Title
Adopt a Resolution to Accept and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents to Receive Grant Funds in the Amount of $79,676 from the California State Library’s California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) Grant to Fund the Continuation of the Project Literacy Adult and Family Literacy Service
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 is awarded based on a funding formula (Attachment B). 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 English-speaking 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 on-ramps to equity and inclusion for not just the adult learner, but for an entire family. Project Literacy helps more than 60 adult literacy learners annually by pairing them with trained volunteer tutors and by providing free learning activities such as book clubs, computer classes, and support groups.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommend the City Council adopt a resolution to accept the grant award for FY 2026 totaling $79,676 from CLLS and to authorize the City Manager to execute all documents and appropriate the funds.
Analysis
For FY 2026 the award packet (Attachment C) provides $79,676, split into two categories, $40,635 for Adult Literacy Services and $39,041 for Family Literacy Services (for adults who are raising children ages 0-18). The award will be in two stages:
Stage 1:
• 90% of the total initial award amount: $71,709
Stage 2:
• 10% of the total initial award: $7,967 will be paid only upon approval of all final reports and receipt of claim form to 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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, we conduct outreach to the community to find adult literacy learners and volunteer tutors. This program has been setting up community members for success since 1989 and 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 2026 General Fund budget. State grant funding will be awarded upfront and deposited into the 150-3607 Revenue Account and expended as follows:
• Project Literacy Grant Fund, Account 150-68-019: $79,676
• Total $79,676
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 of the City of San Leandro City Council to Accept and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents Related to the California Library Literacy Services Award of $79,676 for FY 2025-2026 and to Appropriate These Funds for Project Literacy.
Attachment B: CLLS Funding Formula
Attachment C: CLLS FY 2025-2026 San Leandro Public Library Literacy Grant Award Packet
Attachment D: CLLS Allowable and Unallowable Expenses - April 2025
PREPARED BY: Nicole Reader, Librarian II, Library Department
Kathleen Mullesch, Supervising Librarian, Library Department
Brian Simons, Library Director, Library Department