TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Darren Jeffery, Deputy Library Services Director
DATE:May 7, 2024
SUBJECT: Lunch at the Library Summer 2024 Grant
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize acceptance of the California State Library “Lunch at the Library” Summer 2024 Grant of $11,653 to provide enrichment pop-up programming at six summer meal sites.
2. Approve budget appropriation and expenditure in FY 2024-25 in the amount of $11,653 from A/C #110-0000-435-9900 (Other Revenue from State, Other Reimbursements) to A/C #110-7010-673-6930 (LL 2024, Library, Other Services, Special Programs).
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$11,653 Increase to FY 2024-25 Library Fund Budget, Fully Offset by Grant Revenue. The cost of the “Lunch at the Library” Summer 2024 program is entirely offset by the $11,653 grant from the California State Library.
BACKGROUND:
The "Lunch at the Library" program was initiated by the California State Library in partnership with the State of California, the California Library Association, and the California Summer Meal Coalition, with support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The program was established in 2013 to provide healthy meals and educational opportunities to children from low-income communities in California during the summer months. The Thousand Oaks Library has been participating in this program since 2019. In January 2024, Library staff applied for and received "Lunch at the Library" funds that were made available to all California public libraries interested in outreach initiatives (Attachment #1). During the summer of 2023, Library staff made 24 material deliveries to six meal sites, including four Many Mansions summer meal sites, serving 240 children in the City.
Lunch at the Library Summer 2024 Grant
May 7, 2024
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Low-income families often face challenges in meeting the basic needs of their children and teens during summer break. The summer months can often lead to limited access to healthy food and learning opportunities, making it difficult for children to stay nourished and engaged. The “Lunch at the Library” program is aimed at helping the children of California stay healthy and engaged while school is out.
The grant funds are intended to be used exclusively for the purpose of supporting, expanding, and enhancing the "Lunch at the Library" program either at the library or in the form of youth development programming as a part of a summer meal program, and/or pop-up library at a summer meal partner community site. The Thousand Oaks Library will provide pop-up library programs that will include educational enrichment presentations and offer books suitable for different reading levels and ages to support library literacy services. These programs will allow children to create home libraries.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
A. Create a more equitable, accessible, safe, welcoming, and inclusive government and community regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, language, education, and/or socio-economic status.
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
G. Continue City's commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts, Youth and Senior Programs).
H. Participate in public-private and multi-jurisdictional opportunities to ensure residents have access to high levels of parks, recreation, education and leisure programs and services.
PREPARED BY: Tracey Stockton, Office Supervisor
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Grant Award Letter
LIB:950-35\ts\H:\Common\Administration\StaffReports\05072024\LunchattheLibrarySummer2024Grant.doc