California Library Literacy Services Receives Additional Funding for Adult Literacy Programs

California Library Literacy Services
Receives Additional Funding 
for Adult Literacy Programs  

California State Library - Press Release: 7.23.2015

Thanks to an ongoing investment of $2 million by Governor Brown and the Legislature, the State Library is encouraging more libraries to join its successful adult literacy program that provides one-on-one tutoring to Californians who want to improve their reading skills.

Helping persons read better changes lives:

Felicia, 24, struggled her whole life with a learning disability.  Homeless for two years, she sought help from a local public library. She now has a job at a small medical practice and recently passed the driver's license test. “It's made my life so much better - it gave me the push to believe in myself. I can read street signs and restaurant menus. I feel more confident in my job.”

Felicia is just one of the more than 250,000 people the California Library Literacy Services program has helped learn to read and write over the past 30 years. But federal statistics suggest there are still an estimated 4 million Californians with low literacy skills.

“The Governor and the Legislature recognize that improving literacy yields enormous social and economic dividends at very low-cost in taxpayer dollars,” said State Librarian Greg Lucas.

Public libraries can apply now to join the program, which already includes 90 library jurisdictions offering tutoring at 800 locations around the state.

During the recent recession when state funds eventually hit zero, many local libraries still continued their programs. With increased state funding, those programs can be stabilized, more tutoring locations added and the 3,000 person waiting list of Californians eager to read reduced.

Grant applications are due Friday, August 14, 2015.

The additional $2 million in annual funding brings the yearly appropriation for adult literacy services up to $4.82 million.

About California Library Literacy Services:  California Library Literacy Services helps low-literacy adults and their families. Over 20,000 adult learners each year are provided one-on-one or small group instruction by thousands of trained volunteer tutors in public libraries statewide.  Instruction is based on each individual learner's pace and goals. The program targets English speaking adults who struggle with basic reading and writing skills. As a result, these adults are voting for the first time, reading newspapers, reading aloud to their children and securing jobs.

About the State Library: Founded in 1850, the California State Library is the central reference and research library for the Governor’s office, legislature, state employees, and the general public. The State Library administers federal and state grants for programs in historical preservation, library construction, civil liberties education, literacy, volunteering, and broadband connectivity in public libraries.

Send a Thank You Note To

Governor Brown : : Your Assembly Member : : Your State Senator !

Governor Jerry Brown

c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 445-2841

Fax: (916) 558-3160

Find Your Assembly Member or State Senator

Budget Deal Reached : : Small Adjustment for Libraries Governor Sticks to May Revision Numbers

Budget Deal Reached: Small Adjustment for Libraries

Governor Sticks to May Revision Numbers

CLA News From the Capitol: 6.16.2015 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This afternoon Governor Jerry Brown, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, and Senate President pro Tem Kevin De Leon held a joint press conference at the State Capitol to announce that they had reopened the negotiations on the 2015-16 Budget and had reached a formal agreement.  Yesterday the State Senate and Assembly both passed this year’s Budget bill by their constitutional deadline of June 15th, but the Budget assumed higher revenue estimates than what the Governor used in his May Revision of the Budget, released in mid-May.

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The library funding was similarly adjusted to reflect the Governor’s May Revision proposal, unfortunately eliminating the $4 million for the California Library Services Act the legislature had included in the Budget, and reducing the broadband connection grants slightly as well.  Here is what we understand will be included for public libraries in this year’s 2015-16 Budget deal agreed to this afternoon:

$6.2 million in NEW funding for public libraries in the 2015-16 Budget bill:

•$2 million in new funding for the state literacy program. 

•$2.5 million in new funding for broadband connection grants for public libraries to join the CENIC high-speed “backbone.”  (an additional $1 million beyond May Revision)

•$225,000 in administration costs to run the broadband program for the public libraries.

•$1 million for the Career Online High School program (Originally not included in May Revision)

•$521,000 for State Library related library preservation activities.

It is believed that the Legislature will vote on the amended Budget bill later this week.  READ MORE !

Governor Releases “May Revision” of Budget : : $2M for Literacy | $1.7M for Broadband

Governor Releases “May Revision” of Budget:

Funding Provided for Broadband Project & Literacy Program

CLA News From the Capitol: 5.14.2015 by Mike Dillon, Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning in a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Brown released his “May Revision” of the 2015-16 State Budget.  Included among the Governor’s proposals for new spending is a recommended increase of $2 million for the state literacy program and an increase of $1.7 million for the library broadband project for connection grants and related costs.

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Recognizing the Governor’s fiscal prudence and the limited available General Funds, CLA is pleased that the Governor has provided additional funding for two important public library programs.  Below is the proposal for new library spending under the Governor’s May Revision of the Budget:

· Literacy Program – An increase of $2 million General Fund for the Literacy and English Acquisition Services Program.  As described in the Governor’s Budget proposal for adult education, the Administration’s focus remains on increasing the resources available to improve the skills of California’s workforce, and it is expected that literacy programs funded with these resources will be coordinated with the adult education consortia.

· Broadband Project – An increase of $1.7 million General Fund for the California Public Library Broadband Project, including $1.5 million on a one-time basis for grants to public libraries to upgrade broadband equipment and $225,000 General Fund for continued administration of contracts for broadband services.

· Library Preservation Activities – An increase of $521,000 General Fund to improve the [State] library’s efforts to preserve historical items in its possession, including $181,000 ongoing for two additional positions and $340,000 on a one-time basis for equipment.”

The Assembly and Senate Budget Subcommittees on Education Finance will convene early next week to begin reviewing the Governor’s May Revision of the State Budget, and specifically, the State Library and public library funding.  The subcommittees will be working diligently during the next couple of weeks to close out their actions for the year and make recommendations to the full Budget Committee of their respective houses.  READ MORE !

Legislators Issue Letter in Support of Increasing State Library Funding via CLA

“Adult Literacy”
by Alyssa Winans
everylibrary

Legislators Issue Letter in Support of Increasing State Library Funding

CLA News From the Capitol: 5.07.2015 by Mike Dillon, Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

A bi-partisan group of Assembly members and Senators in the California State Legislature have sent a letter to the two Budget Subcommittee Chairs and key Budget leaders, to encourage them to adopt an increase in funding for public libraries in the 2015-16 Budget.  The letter features an impressive list of legislator library supporters and is attached for your information.

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This year’s Budget, proposed by Governor Brown in January, did not carry forward the $3 million mentioned above or the $1 million for “connection grants”, as we have previously reported.  CLA has launched an effort again, in conjunction with Assemblyman Gatto and his colleagues, to encourage the legislature to include $11.5 million in the Budget for public library funding for “connection grants” to the CENIC backbone, funding for the CLSA, and funding for the state literacy program.

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The Governor is expected to release his “May Revision” of the Budget on May 14th and it will reflect the most current revenue projections, based on tax receipts from January through April 30 and other key factors.  After reviewing this new information, the budget subcommittees will then begin closing out their work prior to the Memorial Day weekend and will forward their recommendations to the full Budget Committees.  If CLA is not able to get the budget subcommittees to recommend that new funding be added to the State Budget for public libraries, it will be very difficult to get money into the Budget in the weeks that follow.  READ MORE !

California State Librarian Greg Lucas : : Focus More of California’s Innovation and Creativity on Our Public Libraries

California State Librarian Greg Lucas Says

"We Need to Focus More of California’s Innovation and Creativity on Our Public Libraries"

Sierra Sun Times: 4.18.2015

State Librarian GregLucas has sent the following message to California’s 1,112 libraries calling for getting a library card into the hands of every kindergartner, working to ensure every Californian can read at more than a 5th Grade level, and creating a system where every Californian can use their library card anywhere in California.

Benjamin Franklin is credited with creating America’s first fire department and its first lending library. Both institutions have changed a lot in 280 years but, fundamentally, they’re the same.

Firefighters still put out fires but they provide far more emergency medical care. Libraries are still information hubs for their communities but they supply that information in many more ways than books.

“Without the library, you have no civilization,” says Ray Bradbury, one of the most ardent advocates of public libraries, which he insists were where he got his education.

California’s 1,112 libraries – the most of any state – mirror our unique diversity. They’re enriched by thousands of librarians who exemplify the innovation and generosity California is recognized for around the world.

California’s students get help achieving their dreams from on-campus libraries and teacherlibrarians. Our public and private universities operate world class research libraries.

Each day, 21 million Californians – from preschoolers to 100-year-olds – use their library cards to open windows on the limitless realm of ideas and knowledge. Libraries are vital, thriving 21st Century institutions that literally change lives.  READ MORE !

California Library Week : : April 12 - 18

CA Senate Resolution

California Library Week | April 12 - 18

CLA -News From the Capitol: 3.31.2015

by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

SENATE RESOLUTION CELEBRATES

“CALIFORNIA LIBRARY WEEK”

Senator Lois Wolk, a long-standing library champion during her time in the California Legislature, recently introduced a resolution on behalf of the California Library Association (CLA), to celebrate “California Library Week.”  The official resolution, SCR 31, recognizes the tremendous work of public libraries, library staff, and the California State Library, and encourages libraries throughout the state to celebrate these efforts during the week of April 12 through April 18, 2015.  (“California Library Week” also coincides with “National Library Week.”)

Joining author, Senator Wolk on the resolution, are co-authors, Senators Jerry Hill, Carol Liu, and Jim Nielsen (author of the Public Library Foundation legislation), and Assemblymen Mike Gatto and Rich Gordon.

“California Library Week” is a great time to consider inviting a legislator to your library to tour your facility.

CLA would like to extend a special “thank” you to Senator Wolk for introducing SCR 31.

Letters Needed in Support of Increased Library Funding in State Budget : : CLA Call To Action

Letters Needed in Support of Increased Library Funding in State Budget

CLA -News From the Capitol: 3.31.2015 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

CLA is requesting your help in writing to the members of the two subcommittees to urge their strong support of a proposal to provide $11.5 million in new funding for three very important library programs.  The CLA Legislative Committee has developed the following “Budget Ask” for the 2015-16 Budget.

This “ask” was developed based on feedback from your “Day in the District” visits with Legislators, where many of you told your Senators and Assemblymembers that more funding for the California Library Services Act is critical.  Additionally, the roll-out of the Governor’s Broadband proposal for libraries and his “AB 86” adult education consortia reforms necessitate additional funding.

Specifically, CLA is requesting $11.5 million in new funding:

·  $4 million for the California Library Services Act

·  $2 million for the California library literacy program

·  $5 million for connectivity grants, to assist libraries in joining the new broadband network operated by the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC)

·   $500K in administration costs and staff for the CLSA and broadband project.    

Please take a minute today to use the following “sample letter,” adapting it to reflect the specific needs of your own library or programs, and mail or fax it to the following key legislators.

Note:  Your letters should be received

by these subcommittee members by April 15.

Senate Budget Subcommittee Number 1 on Education Finance

Senator Marty Block, Chair
Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance
State Capitol, Room 4072
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4939

Senator Ben Allen, Member
Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance
State Capitol, Room 2054
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916)  651-4926 

Senator Mike Morrell, Member
Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance
State Capitol, Room 3056
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4923

Assembly Budget Subcommittee Number 2 on Education Finance

Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, Chair
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
State Capitol, Room 2160
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 319-2107

Assemblymember Rocky Chavez, Member
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
State Capitol, Room 2170
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 319-2176

Assemblymember Young Kim, Member
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
State Capitol, Room 4177
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 319-2165

Assembymember Patrick O’Donnell, Member
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
State Capitol, Room 4166
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 319-2170

Assemblymember Phil Ting, Member

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
State Capitol, Room 3123
Sacramento, CA.  95814

Fax:  (916) 319-2119

GOVERNOR BROWN INTRODUCES 2015-16 BUDGET :: SLASHES $4 MILLION FROM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Governor Cuts Library Programs In Budget 

News From the Capitol: 1.09.2015 by Mike Dillon, CLA Lobbyist; Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyist

GOVERNOR BROWN INTRODUCES 2015-16 BUDGET:

SLASHES $4 MILLION FROM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS

This morning Governor Brown introduced his 2015-16 State Budget before an assembly of the press corps in the State Capitol in Sacramento.  The Governor’s Budget summary document, released in conjunction with the Budget indicates that “the state budget, after a decade of fiscal turbulence, is finally balanced – more precariously than I would like – but balanced.”  While the Governor’s Budget gives most of any new revenue, gained due to an slowly recovering economy, to K-12 schools, he also proposes new spending in areas of public safety, health and human services, and climate change.  –

However, most disappointing, the Governor slashes $4 million from the State Library Budget – money which was included last year in the Budget to bolster the California Library Services Act, the State Literacy program, and so-called “hardship” grants for those libraries needing to connect to the new high-speed Internet backbone operated by the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC).

While this news is understandably disappointing, California library supporters have a history of rising to the occasion, and there is no doubt they will do so again with a valiant fight this Spring on these issues.  In fact, you will be hearing from the CLA Legislative Committee in the coming days as they launch this year’s major advocacy event, “Day In the District.”  Your participation will be critical as CLA begins a concerted effort to restore these funds.

CLA members will recall that last year, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) fought to include funding in the 2014-15 Budget to help restore money to the California Library Services Act and the state literacy program.  The Assemblyman had met with the library directors, staff and supporters in Burbank in his district, and learned of the impacts the devastating Budget cuts had had on the Transaction Based Reimbursement program and other vital programs.  In working with CLA, Assemblyman Gatto vowed to make partial restoration of public library funds one of his priorities last year.  Along with Assembly Budget Chair, Nancy Skinner and Assembly Budget Subcommittee Chair, Al Muratsuchi, the three of them championed the issue, resulting in $3 million in new funding being included in the Budget ultimately sent to the Governor.  We hope that Mr. Gatto and many of our library supporters in the legislature will again lead the effort to restore this funding as the Budget Committees begin their deliberations on the Governor’s Budget this Spring.

Specifically, the Governor’s Budget does the following:

•California Library Services Act:  Makes a $2 million reduction in this line-item. This leaves $1.88 million in the fund. 

•California Library Literacy Services:  Makes a $1 million reduction in this line-item. This leaves $2.8 million in the fund.

•CENIC “Hardship Grants:” Zeroes out the $1 million in “hardship grant” funding but leaves $2.25 million in place to fund the Governor’s broadband plan for libraries (e.g. connecting public libraries to the CENIC high-speed “backbone.”)  READ MORE !

Sub 2 Education Finance

Committee Members

Kevin McCarty (Chair)  Dem – 7

Capitol Office

P.O. Box 942849, Room 2160, Sacramento, CA 94249-0007; (916) 319-2007

Rocky J. Chávez  Rep - 76

Capitol Office

P.O. Box 942849, Room 2170, Sacramento, CA 94249-0076; (916) 319-2076

Young O. Kim  Rep - 65       

Capitol Office

P.O. Box 942849, Room 4177, Sacramento, CA 94249-0065; (916) 319-2065

Patrick O'Donnell  Dem – 70

Capitol Office

P.O. Box 942849, Room 4166, Sacramento, CA 94249-0070; (916) 319-2070

Philip Y. Ting  Dem – 19

Capitol Office

P.O. Box 942849, Room 3123, Sacramento, CA 94249-0019; (916) 319-2019

Senate Standing Committee on Education

Members:

Senator Carol Liu (Chair) (D)

Senator Bob Huff (Vice Chair) (R)

Senator Marty Block (D)

Senator Loni Hancock (D)

Senator Connie M. Leyva (D)

Senator Tony Mendoza (D)

Senator Richard Pan (D)

Senator Andy Vidak (R)

New Library Funding Reduced From $5 million to $3 million

Budget Conferees Trim Budget As Part Of Deal With Governor - New Library Funding Reduced From $5 million to $3 million   

CLA News From the Capitol: 6.12.2014 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro [ Full Text ]

Last night the Legislature’s eight-member Budget Conference Committee convened to make a series of adjustments to many previously closed Budget items and to take votes on several outstanding issues. One such item revisited was the new funding, recently approved, for the California Library Services Act and the state literacy program.

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When the issue was reopened last night, the conferees noted that they were disappointed that they were going to have to make a small reduction to the previous augmentation, and reduced the CLSA by $2 million.

~ $2 million more for CLSA (current baseline is $1.8 million)

~ $1 million more for literacy (current baseline is $2.8 million)

~ $3.25 for the Governor’s proposal to link all public libraries to a high-speed, broadband network.

It was a compromise between the Senate, the Assembly, and the Governor’s office.

The CLA believes that these final numbers will be sent to the Governor for his signature on June 15.  READ Full Text

ACTION ALERT: Letters to the Governor Needed to Protect $5 Million Library Funding

Action Alert

Letters to the Governor

Needed to Protect $5 Million Library Funding in Budget

CLA News From the Capitol:

6.06.2014 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro  [ Full Text ]

The legislature has until Sunday, June 15th, the constitutional deadline, to send the Governor the Budget bill.

The Governor has until July 1 to sign the 2014-15 Budget into law.

He also has the authority to “blue pencil” (reduce or eliminate) certain provisions of the Budget.

Please take a minute today to write a letter to Governor Brown, encouraging him to support and leave intact the $5 million for Budget items:

6120-211-0001 - $4 million for the California Library Services Act

6120-213-0001 - $1 million for the California Library Literacy program

In your letters please stress how your libraries are busier than ever, but the devastating cuts of the past hinder your ability to provide certain services.  With the economy making a modest recovery, now is the time to invest in communities by returning critical financial state resources to the public libraries.

Address your letters to:

The Honorable Edmund G. Brown, Jr.

Governor, State of California

State Capitol, First Floor

Sacramento, CA.  95814

You may also fax your letters to the Governor’s office:  (916) 558-3160

Thank you for your help.  READ Full Text

Budget Conference Committee Approves $5 Million For Public Libraries In Budget

Budget Conference Committee Approves $5 Million For Public Libraries In Budget

CLA-News From the Capitol: 6.04.2014 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro

[ Full Text ]

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This afternoon, on a unanimous vote of the members, the Budget Conference Committee approved $5 million in new funding for public libraries, followed by a series of positive comments about the great work and positive community benefit of public libraries.

~ this funding request was developed by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) and supported by a bi-partisan group of 13 of his legislative colleagues, to try to restore some of the major cuts that the public libraries have endured for the last few years.

~ the A Budget Subcomm on Educ-Fin had approved $10 million for public library restoration ($8 million for the California Library Services Act and $2 million for the State adult literacy program)

~ this funding would be in addition to the $1.8 baseline currently for CLSA and the $2.8 million for literacy

~ the S Budget Subcomm-Educ Fin did not approve additional money for CLSA

~ this forced the item into the Budget Conference Committee

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~ the item passed on a unanimous, bi-partisan vote

~ the issue still has a long way

~ discussions with Dept of Finance to prevent Governor from eliminating it

~ there was no discussion of the specific allocation of the $5 million in Comm

~ believe they will allocate $4 million for CLSA; $1 million for the literacy

Please Thank the legislators who assisted CLA in this effort:

Budget Conference Committee Members

Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, Chair

Assemblyman Richard Bloom

Assemblyman Jeff Gorell

Assemblywoman Shirley Weber

Senator Mark Leno, Vice Chair

Senator Loni Hancock

Senator Ricardo Lara

Senator Jim Nielsen

And Senate President pro Tempore, Darrell Steinberg

Legislators Who Signed the Budget Request Letter

Assemblyman Mike Gatto (author of the letter)

Assemblyman Luis Alejo

Assemblyman Bill Quirk

Assemblyman Frank Bigelow

Assemblyman Ken Cooley

Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla

Assemblyman Kevin Mullin

Assemblyman Brian Jones

Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian

Assemblyman Brian Maienschein

Assemblyman Chris Holden

Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan

Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva

Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen

Assemblywoman Marie Waldron

READ Full Text !