City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: APRIL 25, 2023 FROM: LIBRARY DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION FOR A GRANT APPLICATION, AND RECEIPT OF A LIBRARY INNOVATION LAB GRANT AWARD, FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY CALIFORNIA HUMANITIES PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,500 - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Authorization of a grant application, and receipt of a Library Innovation Lab grant award, from the California State Library California Humanities Program in the amount of $5,500 and approve a supplemental appropriation in the amount of the grant.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize a grant application for the Library Innovation Lab in the amount of $5,500, or the actual grant award, by the California State Library California Humanities Program for the Library Department to provide a Library Innovation Lab; With at least five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and an appropriation in the amount of $5,500, or the actual grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Library Innovation Lab Grant revenue and expenditure accounts; and Authorize the Library Director, or designee, to execute grant documents with the California State Library California Humanities Program, including making minor and non-substantive changes to documents associated with the grant as necessary.
BACKGROUND:
The Riverside Public Library actively pursues grant funding as an alternative funding source and/or supplement to City funds to enable the purchase of library materials to enhance its collection for use by the public. Grants offer valuable, unique opportunities for local jurisdictions to compete for funding sources available through, State, Federal, or other agencies to assist in covering the costs of select projects.
DISCUSSION:
On February 15, 2023, the Riverside Public Library was awarded a Library Innovation Lab Grant for a total of $5,500 from the California Humanities Program through the National Endowment of the Humanities, and the California State Library. As part of the grant, Orange Terrace Library Supervisor and Librarian Hayden Birkett will participate in a learning cohort with nine other library employees from across California. She will receive training on how to implement this year’s theme “Exploring New Ways of Engaging Immigrant Communities”. As part of the training, Ms. Birkett will design and deliver a program related to the above theme with the funds provided.
The grant period is March 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
In accordance with the City Grant Administration Policy 01.006.00, the Department Director evaluated the award to determine the benefit to the customers of the City’s Library, long and short-term financial implications, feasibility and compatibility with existing City priorities/goals and services and determined the community and City would benefit from accepting this grant.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The item presented in this report contributes to Strategic Priority No. 1 Arts, Culture & Recreation and Goal 1.1 - Strengthen Riverside’s portfolio of arts, culture, recreation, senior and lifelong learning programs and amenities through expanded community partnerships, shared use opportunities and fund development.
The item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust - This item aligns with Community Trust by minimizing the expenditure of City funds through community partnership and involving the members of the community to encourage or enhance communication.
Equity - This item aligns with Equity by facilitating equitable distribution of services to every member of the community.
Fiscal Responsibility - This item aligns with Fiscal Responsibility as the community would benefit by accepting this award with no financial implications to the City other than in-kind contributions of staff time.
Innovation - This item aligns with Innovation by continuing partnership with the California State Library.
Sustainability & Resiliency - This item aligns with Sustainability & Resiliency by potentially providing fund development opportunity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $5,500, or the amount of the grant award. Upon City Council approval and grant award receipt, an increase in revenue and an appropriation in the amount of $5,500, or in the amount of the grant award, will be recorded in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Library Innovation Lab, revenue account 9348300-334100 and appropriate an equal amount in expenditure account 9348300-440210. No City match of funds are required.
Prepared by: Erin Christmas, Library Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment:
Award Letter
Grant Agreement
CSL Library Innovation Lab Grant ● Page 3