Interest was earned in FY 2014-15 at a weighted average yield of 1.405%.
Interest yields continue to decline, from a weighted average of 1.918% in FY 2012-13 and 1.589% in FY 2013-14.
During FY 2014-15, the principal was invested by the County Treasurer using a laddered approach with yields ranging from 0.780% to 2.667%, and maturity dates ranging from 2014 to 2020 (see Attachment A).
The trust principal amount earned interest at a rate of 6.6% in Fiscal Years 1998-99 through 1999-2001. A portion of those earnings were spent in Fiscal Years 2001-02 through 2008-09, when interest rates were lower, in order to continue the program at the same level of service. Beginning in 2009-10 expenditures from the trust have been
budgeted to match expected investment returns, with an increasing reliance on budgeted County Library funding to maintain the service level of the Early Literacy Program. The current projection is that interest rates will continue to decline. In response to declining interest rates and rising County Library funding requirements, staffing for the Early Literacy Program has been reconfigured to reduce costs while maintaining service levels. The County Library funding level was reduced to zero in FY 2012-13 due to staff turnover and reassignments.
In 1989, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Storms contacted the County Librarian about a proposed estate donation to help needy youths develop a love of reading and enhance library services for those living within socially and economically disadvantaged areas of Contra Costa County library. Over the next few years, the library and the Board of Supervisors helped the Storms develop a plan on how to use the proceeds from their estate.
In 1996, Contra Costa County Library was advised that it had been named to receive the proceeds from the Storms’ 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 Wilma & Russell Children’s Library Trust or now known as the Wilruss Children’s Library Trust.
The Board of Supervisors adopted and accepted the proceeds of the Storms living trust to establish the Wilruss Children’s Library Trust, on September 24, 1996, to be used as defined in the following Resolution No. 96/355:
Section A
For the establishment of an area about 400 square feet, in an existing library building in a socially and economically disadvantaged area, for children ages one through seven years. For furnishings for said area, including tables, chairs and book shelves.
Section B
For the design and maintenance of programs that promote literacy and a lifelong love of books and reading in target area. For the building, remodeling, decorating, furnishing and enrichment of the children’s areas of public library buildings in target areas.
Section C
The income of the Wilruss Children’s Library Trust not expanded in any year may be held over and expanded in a subsequent year. The principal shall not be invaded for any purpose. The trust is administered by the County Librarian, who files annual report to BOS, which includes the following:
· The amount in the fund at the end of previous year
· The amount in the fund at the end of current year
· The amount earned during the current year
· The amount expanded during the current year and the general subjects of expenditure
· The amount then available for expenditure
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.
In 1997, library staff members conducted focus group sessions in the community and met with a consultant to design three programs: targeted outreach in socially economic disadvantage communities, a volunteer-driven “Stories To Go” program, and a program of parent education program such as Reach out and Read.
Summary of the activities funded in FY 2014-15:
Reach Out and Read
In FY 2014-15 the County Library’s Reach out and Read (ROR) program maintained its affiliation with the national organization and the Contra Costa Health Clinics. Through this affiliation, we are supporting pediatricians serving families with infants and toddlers who are routinely advising parents about the importance of reading to very young children. Dr. Robert Needlman M.D, co-founder of Reach out and Read, reported in a recent article that high income families read to their children twice as much as low-income families, which gives further evidence that economic disadvantage is associated with fewer stimulating early childhood experiences and increased risk of developmental delays.
Statistics for all Communities Served below:
10,640 total well baby visits
3,077 total books distributed
$16,923.50 estimated total cost to Wilruss
1. Antioch - Antioch Health Center (local Library Antioch Library)
2. Bay Point - Bay Point Family Health Center (local Library Bay Point Library)
3. Brentwood - Brentwood Health Center (local Library Brentwood Library)
4. Concord - Concord Health Center & Concord Public Health Clinic (local Library Concord Library)
5. Martinez - George & Cynthia Miller Wellness Center & Martinez Health Center (local Library MTZ Library)
6. Pittsburg - Pittsburg Health Center (local Library Pittsburg Library)
7. Richmond - North Richmond Center for Health (local Library San Pablo Library)
8. San Pablo - West County Health Center (local Library San Pablo Library)
Goals and Objectives:
· Increase current inventory of multicultural gift books for babies from birth to 3 years old
· Provide library card applications at 36 month well baby visits
· Introduce a new program called “Prescription for Success”, which provides families with a reading contract to encourage reading to their child for 20 minutes everyday
· Provide a list of story times for babies at local libraries to above health centers.
Stories to Go
In FY 2014-15, the Stories to Go (STG) project was revised. The kits were re-branded with a new logo and new 100%, all-natural canvas carrying bags made by a local vendor and manufacture. The logo was changed from a snail to a baby elephant to better signify the program’s values of strength, intelligence and family.
The kits will continue to be theme-based, with 5 books and a related activity, with the goal of increasing school readiness by encouraging parents, caregivers and educators to practice early literacy skills. The STG project is expanding its reach beyond volunteer community outreach to directly support families and educators within socially economic disadvantage areas throughout Contra Costa County.
Communities Served:
1. Antioch
2. Bay Point
3. Brentwood
4. Concord
5. Martinez
6. Pittsburg
7. Hercules
8. San Pablo
Books to Grow on
The Books to Grow on brand has been retired. The current collection will be merged with the Stories to go brand.
Housing Authority of Contra Costa County & Reading Advantage –Children’s center library
The Wilruss Office of Early Literacy has a new partnership with the Housing Authority of Contra Costa County and Reading Advantage. Our goal is to create mini children’s libraries on the grounds of the public housing community centers within Contra Costa County. Wilruss began its commitment with a $500 book donation from the Wilruss Children’s Library Trust, to stock the public housing center with free gift books for children ages 6 months to kindergarten. In addition, we will offer storytime training to volunteers through the Stories to Go program. Volunteers will be trained to complete a 30 minute storytime using the Stories to Go kits.
Communities Serve:
El Pueblo public housing in Pittsburg: total units 171
DeAnza Gardens public housing in Bay Point: total units 180
CA State Library Early Learning with Families Grants
Through previous matching support, Wilruss secured over $16,000 worth of play equipment and furnishings for children’s learning spaces in libraries serving disadvantaged communities. These carpets, chairs, kinetic toys, puppets, and other material for creative play have renewed family library spaces in Antioch, Concord, El Sobrante, Hercules, Oakley, Pinole, Pittsburg, and San Pablo. By investing in the comfort and interactivity of these early literacy environments, libraries have reported longer and more frequent visits from an increasing number of families.
If this report is not accepted, the Library will not be in compliance with the terms of the Wilruss Children’s Trust.
Wilruss Programs fulfill impact statements 1, 2 and 4.
- Children Ready for Succeeding in School: The goal of all Wilruss programs is to increase school readiness by encouraging parents and caregivers to understand and practice early literacy skills.
- Children and Health, preparing for a productive adulthood: The Wilruss Reach out and Read programs foster education and reading during well baby visits. This promotes important activities that lead to healthy adulthood.
- Families that are safe, stable and nurturing: Wilruss programs promote nurturing in the course of teaching parents and providers to interact, converse, and read to children as a healthy and essential part of childhood. This action prompts feelings of safety and stability among children.