From
Amy Sprinkles
Title
Ratify the acceptance of a Texas State Library and Archives Commission Family Place Grant that sponsored tuition, hotel and food for two Grand Prairie Library staff members to go to the Family Place Training Institute in New York, and provided $6,000 to the tools to implement the program.
Presenter
Amy Sprinkles, Marketing/Library Director
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
In May 2015, the city of Grand Prairie applied for and was accepted to be one of several Texas library systems the State Library and Archives Commission would sponsor to attend Family Place training in New York. The State funded $12,000 for tuition, hotel and on-site food for two staff members from our library to attend the Family Place Libraries training on May 18-21, 2015 in New York. The city paid for airfare and ground transportation.
The Family Place Libraries Training Institute provides theoretical grounding and practical training in family-centered library services. By expanding the traditional role children’s service, the Family Place Libraries Institute helps participants build on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parental involvement and supportive communities play a critical role in young children’s growth and development. The Institute provides training and resources to help participants redesign their library environment to: be more welcoming and appropriate for children beginning at birth; connect parents with the resources, programs and services offered at the library and other family service agencies; and, connect with non-traditional library users. The Institute participants will be able to create the network families need to nurture their children's development during the critical first years of life, and help ensure the children have access to resources that will allow them to enter school ready and able to learn.
The on-site training provided information and guidelines for establishing a specially-designed, welcoming space and learning environment within the children’s area of the Library for young children and their caregivers. As a participant in the TSLAC-sponsored Family Place Libraries Project, TSLAC also provided Grand Prairie Library a state-funded sub-grant in the amount of $6,000 in order to establish a family space and learning environment in the children’s area of the Library, as specified in the Family Place Libraries Project training. These grant funds may ONLY be used to purchase items for use specifically in the Family Place-designated space and learning environment. The Library may not use any of the grant funds for indirect costs.
The Library must expend all funds granted in compliance with the standard State of Texas terms and conditions and according to guidelines provided by the Family Place Libraries Project according to this timeline:
Aug. 15, 2015 - The Library must have all grant funds encumbered
Sept. 30, 2015 - The Library must submit all Financial Forms to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission; documentation must include a listing of all items purchased and amounts paid for each item. The Library must attach copies of all paid invoices for all items purchased under the Project.
October 15, 2015 - The Library must return all unexpended funds or funds used for unallowable items to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Financial Consideration
Grant proceeds and related expenditures will be accounted for in the City's Grant Fund (300593) as Activity 41515017. No city match is required.