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Agenda No. 4.

CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM

City Council Meeting:

February 4, 2025

Department:

Library

Subject:

Resolution 25-R-019 Authorizing the submission of a Special Projects Grant application to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) for a Library Outreach Vehicle (S.Gonzalez/M.Uhlhorn)

BACKGROUND

In late November 2024, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) opened a Special Projects grant opportunity for library projects intended to expand library services to all members of a library's community. The grant enables libraries to develop programs for populations with special needs or those having difficulty using the library. Schertz Public Library's grant request is for a library outreach vehicle to provide programs, services, and materials to community members who cannot easily access services at the library. Up to $75,000 is available for the project.

GOAL

The goal of this resolution is to authorize City staff to apply for a TSLAC Special Projects grant, and for the City to accept the funds if awarded.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

The Library is a community hub and a heavily used resource for residents. But because it is centrally located, residents in north and south Schertz are inconvenienced by the distance they must drive to the library. An outreach vehicle would allow us to take the library to them. It would also make it possible to take library services to the senior housing communities, assisted living facilities, schools, daycares, and to the homebound. This would help make library services accessible to a much larger group of residents and could be considered as a mobile “branch” library until such time as the City can build actual branch libraries. An outreach vehicle was an identified need and high priority recommendation in the Matrix staffing study in conjunction with the addition of an Outreach Librarian as a way of improving the reach of the library into the community. These outcomes are in alignment with the City's strategic plan "Sense of Community" goal, in particular the objective of "Grow quality of life programs and facilities." Receiving these grant funds does not obligate adding the Outreach Librarian position - staff will continue to request this position and it will be prioritized with all other requests throughout the budget process.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

City staff recommends approval of Resolution 25-R-019.

FISCAL IMPACT

This reimbursement grant provides funds up to $75,000 for a library project with no requirement for cost sharing, matching funds, or cost participation. The amount of the grant is expected to cover the cost of the vehicle and customization. However, if the funds are awarded and an outreach vehicle is purchased, there will be recurring fuel, insurance and maintenance costs, roughly estimated at approximately $3,000 annually. The project, from implementation to conclusion, will take place between July 2025 to June 2026, so these ongoing costs will begin in the second half of FY26. As for staffing, current staff will oversee the project and operate the vehicle to begin with, but the goal is to add an Outreach Librarian position (weighted salary approximately $80,000/yr) to develop a robust outreach program for the community and make full use of the opportunities the vehicle provides. Receiving these grant funds does not obligate adding the Outreach Librarian position - staff will continue to request this position and it will be prioritized with all other requests throughout the budget process.

RECOMMENDATION

City staff recommends approval of Resolution 25-R-019.

Attachments

Resolution 25-R-019 with attachments

Special Projects Grant Announcement

Application Signature Form