PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to propose that the Burbank City Council amend the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 budget to appropriate $10,000 awarded to the Burbank Public Library for the Global Language Materials Grant Program through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the California State Library, effective immediately for the period ending June 30, 2005.

BACKGROUND

The Burbank Public Library has been awarded the Global Language Materials Grant Program through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, administered by the California State Library, in the amount of $10,000.

From 1984 through 2002 more than 3,750,000 people have immigrated to California from outside the U.S.  Libraries, including the Burbank Public Library,  have been hard pressed to acquire and provide adequate informational and recreational materials to newcomers to America in their native languages.  The objective of the Global Language Materials Grant Program is to help libraries purchase these materials, to assist these newcomers in more fully participating in California and American society, as well as improving library service throughout the Burbank community.

Based upon the Burbank Public Library�s Needs Assessment, the languages we have targeted for the grant are Spanish, Armenian, Farsi, Russian, French and Korean.  While there are 63 languages spoken in our local schools, Spanish, Armenian and Korean are predominant.  Almost 40% of Burbank�s population is Hispanic, Latino or Mexican (Census, 2000).  The Armenian population in our City is estimated to be between 8,000 and 18,000 with 15-17% of school children from Armenian heritage (Burbank Unified School District).  Many Armenians, however, speak and read Farsi, Russian and French. 

As a condition for receiving this grant award, the library is required to obtain input from the targeted immigrant community regarding the nature of the materials to be acquired.  In addition, all items purchased under this grant must be cataloged.  Also, all materials purchased under the grant must be housed at the library for the total expected life of the materials.

FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS

The proposed budget amendment authorizes the Financial Services Director to appropriate $10,000 from the Revenue account 001.ND000.48010.1082 to Library Services Department Expenditure Account 001.LB02A.62425.1000 (Library Resource Materials - Global Language Books).

RECOMMENDATIONS

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution entitled "Amending the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Budget to Appropriate $10,000 Awarded from the Global Language Materials Grant Program through the Library Services and Technology Act funds from the California State Library."    

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