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 $81,400, for the Khmer Cataloging Project, for the period of July 30, 2021 through June 30, 2022; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the Library Services Department by $81,400, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Library Services Department was selected as a recipient of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant funding, administered by the California State Library, to implement the Khmer Cataloging Project. This is the second phase of this project. Phase one was funded by a similar LSTA grant. This grant will fund fluent Khmer-English translators to translate and catalog approximately 2,500 items in the Khmer-language collection at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, enhancing Khmer material accessibility for library patrons.
The goal of this project is to add Khmer-script records for approximately 2,500 Khmer-language books to the Library’s online catalog. With Long Beach being home to the largest population of Cambodians outside of Cambodia, this project increases access to the online catalog for Khmer-reading patrons and supports the City’s Language Access Policy.
The Long Beach Public Library houses the largest Khmer-language collection of any public library in the United States. Cataloging this collection further promotes diversity, culture, reading, literacy, and language skills.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on August 4, 2021 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on August 5, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 24, 2021, to receive and expend grant funding by June 30, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding in the amount of $81,400 for Khmer-language translation and cataloging services. An app...
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