DATE: November 5, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sally Gomez, County Librarian
SUBJECT: Groundwork Grants California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute grant agreement with Myriad Consulting and Training for a Groundwork Grants administered by the California State Library, in partnership with Myriad Consulting and Training, “Ready or Not: California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project” to fund preservation supplies and storage ($4,846), staff training ($1,962), and environmental equipment ($6,655) for the California Indian Library Collection located in the Auberry Library Branch, for a combined maximum grant total of $13,463;
2. Authorize the County Librarian, or designee, to execute associated grant related documents to implement and administer the Groundwork Grants California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project; and
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2024-25 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Library Grants Org 7517 in the amount of $6,808 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will accept grant funding from the Myriad Consulting and Training for a Groundwork Grants “Ready or Not: California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project” to fund the purchase of preservation supplies and storage, staff training, and environmental equipment. The Groundwork Grants program is administered by the California State Library, in partnership with Myriad Consulting and Training and is part of the California State Library’s “Ready or Not: California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project,” funded by the State of California. The Groundwork Grants funding opportunity will be the first step in making sure the California Indian Library Collection (CILC) moves towards creating a sustainable collection at the Auberry Branch Library. Your Board’s approval will also authorize the County Librarian, or designee, to execute any associated grant-related documents. This item effects District 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose to decline the grant award, which will result in the Library not accepting funds to purchase preservation supplies and storage, staff training, and not accept environmental equipment to safeguard and maintain the CILC at the Auberry Branch Library.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The Groundwork Grants “Ready or Not: California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project” will provide funds for Small Tools and Equipment ($4,846) and Trans, Travel & Education ($1,962), for a combined total of $6,808. Grantor will also provide environmental equipment valued at $6,655, for a combined grant total of $13,463. The grant does not require a match or in-kind contribution; however, staff costs to administer the Program have been included in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget Org 7511 and will be included in subsequent budget requests. The budget resolution in the third recommended action will increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the Library Grants Org 7517 for FY 2024-25 in the amount of $6,808.
DISCUSSION:
The California State Library with funding from the state of California and in partnership with the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC), developed a major initiative, Ready or Not, to assist cultural heritage organizations in evaluating risks to their collection and to begin taking preparatory and/or remedial steps. The Groundwork Grants program is administered by the California State Library in partnership with Myriad Consulting and Training and is part of the California State Library’s “Ready or Not: California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project”, funded by the State of California. The Groundwork Grants “Ready or Not: California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project” opportunity supports emergency preparedness to California organizations, so they can continue to safeguard and maintain significant cultural collections for years to come. This grant will be implemented at the Auberry Branch Library.
The Groundwork Grants “Ready or Not: California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project” funding opportunity will be the first steps in making sure the CILC moves towards creating a sustainable collection at the Auberry Branch Library. Since the CILC’s establishment in 1988, the Library has continued to add to this rich source of information with items that were gifted or purchased; however, with the ongoing threat of wildfires, general usage, and time, the future care of the collection has been neglected. This grant project will address preservation concerns and allow library staff to take the first steps to securing the collection so that we can continue to protect and save this information for future users. The CILC has been available as a highly valuable resource in the community and for local Native American tribes and researchers, and any long-term goals for preservation have not been created.
In 2020, the disastrous Creek Fire posed a threat to the Auberry Branch Library. While the Library was not in the direct path of the Creek Fire, the Library was reminded of the potential hazards within the natural foothill and forest environment that the branch is located in. To ensure the continued accessibility and sustainability of the CILC for future years to come, the Auberry Branch Library requested the expertise of an emergency preparedness consultant from the NEDCC. Materials of particular concern include the preservation of historic photographs and audio recordings, cultural activity boxes, and other rare sources that are specific to the region and/or Native American tribes.
The grant will focus on creating written documentation that will assist Library staff with the continued maintenance of Auberry Branch Library’s CILC, and preparation in the event of a natural disaster. The Library will develop a disaster plan and special collection incident report log, and create a preventative maintenance schedule. Upon receiving the grant funds, the Library will also receive preservation materials, and disaster recovery and spill kits that will allow staff to organize and capture images of each item before storing materials in appropriate archival storage containers.
Approval of the first recommended action will authorize the Chairman to execute the recommended agreement to fund the purchase of preservation supplies and storage, the cost of staff training, and allow the library to receive environmental equipment. Funds will be distributed via Melio (service@meliopayments.com), which will email the County Librarian a link to accept the award through a paper check. Approval of the second recommended action delegates authority to the County Librarian or his/her designee to execute any associated grant related documents for the purpose of securing the Groundwork Grants “Ready or Not: California Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project” grant funds.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Myriad Consulting and Training
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai