Title
Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate Grant Funds in the Amount of $79,585 and to Execute All Documents Related to the California State Library’s California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) Grant to Fund the Continuation of Project Literacy Adult and Family Literacy Services
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Quality of Life
SUMMARY
The California State Library’s California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) Grant has funded the San Leandro Public Library’s Project Literacy annually since 1989. It has allowed the Library to advance adult and family literacy through tutoring, community outreach, volunteerism, and collaborative partnerships. Project Literacy provides free literacy support services to community members who read and write at less than a high school level, allowing them to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve economic independence and full participation within the community. Project Literacy takes a learner-centered and goal-directed approach to tutoring, thus empowering learners to shape their learning. Learners define their goals within four areas of life: life-long learning (personal & educational goals), employment, family, and community. Learners who have set goals to increase their involvement in their children’s literacy, such as reading together or helping with homework, receive support through the family literacy program. Literacy provides onramps to equity and inclusion for not just the adult learner, but for an entire family. Project Literacy helps more than 180 adult literacy learners annually by pairing them with trained volunteer tutors and by providing free learning activities such as classes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommend the City Council adopt a resolution to accept the grant award for FY 2027 totaling $79,585 from CLLS and to authorize the City Manager to execute all documents and appropriate the funds.
BACKGROUND
The California State Library’s CLLS Grant has annually funded the San Leandro Public Library’s Project Literacy since 1989. It is awarded based on a funding formula (Attachment B).
Analysis
For FY 2027 the award packet (Attachment C) provides $79,585, split into two categories, $45,215 for Adult Literacy Services and $34,370 for Family Literacy Services (for adult learners who are raising children ages 0-18). The award will be in two stages:
Stage 1:
• 90% of the total initial award amount: $71,627
Stage 2:
• 10% of the total initial award: $7,958 will be paid only upon approval of all final reports and receipt of the City’s funding claim form by the State.
Expenditures must comply with the California Library Literacy Services allowable and unallowable cost guide (Attachment D). Explicitly, “a local library shall ensure that funds received pursuant to this chapter are exclusively used for expenses resulting from providing English language and literacy services and shall ensure that at least 90% of the funds received for the program are expended on direct services and related materials.”
All expenditures are tracked by the Project Literacy Coordinator, who reports expenditures to the California State Library in the mid-year report and the annual, end-of-year report.
Current Agency Policies
• GOAL CSF-3 Sustain and expand a public library system that provides a destination for exploration and discovery, knowledge and information, leisure and cultural enrichment, and life-long learning opportunities for persons of all ages.
o Policy CSF-3.5 Resources for Self-Improvement. Ensure that San Leandro’s libraries and other community institutions provide a setting for the open exchange of ideas and information and provide an opportunity for residents of all backgrounds to improve their skills and knowledge.
• GOAL CSF-4 Maximize access to information and communication services for San Leandro residents and businesses.
o Policy CSF-4.3 Computer Training and Digital Literacy. Support continuing education and computer training programs to increase computer literacy and skill levels among San Leandro residents.
• GOAL CSF-5 Provide recreation and human service programs and activities commensurate with identified community needs.
o Policy CSF-5.2 Child and Family Services. Support the development of child and family services and programs that encourage safe and healthy environments for children and families.
Summary of Public Outreach Efforts
By the nature of this program, Project Literacy staff conduct outreach to the community to find adult literacy learners and volunteer tutors. This is positively received.
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney reviewed these documents and agreements and approved them as to form.
Financial Impacts
Acceptance of this grant does not impact the FY 2027 General Fund budget. State grant funding will be awarded upfront and deposited into the Special Grant fund under revenue account F214-RC254-P0069, and expended based on approved appropriation as follows:
• Project Literacy Grant Fund, Account F214-CC047-P0069: $79,585
• Total $79,585
This Council action will not impact fund balance because the grant funds will be awarded up front and expended in the same fiscal year. This is not a reimbursement style grant.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution to Accept and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents Related to the California Library Literacy Services Grant Award of $79,585 for FY 2027 and to Appropriate These Funds for Project Literacy.
Attachment B: CLLS Funding Formula
Attachment C: CLLS FY 2027 Grant Agreement
Attachment D: CLLS Allowable and Unallowable Expenses - August 2026
PREPARED BY: Nicole Reader, Librarian II, Library Department, Kathleen Mullesch, Supervising Librarian, Library Department, Brian Simons, Library Director, Library Department.