DATE: October 7, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Community Services Department
2026-061
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY DIGITAL LITERACY GRANT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to accept and appropriate the California State Library LSTA Digital Literacy and Access-Corona Public Library project. The total award for the Fiscal Year 2027 is $20,000 for digital literacy, equitable access, and technologybased learning programming.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Accept grant funding from the California State Library’s federal LSTA funds awarded in the amount of $20,000 for the Digital Literacy and Access-Corona Public Library project.
b. Authorize an appropriation and estimated revenue increase in the amount of $20,000 to the Community Services Department’s grant budget within the LibraryOther Grants Fund (FD_1415) for the Corona Public Library Digital Literacy and Access-Corona Public Library project.
c. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to adjust the budget accordingly if the grantor distributes additional funds to grant participants.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The California State Library administers federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds to support digital literacy, equitable access, and technology-based learning programs in public libraries throughout the state. For the 2026-2027 funding cycle, the Corona Public Library was awarded $20,000 under the LSTA Digital Literacy and Access program.
This grant opportunity is designed to expand access to digital skills training, strengthen community digital inclusion initiatives, and improve technology resources that support lifelong learning through free computer classes. The Corona Public Library submitted a proposal outlining local needs related to digital literacy, with a focus on underserved community members who would benefit from enhanced technology access and instruction.
ANALYSIS:
The awarded grant funds will allow the Corona Public Library to enhance the number of computer literacy classes by working with contract staff and CNUSD Adult School instructors. As well as expanding the Library’s digital literacy book collection.
Planned project expenditures include:
• Three contract staff to teach a total of 139 hours in computer classes • Classroom supplies for 200 students
• Digital literacy curriculum and training materials
• To expand the digital literacy checkout collection by purchasing approximately 70 textbooks and guides covering computer basics, internet navigation, email, safe online transactions, Windows OS, macOS, Microsoft Office applications, and test preparation
• Outreach to promote community participation
• Program evaluation and reporting requirements associated with the grant The grant carries no local match requirement, and all funds must be expended in accordance with the City’s approved budget by June 30, 2027.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation and estimated revenue increase in the amount of $20,000 for the LSTA Digital Literacy and AccessCorona Public Library project to the Community Services Department’s grant budget within the Library-Other Grants Fund (FD_1415).
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action is a financial transaction between the California State Library and the City of Corona, and there is no possibility that adopting this resolution will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: KATHERINE BACKUS, MANAGEMENT ANALYST I
REVIEWED BY: REBEKAH KRAMER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER / INTERIM
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Grant Approval Letter