Title
a. Approve and authorize the Library Director to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Zef Global for a term of three years, for assistance with the Literacy Program; and
b. Approve and authorize the Library Director to sign up to two one-year extensions.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Library Director to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Zef Global for a term of three years, for assistance with the Literacy Program; and
b. Approve and authorize the Library Director to sign up to two one-year extensions.
SUMMARY:
Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) and non-profit Zef Global request to enter into an MOU for work in the Literacy program.
DISCUSSION:
MCFL operates a robust program for Adult Literacy. This is a long-standing service that teaches reading skills to adults, supports those adult learners though Families for Literacy, and assists adults learning reading and speaking skills in English. The program is staffed with two full-time employees, and supported through grants from the California State Library, and the operating budget of MCFL. Individual volunteers act as reading tutors. The Literacy program is a valuable part of MCFL’s services to communities, and results in changes to learning, families, and lives.
The grant funding that has supported the English learning program is sunsetting, and the Literacy funding as a whole has been constrained through loss of federal funding that also supported elements of this service, such as software and training. MCFL has worked to find ways to keep the services going through funding uncertainty.
Zef Global approached MCFL to offer assistance with an element of service, the Conversation Clubs. These are led and directed events in library facilities, where a trained facilitator leads conversations, highlighting the use of written and spoken language, encouraging participation, and providing pos...
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