REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 22, 2026
FROM
MELANIE OROSCO, County Librarian, County Library
SUBJECT
Title
California Library Literacy Services Project Grant Award Agreement with the California State Library
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve State-Funded Grants Award Agreement and Certificate of Compliance (State Agreement No. CLLS26-71), including non-standard terms, with the California State Library, to receive $99,132 for the California Library Literacy Services Project, for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
2. Authorize the County Librarian or the Assistant County Librarian, as required by the California State Library, to electronically execute and submit the State-Funded Grants Award Agreement and Certificate of Compliance, grant documents, forms, reports, and any subsequent non-substantive amendments, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the County Librarian to submit the State-Funded Grants Award Agreement and Certificate of Compliance and subsequent non-substantive amendments to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Melanie Orosco, County Librarian, 387-2220)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The total revenue under the State-Funded Grants Award Agreement and Certificate of Compliance (State Agreement No. CLLS26-71) (Agreement) is $99,132, will reimburse costs for staff support, collection materials, display materials and other ancillary needs. The grant award is paid in two parts: 90 percent ($89,219) upon submission of the required claim and certification forms, and the remaining 10 percent after submission and approval of the Mid-Year Report and the July-December 2026 Financial Report. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the County Library’s (Department) 2026-27 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The California State Library will provide grant funding for the California Literacy Services Project (Program). The Program allows the Department to provide individualized tutoring to illiterate adults by giving them tools to learn to read and write. The Program helps learners accomplish many goals through building self-confidence in applying for jobs, being able to vote, and much more. Additionally, the Program supports the County’s Cradle to Career Road Map to achieve the Countywide Vision. Teaching illiterate adults to read not only helps the individual, but also their children, as parents who read are able to give children the literacy support needed to succeed. The Program allows the Department to increase the literacy rate in the County. The Department has received grant funds from California State Library annually for this purpose since 1984.
On May 05, 2026, (Item No. 41), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the Department’s submission of a grant application to the California State Library, requesting grant funding for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, for Adult Literacy. For the grant application, the Department used data from the 16 branches that provide Program services, that were included in the 2025-2026 California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) Final Report. The CLLS Final Report data includes a total of 283 adult learners that received instruction and one-on-one tutoring. A total of 125 tutors provided 3,787 hours of instruction. The Department also listed materials, equipment, costs for personnel, and other items detailing how the funding would be spent.
On August 11, 2026, the Department received notice of the grant award amount of $99,132 for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, and the Agreement. This item is being presented to the Board at this time as this is the first date available for presentation following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews.
The Agreement covers the project period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. All eligible program costs must be incurred by June 30, 2027. The California State Library allows an additional three months through September 30, 2027, for the payment/liquidation of those previously incurred costs.
Approval of the Agreement will allow acceptance of the grant award from the California State Library, in the amount of $99,132, thereby enabling the Department to continue to offer services related to the Program for fiscal year 2026-27. Literacy programs in public libraries transform the lives of adults in the communities served by providing access to tools that support individuals to gain basic literacy skills.
The Program provides one-on-one literacy instruction and individualized tutoring for low-income illiterate adults and seniors. Library adult literacy services are free of charge to all learners participating in the program. Direct services and assistance are provided by Library staff, as well as trained literacy tutors. Dedicated tutoring space and special Program materials (leveled student readers, workbooks, dictionaries, etc.) are supplied to participating learners at no charge. The Department uses the grant funding to maintain the materials and balance the cost of salaries for the staff that run the Program. The Department purchases materials for the learners to take home, such as workbooks, flash cards, notebooks, pencils, highlighters, for learners to practice and maintain the skills they are taught during the one-on-one tutoring. Learners are strongly encouraged to attend free basic computer skills classes taught in the library. Those with young children are encouraged to attend early learning and preschool story time activities to foster a love of reading and ensure school-age readiness.
The Agreement contains the following nonstandard terms, which require Board approval:
1. The Agreement does not require California State Library to indemnify the County, as required by County Policies 11-05 and 11-07.
• The County standard contract indemnity provision requires the contractor to indemnify, defend, and hold County harmless from third party claims arising out of the acts, errors or omissions of any person.
• Potential Impact: The California State Library is not required to defend, indemnify or hold the County harmless from any claims. If the County is sued for any claim related to this Agreement, then the County may be solely liable for the costs of defense and damages.
2. The County is required to indemnify California State Library.
• The County standard contract does not include any indemnification or defense by the County of a contractor.
• Potential Impact: By agreeing to indemnify the California State Library, claims that may otherwise be barred against the County, time limited, or expense limited could be brought against California State Library without such limitations and the County could be responsible to defend and reimburse the California State Library for costs, expenses, and damages.
3. The Agreement does not require the California State Library to meet the County’s insurance standards as required pursuant to County Policies, 11-05, 11-07 and 11-07SP.
• County policy requires contractors to carry appropriate insurance at limits and under conditions determined by the County’s Risk Management Department and as set forth in County policy and in the County standard contract.
• Potential Impact: The County has no assurance that the California State Library will be financially responsible for claims that may arise under the Agreement.
4. County is required to notify the California State Library prior to any legally required disclosure of confidential documents.
• The County standard contract does not require notice.
• Potential Impact: The County will need to be aware of its obligation to notify the California State Library prior to any disclosure, including in response to a Public Records Act request.
5. All disputes arising under the Agreement must be settled by the State Librarian or designated representative.
• The County standard contract does not require settlement of disputes by a State representative.
• Potential Impact: Settlement of disputes by the State Librarian decisions are not appealable.
The Department recommends approval of the Agreement, including all nonstandard terms, as the grant award will allow the Department to improve literacy rates in San Bernardino County.
The Department recommends authorizing the County Librarian or Assistant County Librarian to electronically execute and submit the Agreement, grant documents, forms, reports, and any subsequent non-substantive amendments, as required by the California State Library.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniella Hernandez, Deputy County Counsel, 387-3121) on August 20, 2026; Risk Management (Stephanie Pacheco, Staff Analyst II, 386-9039) on August 20, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Terri Sumrall, Administrative Analyst, 387-0294) on September 3, 2026.