FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 7, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Library Director
SUBJECT: RECEIPT OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CAUFORNIA STATE LIBRARY
THROUGH THE BLACK GOLD COOPERATIVE LIBRARY SYSTEM FOR THE
STRONGER TOGETHER EARLY LEARNING HUB GRANT PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution approving the receipt of grant funds from the California State Library through the Black Gold Cooperative Library System for the Stronger Together Early Leaming Hub Grant project.
BACKGROUND:
The intent of the Black Gold Stronger Together Early Leaming Hub Grant is to establish a partnership with the Children's Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara County (CRRSBC) location in Santa Maria to connect, engage, and support families in early learning enrichment, in both Spanish and English. Families will gain increased access to services, additional enrichment opportunities, and another safe space to connect and grow together.
DISCUSSION:
The Santa Maria Public Library (SMPL) applied for funding from the Black Gold Cooperative Library System, which awarded the library with a $225,000 local assistance grant. Creating an Early Leaming Hub Library at the CRRSBC will expand library services, connect families with important resources, information, and provide early literacy support. The Early Leaming Hub Library will be a safe and comfortable space for families with books, early teaming tools, technology, parenting classes, story times, and other engagement opportunities.
This Early Leaming Hub Library will also embed the SMPL further into the community and expand the reach of library work into established community spaces. The CRRSBC is a trusted community resource, which will provide more opportunities for families that may not be current Library users to access library services outside of the Library building. To gauge public interest, families utilizing the CRRSBC will participate in surveys and polls to determine if available services increased their awareness of library resources and helped them connect to the community.
Equity will be the foundation of the design of this space to ensure it serves the needs of all families in a manner that is supportive, educational, engaging, and resourceful. The collection, fumiture, technology, and supplies will be reviewed by teams from the SMPL and CRRSBC to ensure they will serve a diverse group of families in multiple ways. Collection items will be multi-
lingual and include Vox Books which support early literacy with a built-in audio component, supporting auditory and visual literacy skills, along with providing more tools to read together.
Furniture will be easily cleaned, adjustable, and have multiple options for families. Programming will be in English and Spanish to serve families who have different comfort levels in the languages most spoken in Santa Maria.
Altematives
An alternative would be to decline the grant and lose valuable funding and expanded resources for the community. The SMPL often relies on grants to begin new and enhance existing community programs.
Fiscal Considerations
For the sustainment of the Early Leaming Hub Library, the SMPL and CRRSBC have plans to support the new location over several years. After the grant period ends, the SMPL will institute the use of like -new donations, seek further grant funding, and utilize available monetary and item donations to sustain the collection and technology. The SMPL will commit staff time monthly to provide story time and engagement opportunities for families and will arrange the Bookmobile for onsite visits every quarter. The CRRSBC team will continue to maintain the collection, supplies, and technology as needed, and continue to communicate with SMPL regarding needs, changes, updates, and replacement requests. The CRRSBC will also consider receiving donations to improve, support, and enhance the offerings, services, resources, and collection.
Impact to the Community
This partnership is a culmination and collaboration between the SMPL and CRRSBC to expand and build upon the literacy and community connections which have been established by both organizations. Building upon ongoing work, community connections, and skills of the teams, the Early Learning Hub Library will enhance the foundation of programming, collection, supplies, support, and technology that is currently in place to support and engage families in early learning and literacy growth culminating in a greater positive collective impact.
DAWN JACKSON
Library Director