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)

 

Governor Newsome Releases “May Revision” OF 2021-22 State Budget ▬ News from the Capitol

Governor Newsome Releases 

“May Revision” OF 2021-22 State Budget

Save CA Public Library

News from the Capitol: 5.14.2021 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro, CLA

Governor proposes $50 million for library construction and funding for library broadband projects

This morning Governor Gavin Newsom held a press event in order to present his “May Revision” of the 2021-22 State Budget. The “May Revision” process allows Governor Newsom the ability to update his January Budget to reflect the April (or in this case, May) tax receipts and federal funding allotments. In the May Revision document the Governor released this morning, it states, “The May Revision stands in stark contrast to the budget of one year ago. Compared to a projected budget deficit of $54 billion a year ago, the state now has a projected $75.7 billion surplus. Combined with over $25 billion in federal relief, this supports a $100 billion California Comeback Plan – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only speed the state’s recovery from the pandemic, but to address long-standing challenges and provide opportunity for every California family – regardless of their income, race, or ZIP code.”

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Included in the proposals for public libraries under the State Library Budget are the following items:

INFRASTRUCTURE

Library Infrastructure – An increase of $50 million in one-time General Fund for an equity-focused matching grant program to support local library infrastructure.”

Broadband Access – An increase of $35 million one-time General Fund available through 2024-25, to expand broadband access to isolated and under-served communities through a collaborative partnership of local education agencies, regional libraries, and telehealth providers and leverage available federal funds through the E-Rate Program.

Broadband Capacity and Equipment Grants – An increase of $6 million one-time General Fund to support the Broadband Connectivity Initiative.

EDUCATION

English as a Second Language – An increase of $15 million one-time General Fund to support English as a Second Language programs offered through local libraries.”

Online Tutoring – An increase of $6.4 million one-time General Fund to support a two-year pilot online tutoring service program.”

OTHER INVESTMENTS

Assistive Technology – An Increase of $1.6 million one-time General Fund and $220,000 ongoing General Fund to support Assistive Technology for Visually Impaired Californians.

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Today’s announcement from Governor Newsom comes on the heels of the recent announcement by the Senate Democrat Caucus that they are seeking $1 Billion for public library infrastructure (new builds, renovation/remodels, etc.), plus a public library broadband connectivity component in this year’s State Budget, as well as a funding proposal to help public libraries eliminate patron library fines.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 15

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

Time To Invest In Our Libraries ▬ Cal Matters

Time To Invest In Our Libraries

Cal Matters: 4.07.2021 by Greg Lucas and Patty Wong

California’s libraries are the hearts of their communities. That’s one reason 23 million Californians have library cards.

#BuildLibraries

But many of California’s libraries are 40 years of age or older, and like everything from power grids to two-lane highways, libraries eventually need to be repaired, renovated or replaced. Old wiring. Lousy plumbing. Non-existent or antiquated fire alarm or sprinkler systems. Restrooms that don’t work for Americans with disabilities. Despite the great love Californians have for our libraries, these conditions exist in far more communities than they should. 

The federal government hasn’t helped modernize and revitalize libraries since 1997, but that could change if the Build America’s Libraries Act – H.R.1581 and S.127 – is passed. The legislation would dedicate $5 billion to libraries nationwide, of which roughly $500 million would come to California. 

By any measure, this investment is long overdue and National Library Week, which began April 4, is an ideal time to consider how we can strengthen the resilience of California’s communities with a forward-looking approach to meet the challenges and needs of this century.

Our libraries are an essential part of California’s education system. In any given week, there are more than 100,000 different programs conducted in multiple languages, in-person and online, at more than 1,100 public library locations. The 23,000 computer terminals, coupled with the WiFi hotspots and laptops that can be checked out like books, help connect California’s least digitally connected.

But over half the state’s libraries have inadequate technology, broadband connectivity and ADA inaccessibility. Nearly one-third report health and safety deficiencies.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

 

Greg Lucas, California’s 25th State Librarian

Patty Wong, American Library Association’s president-elect and city librarian for Santa Monica Public Library

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)

Brawley Library ▬ Services Partially Return ▬ Adult & Family Literacy

Services Partially Return For Brawley Library

LEARN IV

Imperial Valley Press: 9.03.2020 BY Vincent Osuna

Library services will partially return here after the City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday.

In order to finish with a balanced fiscal year 2020-2021 budget — a budget heavily impacted by COVID-19 costs — the council voted in July to not fund any library services until after year’s end.

However, that changed with Tuesday’s vote.

Locals can now check out books via curbside pickup from the library’s Main Street branch. The library’s adult and family literacy services have also returned. Both the Main Street and Del Rio buildings remain closed to public access.

The $51,479 in funding for the pickup and literacy programs was appropriated into the fiscal budget from donations and grants.

The group Brawley Library Friends donated $4,000 to fund the pickup program.

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This part-time employee will work under the supervision of library director Marjo Mello. Since the city conducted its COVID budget cuts, Mello has been the only staff at the library. She is also currently the city’s interim parks and recreation director.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

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)

Santa Monica Library ◯ We Were Santa Monica ◯ Laid Off Librarians

We Were Santa Monica  Laid Off Librarians

SM Daily Press: 6.24 .2020 by Laid Off Librarians

Dear Santa Monica,

We are the LOLS (Laid Off Librarians of Santa Monica). We were your colleagues and friends. We spent more of our time together with you than with most of our families. We think it’s crazy that we’re parting ways without having an opportunity to advocate for ourselves and our jobs, so for our last act we’d like to remind you who you’ve lost.

     I never imagined my time here would end this way, laid off with a third of my colleagues in the middle of a global pandemic and recession.  I’m angry that the City would treat longtime employees so brutally.  I’m disappointed that they tossed their liberal values out the window as soon as money was on the line.   Jeff Kaplan

Delia Galan

I designed and hosted 18 adult/community programs, some of which you may have attended. These included the Race Relay discussion during Santa Monica Reads last year; Empowerment Self-Defense, The Biggest Little Farm movie screening and discussion, and a soup-making class with The Gourmandise School. I also hosted 20 Spanish story times at Fairview Branch.

Simran Khalsa

I’ve assisted in classes SMPL offered on newer technologies like Raspberry Pi and 3D printing. For the past several years I’ve also specialized in assisting nonprofits with Candid’s Foundation Center Online Professional database.

For the past year I have participated in an experimental new model for how the library deploys and schedules its workforce, and my experience and feedback will directly impact the changes you are about to see in the library’s future services.

Barbara Fleeman

I’ve had the privilege of working at SMPL since 2010 as both a Reference and Public Services Librarian.

I’ve helped shape our top-notch collections, drafted the Library’s homeless services plan, started the SMPL newsletter and engaged the community via social media.

Hanako Moondance

From involvement in the How-To, Arts & Literacy, and Fierce Friday teen book festivals to a multitude of story times – in English, in Spanish, in the Community Garden.

Ingha Chopra

Since 2014, I’ve had the honor to serve my local neighborhood and community as the Youth Services Librarian at SMPL’s Montana Branch.

I’d serve as an ambassador for SMPL by doing outreach visits to Franklin and Roosevelt elementary schools to promote SMPL’s Summer Reading Program.

Vanessa Alvarado

had the opportunity to work on other projects and develop programs, like LEARN, our after-school program offering reading and homework help from amazing volunteers. The many festivals and events held in the adjacent Virginia Avenue Park – like the Fall Festival, Arts & Literacy, Greens Festival, and the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration.

Julia Rose

I’ve worked at Santa Monica Public Library for over five years. In that time, I’ve led countless youth programs – so many of which I am incredibly proud.

Jeff Kaplan

I’ve proudly served the City of Santa Monica as a Reference Librarian. I’ve taught hundreds of free computer classes. I was part of a dream team of coworkers that grew the library’s social media presence from nothing to over 13,000 followers on Facebook and nearly 6,000 on Twitter.

Myleen DeJesus

My name is Myleen and I have spent nearly one-third of my life as a Youth Services Librarian for SMPL.

Training the SMPL Tech Teens volunteers, and coordinating large events like the annual teen book festival Fierce Friday and the Summer Reading Program. I led Family Game Nights and LEGO programs. I was the librarian who brought Instagram to SMPL.

Christa Muscatine

I’ve been a Youth Services Librarian at SMPL since 2008.

Examples of these would be the yearly Harvest Festivals, Stuffed Animal Sleepovers, Star Wars Day programs and Christmas Gingerbread House decorating programs.

Debbie Glasser

I had many duties, and ran a variety of programs, but one that I felt had a particularly powerful community impact is the L.E.A.R.N (Learn, Excel, And Read Now) program, which offers free reading and homework help.  READ MORE ➤➤

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)

Redlands Library ◯ More Than 340 Speak Out On Proposed Cuts To Redlands Library, Other Departments

More Than 340 Speak Out On Proposed Cuts To Redlands Library, Other Departments

Redlands Daily Facts: 5.12.2020 by Jennifer Iyer

Hundreds have shared concerns over cuts Redlands is considering to balance a $15.7 million shortfall in the 2020-21 budget.

More than 340 people sent written comments, the only kind allowed by the city due to novel coronavirus precautions, ahead of the City Council meeting Tuesday, May 12.  ◯

Staff spent about four hours reading each comment into the record, leaving no time to hear from department heads or discuss proposals before the Planning Commission meeting slated for the same afternoon. The council meeting is set to resume at 7 p.m. Tuesday with department presentations on plans for the next year and the impacts of the proposed cuts.

The majority of comments Tuesday objected to proposed cuts at the A.K. Smiley Public Library, which could lose 17 positions to shave more than $500,000 from its budget. Also, the facility’s hours of operation could be reduced to nearly half of the current 57.

City Manager Charlie Duggan attributed all of the budget woes to COVID-19’s effect on the economy.

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The proposed 2020-21 budget originally called for library hours to be reduced to 30 per week. Duggan and managers looked into using more reserves to replace some of the proposed cuts, and brought the library up to 35 hours.

Bob Hodges, a former superintendent of the Redlands Unified School District, wrote to say the library will be needed for its contribution to education.

“These services will be even more critical next year as budget and modified classroom instructional challenges will be greater than ever,” he wrote.

Redlands resident Casey Hamilton noted the importance of services like adult literacy tutoring, “fascinating historical archives” of the Heritage Room, the Lincoln Shrine, and free internet access, which people may need to search for jobs.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)