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SUBJECT:

Acceptance of Funds: Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Award-Sunnyvale Voices Year 2 and Budget Modification # 27

REPORT IN BRIEF

From October 1, 1999 - September 30, 2000, Sunnyvale Public Library with approval from the City Council, implemented the Digital Storytelling project. This project, now called Sunnyvale Voices, was a federal Library Services and Technology (LSTA) project, administered through the California State Library (CSL). In December, 2000, the Library applied for an "out-of-cycle" grant through the CSL to finish digital stories that were started during the initial grant, to initiate additional stories and to digitize historical photographs. The California State Library has notified the Library that the "out of cycle" grant to run through September 30, 2001 has been approved. Permission is requested to accept and expend the $29,000 grant to continue the Sunnyvale Voices project.

BACKGROUND

In the initial LSTA funded Digital Storytelling (Sunnyvale Voices) project (10/99-9/00), Sunnyvale Public Library staff assisted former and current residents of Sunnyvale in creating and recording vignettes of their lives in Sunnyvale. The staff edited and produced seven complete 3-5 minute digital living histories in videotape format. The stories, as well as the manual discussing the project procedures and accomplishments, were mounted on the web and are available for viewing at: http://sunnyvalevoices.org/ . Archival copies of the stories were also produced in CD format and videotape copies are circulating from the Library.

EXISTING POLICY

DISCUSSION

Library staff learned much about planning, recording, editing and producing individual histories using brand new technologies during the 1999/2000 Sunnyvale Voices project. The experimentation with new software and hardware and techniques for working with volunteer stoytellers took longer than expected. Volunteers who completed stories were very pleased with them. Others were also drawn into Sunnyvale's history by viewing the digital stories at programs. This interest has brought more storytellers who would like to fill in gaps in the history of Sunnyvale. A resumption of grant funds will allow the Library staff to complete stories that have been begun, interview potential storytellers, edit and produce new individual histories and digitize photographs for future use. This exciting project is seeking to record and preserve multimedia stories while Sunnyvale residents are still available to give first hand accounts.

FISCAL IMPACT

Budget Modification # 27
Fiscal Year 2000/2001

Expenditure
New Project "Sunnyvale Voices 2"
Revenue
Library Services & Technology Act

$0

$29,000

$29,000

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office. Review by the Board of Library Trustees at their regular meeting on March 5, 2001. The Board voted unanimously to recommend to City Council Alternative #1 which approves the acceptance, expenditure of funds and Budget Modification #27 in the amount of $29,000.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Approve acceptance, expenditure of funds and Budget Modification # 27
2. Decline the acceptance, expenditure of funds and Budget Modification # 27of Library Services and Technology Act grant from the California State Library.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative #1.

Reviewed by:
Victoria L. Johnson
Director of Libraries

Mary Bradley
Director of Finance

Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager

Attachments

1. Board of Library Trustees Minutes of 3/5/01
2. Sunnyvale Voices "out of cycle" Grant Application
3. Award Notification

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