DATE: May 19, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sally Gomez, County Librarian
SUBJECT: Southern California Library Cooperative Grant Award
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize acceptance of a grant award from Southern California Library Cooperative (SCLC) through the EmPOWERing Access Project for one American with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible privacy booth ($22,000);
2. Authorize the County Librarian, or their designee, to accept additional grant-funded equipment under the same EmPOWERing Access Project, if awarded by SCLC, consisting of up to three family computer workstations ($11,550) and three light tables ($6,900), subject to approval as to legal form by County Counsel, and approval as to accounting form by the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector; and
3. Authorize the County Librarian, or their designee, to submit the required grant acceptance confirmation to SCLC, including confirmation of the Library’s acceptance of the initial equipment distribution, contact information, and delivery locations.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost (NCC) associated with the recommended actions. SCLC has awarded the Library with one ADA-accessible privacy booth. SCLC is also working with the State Library to secure additional funding for the project which may allow the Library to receive up to three family computer workstations and three light tables through the EmPOWERing Access Project. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the County to accept the confirmed grant award, authorize the County Librarian, or designee, to accept the additional equipment if awarded under the same project, and authorize the submission of the required grant acceptance confirmation to SCLC. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended actions, which would result in the Library not accepting the SCLC EmPOWERing Access Project grant award for one ADA-accessible privacy booth. The Library would also not be authorized to accept any additional grant-funded equipment that may be awarded under the same project, including up to three family computer workstations and three light tables.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no NCC associated with the recommended actions. The grant does not require a match or in-kind contribution; however, staff costs to administer the project have been included in the Library’s Org 7511 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The SCLC is an organization with a long and meaningful history providing services to the public libraries of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. SCLC has consistently focused on expanding access to resources and information by bringing together 40 member libraries. The SCLC’s EmPOWERing Access Project offers participating libraries the ability to request ADA-accessible privacy booths, Charlie carts, book bikes, family workstations, light tables, and sewing machines. Priority will be given to libraries with underserved communities, including those with high rates of poverty, as measured by the California Poverty Measure. This Project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
The EmPOWERing Access Project is providing the Library with one ADA-accessible privacy booth. The Accessible Privacy Booth is ADA-compliant, energy efficient, with automatic sensors and can be used by patrons for telehealth appointments, job interviews, legal appointments, educational sessions, or any other virtual connection that requires privacy. The project will encourage library users to connect with community resources and provide new ways to access information and learn new skills. The privacy booth will be placed at the Sunnyside branch.
SCLC is in the process of working with the State Library to secure additional funding for the EmPOWERing Access Project. Should SCLC receive the funds, the Library may also receive three family workstations and three light tables that would be placed in the selected branches listed below:
1. Mendota Library
2. Kerman Library
3. Betty Rodriquez Library
4. Sunnyside Library
5. Sanger Library
6. West Fresno Library
SCLC did not require execution of a separate grant agreement. Instead, SCLC issued a Grant Approval Letter requiring confirmation of the Library’s acceptance of the initial equipment distribution, contact information, and delivery location of each item. The Grant Approval Letter serves as the grant award document. The Approval Letter requested confirmation no later than March 26, 2026. Because County policy requires Board approval to accept grant awards, Library staff notified SCLC that the County could not formally accept the grant award until Board approval was obtained. SCLC confirmed an extension of the confirmation deadline to allow the County to complete its approval process. Approval of the first recommended action will authorize acceptance of the SCLC grant award for the privacy booth. Approval of the second recommended action will authorize the County Librarian, or designee, to accept additional grant-funded equipment under the same project if awarded by SCLC. Approval of the third recommended action will authorize the County Librarian, or designee, to submit the required grant acceptance confirmation to SCLC.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Grant Approval Letter
CAO ANALYST:
Mary Lu Valencia