HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06162015 - C.39RECOMMENDATION(S):
RATIFY the support letter from the Chair of the Board to preserve the federal funding for the Institute of Museum
and Library Services (IMLS) in the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Appropriations bill, as requested by
the Library Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
For the second year in a row, the House Budget committee has proposed the elimination of funding for the Institute
of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill.
IMLS funding includes the only federal grant program that is exclusively for libraries, supporting lifelong learning
and innovative library programs throughout the nation. This past fiscal year, the Contra Costa County Library
received nearly $120,000 in grants from IMLS. In the past, the County has received $72,000 for a youth literacy
program, and $121,000 for a library at a juvenile hall.
Patronage of the Contra Costa County Library continues to grow each year (over 4 million visits last year). Services
include providing homework assistance to students, helping with job searches and resume writing, and offering
computer access for those who might otherwise lack what has become a basic need in today’s society.
With over 1.5 billion library visits a year nationally, it is essential that IMLS and its grant-making capabilities be
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 06/16/2015 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
ABSENT:Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: L. DeLaney, 925-335-1097
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: June 16, 2015
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
C. 39
To:Board of Supervisors
From:David Twa, County Administrator
Date:June 16, 2015
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:preserving funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services
preserved in the Labor-HHS-Education funding bills so that public libraries can continue to play a critical role in
serving their local communities.
The Contra Costa County Library Commission requested a letter from the County to advocate for the preservation of
the federal funding. As there is no adopted policy in the Federal Legislative Platform related to library funding, a
letter was sent expressing support from the Chair of the Board. (
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
See attachment.) Board policy requires that advocacy letters that express the position of the Chair of the Board be
sent to the Board of Supervisors for action on the next available Board of Supervisors' agenda.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Board would not have a position on this funding.
ATTACHMENTS
IMLS Funding Support Letter
The Board of Supervisors
County Administration Building
651 Pine Street, Room 106
Martinez, California 94553
John Gioia, 1st District
Candace Andersen, 2nd District
Mary N. Piepho, 3rd District
Karen Mitchoff, 4th District
Federal D. Glover, 5th District
June 4, 2015
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
RE: Preserve IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Service) in Labor-HHS-
Education Appropriations Bills
Dear Senator Feinstein:
As Chair of the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, I write to request your assistance
in preserving funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in the Labor-
HHS-Education Appropriations bill. For the second year in a row, the House Budget committee
has proposed its elimination.
IMLS funding includes the only federal grant program that is exclusively for libraries, supporting
lifelong learning and innovative library programs throughout the nation. This past fiscal year,
the Contra Costa County Library received nearly $120,000 in grants from IMLS. In the past, the
County has received $72,000 for a youth literacy program, and $121,000 for a library at a
juvenile hall.
Patronage of the Contra Costa County Library continues to grow each year (over 4 million visits
last year). Services include providing homework assistance to students, helping with job searches
and resume writing, and offering computer access for those who might otherwise lack what has
become a basic need in today’s society.
With over 1.5 billion library visits a year nationally, it is essential that IMLS and its grant-
making capabilities be preserved in the Labor-HHS-Education funding bills so that public
libraries can continue to play a critical role in serving their local communities.
Sincerely,
JOHN GIOIA
Chair, Board of Supervisors
David Twa
Clerk of the Board
and
County Administrator
(925) 335-1900
Contra
Costa
County
Preserve IMLS in Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bills
June 4, 2015
Page 2 of 2
cc: Members, Board of Supervisors
Contra Costa County Legislative Delegation
David Twa, County Administrator
Contra Costa County Library Commissioners
Paul Schlesinger, Alcalde and Fay