DATE: January 18, 2022
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Library Services
SUBJECT: Adopt Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $238,130.94 from the Federal Communications Commission Emergency Connectivity Fund to Purchase Eligible Equipment and Services.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council approves the attached resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to accept and appropriate $238,130.94 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) to purchase eligible equipment and services.
SUMMARY
Hayward Public Library (HPL) is the lead community organization providing Hayward residents with free access to internet and computing devices. This supports HPL’s mission to assist Hayward residents in the economic recovery process, as Hayward residents are still in need of internet access and computing devices to continue distance learning, working from home, seeking employment, and accessing educational resources.
To help fund the purchase of additional internet access and computing devices to help meet this need, the Library applied for funding through the FCC’s ECF and was awarded $238,130.94 in funding for this fiscal year. This funding can be used to purchase eligible equipment and services through the ECF.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
With the shift to distance learning during the COVID pandemic, City facilities, and community centers offered access to internet and computing devices to help Hayward residents and students in need of access to technology to connect to virtual classrooms and to support their educational needs. In collaboration with key community stakeholders such as Hayward Unified School District (HUSD), California State University East Bay (CSUEB), and Chabot Community College, HPL was able to determine that many families still lacked access to technology—specifically internet access and computer access.
The FCC's ECF is a $7.17 billion program that was created to help schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. ECF is intended to provide relief to students, school staff, and library patrons and help close the Homework Gap for students who lack necessary internet access or the devices they need to support their schoolwork. To assist in closing the digital divide, HPL applied to the FCC’s ECF for assistance, and was awarded $238,130.94 in funding to purchase eligible equipment and services through the ECF.
With the high need in Hayward, HPL was able to work with HUSD leadership to determine the extent of the gap, and which students still needed access to technology. A cross collaborative team, comprised of HUSD’s Feeder Director and Director of IT Support as well as HPL staff, was able to create a list of every student, and what their technology needs are so that students receiving technology resources, such as hotspots and Chromebooks from the Library would not be receiving duplicate resources from other partner agencies. HPL’s Education Services division, in coordination with HUSD, created a detailed Tech Lending Library check-out process. Students at specific school sites can check-out hotspots and Chromebooks for up to one year. Pipelines for student distribution are currently working successfully. To date, 684 devices are available to HUSD students and adult literacy learners who are in need of technology or access to Wi-Fi.
Additionally, HPL will be utilizing stimulus funding to further grow the Tech Lending Library and open it up to serve the greater Hayward community.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item aligns with the Support Quality of Life priority in the City’s Strategic Roadmap.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no adverse impact to the General Fund from accepting these funds.
Prepared by: Brad Olson, Management Analyst II
Recommended by: Jayanti Addleman, Director of Library Services Approved by:
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Kelly McAdoo, City Manager