HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11081983 - X.3 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ,�,,,+
FROM: Ernest Siegel , County Librarian Contra
Co010
DATE: November 3, 1983 County
SUBJECT: County Library Literacy Project
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) $ BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Contra Costa County Library to apply for and accept Federal funding for the
fiscal year 1983/84, as provided under a grant award approved by the State Librarian, for
development of an adult literacy program in Contra Costa County in cooperation with other
local agencies who are also concerned with problems of illiteracy.
BACKGROUND
The California State Librarian has committed $2.5 million in Federal funds under the
Library Services and Construction Act, to initiate a major adult literacy campaign in
1984. Inasmuch as public libraries have .a vested interest in adult literacy, they are
appropriate agencies to undertake the leadership in this campaign and to coordinate existing
and potential groups who are also concerned about the problems of illiteracy. In Contra
Costa County it is estimated that there are approximately 65,000 adults who are unable to
read, comprehend, write, or compute at a level which would enable them to function effec-
tively in today's society, including the ability to find a job.
Accordingly, the Contra Costa County Library would submit a grant application to the State
Library for $62,000 to form a coalition with the Diablo Valley Literacy Council , the
County Probation Department, the State Employment Development Department, the Volunteer
Bureau, and the County Schools Department, for the establishment of resource centers in
three libraries in the east, west and central areas of the county. These centers would
serve also as tutor training centers , with back-up collections of teaching materials and
reading materials for new adult readers. A Project Coordinator would be employed for the
duration of the project. Two other major objectives of this project would be to recruit
and train a minimum of 50 new volunteer tutors and to recruit and enroll a minimum of 300
adult students who could benefit from this basic literacy program.
Funding for this project is available for one year only, and libraries are expected to be
able to implement the project in January 1984. No matching funds are required for this
project, The Library's in-kind contributions would include a percentage of administrative
staff time. (mainly the Adult Services Coordinator) , some library materials and miscella-
neous overhead expenses. Proposed budget summary is attached.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BO R COMMITT E
X APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S) Ve
ACTION OF BOARD ON L 3 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS �5
UNANIMOUS (ABSEN� ) 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVI=ONDATE SHOWN.
CC: County Administrator ATTESTED �, P ,
County. Auditor-Controller J.R. OLSSON, COUNTY CLERK
County Librarian AND EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE BOARD
G�.
Maes/T-ea BY DEPUTY
Contra Costa County Library Literacy Project
PROPOSED BUDGET SUMMARY
Federal Funding In-kind
Requested Contributions
Salaries
($25,000 + $7,000 benefits) $32,000 $1 ,500
Library materials 109000 3,500
Operating expenses 19,200 1 ,500
Equipment 800 -0-
TOTAL $62,000 $69500
DH:lf
11/4/83
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