California Library Association — 2022 Legislative Priorities

CLA 2022 Legislative Priorities

CLA News: 3.23.2022

The California Library Association — through its members and advocates — works to make a difference for all Californians by providing adequately funded libraries, which transform lives through their programs and services.

At the state level, CLA actively advocates for the following:

New and Ongoing Funding Requests

➤ $1.4 million to reach $5,000,000 in ongoing funding for the California Library Services Act (CLSA) that fosters resource sharing among libraries, particularly in rural areas where funding challenges persist.

➤ $450,000 to reach $1,250,000 in ongoing funding for Lunch at the Library to provide literacy-rich programs to blunt the impact of the summer slide for children who receive 300,000+ free and nutritious lunches at hundreds of libraries across the state.

➤ $785,000 for JobNow, VetNow, and LearnNow, to support economic recovery and education for vulnerable populations.

➤ Maintain ongoing funding to support the diverse informational needs of people in rural and underserved populations who cannot get to a physical library through Zip Books.

➤ $4 million dollars in funding to support Ebooks for All aimed at increasing access to digital content for early learners and school-aged children throughout California.

Equitable Access to Critical Library and Information Services

◉  Broadband equity for unserved and underserved communities.

◉ Support the freedom to read and access to material with diverse points of view.

◉ Accessible buildings, including upgrades to critical infrastructure and support in times of disaster such as wildfires and extreme heat.

◉ Early literacy, school readiness, adult literacy, career development, vocational support, and assistance to vulnerable populations.

◉ Mandate credentialed Teacher Librarians in all California Public Schools.

◉ Support for libraries to purchase eBooks and e-audiobooks at the same price as consumers.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

 

California Library Association ▬ Budget Ask Letter 2020-21

California Library Association ▬ Budget Ask Letter 2020-21

CLA: 11.07.2020

October 27, 2020

Dear Governor Newsom,

On behalf of the California Library Association (CLA), the statewide association
representing city, county and special district libraries, I would like to thank you for your past support of public library programs in the State Budget, and for your talented leadership as the State navigates the challenges brought about by the coronavirus. As you are well aware, the 2020 pandemic has exposed tremendous areas of community needs for students, homebound seniors, and our library patrons who now find themselves out of work. One of the true bright spots of the crippling pandemic has been the work of California's public libraries in providing critical community services.

However, California's public libraries are offering these programs on a razor thin margin, which is simply not sustainable. To that end, CLA respectfully requests your consideration of budget relief funding for the following programs under Section 6120 of the California State Library, as you craft your 2021-22 State Budget. (These requests are listed in priority order.)

1. Restoration of the cut to the California Library Services Act - $1.75 million "ongoing"

The California Library Services Act has been in existence since the early 1970's, with the sole purpose of requiring that libraries participate in a cooperative and collaborative manner of sharing resources among the nine geographic regions of the state. The CLSA funding is truly the glue that holds the cooperative loaning and lending structure in place for these libraries. At its origination, this program was intended to provide reimbursement for books and materials traveling by van in between libraries, for patrons requesting specific items that their own neighborhood library may not possess. While libraries still continue to move physical items between jurisdictions and branches, now CLSA dollars are often used for large digital subscription services, such as eBooks and eMagazines to promote a broader collection of digital resources for libraries which aids
students with homework, vulnerable populations who can't get to the library, and
people learning new skills for workforce development.

Since March, libraries have seen their eBook use nearly double. Libraries are partnering with schools to provide age appropriate eBooks for homework help in the absence of school library electronic collections. Within San Mateo County, 14 school districts have partnered with the public libraries for eCollections for their students, and public libraries are issuing thousands of library cards to students through these partnerships.

2. Lunch at the Library- Ongoing or one-time funding - $1.25 million

For many years, CLA has worked with the State Library on the successful "Lunch at the Library" program where children who are in need of a meal during the summer months, can receive their lunch at the library. Almost 220 public libraries provided nearly 300,000 meals to more than 32,000 children in 2019. Lunch at the Library has a dual purpose of promoting literacy and addressing the "summer slide," where library staff offer programs and books to children while food is served in a non-judgmental setting for children and, in some cases, their parents. However, the impact of COVID-19 and the need for quality meals for the student population this year was staggering.

3. Zip Books - One-time funding: $750,000

CLA was grateful to you for including $1 million in your January 2020-21 State Budget for "Zip Books," a program which features an innovative way of providing books and materials to patrons who, for various reasons, are unable to physically get to a local library to obtain their desired item. The program is based in 327 public libraries and was able to serve 45,000 people, focusing on those who are in rural communities and underserved residents.

4. Career Online High School - One-time funding - $750,000

Over the course of the last few years, public libraries and the State Library have assisted 793 adults in their efforts to complete a high school diploma using an online program called, "Career Online High School." Twenty-eight counties in the state currently utilize this life-changing program, which enables adults to obtain their diploma and move on to post-secondary degrees (which cannot be done with a GED) or various career paths. A high school diploma has significantly better outcomes than a GED, and with  this online program students who may not be able to get to a regular classroom, or who work irregular schedules, can benefit.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

State Budget Deal Includes $1.75M Cut To CA Library Services Act

State Budget Deal Includes

A Cut To CA Library Services Act

CLA News: 6.24.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

Save California Public Library and Literacy Funding

On June 15th, the 2020-21 State Budget bill, SB 74, was approved by both the Assembly and Senate and was subsequently sent to Governor Newsom for his action. SB 74 seeks to close a projected $54 billion Budget deficit while still retaining protections for “safety net” programs and K-12 education.

However, due to the abbreviated legislative session, brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Senate and Assembly were not able to secure an official “deal” with the Governor relative to the State Budget before they sent the main Budget bill down to him. Negotiations between the two Democrat Leaders and the Governor over the weekend were successful and a new, supplemental agreement was reached over the last few days.

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Unfortunately, despite our best attempts, the legislature and the Governor are making a cut to the California Library Services Act in the amount of $1.75 million, which will leave $1.88 million in the baseline for the program. This cut is not tied to the “trigger” as best as we can tell. We have attempted to get clarification of this action but it appears the $1.75 million would not be restored under the trigger package in Budget trailer bills, AB 89 and SB 121. (The CLSA reduction appears in the main Budget bill, SB 74.)

The Senate Budget Committee convened late this afternoon to begin processing 20 so-called “Budget trailer bills” that implement the terms of the new deal with the Governor. The Committee will be working late into the evening tonight and then the full Senate and Assembly will vote on the bills by this Friday.

The legislature will not know what the state’s true fiscal condition will be until California receives the July 15 tax receipts, and there will likely be Budget clean-up items that need to be considered by the legislature in August. In the meantime, the California Library Association Legislative Committee, Chaired by Carol Frost and Scott Love, will be meeting to discuss the development of a grassroots campaign which would seek to restore the CLSA cut if state revenues improve.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

Action Requested Time Sensitive ◯ Send A Quick Tweet ◯ Save CA Library Funding In The State Budget

Action Requested: Time Sensitive

Send A Quick Tweet To Save

CA Library Funding In The State Budget

CLA: 6.10.2020

Save California Public Library and Literacy Funding

The California State Legislature and the Governor are putting the final touches on the 2020-21 State Budget, which is required to be passed by the Legislature by June 15th. CLA has learned that the Legislature is proposing a $1.5 million cut to the California Library Services Act, the collaborative loaning and lending program utilized by the regional Systems. As you know, library borrowing grew substantially during the COVID-19 “shelter in place” orders and these loaned materials have been a lifeline for many parents who are home-schooling their children, as well seniors, immunocompromised persons, the homebound community, college students, and others.

A $1.5 million cut to the program would have significant negative effects on the CLSA at a time that libraries can ill afford a reduction in these services.

Popular programs like Lunch at the Library and Zip Books are also being proposed for cuts this year, which will also mean painful reductions for these critical community services.

Please take a minute today and send one of the three following tweets below to the Senate Budget Chair, Holly Mitchell, who has been a champion of library funding in past years, and Assemblyman Phil Ting, Assembly Budget Chair. The State is facing a $54 billion Budget deficit, so the legislature is looking for dollars wherever they can find them in order to balance the Budget. Help us save the CLSA by sending your tweet by Friday morning (June 12).

Thank you for your help.

Sample tweets follow:

Libraries are critical lifelines for the community during the pandemic. Popular programs like Lunch at the Library and the CA Library Services Act are on the chopping block in the State Budget. Will you please help us save the funding @SenHJMitchell and @PhilTing

The CA Library Assoc encourages @SenHJMitchell and @PhilTing to restore the $1.5 million cut to the CA Library Services Act before passing the 2020-21 State Budget. CLSA is a popular loaning and lending program. Public library patrons who are requesting materials for at-home use is at an all time high.

Parents who are home-schooling kids, seniors, and the disabled community all understand the value of public libraries and free library resources during COVID-19.. These services are in jeopardy, however, if the CA Library Services Act cut is not restored in the Budget. Looking to @SenHJMitchell, a library champion, to help.

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Governor Newsom Releases “MAY REVISION” Of Budget ◯ CLA

Governor Newsom Releases “MAY REVISION” Of Budget

Library programs intended for funding are

“withdrawn” due to $54.3 billion Budget deficit

CLA: 5.14.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

During a press event held at the noon hour today, Governor Gavin Newsom released his “May Revision” of the 2020-21 State Budget, which updates the Budget that he proposed in January. In the “May Revision” document, the Governor writes: “In January, California was the rocket fuel powering the American economic resurgence – with 118 consecutive months of growth, stratospheric job creation, and the highest credit rating in nearly two decades…Now, our state is in an unprecedented emergency, facing massive job losses and shortfalls in record time. This Budget reflects that emergency.” He goes on to state, “This is no normal year. And this is no ordinary May Revision.”

In a very sobering presentation, the Governor announced a $54.3 billion Budget deficit brought on by the unprecedented COVID-19 worldwide crisis.

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Governor Newsom is proposing a series of cuts and solutions, including cutting K-12 education across-the-board by 10 percent, a proposed 10 percent reduction to state employee salaries, and over 15 percent of the May Revise solutions represent cuts that are associated with a “trigger” if federal funds don’t materialize.

Of importance to CLA members, the Governor has “withdrawn” (is proposing to not fund) the

$1 million in “one-time” funds for “Lunch at the Library”

$1 million in “one-time” funds for Zip Books

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However, the Governor states in the “California State Library” [p. 57] section of the May Revise: “The state is not in a fiscal position to expand programs given the drastic budget impacts of the COVID-19 Recession.”

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Included in these proposed trigger cuts is a reduction of $1.75 million to the California Library Services Act.

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The Senate and Assembly Budget Committees will now hold a series of hearings related to the Governor’s May Revision and will view his various proposals, including those related to the State Library/public libraries. California’s Constitution requires the state to pass a balanced Budget by June 15, 2020.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Governor Newsom Releases 2020-21 State Budget ◯ CLA

State Budget

Governor Newsom Releases His 2020-21 State Budget

News From the Capitol: 1.10.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning Governor Gavin Newsom presented his 2020-21 State Budget and left no stone unturned with the press corps, as the Governor laid out details and took reporters’ questions for an unprecedented three hours.  The Governor stated that he was “excited about this year and for California’s future” as he highlighted components of his new Budget.

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Of importance to CLA, the Budget contains good news for public libraries.  The Governor continues to support two programs that he provided support for in the 2019-20 Budget – “Lunch at the Library” and Zip Books.

For “Lunch at the Library: $1 million in “one-time” General Fund dollars (meaning that it must be spent in Budget Year 2020-21 and is not “ongoing” in nature) would be provided for libraries to “develop summer meal programs for students in low-income communities.”

For Online Service Systems:  the Governor is proposing $1 million in one-time General Fund dollars in order to “support the online purchase and delivery of books through the Zip Books program.  This no-cost service is an alternative to traditional interlibrary loan and enables library patrons to more efficiently request and receive books not available at their local library.”

The Governor is also proposing $500,000 in ongoing General Fund dollars for the purpose of supporting the services provided by the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles.   Finally, the Governor also includes $170,000 in ongoing funds for a technical issue relating to Public Utility Commission fees pertaining to the State’s public library broadband connectivity program in conjunction with the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC).

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The legislature will now begin the process of reviewing the Governor’s Budget over the course of the next few months.  Budget Subcommittee hearings will be held to discuss and analyze the various proposals.  In May, the Governor will release his May Revision of the State Budget, which essentially allows him to make funding/program adjustments after having received the April tax receipts.  The Budget Subcommittees will wrap up their work in late May and the full Budget Committees and Budget Conference Committee will craft the final Budget, in consultation with the Governor’s Office.  The Budget must be passed by the constitutional deadline of June 15.  We will continue to keep CLA members updated as these issues proceed through the Budget process in 2020.  READ MORE >>

Summary of the Governor’s Proposed 2020-21 Budget

Senator Holly J. Mitchell Chair

California State Library (p 24)

Local Assistance. The budget provides the following local assistance adjustments:

• An increase of $1 million one-time General Fund to support the Lunch at the

Library program;

• An increase of $1 million one-time General Fund to support the online purchase

and delivery of books through the Zip book program;

• An increase of $500,000 ongoing General Fund to support the Braille Institute of

America in Los Angeles; and,

• An increase of $170,000 ongoing General Fund to continue participation in the

Adult Learners, Budget, CA Budget, California, CLLS, Economics, Funding, Government

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee

Senator Holly J. Mitchell Chair

Senator Jim Nielsen Vice Chair

Assembly Committee on Budget

Assembly Member Phil Ting Chair

Assembly Member Jay Obernolte Vice Chair

Sub 2 Education Finance Committee Members

Kevin McCarty Chair

Rewordify

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 13.9

Lexical Density: 55.0%

Total word count 398

Unique word count 219

27 hard words

Sentence count 15

Average sentence length 26.5

Governor Newsom’s “May Revise” Surprise via CLA News

Governor Newsom’s “May Revise” Surprise

Newly amended Budget proposal contains new funding for libraries

CLA News From the Capitol: 5.09.2019 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning Governor Gavin Newsom appeared before the press corps at the State Capitol to formally unveil his revisions to his January 2019-20 State Budget.  Known as the “May Revision” or “May Revise,” this document is typically released on or around May 15th after the Governor and his Department of Finance have had the opportunity to receive the April tax receipts and make a more accurate determination about the state’s fiscal health.

Of interest to CLA members was the inclusion in the Governor’s May Revise of almost $10 million in additional “one-time” funding (meaning it must be spent in fiscal year 2019-20 and is not ongoing in nature) for several library initiatives, including early learning and after school library programs.  This funding, if approved by the legislature, would be in addition to the $1 million for the Lunch at the Library program and the $1 million for Zip Books that the Governor proposed in his January Budget.  In the months leading up to the May Revise, State Librarian Greg Lucas had been laying the groundwork for necessary funding for the early childhood and after school programs.

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Specifics Regarding the May Revision:  Library Programs

>“One-Time Funding to support Early Learning and After-School Library Program Grants

$5 million to support grants for local library jurisdictions with the lowest per-capita library spending to develop and implement early learning and after-school library programs. 

>“One-Time Funding to support Mobile Libraries

$3 million to support grants for local library jurisdictions to purchase bookmobiles and community outreach vehicles that would be used to expand access to books and library materials in under-resourced neighborhoods. 

>“Augmentation to support Digitization and Cultural Preservation Activities

$1.7 million to coordinate with state entities to identify items for digital preservation, contract for digital preservation services, and to begin conducting or commissioning a statewide survey to inventory cultural heritage assets.

>“Statewide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Historical Preservation

$500,000 to support the preservation of historical Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender sites.”

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The State Budget must be passed by the Legislature by June 15, 2019.  READ MORE >>

       Contact

Assembly Committee on Budget Members

Sub 2 Education Finance Committee Members

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee

     And Your

Assembly Member & State Senator

Governor Newsom Releases First State Budget :: Funding Proposed for Library Programs & Prison Literacy via CLA

California State
Library Budget

Governor Newsom Releases First State Budget

Funding proposed for library programs and prison literacy

News From the Capitol: 1.10.2019 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

At 11 a.m. this morning, Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference at the Secretary of State’s Office auditorium to present the first state Budget of his new Administration.  Governor Newsom introduced a $209 billion proposed Budget, of which $144 billion is General Fund (e.g. versus “special funds,” etc.). 

The Governor explained in detail numerous programs that were priorities for him, stating, “I want to do justice to the magnitude of the decisions.  These dollars are attached to real people and real people’s lives.” He has focused a great deal of new funding in health and human services and K-12 and higher education, including early childhood education, special education, and providing the first two years free for community college enrollees.

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“The message we are advancing here is discipline,” the Governor stated.  As such, he has dedicated a large amount of the new funding to “one-time” enhancements (must be spent in Budget year 2019-2020), rather than “ongoing” funds.

The Governor is proposing the following:

-“Online Service Systems - $1 million General Fund one-time for online systems for use by public libraries to support efficient access to resources.”

-“Lunch at the Library - $1 million General Fund one-time for library districts to develop summer meal programs for students in low-income communities.”

Additionally, libraries and literacy were woven into the Governor’s remarks in various ways today.  For example, Governor Newsom announced he was “committed to literacy in the prisons.  You will hear me talk about this [issue] this year, next year, and in the 3rd year….There is no greater return on an investment than teaching a person to read.”  Governor Newsom is providing $5.5 million for a package of programs “specifically aimed at improving literacy rates among the offender population…”

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The Governor also indicated that he would be rolling out “A Fresh Start” program for the Department of Motor Vehicles.  His Budget states that “no other state department has as many interactions with Californians as the DMV. As recent events have highlighted, DMV has significant customer service challenges.”  The document goes on to state that an audit is currently underway to see how the DMV interaction with customers can be improved, and the Governor suggested, “We will look into more field locations, and libraries, malls, etc.

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The Legislature will commence hearings on Governor’s Newsom’s Budget in late February or early March.  Governor Newsom will also produce a “May Revision” of the State Budget in May, which will feature a more accurate revenue projection, taking into account April tax receipts.  The Budget must be passed and sent to the Governor by June 15. We will keep you updated as these issues progress through the legislative process.  READ MORE >>

IMLS Report: State Library Funding Still Suffering :: California :: Last - $1.05 per capita

IMLS Report: State Library Funding Still Suffering

Library Journal: 1.23.2018 by Lisa Peet

State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAA) across the country have largely still not recovered from the major decreases in revenue and staffing they experienced during the economic recession, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) biennial State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAA) Survey, conducted in FY16.

California :: Long-Term Decline

SLAA Survey 2016 | p 9

“The SLAA report shows how many of the nation’s libraries continue to be financially challenged by the effects of the recession as they strive to maintain valued community services,” IMLS director Kathryn K. Matthew told LJ.

The report, the eighth such cooperative effort of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), IMLS, and American Institutes for Research, offers a look at long-term trends across the country, as well as contrasting the ways that different agencies have responded to decreases in funding as their public-facing work has grown. It tracks three sets of indicators: revenues and expenditures; workforce; and services provided.

Over the past 12 years SLAA revenues declined by over a fifth, with expenditures falling by 22 percent, according to the report. SLAAs rebounded slightly in 2014 but that didn’t last—as of FY16, both metrics are at their lowest levels since 2004. Revenues and expenditures of funds through the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) decreased by 20 percent from 2004­–16.

In FY16, SLAA revenues totaled more than $1 billion across federal, state, and other revenue sources; 82 percent from states and 15 percent from federal sources. Expenditures came in at only slightly less, with two-thirds spent on financial assistance to libraries and a third going to operations.  READ MORE >>

California :: Last @ $1.05 per capita

SLAA Survey 2016 | p 14