2002 AGN AUG 20 I22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item #22 CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT FOR COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 20, 2002 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: David Michael Davis, City Librarian SUBJECT: Authorization to Accept a California State Library After -School Homework Assistance Grant to the Colton Public Library in the amount of $90,000 DATE: July 25, 2002 BACKGROUND: The Colton Public Library has applied for, and is eligible to receive $90,000 in California State Library Grant funding to provide after-school computerized homework assistance to English- language learners through ELLI. ELLI is a grant to public libraries and was created to improve the literacy and test scores of California school-age children, specifically those who come from homes where English is not the first language. We have entitled this program "Today's Readers... Tomorrows Leaders". DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: With grant funds, the Colton Public Library will purchase approximately 10 computers creating a homework assistance laboratory. Also, qualified staff will be hired to run the lab and assist children from Grant, Lincoln, and Wilson elementary schools. (Students at these schools have some of the lowest STAR test scores in the City). Parents will also be invited to a variety of educational workshops to assist their children as they learn the English language. The homework assistance laboratory will be open Monday through Friday, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at a site centrally located and approximately equal distance to the above schools. The principals from Grant, Lincoln, and Wilson elementary schools have indicated their willingness to refer students and parents. We would expect to serve approximately 300 students during the first year. It is important to note that a site for the homework assistance laboratory has been problematical. There is currently no interior space at the Main Library for such a facility. Because of this and the need to provide a central library location to the above schools, it occurred to staff that since the downstairs Children's Room at the Carnegie Public Library (now part of the City Museum) was successfully used by many generations of Colton children, it could serve once again as an ideal spot for such a program. Moreover, the increased public awareness, computers, wiring and infrastructure improvements made possible by the grant would greatly benefit the City and the Museum. Therefore, library staff approached the Museum Board to ascertain their interest in this project. However, the Museum Board declined. Page 1 of 2 Attachment: Resolution