, and appropriate these funds to the Library & Cultural Arts Department.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Since the inception of the Library’s Literacy Program in 1997, the Oceanside Public Library has received grant funding from California Library Literacy Services for support of Oceanside READS, a program which teaches literacy skills to adults. Currently, Oceanside READS is also funded by City and Library support and private donations.
In June 2018, the California legislature approved added funds to help programs provide more consistent support to the families of adults with low literacy skills, and in December 2021, additional funding opportunities became available to support English as a Second Language (ESL) services for five years. This is the final year of designated funding for ESL Services. The State has continued funding Adult Literacy Services (ALS) annually and added opportunities for both Family Literacy (FLS) and ESL Services funds and the Oceanside Public Library has successfully applied and received grant awards for these services, as each opportunity arose. In early 2025, the Library again applied for ALS, FLS and ESL funding, and has been awarded the total of $172,439 for fiscal year 2025-26, though this is a reduction from the previous year of $173,997. Additionally, this next fiscal year, the Library will need to find a new funding source for providing ongoing ESL Services.
ALS, FLS and ESL grant funds have been designated for staffing expenses that include the continuation of funding for one provisional part-time benefited Library Assistant, one provisional part-time Hourly Librarian, and two provisional part-time Library Associate II positions. Funds are also designated for literacy books, publications and subscriptions; materials and supplies for operations and programs; supplies and services to develop and print an adult learner anthology; and marketing and training efforts in order to enhance the effectiveness of the program and to facilitate volunteer tutor recruitment and retention.
Annual reports and tracking information will be submitted to the State Library as required. The State’s local support requirement for this grant is already met by the hours of the Senior Librarian of Literacy Services funded through the Adult Services unit of the Library & Cultural Arts Department. No additional funds will be required.
FISCAL IMPACT
The budgeted amounts below should amend the currently adopted budget for these accounts. Grant funding will enable the Library & Cultural Arts Department to continue its employment of provisional one 32 hour per week Library Assistant (AD14LB01), one provisional 19 hour per week Hourly Librarian (XLB038), and two provisional Library Associate II positions (XLB063 and XLB064). The estimated Literacy grant budget was established and appropriated during the budget adoption process for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the updated amounts of $2,839(ALS)and $4,397 (FLS) less received from California State Library will be deposited and appropriated as follows:
|
Description |
Account |
Amount |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
Literacy Programs ALS State Grant |
836187825272.4376 |
$2,839 |
|
Expenditure |
|
|
|
Temporary & Part Time Employees |
836187825272.5110 |
1,976 |
|
Fringe Benefit Burden |
836187825272.5207 |
29 |
|
Materials & Supplies |
836187825272.5355 |
834 |
|
Total |
|
$2,839 |
|
DescriptionAccountAmount |
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
Literacy Programs FLS State Grant |
836188025272.4376 |
($4,397) |
|
Expenditure |
|
|
|
Temporary & Part Time Employees |
836188025272.5110 |
(1,010) |
|
Fringe Benefit Burden |
836188025272.5207 |
(15) |
|
Adult Books |
836188025272.5455.0001 |
(3,372) |
|
Total |
|
($4,397) |
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Library Board of Trustees approved acceptance of the Adult Literacy, Family Literacy, and English as a Second Language grant funds from California State Library at its regular September 23, 2025 meeting.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
Does not apply.
end
Prepared by: Marie Town, Library Division Manager
Reviewed by: CJ Di Mento, Library Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. 2025-26 ALS & FLA Award Letter
3. 2025-26 ESL Award Letter