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BACKGROUND The library has provided Adult Literacy Services since 1985 and continued to do so following the library's transition from a branch of the Alameda County Library system to an independent City library in 1999. Then known as the Pleasanton READS Project, the program was initially supported exclusively by the City's General Fund as part of the library operations budget. The program served adult learners of English by supporting reading, writing, conversation skill acquisition, and preparation for standardized tests and the United States citizenship test with the help of library-trained volunteers. Since 2006, Pleasanton has received California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) funding, administered by the California State Library under the direction of the State Librarian. More recently, in FY 2021/22, the City received $50,276 in library grant funding which was used to pay for partial salaries and benefits for a four-member grant team, in-service training workshops for volunteers, resources used by staff and participants, ongoing LTE wireless service for Chromebook laptops, and supplies and printing. The library provides learners and tutors with all necessary supplies, materials, and resources, plus meeting space for program participants. In 2022, CLLS awarded the City with an Adult Literacy Services grant and a new supplemental grant to build ESL services in the amounts of $48,639 and $61 ,071, respectively. Those grants served a combined total of 291 adult English-language learners and 126 volunteer tutors, which represented a 300 percent increase in adult learners served, up from 97 learners in FY 2021/22. Learner feedback indicates that these opportunities fill critical needs that include speaking English and language fluency, building community connections and utilizing unique supports not found elsewhere in the community such as Wi-Fi, computers, printing, books and materials, and library programs. DISCUSSION For FY 2023/24, the Adult Literacy Services grant will continue to support the existing grant and City-funded Pleasanton Reads program, while the ESL Services grant will expand the program to individuals who have not been traditionally served in the prior grant cycles. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this action advances the following Citywide ONE Pleasanton strategic plan goals of Building a Community Where Everyone Belongs, Strategy 1 — Apply strategies from the City diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) action plan to increase equitable access to City programs and services for the community, and Strategy 3 — Implement high priority items from the Library and Recreation Strategic Plan to continue to deliver activities and programs that meet the needs and interests of the community. Page 2 of 3