TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary amendments, with the California State Library, to accept and expend grant funding in the amount of $105,863 for an Adult and Family Literacy Services Program, for a period of one year, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the Library Services Department by $105,863, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Library Services Department’s (Library) Literacy Services grant application to the California State Library was approved. The Library was awarded grant funding for adult literacy in the amount of $74,363 and $31,500 for family literacy for the grant period ending December 31, 2022. With this funding, the Library will be able to continue the LB Reads adult and family literacy services program in FY 22 with a full-time literacy program coordinator. As long as this literacy program continues to meet California State Library program rules and reporting requirements, the Library will be eligible for ongoing funding. When the grant is no longer funded, the literacy program coordinator position will either be absorbed, if funding allows, or terminated.
Adult and family literacy programs match adult learners with library literacy tutors to assist with reading, writing, and conversation skills. Adult learners with pre-K children would also receive family literacy services, including instruction on how to read to children, how to select appropriate books on particular topics, storytelling, word games, and other exercises to promote reading enjoyment.
Currently, there are few program resources for adults with low-literacy levels in Long Beach, and recent data indicates that nearly 33 percent of Los Angeles County adults lack basic prose literacy skills. There is a great need citywide for such services, as literacy levels have a...
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