DATE: March 19, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sally Gomez, Interim County Librarian
SUBJECT: Public Library Association Grant Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Letter of Agreement, which will become the Grant Agreement for Institute of Museum and Library Services funds through the Public Library Association to allow the Library to participate in the Family Engagement program, effective upon approval through March 19, 2026 ($30,000);
2. Authorize the County Librarian, or their designee, to sign expenditure forms and activity reports for the recommended agreement; and
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2023-24 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Library Grants Org 7517 in the amount of $30,000 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Through the Public Library Association (PLA) Family Engagement grant, the Library will train public Literacy Services library staff on best practices for collaborating with culturally diverse community members, including Spanish-speaking families, and on using principles of co-design to improve library services for underserved Latinx communities. This item is Countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose to decline the PLA Family Engagement grant award, which will result in the Library not receiving funds to train Literacy Services staff on best practices for collaborating with culturally diverse underserved Latinx communities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The $30,000 grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will be used for Small Tools & Instruments ($360), Library Materials ($20,000), and food ($9,640). The grant does not require a match or in-kind contribution; however, staff costs to administer the Program have been included in the FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget Org 7511 and will be included in the FY 2024-25 budget request. The budget resolution in the third recommended action will increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the Library Grants Org 7517 for FY 2023-24 in the amount of $30,000.
DISCUSSION:
The PLA is a division of the American Library Association (ALA). PLA initiated its work on family engagement in early 2015. The PLA Family Engagement task force is charged with helping public libraries learn about and implement successful family engagement practices. The PLA will partner with the National Center for Families Learning to develop new tools and training models to support authentic engagement of Spanish-speaking families. This project will train public library staff from California, Georgia, and Massachusetts on best practices for collaborating with culturally diverse community members, and on using principles of co-design to improve library services for underserved communities. IMLS awarded PLA a National Leadership grant, exploring a program co-design Approach to better serve and engage low income, Latinx communities. With a full IMLS National Leadership Grant, PLA and NCFL will be able to translate pilot results into scalable approaches for public libraries to better reach and serve Spanish-speaking community members.
The Family Engagement grant will provide funds for project activities that include: 1) training for staff on best practices for reflecting on personal bias, effectively collaborating with culturally diverse community members, and using principles of co-design to improve library services for underserved communities; 2) creating and sharing resources to bolster understanding of family engagement, why it is important, and how to incorporate it when working with culturally diverse groups; 3) developing an evaluation framework to assess outcomes; and 4) disseminating all project-developed tools and information. This project will benefit the Library and the Latinx communities they serve by providing fresh approaches to practicing more inclusive family engagement. This project will be implemented throughout Fresno County via the Library’s Literacy Services. The recommended agreement requires that the Library identify and work with a Spanish speaking-parent to act as a liaison and host at least two conversations with no fewer than five local Spanish-speaking families to better understand what they need and want from the Library.
The PLA did not require an application, but instead required a Letter of Agreement, which will become the agreement once approved by your Board. Approval of the first recommended action will authorize the Chairman to execute the recommended agreement. The second recommended action will authorize the County Librarian, or their designee, to sign expenditure forms and activity reports for the recommended agreement.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with PLA
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 7517)
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai