DATE: November 6, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Library 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 and appropriate $173,997 in grant funds from California State Library, awarded to the City for continuing literacy services provided to adults and families of adults.
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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, a program of the California State Library, for support of Oceanside READS, a program which teaches literacy skills to adults in Library Department facilities. Oceanside READS is also funded by City/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.
The State has continued funding Adult Literacy Services (ALS) annually and added opportunities for both Family Literacy (FLS) and ESL Services funds. The Oceanside Public Library has successfully applied and received grant awards for these services, as each opportunity arose. In early 2024, the Library again applied for ALS, FLS and ESL funding, and has been awarded the total of $173,997 for fiscal year 2024-25.
ALS, FLS and ESL grant funds have been designated for staffing expenses that include the continuation of funding for one part-time benefitted Library Assistant, one part-time Hourly Librarian, and two 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...
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