DATE: February 26, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kelley Worman-Landano, County Librarian
SUBJECT: Retroactive Amendment I to Libraries Illuminated Grant Agreement No.18-036 with Southern California Libraries Cooperative
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively authorize the County Librarian’s previous submittal of a grant application to the Southern California Library Cooperative for additional California Library Services Act Grant funds for the Libraries Illuminated project ($4,944);
2. Approve and authorize Chairman to ratify County Librarian’s previous execution of a retroactive Amendment I to Agreement No. 18-036 and acceptance of additional grant funds for Libraries Illuminated services, also extending the term by three months from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, and increasing the maximum grant amount by $4,944, to a total of $34,944; and
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2018-19 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Library Grants Org 7517 in the amount of $4,944 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The Southern California Library Cooperative (SCLC) has awarded the Library additional grant funds in the amount of $4,944 effective upon execution, through March 31, 2019. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Library to purchase virtual reality equipment, which will be used to lead interactive story time programs at all 37 Library branches to promote family literacy. The additional grant funds will not be spent prior to approval and acceptance by your Board. The grant application was submitted contingent upon your Board’s approval. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to accept the additional grant funds, which will result in the Library not purchasing equipment to create interactive story time programs at all 37 Library branches.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended amendment is retroactive, as the grant award notice was received on December 11, 2018 with an effective date of January 1, 2019. The Department is bringing the item before your Board within the agenda item processing deadlines.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The additional Libraries Illuminated grant funds in the amount of $4,944 will be used to purchase virtual reality equipment for interactive story time programs. The grant requires a 25% in-kind match. For FY 2018-19, the Library will meet this requirement with an in-kind contribution of staff costs.
The third recommended action will increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the Library Grants Org 7517 for FY 2018-19 in the amount of $4,944. The Library has received the $4,944 in grant funds and plans to expend the funds in early March 2019 upon your Board’s approval. Sufficient appropriations for in-kind staff costs are included in the Library’s Org 7511 FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Library is the direct recipient of a Libraries Illuminated grant from the SCLC that provides digital technology and equipment to the Library for digital and early literacy programs. SCLC is a consortium of 39 independent city, county, and special district public libraries which have agreed to cooperate in providing library services to the residents of all participating jurisdictions. SCLC is administering the Libraries Illuminated grant on behalf of the California State Library. The Libraries Illuminated grant is funded with a California Library Services Act allocation. The Libraries Illuminated project helps California public libraries make software and hardware improvements to maximize benefits to patrons as they access new high-speed broadband connections and utilize non-broadband internet connections. The project goals are to support the development of innovative and creative programs and services for all ages, address the needs of libraries in underserved communities, and provide a variety of programming and service models for the library community to learn from and replicate.
On January 23, 2018, your Board approved a grant agreement with SCLC for the Libraries Illuminated project ($30,000). In February 2018, the Library began providing story time literacy activities using iPads and other digital equipment funded with the Libraries Illuminated grant award.
In early November 2018, the California State Library notified the Library that additional funding was available, with an application deadline of November 19, 2018. The Library applied for this funding by the due date and received a notice of awarded funding on December 11, 2018, in the amount of $4,944 from the California State Library. The second recommended action ratifies the Librarian’s previous signature on the grant application/amendment, which the Librarian signed in order to meet the grant application deadline. It should be noted, the Department is currently working on internal processes in order to bring grant application/agreements to your Board in a timely manner.
The application for additional funding will become Amendment I to Agreement No. 18-036 upon your Board’s approval. The Library received the grant check from SCLC on January 7, 2019, and upon your Board’s approval, the Library will deposit the check and use the funds to purchase virtual reality equipment and begin virtual reality story time activities for children and families in March 2019. Initially, the Library will provide virtual reality services at the Kerman Branch Library, and over subsequent months expand to other locations throughout Fresno County. The Kerman Branch Library was selected for the initial installation of virtual reality services due to the educational and literacy needs among children and families in the area.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #44, January 23, 2018
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment I to Agreement with SCLC
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 7517)
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck