Agenda

Return

C. 21

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Cathy Sanford, Interim County Librarian
Date:	January 21, 2014

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Library Application for $20,000 Big Read Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 01/21/2014

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
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Gail McPartland, 925-927-3204

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: January 21, 2014
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Interim Librarian, or designee, to apply for and accept a Big Read grant in the amount of $20,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to provide materials and programming in West County libraries for the period September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No Library Fund match.

BACKGROUND:

The Big Read grant is awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts. The purpose of the grant is to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. The Big Read will bring together diverse cultures and ages in reading and discussing a single book, The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien. The Big Read will also provide funding for library programs and for purchasing 900 copies of the selected title. Books will be available through libraries, high schools and colleges to supplement book discussions .In addition to funding, the grant provides resources such as school curriculum guides and promotional materials designed to support widespread community and student involvement.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The Library will not be able to provide cultural and reading enrichment programming.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Big Read grant meets outcomes #1 and #5 established in the Children's Report Card. Funding from the grant will provide direct curriculum support for high school students to help them succeed in school. Grant funding will also provide high-quality cultural and literary programming for teens and will promote intergenerational discussions leading to a better quality of life.