Title
a. Approve and authorize the Library Director or designee to accept a grant from the California State Library for $58,069 to provide Adult Literacy and Families for Literacy services; and
b. Approve and authorize the Library Director or designee to accept non-standard elements of the grant award agreement; and
c. Approve and authorize the Library Director or designee to accept up to two (2) amendments or increases in this grant award that do not substantially change terms and conditions or increase the grant award more than 20% ($11,614) for a total not to exceed $69,683
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Library Director or designee to accept a grant from the California State Library for $58,069 to provide Adult Literacy and Families for Literacy services; and
b. Approve and authorize the Library Director or designee to accept non-standard elements of the grant award agreement; and
c. Approve and authorize the Library Director or designee to accept up to two amendments or increases in this grant award that do not substantially change terms and conditions or increase the grant award more than 20% ($11,614) for a total not to exceed $69,683
SUMMARY:
Monterey County Free Libraries has been awarded a grant from the California State Library to continue provision of Adult Literacy and Families for Literacy services.
DISCUSSION:
MCFL provides services for adults to build and enhance reading skills through group events, recruitment and training of individual tutors, and maintaining specific literacy focused materials in the library collections. This fundamental program is managed by a Librarian II and Library Assistant II who focus on Literacy programs, collections, and services systemwide, working with individual branch libraries and tutors to match learners to the resources needed. The program is supported through grants from the California Library Literacy Service (CLLS), donations from the Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries, and the MCFL’s operational budget.
Additional support for California’s Adult Literacy initiatives comes from the federal Institution of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), via Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants to the California State Library, and the staffing of the California State Library. This multi-layered system of support allows public libraries to offer the chance to read and succeed at any age.
In FY 2025-26, a separate five-year grant for English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction ended, so MCFL planned to sunset some efforts and continue others from the operational budget while seeking additional grants and philanthropy. As part of the final California budget, negotiated and approved in late June, the California Legislature has directed that the enabling legislation for the CLLS does include support for English Language Acquisition, a change in the interpretation of the funding intent.
The California State Library has directed CLLS programs to proceed with the planned programs as described in the current application, and the opportunity to revise the application and plans to include ESL programs will be developed. There will be no additional funds, just the opportunity to revise the grant-funded programs to include ESL elements. The details are yet to be determined.
MCFL Literacy staff and Library Administration will analyze the grant program, other funding options, and the impacts of potential changes, and determine next course to apply to the California State Library to alter parameters of this grant. The parameters would likely be an alteration to data gathered or programs supported, not to the overall grant award or conditions for accepting the grant award.
This CLLS grant supports MCFL in providing Adult Literacy and Families for Literacy programs, directly supporting a portion of staff time, materials for tutors and events, literacy collections, and ongoing recruitment and training of volunteer tutors.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
County Counsel has reviewed as to form.
FINANCING:
Adult Literacy services are a standard part of MCFL’s services to the public, and the Department’s operational budget anticipated this grant award, so no additional appropriations are necessary.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Ongoing learning and support for the public to succeed in all walks of life.
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Jennifer Hansen, Administrative Services Officer, x7569
Approved by: Hillary Theyer, Library Director, x7566
Attachment:
Literacy Grant Award Packet 2026