DATE: August 21, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kelley Worman-Landano, County Librarian
SUBJECT: Library Innovation Lab Grant Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively authorize the County Librarian’s previous submittal of a grant application to Cal Humanities for a Library Innovation Lab grant;
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to ratify Librarian’s previous execution of retroactive grant award Agreement and acceptance of grant funds from Cal Humanities for a Library Innovation Lab grant to support Fresno County Public Library’s Project “Orange Cove Families Together” effective May 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 ($5,000); and
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2018-19 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Library Grants Org 7517 in the amount of $5,000 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. California Humanities (Cal Humanities) has awarded the Fresno County Public Library a $5,000 Federal grant for the period of May 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Library to accept the grant funding and implement the “Orange Cove Families Together” program that aims to establish the library as a safe, welcoming space for immigrants.
It should be noted that Cal Humanities published a request for application on March 1, 2018. To meet the grant application deadline of April 2, 2018, the Library submitted the application on April 2, 2018 contingent upon your Board’s approval. Cal Humanities sent the award notice dated May 10, 2018. This item will benefit District Four.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose to decline the grant award, which will result in the Library not creating the Orange Cove Families Together program.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended application/agreement is retroactive to May 1, 2018 due to the Cal Humanities grant period of May 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 and receipt of grant award notice dated May 10, 2018. Funds for this grant were dispersed in two phases as follows: the first disbursement of $1,000 was made after the signed agreement was received, and the second disbursement of $4,000 was made after the budget and program plan was approved by Cal Humanities and was due prior to August 1, 2018. The Department did not have a final approved budget and program plan from Cal Humanities in order to meet the associated Board agenda timelines prior to August 2018. Although grant funds have been received, they will not be spent prior to acceptance by your Board.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The $5,000 Cal Humanities grant will be used for advertising, supplies, food, and rental costs associated with the series of public programs.
The grant requires matching funds of at least 1:1 ratio with in-kind resources. For FY 2018-19, the Library will meet the grant matching requirements with an in-kind contribution of $5,100. The in-kind contribution covers a percentage of salaries and benefits for one Librarian with indirect costs calculated at 10%.
The third recommended action will increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the Library Grants Org 7517 for FY 2018-19 in the amount of $5,000. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues for the staffing costs are included in the Library’s Org 7511 FY 2018-19 Recommended Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Library is the direct recipient of a Library Innovation Lab Grant from Cal Humanities that will provide encouragement, guidance, and resources to develop programming specifically designed to serve immigrant families in Orange Cove.
Cal Humanities is a non-profit that promotes the humanities and an open state of mind for residents of California. The non-profit organization aims to support creativity and experimentation in public humanities programming, among diverse populations. The mission of the organization is to connect Californians to ideas and one another in order to understand our shared heritage and diverse cultures, inspire civic participation, and shape our future.
The grant application was submitted retroactively as Cal Humanities published a request for application on March 1, 2018. To meet the grant application deadline of April 2, 2018, the Library submitted the application on April 2, 2018 contingent upon your Board’s approval. Cal Humanities sent the award notice dated May 10, 2018. The second recommended action requests to ratify the Librarian’s previous signature on the grant award and agreement. The Librarian signed the award and agreement in order to meet the grant funding timelines. Funds for this grant were dispersed in two phases as follows: the first disbursement of $1,000 was made after the signed agreement was received, and the second disbursement of $4,000 was made after the budget and program plan was approved by Cal Humanities (due prior to August 1, 2018). The Department did not have a final approved budget and program plan from Cal Humanities in order to meet the associated Board agenda timelines prior to August 2018. Although grant funds have been received, they will not be spent prior to acceptance by your Board.
The grant period is from May 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. The program began in May 2018 with a planning phase that consisted of exploring ways to expand on current programs to best support the community of Orange Cove. The main goals are to increase program participation by establishing the library as a safe, welcoming space and also design activities that will strengthen familial and community bonds. This project would allow the Library to explore new ways of reaching immigrants through programming that would address the needs of Orange Cove and surrounding rural branches. In addition, the grant funding will be used to fund the experimental public programs during the implementation phase in the summer and fall of FY 2018-19.
“Orange Cove Families Together” will consist of a program that reflects the research and community assessments conducted beyond the library walls. For many communities like Orange Cove the libraries become more than just a place to access books and computers, these libraries act as community centers. More than often the library is a first stop for patrons seeking information about social service, healthcare, taxes, immigration, education, and language services. The purpose of this grant program is to develop creative and innovative programming that will be directed to the needs and circumstances of immigrant families in Orange Cove.
Outcome data will be recorded by the Library through paper and/or electronic surveys. Library staff will actively participate in ongoing project activities and will be on-site to offer information on additional programs and services. Following the program the library will be expected to assess project outcomes, and supply programmatic and budgetary information to California Humanities.
It should be noted, the indemnity provision in the agreement is in line with indemnity provisions approved by Risk Management.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Cal Humanities
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org. 7517)
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck