EXISTING POLICY

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.
Action Statement 6.2A.1a	Provide a collection of adequate size, quality, and diversity that reflects the changing needs of its customers.
Action Statement 6.2A.1b	Acquire and maintain current and relevant materials in response to community interest and demand.
Action Statement 6.2A.2c	Provide materials about non-fiction subjects at multiple reading levels to meet the changing needs of children who are learning English as a second language.
Action Statement 6.2A.5b	Provide popular materials in languages that reflect languages read and spoken in Sunnyvale.

Policy 6.2F.1	Establish cooperative relationships to maximize the effectiveness of library services.
Action Statement 6.2F.1i	Seek grant funding to enhance library services.

DISCUSSION

Sunnyvale is a community with an ethnically diverse population.  The 2000 Census data shows that there is no one ethnic population in Sunnyvale which constitutes a majority.  Approximately 40% of Sunnyvale residents are foreign born and close to 50% speak a language other than English at home. 

The Library spends a portion of its materials budget each year on language collections.  The Global Languages Materials grant will augment those funds so that the Library can provide more timely and relevant materials in sufficient quantities to meet demand.

In preparation for this grant application, Library staff conducted a survey of frontline professional staff as well as reviewed pertinent statistical data relating to which language groups are currently being underserved.  In 2002, community input for the Library’s Future Needs Assessment indicated a need to expand our language collections, specifically our Spanish and Chinese collections.  This data correlates with immigration data compiled by the California Department of Finance showing Mexico and China as the home countries of the second and third highest number of immigrants to Santa Clara County.  A 2003 survey of the two largest school districts serving Sunnyvale residents – Sunnyvale Elementary and Fremont Union High School – demonstrated that the two largest groups who have no or limited English language skills are the Spanish and Chinese speaking groups.  The survey of frontline professional staff also identified Spanish speakers as being an underserved group. 

A staff analysis of the Library’s current language collections also pointed towards targeting Spanish and Chinese languages, albeit in different ways.  The Spanish language collection is somewhat dated, lacking of desirable materials, and has a low circulation rate.  In contrast, the Chinese language collection receives the heaviest use and staff has difficulty keeping up with demand.  The majority of funds will be devoted to creating a Spanish collection which is current, relevant, accessible, and widely known by the community, and a smaller amount allocated for expanding the Chinese collection to keep it current and with multiple copies to meet the surging demand.

The Library intends to obtain input from members of the Spanish and Chinese community as to the nature of the materials to be purchased.  Library staff would also raise the awareness level of the new resources available by employing both a print (e.g., publishing an article in a Chinese language newspaper, or creating flyers in Chinese) and a non-print strategy (e.g., promoting the collections at community events, local markets, and schools), as research has shown that Spanish and Chinese speakers prefer to receive information in different ways.

FISCAL IMPACT

The California State Library awarded a Global Language Materials grant to the City of Sunnyvale in September 2004.  A budget modification in the amount of $25,000 is requested in order to fulfill the obligation under this grant award.  If accepted, the grant award will be added to the operating budget in FY 2004/2005.  This grant requires an in-kind contribution of staff time to order, receive, catalog and process the materials.  A portion of this work can be accomplished using existing hours.  Any additional time required can be allocated from Public Library Funds previously designated for such uses.

Budget Modification No. 10

Fiscal Year 2004/2005

General Fund	Current	Increase	Revised
Expenditures Activity 636000 - Select Materials for Adults	$644,792	$25,000	$669,792
Revenues California State Library/Global Language Materials Grant	$0	$25,000	$25,000

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 City Clerk’s office.  In May 2004, the Board of Library Trustees recommended that the City Council authorize the Library to apply for the Global Language Materials Grant.  The City Council, on June 15, 2004, voted to authorize application.

ALTERNATIVES

1.      Appropriate the full amount available from the Global Language Materials grant into the City’s Library Collection Management program and approve budget modification no. 10.

2.       Do not appropriate funding.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative # 1.

Reviewed by:

Victoria L. Johnson, Director, Libraries

Prepared by: Steve Sloan, Supervising Librarian

Reviewed by:

Mary Bradley, Director, Finance

Approved by:

Amy Chan

City Manager