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Page 1 of 4 <br />Item #7 <br /> CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT <br /> <br />June 17, 2025 <br />Library and Recreation <br /> <br />TITLE: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF <br />CALIFORNIA LIBRARY GRANT FOR ADULT LITERACY SERVICES IN THE <br />AMOUNT OF $45,722 FOR FY 2025/26 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY <br />MANAGER TO ACCEPT AND ALLOCATE THE FUNDS <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br />The State of California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) directs state and federal funds to <br />support adult literacy in public libraries. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the <br />application for $45,722 in CLLS grant funding to support Pleasanton Library’s Adult Literacy <br />Services for FY 2025/26. If awarded, acceptance of funds will be authorized by the City <br />Manager and available from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Adopt a resolution authorizing application to the State of California Library Grant for Adult <br />Literacy Services in the amount of $45,722 for FY 2025/26 and authorizing the City Manager to <br />accept and allocate the funds. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />Since 1985, the Pleasanton Public Library has offered adult literacy services. In 2006, the City <br />began receiving annual State of California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) funding to support <br />these efforts. For FY 2024/25, the City received $42,948 for Adult Literacy Services and <br />$61,071 for English as a Second Language (ESL) Services, two interrelated literacy programs <br />collectively known as Pleasanton Reads. The grant for ESL services was approved on a two- <br />year cycle for FY 2024/25 and 2025/26. It is expected to be discontinued for future fiscal <br />years. <br /> <br />Community Need <br />Pleasanton has approximately 80,000 residents. Of these, 35% speak a language other than <br />English at home, and 37% of those households are considered “Limited English Speaking.” In <br />addition, 5.2% of the population lives below the poverty level, and 22% of those individuals <br />have not completed high school. (Sources: 2019 U.S. Census, PIAAC Skills Map, 2020 <br />American Community Survey) <br /> <br />This combination of language, socioeconomic, and educational factors underscores the need <br />to support residents in developing English language skills. Staff has identified the following <br />critical literacy needs in the community: <br />• Strengthening reading, writing, grammar, comprehension, and vocabulary <br />• Building community connections <br />• Addressing service gaps not met elsewhere, including access to individual and group <br />tutoring, computers, Wi-Fi, mobile hotspots, printing, books and materials, and meeting <br />Page 112 of 864