February 10, 2004
SUBJECT: Permission to Apply for We the People Grant for Books about Courage
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Library is requesting permission to apply for a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
BACKGROUND
The National Endowment for the Humanities is launching an initiative entitled We the People to help Americans continue to make sense of their history and the world around them. If the grant is successful, the Library will receive a collection of 15 classic books for young readers (kindergarten through the twelfth grade) which highlight the theme of ‘courage.’ We will receive notification of the grant award in June 2004.
EXISTING POLICY
Library Collection
Goal 6.2A
Provide a broad and diverse collection of books and other Library materials to meet the varied interests and needs of the community.
Policy 6.2A.2
Give high priority to the collection of materials for children and their parents, teachers and care givers.
Programs and Publications
Goal 6.2C
Provide Library programs and publications to educate, enrich, and enlighten Library users.
Policy 6.2C.1
Promote life-long use of the Library and love of reading through programs for children.
Policy 6.2C.4
Promote and publicize the Library so collections and services are known to a wide range of Sunnyvale residents and businesses.
DISCUSSION
The Sunnyvale Public Library will be pleased to utilize the We the People Bookshelf in a number of ways to highlight the theme of ‘courage.’
First, we will add the Bookshelf titles to the Library’s permanent collection. We’ll then create a prominent display of materials, including the extra copies of these titles the Library already owns or will purchase. In addition, the display will feature an explanation of the Bookshelf, an acknowledgement of the support provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the supplementary materials such as bookmarks, brochures, and posters, an enticement of certificates for the young readers who complete all of the books in their age category, and an invitation for readers in Grades 4 to 6 to join a special parent-child book discussion group.
To create a successful parent-child book discussion group, we will strive to partner with an already established group such as a boy or girl scout troop in order to form a core group of participants. Sunnyvale librarians will meet in advance of the book discussion group to generate questions which will stimulate discussion about the theme of courage and encourage participants to share examples from their own lives. The group will meet several times over the course of several months. After the discussions, the young readers will have an opportunity to select one of the books they read to present as a play.
The play will draw on the experiences shared in the discussion group in order to highlight the theme of courage. The project director will work with the children and parents in order to produce a successful play. News releases to local newspapers, a special flyer, the Library’s newsletter, and the Library Web page will advertise the play to the general public.
After the discussion group and play are complete, Library patrons will still be able to enjoy the We the People Bookshelf as we plan to make it a semi-permanent display. We will also keep the list of titles in our ready reference files so that we may be able to use it to make reader’s advisory recommendations in the future.
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 the City Clerk's Office. At their February 2, 2004 Board of Library Trustees meeting, the Board voted unanimously to recommend to City Council Alternative #1 which grants permission to apply for a NEH We the People grant.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Grant permission to apply for NEH We the People grant.
2. Do not grant permission to apply for NEH We the People grant.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternative #1.
Prepared by:
Steve Sloan
Acting Supervising Librarian
Reviewed by:
Victoria L. Johnson
Director, Library
Approved by:
Amy Chan
Acting City Manager