City Council Memorandum
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
DATE: MAY 5, 2026
FROM:
RIVERSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY
WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF BLOCK GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $49,288 FROM CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY FOR ADULT AND FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH RIVERSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Approve the acceptance of block grant funds from the California State Library for adult and family literacy programs for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 in the amount of $44,359 plus a final estimated installment amount of approximately $4,929 based on a per capita of literacy program learners served combined with a match of local funds raised and expended on the program during the previous year, for a total acceptance amount of approximately $49,288. The actual award may vary based on the final estimated installment amount as determined by the grantor.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the acceptance of block grant funds from the California State Library for adult and family literacy programs for FY 2025/2026 in the amount of $44,359, plus an estimated final installment amount of $4,929, based on the per capita of literacy program learners served combined with a match of local funds raised and expended on the Adult and Family Literacy Program during the previous year, for a total of $49,288, or in the amount of the actual award; With five at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer or designee, upon receipt of the grant award, record an increase in revenue and appropriation of expenditures in the amount of $49,288, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund – California State Library Literacy 2025/2026 Program and Family Literacy 2025/2026 Program; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all grant documents including making minor and non-substantive changes as needed.
BACKGROUND:
Riverside Public Library’s Adult Literacy Program trains volunteers to provide independent learning opportunities to adults in the Riverside community who want to improve their reading, writing and technology skills through one-on-one and group tutoring. The literacy program changes lives through enhancement of skills that lead to self-sufficiency.
The State budget contains funding at $4.82 million for adult literacy services and $2.5 million for family literacy services administered by the California State Library.
The California State Library for Family Literacy Program funds support adult learner-centered strengths-based family literacy services that are grounded in California Library Literacy Services values and supported by strong coordination between the California Library Literacy Services program, library administration, and other library staff, as well as external partnerships with other organizations serving families and children.
The funds are intended to support family literacy services for English-speaking adults with low literacy skills and their families.
DISCUSSION:
The Riverside Public Library submitted a grant application to the California State Library for a California Library Literacy Services grant for the Adult and Family Literacy Programs.
On September 16, 2025, the California State Library approved the Library’s grant application and awarded a first installment of $44,359. The final estimated payment installment of $4,929 is based on a per capita amount of literacy learners served during the prior year, combined with a match of the amount of local funds raised and expended on the literacy program in the prior year by the library jurisdiction.
Funds must be encumbered by June 30, 2026, and fully expended by September 30, 2026. Encumbered funds are those that have been deposited in the designated account and for which a budget has been provided to and approved by the State Library. The award will be claimed in two stages. The claim form included in the award packet will allow the Library to request the first 90% or $44,359 of the total award ($49,288). The final 10% payment of the total award is $4,929.
The total allocation is identified in the following table.
Total Award
Initial Award Claim Payment
$44,359
Estimated Final Award Payment
*$4,929
Total (Estimated)
$49,288
*Estimated based on a per capita amount of literacy learners served during the prior year combined with a match of the amount of local funds raised and expended on the literacy program in the prior year by the library jurisdiction.
The California State Library and California Library Literacy Services have not yet determined what the full amount of the final installment will be for fiscal year 2025/2026. Once the attached claim form is signed and reports are submitted to the State Library, final payment will be made to the Riverside Public Library. Grant funds will be used for materials in support of tutors and learners in the program.
In accordance with the City Grant Administration Policy 01.006.00, the Library 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 by accepting this award. The City Council’s role and responsibility is to approve acceptance and appropriation of funds for all grant awards.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated fiscal impact of this action is increase in revenue and expenditures of approximately $49,288, or the actual amount of the grant award. All required matching funds for FY 2025/2026 are provided through in-kind contributions of staff time and are included in the Library’s operating budget as part of its regular programming. The total grant award may vary based on an estimated final installment amount as determined by the California State Library.
Upon Council approval and grant award, the below amounts will be recorded and appropriated in the Funds & Programs as listed in the following table:
Fund
Program
Account
Amount
Revenue
Grant & Restricted Programs
CA Library Literacy 25/26
9355800-334100
$26,338
Family Literacy 25/26
9355900-334100
$22,950
Total Revenue:
$49,288
Expenditures
Grant & Restricted Programs
CA Library Literacy 25/26
9355800-440210
$8,061
9355800-426800
$18,277
Family Literacy 25/26
9355900-440210
$13,400
9355900-426800
$9,550
Total Expenditures:
$49,288
Prepared by: Jorge Rocha, Principal Management Analyst
Approved by: Erin Christmas, Library Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Interim Finance Director Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment:
Award Letter
Agreement
California State Library Grant Award ● Page 2California State Library Grant Award ● Page 2 California State Library Grant Award ● Page 2
California State Library Grant Award ● Page 2