Welcome! An Orientation to CLLS
Welcome to California Library Literacy Services (CLLS)!
This section of our website is devoted to providing an overview for new library literacy coordinators and staff about your relationship with the State Library, including CLLS funding and reporting, as well as services and resources provided to support you.
We suggest you start by learning about the basic philosophies that undergird our programs by reviewing the CLLS Mission and Values.
Next, learn more about the three program components of CLLS -- Adult Literacy, Mobile Library Literacy and ELLI (English Language Literacy Intensive) – by reviewing the Program Essentials we expect for each component from the libraries we fund to provide them.
In 2004, California Library Literacy Services celebrates 20 years of library literacy! In 2003, a new law was enacted for our program, replacing the original 1984 legislation. This will give you an idea about what the legislature expects for the money it provides.
A new funding formula (doc) was created in 2003 in order to implement the new law. In essence, there are 3 parts to the formula that reflect our CLLS mission and values:
- A baseline amount for each of your approved CLLS program components that reflects the importance of each library having enough funds to provide a minimum level of local literacy staffing and services.
- A per capita amount per adult learner served that reflects the fact that Adult Literacy Services are the heart of our service, and are the basis for all other literacy services.
- A match on local funds raised and expended for adult literacy services—reflecting a commitment to a continuing State/Local partnership, and to providing an incentive for increased local support for adult literacy.
The funds are provided in two "payments" each year:
- The "first payment" is the baselines for each of the program components you provide. You will complete an annual application in the spring of each year, and based on satisfactory review of that, an award letter is generated as soon as the State Budget is approved each year, notifying you of this first part of the award for the year
- The second “payment” is determined by applying the other two parts of the formula – match and per capita – which is determined once final reports on the previous fiscal year are submitted to the State Library by the August 15 deadline. (It is important to note that libraries not submitting the final reports by September 15 at the latest, will be eligible to receive baseline amounts ONLY, and no match or per capita dollars. The reason for this is that final calculations are based the total match and per capita for all programs statewide. The State Library will not hold up funding for all programs because one or two programs report late.)
To keep getting the funding, you will make an application to the State Library each year in May. Application Materials AND reporting to us twice each year – a mid-year report is due mid-February for the previous June through December services, and a final report is due mid-August for the previous January through June services. The reports are entered online. You can find all the reporting information by going to the Staff Resources Section of our website, and clicking on "Reporting."
You can also look at and print out the full Reporting Timeline
A directory of additional potential funding resources has been designed to help library literacy staff identify additional potential funding resources in order to stabilize local services.
You can link up with other library literacy providers in your area for networking purposes by joining your local network.
Our CLLS Listservs are available for keeping in touch as well. If you are the overall literacy coordinator in your library, or the adult literacy coordinator, you should be added to the "CLLS" listserv. Contact info@libraryliteracy.org ASAP and make that request, because that list is used not only as a place to post questions to your colleagues around the state, but is also used by the State Library as the principal communication medium for most things important. You should also join the other listservs, depending on which of our CLLS program components you are responsible for: There is a Mobile Library Literacy Services list, and an ELLI list. Contact info@libraryliteracy.org and state which ones you would like to be added to.
You can always ask for help from your state library literacy team:
Carla Lehn (916) 653-7743
Andrea Freeland (916) 651-3191
If you're looking for something and can't find it, or have a question about how CLLS operates, don't hesitate to contact one of us.