November 22, 2005

SUBJECT:  Authorization to Accept $10,000 Grant Funds from the Satterberg Foundation for Tales for Tots: Increasing Storytimes to Young Children in Child Care Centers and Family Day Care Provider Homes and Budget Modification No. 8.

REPORT IN BRIEF

The Library is requesting authorization to accept and expend $10,000 awarded by the Satterberg Foundation for visits by children’s librarians to preschools and day care homes to present story programs to young children. The Satterberg Foundation provides funds to non-profit organizations to enrich and support communities.  The City of Sunnyvale is eligible for these funds because a member of the Satterberg extended family is a resident of Sunnyvale.

BACKGROUND

Current service levels allow children’s librarians to visit preschools a maximum of twice each year to share stories, puppets and songs with young children.  There have been no visits to small groups of children in home day care. The Satterberg Foundation is a private philanthropic family group whose vision “is one of enriched, joyful, hopeful, and interconnected communities of individuals and families who have respect and opportunity, who are nurtured to reach their highest potential, and who are contributing, connected, and involved members of their communities.” Past recipients have included the Enumclaw Public Library, Planned Parenthood of Western Washington, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Port Townsend Marine Center, Pike Place Market Foundation, and locally, Fremont High School. Literature presentations to young children would fulfill not only the mission of the Satterberg Foundation but also goals of the City of Sunnyvale through the services of the public library.

EXISTING POLICY

Programs and Publications

Collaboration and Customer Focus

Action Statement     Seek grant funding to enhance library services

6.2F.1i                   

DISCUSSION

Recent research into infant brain development indicates that the early years are critical to the acquisition of language and the skills necessary to learn to read and write.  Young children of working parents spend a significant amount of time in day care situations in which the caregiver may not have the time or awareness of the importance of using books, language, song and rhyme in the acquisition of these skills. In presenting story programs in day care situations, librarians can model for the care providers the best methods for using books to affect acquisition of these skills, as well as enrich the experiences of the children. 

FISCAL IMPACT

The Satterberg Foundation awarded grant funds in the amount of $10,000 to enable children’s librarians to prepare and present story programs at preschools and day care homes.  If accepted, the grant award will be established as a special project for FY 2005/06.

Budget Modification No   8  

Fiscal Year 2005/2006

General Fund

Revenues	Current	Increase	Revised
Satterberg Foundation Grant	0	$10,000	$10,000
Expenditure
New Project: Tales for Tots Grant	0	$10,000	$10,000

 

Conclusion

Young children who spend a significant part of their waking lives in a day care situation rather than with a parent often lack the opportunity to acquire the language and early literacy skills that will facilitate their learning to read and write. In sharing books with these children, knowledgeable and well-trained librarians can present these opportunities as well as demonstrate the pleasure to be found in books. When they begin elementary school, the children will be ready to learn to read and write. In addition, caregivers and teachers who observe the presentations will learn methods for reinforcing these skills.  Teachers, caregivers, and parents will also be invited to attend library workshops on building these early literacy skills.

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.  The Board of Library Trustees reviewed the Report at their meeting on November 7, 2005.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Council approves use of Satterberg Foundation funds for Tales for Tots: Increasing Storytimes to Young Children in Child Care Centers and Family Day Care Provider Homes.

2. Council rejects use of Satterberg Foundation funds for Tales for Tots: Increasing Storytime to Young Children in Child Care Centers and Family Day Care Provider Homes.

RECOMMENDATION

At their November 7, 2005 Board of Library Trustees meeting, the Board voted unanimously in support of Alternative #1 to accept the Satterberg Foundation funds for the Tales for Tots Increasing Storytimes to Young Children in Child Care Centers and Family Day Care Provider Homes grant because it is budget neutral and helps children in the community.

Staff recommends Alternative #1. The additional exposure to story programs presented by knowledgeable and well-trained children’s librarians will help children in day care homes and preschools to build the skills and language they need to be ready to read and write when they begin their elementary school careers.

Reviewed by:

Deborah L. Barrow, Director, Libraries

Prepared by: Elizabeth Wachter, Supervising Librarian

Reviewed by:

Mary Bradley, Director, Finance

Approved by: