TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with the California State Library, to accept and expend grant funding in the amount of $15,000, for the Zip Books program, for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the Library Services Department by $15,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Library Services Department’s (Library) Zip Books program application to the California State Library was accepted and the library was awarded grant funding in the amount of $15,000 to restart its Zip Books program, a Library service that was put on hold in the Spring of 2021 due to a gap in State funding.
Developed as a more cost-effective and patron-friendly alternative to Inter Library Loan, the Zip Books program was added as a service in 2018 and immediately became quite popular. Patrons looking for a book not owned by the Long Beach Public Library may request, free of charge, to receive that title using the Zip Books program. If the title is available through Amazon, the Library will order the book and have it shipped directly to the patron’s home. When the patron has finished reading the book, it is returned to the library and another request may be made. Once returned, Zip Books can be added to the Library’s permanent collection for others to check out. Approximately 92 percent of requests for titles not owned by the library are made using the Zip Books program versus traditional Inter Library Loan, which accounts for only about 8 percent of requests.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on January 7, 2021 and Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on January 12, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on February 1, 2022, to receive and expend grant funding by June 30, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will rece...
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