Life Enrichment Committee
September 26, 2023
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Jestin D. Johnson FROM: Jamie Turbak
City Administrator Director of Library Services
SUBJECT: eBooks for All Grant from California
State Library
DATE: August 25, 2023
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To Apply For And Accept A Grant From The California State Library, Pursuant To The Library Services And Technology Act (LSTA), In The Amount Of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000); And Appropriating Said Funds For The Purchase Of Ebooks And Eaudiobooks.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Oakland Public Library depends on donations from individuals and organizations to fund library programs, services, and other needs that cannot be funded through the City of Oakland’s budget. The proposed resolution authorizes the City Administrator to apply for grant funding from the State of California Library, Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and accept and appropriate said grant funds in an amount up to $60,000 to be used for the purchase of eBooks and eAudiobooks.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The California State Library, in partnership with the Black Gold Cooperative Library System, has launched eBooks for All California. Created to equalize access across California, this statewide collection can be accessed by anyone with a California public library card and an internet connection.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
The Oakland Public Library (OPL) will use this grant and our matching funds to purchase a diverse selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks appealing to patrons of all ages and many interests. This advances the Citywide priority of responsive, trustworthy government by recognizing and responding to the diverse needs of our local community and, through the partnership with the State Library, bolstering the trust of patrons that libraries will continue to provide materials that are culturally relevant and desirable.
Sep 14, 2023
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: eBooks for All Grant from California State Library Date: August 25, 2023 Page 2
Life Enrichment Committee
September 26, 2023
Two OPL selectors with expertise in Latinx and African American history, culture, and literature will purchase the titles for this project to ensure that these materials meet the needs of our diverse community.
OPL will then share these resources with library patrons throughout California, thanks to the new statewide collection made possible by this project.
OPL anticipates this project will significantly expand patron access to eBooks and eAudiobooks.
It will increase the number of titles available to OPL patrons and expose OPL's new selections to library patrons throughout the state.
The statewide collection’s focus on shared, cooperative lending of diverse titles will appeal to OPL staff and patrons. OPL is excited to participate in this initiative as it reflects and furthers our organizational goals of diversity, equity, responsive service, and adaptability.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed resolution authorizes acceptance and appropriation of $60,000 in grant funds.
Said grant funds will be appropriated to Grant Fund(s) to be determined, Materials Unit Organization (61141), Project to be determined.
Per the grant requirements, the City of Oakland must provide $10,000 in matching funds for the eBooks for All grant. These funds are available in Measure Q-Library Services Retention & Enhancement Fund (2241), Materials Unit Organization (61141), DP610 Administrative Project (1000013).
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
No outreach was deemed necessary for the proposed policy action beyond the standard City Council agenda noticing procedures, because this is for the acceptance of a grant which will benefit all patrons of the Oakland Public Library and the community.
COORDINATION
This report and legislation have been reviewed by the Budget Bureau and Office of the City Attorney.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: No economic opportunities have been identified.
Environmental: No environmental opportunities have been identified.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: eBooks for All Grant from California State Library Date: August 25, 2023 Page 3
Life Enrichment Committee
September 26, 2023
Race & Equity: Two OPL selectors with expertise in Latinx and African American history, culture, and literature will purchase the titles for this project to ensure that these materials meet the needs of our diverse community.
Current standards of library service include access to a wide variety of electronic resources.
This project will help OPL meet patron needs and expectations with a large and diverse collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks. It should decrease wait times for certain items and help patrons find titles they might otherwise not have discovered.
OPL serves a diverse community of more than 430,000 people – 28% white, 27% Hispanic or Latinx, 20% Black or African American, 16% Asian, and 7% two or more races – and more than 28% of Oakland residents were born outside the U.S. This diversity is a huge asset as OPL strives to build a digital collection that celebrates the identities and cultures of our community, and it likewise reflects our greatest need: library materials that meet the diverse needs and interests of Oakland.
ACTION RE QUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To Apply For And Accept A Grant From The California State Library, Pursuant To The Library Services And Technology Act (LTSA), In The Amount Of $60,000; And Appropriating Said Funds For The Purchase Of eBooks And eAudiobooks.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, at (510) 238-6610.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMIE TURBAK
Director of Library Services
Prepared by:
Kere Gonzales, Executive Assistant
Oakland Public Library