Title
a. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Loaves, Fishes and Computers (LFC), a non-profit corporation, and Monterey County, acting through Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL), to provide a basic computer skills class and a free computer to low-income adults to bridge the digital divide and increase access to the World Wide Web, for the period of April 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022.
b. Authorize the Library Director, or her Designee, to sign the MOU on behalf of the County.
c. Authorize the Library Director, or her Designee, to execute a maximum of five (5) amendments to the MOU, subject to County Counsel review, extending the term by one (1) year each, so long as the amendments do not significantly alter the terms of the MOU.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Loaves, Fishes and Computers (LFC), a non-profit corporation, and Monterey County, acting through Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL), to provide a basic computer skills class and a free computer to low-income adults to bridge the digital divide and to increase access to the World Wide Web, for the period of April 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022:
b. Authorize the Library Director, or her Designee, to sign the MOU on behalf of the County:
c. Authorize the Library Director, or her Designee, to execute a maximum of five (5) amendments to the MOU, subject to County Counsel review, extending the term by one (1) year each, so long as the amendments do not significantly alter the terms of the MOU.
SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION:
The mission of MCFL is to bring ideas, inspiration, information and enjoyment to Monterey County communities. MCFL is a network of information centers serving the diverse communities of Monterey County by offering opportunities for all to succeed. Communities served range from Big Sur to Pajaro and throughout the Salinas Valley to Bradley and Parkfield.
LFC’s mission is to overcome the digital and economic divides by providing low-cost or no-cost computer systems, technology assistance, and computer repair to low-income families, seniors,
veterans, people with disabilities, and non-profit organizations, while providing volunteers a place to learn, share, and grow in the field of computer science and information technology.
The purpose of the MOU is to clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of each party as they relate to computer classes and equipment to be provided to underserved community members. The MCFL will advertise the availability of this offering. LFC will provide basic computer skills curricula to MCFL staff who, in turn, will provide instruction to adults who meet specified low-income criteria. Each course consists of a 2-hour class for 10 weeks, offered at MCFL branch libraries. MCFL staff will verify attendance and completion of the course, after which LFC will provide participants with a free, refurbished Chromebook, accompanied by a 30-day guarantee on hardware and 30-days of free technical assistance.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed the MOU as to form. Risk has approved the insurance and indemnification provisions.
FINANCING:
Initially, LFC will provide 20 refurbished Chromebooks computers-10 Chromebooks for MCFL to keep and rotate among library branches to teach the computer classes and 10 Chromebooks vouchers for equipment to be given to the initial participants who graduate from the first course of computer classes. There will be no additional cost to MCFL through the implementation of this MOU. There is no impact on the County General Fund associated with this MOU.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This inter-agency collaboration will benefit to local residents by giving them the opportunities to grow their job skills, work towards economic independence, and help build the employment pool in Monterey County.
x Economic Development
_ Administration
x Health & Human Services
_ Public Safety
Prepared by: Kris Amaral, Managing Librarian, MCFL, (831) 883-7564
Approved by: Jayanti Addleman, Library Director, (831) 883-7573.
Attachments:
Memorandum of Understanding between Loaves, Fishes, and Computers and Monterey County Free Libraries