April 20, 2004

SUBJECT: Permission to Apply for Human Rights Video Grant

REPORT IN BRIEF

The library is requesting permission to apply for a grant offered by National Video Resources and the American Library Association.

BACKGROUND

The Human Rights Video Project is a national library project created by National Video Resources (NVR) in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office to increase the awareness of human rights issues through the medium of documentary films.  It also aims to promote collaborations between public libraries and human rights advocacy organizations through partnerships on film screenings and discussion programs.  The core of the program is a set of 12 documentary videos (with a combined list price of over $2,000) which has been selected by a panel of human rights professionals, librarians, and filmmakers.  If the application is successful, in addition to receiving the 12 videos, the Library will receive $750 to partner with Human Rights Watch of Northern California to present a screening and discussion of one of the films in a public program.

EXISTING POLICY

Library Collection

Goal 6.2A1	Provide a collection of materials in print, audiovisual and electronic formats in support of all library services
Policy 6.2A.4	Give high priority to providing educational support for library users of all ages

Programs and Publications

Goal 6.2C	Provide library programs and publications to educate, enrich, and enlighten library users
Policy 6.2C.2	Provide programs for teens and adults to reflect and expand the broad range of interests of community residents
Policy 6.2C.2b	Provide an opportunity for teens and adults to connect with experts in areas where they seek skills and knowledge
Policy 6.2C.2c	Deepen customer awareness of library resources through programs

Collaboration and Customer Focus

Goal 6.2F

Foster a collaborative organization to attain a high performance and customer-focused library

DISCUSSION 

The recent economic downturn has made the past couple of years extremely challenging for businesses, workers, and families in Silicon Valley.  According to California’s Department of Finance, more than 11,000 people left Santa Clara County, the largest net migration from any single county in California.  In many cases, jobs have been eliminated or moved overseas.  By 2015, according to an article in the San Jose Mercury News published on February 17, 2004, approximately “3.3 million service and technology jobs will leave the United States for cheaper countries.”  The issue we would like to focus on, therefore, during our public program is Globalization and Labor Rights.

The San Francisco office of the Human Rights Watch organization has agreed to partner with the Sunnyvale Public Library to produce a public program.  Human Rights Watch ( http://www.hrw.org ) was selected because it is the largest human rights group based in the United States, with an outstanding track record of documenting human rights abuses throughout the world.  In 1997, Human Rights Watch won the Nobel Peace Prize for its part in the international effort to ban landmines. 

We are planning to hold a screening of the video, Behind the Labels, followed by a discussion led and moderated by speakers affiliated with Human Rights Watch.  Due to the organization’s extensive involvement with human rights issues, Human Rights Watch has produced a number of publications related to the issues highlighted in the Human Rights Video Project.  We will coordinate with Human Rights Watch to obtain the publications most appropriate and make them available for those who would like to know more after the event.  The Library will also thankfully acknowledge the grant support in the production of the program and donation of the videos.

The videos which will be provided include:

FISCAL IMPACT 

None.  The cost associated with the materials and programs are contained in the existing operating budget.

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 City Clerk’s Office.  At their April 5, 2004 Board of Library Trustees meeting, the Board voted unanimously to recommend to City Council Alternative #1 which grants permission to apply for the Human Rights Video Project grant

ALTERNATIVES 

1. Grant permission to apply for the Human Rights Video Project grant.

2. Do not grant permission to apply for the Human Rights Video Project grant.

RECOMMENDATION 

Staff recommends Alternative #1.

Prepared by:


Steve Sloan
Acting Supervising Librarian

Reviewed by:


Victoria L. Johnson
Director, Library

Approved by:


Amy Chan
City Manager