CLA Supports Proposed Increase for California Libraries

The California Library Association applauds Governor Newsom for his commitment to public libraries in the 2021-22 State Budget.  We thank him for the recognition of the tireless work of California’s libraries and the vital services they provide, particularly during the pandemic, such as meals for needy students and access to materials for homebound seniors and families with small children. Many jurisdictions are dealing with the impacts of reduced budgets and staffing at this time and the funding will give libraries the ability to expand their service to vulnerable populations and provide key resources for early learning and after school programs.

California’s local libraries would receive nearly $10 million more in state support over last year in the budget introduced today by Governor Newsom. The increased funding is aimed at helping libraries strengthen local partnerships to improve early learning and outside-of-school opportunities as well as supporting programs that are continuing to help Californians cope with the fallout from the pandemic.

“This is a difficult budget year but Gov. Newsom is a strong believer in strategic investment and these funds strengthen libraries and build community resilience,” said Greg Lucas, California’s state librarian."Coupled with the investment the state is continuing to make in boosting library broadband connectivity, California’s 1,128 ‘community hubs’ are becoming better at meeting community needs and expectations.”

Included in the budget is $5 million to increase early learning opportunities and afterschool academic assistance as well as $3 million to better deliver library services to those who can’t come to the physical library, often a community’s most vulnerable residents.

Another $800,000 reinvests in a program that helps libraries provide summer meals to kids in need. In 2019, 219 libraries served more than 289,000 meals. During the pandemic, libraries re-invented the program, providing “grab-n-go” meals and learning kits at curbside “drive-thrus.”

Budget funds also help defray costs for the more than 900 local libraries already connected to the same high-speed broadband network as the University of California, the state university system, community colleges, and public schools.

• $8 million in one-time funds to support “Shared Vision” grants.An initial round of funding was conducted in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2020 to boost early learning opportunities and outside-of-school programming at libraries and deliver library services to harder-to-reach Californians – an even more acute need in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were $25 million in proposals submitted by libraries across the state for the initial $8 million. This second round of funding will help address some of the unmet need.

• $1 million to support delivering books and other materials through the online marketplace.Faster and cheaper than traditional book delivery, the program has been used during the pandemic as a lifeline to community members -- often the elderly -- incapable of visiting the library.

• $800,000 in ongoing funding to support summer lunch programs at local libraries. In 2019, 220 local libraries served more than 289,000 meals. During the pandemic, libraries served “Grab-and-Go” meals and learning kits. The State Library looks forward to working with other providers of summer meals to make sure more of the 3 million school age children eligible receive the nutrition they need to learn and thrive.
• $500,000 in ongoing financial aid to defray higher broadband connectivity costs for local libraries
• $500,000 to support the Braille Institute, the state’s partner in Southern California in delivering library services to the visually impaired.