Agenda

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C.28

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Anne Cain, Librarian
Date:	April 28, 2009

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Librarian, or Designee, to apply for and accept a grant in the amount of $40,000 from Target

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 04/28/2009

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

925-646-6423

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: April 28, 2009
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Librarian, or designee, to apply for and accept a grant in the amount of $40,000 from Target to support the 2009 Contra Costa County Library Reading Festival for the period May 3, 2009 through May 9, 2009.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact.

BACKGROUND:

The Contra Costa County Library’s Strategic Plan, written in response to a broad survey of the community, identifies the promotion of reading and literacy for all ages as a primary function. In response to this, the Library hosted its First Annual Contra Costa County Library Reading Festival in May 2008, a large-scale event designed to stimulate an interest in and promote a culture of reading among Contra Costa County residents. The 2008 Reading Festival was a great success, with 50 authors and numerous programs and events bringing people of all ages into the 25 community libraries to celebrate reading. Due to the success of the inaugural program, the Library is planning the second annual Reading Festival to be held May 3-9, 2009.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The 2009 Contra Costa County Library Reading Festival will celebrate the joy of reading and lifelong learning, and will promote public awareness of the Contra Costa County Library as a reading organization. This year’s Reading Festival is focused on reading, community and literacy. Audiences of all ages will enjoy author events:

• Melissa Anelli – author of “Harry, a History” about the ever-popular Harry Potter
• Mark Curtis – reporter and political author talking about his book on the 2008 Presidential Campaign
• Daniel Handler, a.k.a. Lemony Snicket – author of the best-selling children’s “Series of Unfortunate Events”
• Francisco Jimenez – award-winning author of a trilogy of children’s books based on his life
• Omar Tyree – NAACP Image Award Winner and New York Times best-selling author of more than 16 books

In addition to these major author events, the twenty-five community libraries will host an entire week of informative activities and stimulating programs for all ages that are free to the public.

Grant funds will support two major aspects of the Reading Festival: the cost of engaging notable authors as participants, and the cost of generating publicity through the distribution of promotional materials and advertising with local news media to ensure broad community awareness of this outstanding event.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

This program will support the community outcome of Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families. A 2008 study conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts found reading is an important indicator of positive individual and social behavior patterns. The 2009 Contra Costa County Reading Festival will expose children, youth, and families to a broad array of authors and events that reinforce and celebrate the value and importance of reading.