HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11062001 - C.194 Contra
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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Anne Cain, County Librarian `40
Costa
ST'q.COUK�
DATE: October 24, 2001 County
SUBJECT: Wilruss Children's Library Trust
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)& BACKGROUNDAND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
ACCEPT the County Librarian's status report on the Wilruss Children's Library Trust.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Balance in fund at the end of the previous year (6/30/00) $1,977,657
Amount in the fund at the end of the current year (6/30/01) $2,019,804
Amount earned during the current year $ 118,445
Amount expended during the current year $ (76,298)
Amount available for expenditure as of 6/30/01 $ 312,204
The money has been invested by the County Treasurer with interest rates .varying from 5.49% to
5.79%.
BACKGROUND:
In 1996, the library was advised that it had been named to receive"the proceeds from the Storm's
Living Trust valued at $1,707,600, which had been established by Mrs. Wilma Storms. Conditions of
the trust require that all proceeds from the trust be placed in a new trust fund (the Wilruss Children's
Library Trust) for the design and maintenance of programs which promote literacy and a lifelong love
of books and reading in socially and economically disadvantaged areas of Contra Costa County.
Terms of the trust authorize the County Librarian to expend earnings from the trust each year and to
carry over any unspent earnings from the prior years. In no case is the principal amount to be
invaded, other than to pay approved claims against the Storms Living Trust. There is also a
provision for an annual reporting to the Board of Supervisors on the Wilruss Children's Library Trust.
2000-01 ANNUAL REPORT
The goal of the Wilruss Children's Library Trust program is to raise awareness for the library's
potential to improve the quality of life for Contra Costa County families by creating an exciting
approach to library services. The following represents the Strategic Initiatives of the program.
CONTINUEDONATTACHMENT: ✓YES SIGNATURE:
,-�COMMENDATIONOF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR_RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
,-APPROVE —OTHER
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SIGNATURE(S): e ,U'� /
ACTION OF BVNOA N M� CJ ' �V U APPROVEDAS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS:
y` UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ,' l/ 0W ) 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.
AYES: NOES: r /rn
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTESTED b
�U �`�Y 'I ► I V U/
JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
S.WERVISORSAND.90UNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Contact: Anne Cain,646-6423 /
By .•, ,DEPUTY
cc: County Library-Administration
County Administrator
CountyAuditor
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Wilruss Children's Library Trust
October 24, 2001
Page 2
Strategic Initiatives
Diversity Reflect the cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity of our communities in
the service we provide
Partnerships Build partnerships that will advance mutual goals
Involve Adults Actively involve parents and caregivers in the implementation of our
programs for children and adults
Target Young Children Emphasize services for children under 8
Outreach Develop programs that take services out into the community
Reading/Family Promote reading, family literacy and the educational role of the library
Literacy/Education
Public Relations Increase the public's awareness of the library's importance in the lives of
young children
Stories-to-Go Program
In 2001 the Stories to Go Program has continued to grow. The Wilruss Library Specialist expanded
the materials available to preschool volunteers by creating 22 story kits that invigorate children's
interest in looking at books, listening to stories and using language. Each kit contains interactive
stories children can connect and participate in; kits include props, songs, and finger plays.
Over twenty-five volunteers used the kits on a weekly basis in 2001, going to 15 different Head Start
sites in San Pablo, Concord and Pittsburg. Over 800 children were read to on a regular basis.
Schools overwhelmingly support the program and there is an unfulfilled demand for volunteers in
other sites.
Stories to Go is a popular volunteer program attracting many retired preschool teachers and
directors. Many volunteers remain in the program years after the required commitment of 9-12
months. The library evaluates the program annually and has found both volunteers and pre-school
staff give Stories to Go high praise and satisfaction. Currently, the program is holding training
sessions in Concord and is planning more sessions for January 2002.
Reach Out and Read
The library is developing another program through the Wilruss Trust by receiving a start-up grant
to become part of a national pediatric literacy program called Reach out and Read. This program
was created by a partnership between County Health Services Department and the library to reach
children living in poverty.
During well-baby visits to the county pediatric clinics in Richmond and Concord, medical staff
encourage literacy and library use among children and parents. The program is designed for children
age six months to five years. Families are given advice on pre-literacy, age appropriate books, and
encouragement to take steps toward creating a literate environment at home.
The two locations will serve 4,500 children from November 2001 to November 2002. Plans are under
way to expand the program to east county at the Pittsburg and Brentwood pediatric clinics. When
fully implemented the program will help over 8,000 children and their families annually.
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Wilruss Children's Library Trust
October 24, 2001
Page 3
GOALS FOR 2001-02
Wilruss Program Coordinator will identify stakeholders in the Wilruss program to meet with Wilruss
and Library staff for the purpose of establishing future goals for the program and evaluating the
success of the program.
• Identify representatives from preschool youth serving agencies such as health services, childcare
providers, early childhood educators, parents and librarians
• Meet once or twice to determine future goals for the Wilruss "Stories-to-Go" and "Reach Out and
Read" programs
• Develop an evaluation tool such as a survey or interview questions that will be used to measure
the success of each goal and the Wilruss program overall
• Communicate with advisory group regularly during the year to report on the progress of the
Wilruss program
• Invite advisory group members to participate in the evaluation process
• Analyze and report on evaluation responses
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