CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
STAFF REPORT
Nov
ember 17, 2025
To: City
Council
From: Offi
ce of the City Manager
Luis Garibay, Assistant City Manager
Subje
ct: Authorization to Accept Funding from the California State Library’s California Library Literacy Services Grant Program for Adult Literacy Services at the Simi Valley Public Library
Staff Recommendation
It
is recommended that the City Council authorize the acceptance of a $46,430 California Library Literacy Services grant (Attachment A) and a $19,895 English as a Second Language grant (Attachment B) awarded from the California State Library for Adult Literacy Services (ALS) at the Simi Valley Public Library (Library).
Background
In N
ovember 2022, the Board of Trustees (City Council) adopted the Library’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan. In May 2023, the City Council approved an amendment to the contract with Library Systems & Services (LS&S), LLC . for enhanced Library services to include the addition of in-house Adult Literacy Services. On behalf of the City, LS&S applied for grant funding from the California State Library to offset the cost of the program and received confirmation of award on September 11, 2023. The Library was selected for its commitment to serving the literacy needs in the community and demonstrating its promising sustainability. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26, the Library was awarded $46,430 for California Library Literacy Services and $ 19,895 for English as a Second Language, for a combined total of $66,325. In anticipation of receiving these grants, funding was included as part of the annual budget process.
Discussion
The 20
23-2027 Library’s Strategic Plan was developed after an extensive community engagement campaign and analysis of the statistics and trends from annual reporting.
The Plan was subsequently adopted by the City Council in November 2022. In May 2023, the City Council approved an amendment to the contract with LS&S for ALS, which included the addition of a LS&S part -time Literacy Coordinator/Instructor (0.5 full -time employee equivalent). The Coordinator/Instructor is solely dedicated to literacy services, which also includes English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction for adults. Their responsibilities include training volunteer tutors, assessing the literacy needs of the learner and matching them with the appropriate tutor, assessing progress, collecting data and keeping records, facilitating learning programs and social events, ordering materials
AGENDA I
TEM NO.
Consent (6)
and supplies, processing of background checks for volunteers, and establishing contacts with other organizations to identify partnership opportunities for providing services. Per the amendment, the City’s total annual cost for Adult Literacy Services is $33,400.
LS&S has experience operating established Literacy Services programs with other California Libraries, which are currently receiving full or partial State Grant funding. In order to be eligible to receive grant funding, LS&S joined the California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) program, a regional literacy network, which mandates that the Library meet CLLS Mission, Values, and Program Essentials and reporting requirements. As a result of LS&S ’s commitment to serve the literacy needs in the community, the Library was awarded funding from CLLS for both adult literacy and English as a Second Language. The grant award for adult literacy amounted to $46,430 for FY 2025- 26. As the adult literacy grant cycle awards funds based upon a four-year cycle, LS&S will have to apply annually to receive additional funding in future years. Additionally, the Library was awarded $19,895 this fiscal year for ESL instruction.
Staff is recommending that the City Council authoriz e the acceptance of a $46,430 California Library Literacy Services and $19,895 English as a Second Language grant award from the California State Library for Adult Literacy Services at the Simi Valley Public Library.
Financial Impact
Funding for this action was included in the FY 2025- 26 Library Services budget (Fund 250), approved by the City Council on June 9, 2025. No appropriation is required.
City Council Priority
This item supports the Excellent City Government, Fiscal Stability, and Thriving Community Pillars of Excellence.
Suggested Motion
I move to authorize the acceptance of a $46,430 California Library Literacy Services and $19,895 English as a Second Language grant award from the California State Library for Adult Literacy Services at the Simi Valley Public Library.
Summary
In November 2022, the Board of Trustees (City Council) adopted the Library’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan. In May 2023, the City Council approved an amendment to the contract with Library Systems & Services (LS&S), LLC. for enhanced Library services to includ e the addition of in-house Adult Literacy Services. On behalf of the City, LS&S applied for grant funding to offset the program ’s cost through the California State Library and received confirmation on September 11, 2023, that they were successful. The Li brary was selected for its commitment to serving the literacy needs in the community and demonstrating its promising sustainability. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26, the Library was awarded $46,430 for California Library Literacy Services and $1 9,895 for English as a 2 Second Language, for a combined total of $66,325. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the acceptance of a $46,430 California Library Literacy Services and $19,895 English as a Sec ond Language grant award from the California State Library for Adult Literacy Services at the Simi Valley Public Library.
Prepared by: Jessica Frates, Management Assistant
Attachments
Attachment A – California Library Literacy Services Grant Award Attachment B – English as a Second Language Grant Award 3 Attachment A
4 5
Attachment B
6 7