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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-04; City Council; 18298; Application Grant National Endowment for the Arts The Big Read InitiativeCITY OF CARLSBAD -AGENDA BILL TITLE: APPLICATION FOR A GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS FOR THE BIG READ IN ITlATlVE 1 DEPT.HD. dGsp CITY ATTY. CITY MGR AB# 18,298 MTG. 10/4/05 DEPT. LIB Adopt Resolution No. 2005297 a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for The Big Read initiative. authorizing the Carlsbad City Library to apply for ITEM EXPLANATION: The National Endowment for the Arts recently released a request for proposals for grant funds for their The Big Read initiative. The goal of this initiative is to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. Grant funds will be provided to six communities of varying sizes across the country. Organizations eligible to apply must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or division of state, local, or tribal government; possess a demonstrated capacity to plan and implement a well-planned, well-attended, community-wide event with a diverse range of programming; and maintain a commitment to expanding a reading audience. The Carlsbad City Library meets all the eligibility requirements, having hosted the highly successful Carlsbad Reads Together program last year. If awarded the grant, the Carlsbad City Library staff has tentatively selected Fahrenheit 451 from the list provided in the request for proposals, as the book of choice and already has garnered support from both LaCosta Canyon High school and Borders Books to participate n and support the program. FISCAL IMPACT: Srant awards range from $25,000-$35,000 and matching funds are not required. If awarded, the grant funds would be appropriated into the Carlsbad City Library General Fund for 2005/06. Grant funding would be used to support the implementation of The Big Read initiative in the Carlsbad community. EXHl BITS: 1. Resolution No. 2005297 approving the application for a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts The Big Read initiative. 2. National Endowment for the Arts The Big Read Request for Proposals 3. Carlsbad City Library Application for the grant. Iepartment Contact: Jessica Padilla Bowen, (760) 602-2012 - jpadi@ci.carlsbad.ca.us 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 EXHIBIT 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2005297 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR A GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS FOR THE BIG READ INITIATIVE WHEREAS, the Carlsbad City Library will again host a community reading event this year and meets all the criteria for a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts in support of such a program; and WHEREAS, the grant from The National Endowment for the Arts will provide additional support for the program; and WHEREAS, the Carlsbad City Library supports the goals of the City Council in providing lifelong learning opportunities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the Library Director is authorized to apply to The National Endowment for the Arts for The Big Read initiative grant. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad held the 4th day of October ,2005 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Council Members Lewis, Hall, Packard, Sigafoose ATTEST: (SEAL) EXHIBIT #2 The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. Through this initiative, the National Endowment for the Arts will work with multiple partners across the country to encourage Americans to read for pleasure, enlightenment, and self-realization. Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America, a recent report by the National Endowment for the Arts, identified critical issues with reading. The Big Read aims to address these issues and to help unite communities across the nation through great literature. The Big Read will provide citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their community. The initiative will include innovative reading programs in selected communities; an expansive national publicity campaign, including television, radio, and print publicity; compelling resources for discussing outstanding literature; and an extensive Web site providing comprehensive information on authors and their works. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Six communities of varying sizes across the country will be selected in the first year of the program to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts The Big Read. THE BIG READ COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Communities selected to participate in The Big Read will be required to: 9 Select one of the following books: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 9 Produce a well-planned, well-attended, community-wide read with a diverse range of programming to occur between January and June 2006. A successful community event will be approximately one month in duration and include : 0 0 0 A kick-off event to launch the program locally. At least one major keynote session on the book (e.g., a panel discussion or author reading). A minimum of two to three special events involving other kinds of programming (e.g., a series of film screenings or a theatrical reading). A minimum of ten to 50 book discussions in diverse locations and aimed at a diverse range of audiences. Note: Expectations regarding numbers of activities will be dependent upon community size. 9 Use educational and promotional materials provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for the Arts will develop extensive educational materials for each of the aforementioned books, which will be distributed to the six communities and will also be accessible to the general public online. ---I_ __ll_lll -I.I ”~ _____---_I_ Arts Midwest - 2908 Hennepin Avenue Suite 200. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408 T 612.341.0755 - F 612.341.0902 - TTY 612.822.2956 - www.artsmidwest.org 1 THE BIG READ COMMUNITY GUIDELINES [continued) 9 Generate local collaborations with public and private organizations to reach the entire community. Work with libraries, arts organizations, publishers, educators, booksellers, youth groups, community service organizations, neighborhood associations, and other interested groups on programming. Work closely with local and state public officials (e.g., the mayor’s office). Work with local media to generate positive media attention. 0 9 Comply with all crediting and publicity requirements. 9 Comply with all reporting requirements. 9 Work closely with the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest. This will include participating in an orientation meeting at the National Endowment for the Arts in December 2005. THE BIG READ BENEFITS FOR SELECTED COMMUNITIES Communities selected to participate in The Big Read will receive: 9 Grants ranging from $25,000 to $35,000 to support implementation of The Big Read in your community. 9 Extensive materials for organizers, including a guide for developing and managing local reading programs. 9 Engaging and accessible reading guides for book clubs, classrooms, and all participants, showcasing the featured book and author in each community. 9 Promotional and marketing materials including banners, bookmarks, etc. 9 Publicity assistance from a national public relations agency. 9 Technical support and networking opportunities. P Prestige of being selected as one of The Big Read communities. Organizations applying to participate must: 0 0 0 Be a 50 1 (c)(3) nonprofit organization or division of state, local, or tribal government. Possess a demonstrated capacity to plan and implement a well-planned, well-attended, community- wide event with a diverse range of programming. Maintain a commitment to expanding a reading audience. ~~ ~~~ Six commu&ies of varying sizes across the country will be selected in the first year of the program to participate in The Big Read. Organizations will be selected based on the following: 0 0 0 0 0 Quality of outlined plans to develop and implement a community-wide reading program. Experience in building strong partnerships with local organizations. Proven ability to reach and engage new and diverse audiences. Experience in working with educators. Experience in involving local and state public officials. Experience in working with media, and the quality of plans to generate positive media attention. Arts Midwest 2908 Hennepin Avenue Suite 200. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408 T 612.341.0755 - F 612.341.0902 - TTY 612.822.2956 * www.artsmidwest.org 2 Full proposal deadline: August 3 1,2005 Panel meets: late September 2005 Notification of selected communities: mid-October 2005 Official public relations launcldannouncement of program: November 15, 2005 Project activity: January - June 2006 ~~ Applicants should submit a five-page proposal narrative and attachments & described below. Fill-in PDF forms are available online at www .artsmidwest.org. NARRATIVE 1. Describe your organization, including its history, mission, principal activities and population served. 2. Describe your organization's capability to develop, manage, and promote a successful community- wide reading program as part of The Big Read. Describe how you plan to staff this program. Use examples of past programming and partnerships. If applicable, please describe your experience with either community-wide reading programs or other community-wide events. 3. Describe preliminary program plans, including the number and types of activities you will implement. 4. Describe potential community and media partners, to include the local library, mayor's office, secondaryhigher education institutions, and radio, television and newspaper. Discuss how you will work with these partners on programming and publicity. 5. Describe your audience and how your organization will reach and engage new and diverse audiences. Also address how you will reach non-readers. 6. Select which book you wish to read in your community, and explain why you are selecting it. ATTACHMENTS 0 Cover sheet (see attached) 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current organizational operating budget (see attached) Proposed project budget (see attached) Biographies of the principal project leaders (no more than two pages) Printed materials representing past related programming Three letters of support from potential partners Copy of your organization's tax-exempt ruling under Section 50 1 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code FORMAT 0 0 Submit the original and three additional copies of the proposal narrative and attachments Materials should be printed single-sided with one-inch margins and at least 1 1-point type Proposals are due on or before August 3 1,2005. We cannot accept e-mailed or faxed materials. Please send your proposal to: The Big Read Arts Midwest 2908 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55408 Please call Susannah Bielak at Arts Midwest at (612) 341-0755, ext. 21, or e-mail to susannah@artsmidwest .org. ............................................................................ ___ ................................ .....I_......._ I ....... Arts Midwest. 2908 Hennepin Avenue Suite 200 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408 T 612.341.0755 . F 612.341.0902 - llY 612.822.2956 www.artsmidwest.org 3 EXHIBIT #3 “The Big Read” Carlsbad City Library proposal Ca rlsbad , California Page One 1. History & Mission The Carlsbad City Library system provides community members of all ages with convenient access to high-quality resources and services to inform and enrich individual and community life. The City of Carlsbad, located 40 miles north of San Diego, is among the fastest growing communities in San Diego County. In 1980, Carlsbad’s population was 35,490; by 2004, it had nearly tripled to 95,146. As the community has grown, the Library has grown with it. Carlsbad’s Library system serves the entire community with two large libraries and two smaller library facilities. The newest facility, the Carlsbad City Library in southern Carlsbad, was built in 1999 and includes an expanded collection, the 215-seat Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, the Gowland Meeting Room, a career center, the Friends of the Library bookstore and the 2,000- square-foot William D. Cannon Art Gallery. The Georgina Cole Library in northern Carlsbad opened in 1967. Remodeled in 2000, the Cole Library features one of California’s largest genealogy collections, the Carlsbad History Room, a community meeting room and an atrium. Public access computers with Internet and printing capabilities are located throughout the Libraries. In addition to the two larger libraries, there is also the Centro de Informaci6n, which provides library and information services in both Spanish and English for Carlsbad’s diverse community, and the Adult Learning Program, which offers free tutoring in reading and writing for English- speaking adults and high school students. The Adult Learning Program was established in 1984, as one of the original 27 adult literacy programs in public libraries in the state of California. The Centro was established in 1991. In 2006, the Library will begin construction on a new Learning Center, where the Centro de Informacion and Adult Learning Program will be housed together. This new 1 1,000-square-foot facility will be located in northern Carlsbad and will feature a full-service library, computer labs, study rooms for individual and group tutoring sessions, and meeting rooms. All of Carlsbad’s Library facilities serve as vibrant community gathering places, with the southern location serving as a cultural center with an Auditorium equipped with state-of-the-art sound and video equipment and media staff. Adult programming at all Library locations is extensive. More than 250 free and low-cost programs are offered each year, including author readings, a concert and film series, poetry readings, writing workshops and play readings. Offerings for children and teens are also extensive, including such programs as story times, puppet shows, teen movies nights, book clubs, teen talent shows and the Rock the Library concert series featuring teen bands. More than 29,000 adults, teens and children attended these programs last year. The Library also offers free computer classes for children and teens, free genealogy classes and free book clubs for children, teens and adults. “The Big Read” Carlsbad City Library proposal Carlsbad, California Page Two 2. Organizational Capacity The staff at Carlsbad City Library is well prepared to develop, promote and implement a successful community-wide reading program. Altogether, the community-wide reading committee staff of eight has years of experience in planning and facilitating community programming. In 2004, the Library hosted its first community-wide reading program, Carlsbad Reads Together, focused on T.C Boyle’s The Tottilla Curtain. For that event, the Library formed the community-wide reading committee comprised of staff members and members of the Library’s support group, Friends of the Carlsbad Library, to plan the program. The Tortilla Curfain was chosen because it explored one of the most controversial issues confronting Californians today - illegal immigration - in a thought-provoking and challenging manner, without offering easy answers. As part of the program, the Library’s five different book clubs read The Tortilla Curtain, 40 additional copies were added to the collection for check out and the local Borders bookstore set up a Tortilla Curtain display and ordered extra copies of the book for sale. For that 2004 Carlsbad Reads Together program, events included 10 public discussion groups held at various Library locations; a panel discussion addressing the topic of immigration, moderated by the Executive Director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau; and a screening of the film El Node, followed by a discussion led by a local entertainment reporter. Carlsbad Reads Together culminated with a visit from author T.C. Boyle, who spoke to a crowd of more than 300 people. Booklets containing an excerpt from the novel, a summary of the story, an author biography, a bibliography, discussion questions and list of events were provided at Library locations and online in order to reach an even broader audience. For community members unable to attend either the talk with T.C. Boyle or the panel discussion, both were taped by the Library’s Media Services Division and aired locally on Adelphia Cable Television. DVD copies of both events are now available at the Library for check out. The Library’s media campaign for the 2004 program included displays in the Libraries and at the local Borders, press releases sent to the local newspapers and the regional public radio station, and announcements listed on the City and Library’s website. A staff committee composed of the Interim Library Director, the Deputy Library Director and the Library’s five book club leaders has already had several meetings to begin planning for the 2006 Carlsbad Reads Together program. Also on the committee is the Library’s Community Coordinator, who joined the staff in April of 2005, and is specifically charged with not only planning adult programs for the Library but also expanding the Library’s marketing and publicity efforts in the community. The addition of this new staff person will help strengthen and grow Carlsbad Reads Together. In addition to Carlsbad Reads Together and the programs mentioned earlier, the Library participates in several community-wide events. Every fall, the Library hosts the Library “The Big Read” Carlsbad City Library proposal Carlsbad, California Page Three Information Fair for Educators (L.I.F.E.), which features exhibits and information from various community organizations, including museums, arts institutions, schools and health organizations as well as City departments such as Police, Fire and Recreation. The event is free and open to the public. Approximately 400 people attended L.I.F.E. in 2004. Every March, the Library and the City’s Cultural Arts Office team up to present the Multicultural Festival. Designed to encourage children and their families to appreciate the rich diversity of the human experience, audiences are invited to attend multicultural storytelling, dance, music and theatre performances at seven locations throughout the City, including the Libraries. More than 2800 people attended this year’s events, which included Scottish dancers, Ballet Folklorico, the Czech Children’s Chorus, Native American dancers and many others. 3. Program Plans For the Library’s 2006 community-wide reading program, we plan to build on the success of our 2004 program by adding new events and expanding our publicity efforts. If Carlsbad City Library were selected as a site for “The Big Read,” our choice for the novel would be Fahrenheit 457. All of our book clubs that participated last year will hold discussions and we will plan additional book discussions at or near our Centro de Informacion, with the option of reading Fahrenheit 457 in Spanish or English. In May 2005, the Library’s Adult Learning Program began a book discussion group, and they will also be able to participate in 2006. The Library hosts the Carlsbad Film Series, movie screenings held the last three Wednesday evenings of every month, and we would plan a “Ray Bradbury Film Festival” to coincide with “The Big Read.” Among our expected screenings are Fahrenheit 457, Something Wicked This Way Comes and, for families, The Halloween Tree. We also have a Library-sponsored play reading series, Carlsbad Playreaders, and we plan to host a staged reading of an excerpt from Fahrenheit 457. Rights would also be secured to perform a staged reading of one of Ray Bradbury’s plays. To utilize our other Library resources, our History Room will provide photos and newspaper stories from the year that Fahrenheit 457 was published, providing context for the life and times during which the novel was first read. We would exhibit these materials in our Library display cases, allowing patrons to read them at their leisure. To allow for a public component to our display, we would invite Library patrons to express how Fahrenheit 457 has made an impact in their lives and exhibit their various responses. We also have wonderful exhibit space in our Libraries to house artwork based on Ray Bradbury’s novels. One of our Reference Librarians owns original etchings by Joseph Mugnaini, who illustrated many of Ray Bradbury’s books, and would be happy to temporarily loan them to the Library for others to enjoy. Our panel discussion last year provided an interesting forum to examine The Tortih Curtain and we feel this is an integral component of our community reading program. To kick off “The Big “The Big Read” Carlsbad City Library proposal Carlsbad, California Page Four Read,” we would plan a panel discussion around the topic “Science Fiction as Literature.” We would also be thrilled to have author Ray Bradbury as our guest at the Library to talk about his work. He spoke to our patrons in 1987 and it would be an honor to welcome him back! If he were not available, we would invite a guest speaker such as Sam Weller, author of The Bradbury Chronicles: The Life of Ray Bradbury. 4. Community and Media Partners Potential community partners include Borders, which supported the 2004 Carlsbad Reads Together program and frequently sell books at our literary events. In April of 2005, Borders teamed up with the Library to plan and implement a series of events during National TV Turnoff Week. Borders has proven to be a reliable and enthusiastic partner to the Library on a number of programming initiatives. The Library would also team up with one of the local high schools, La Costa Canyon High School. The Library’s energetic teen librarian visits La Costa Canyon, and several other high schools, on a regular basis and would assist teachers with organizing teen book clubs. To provide a forum for teens to participate with their peers, the Library’s teen book clubs would also read and discuss Fahrenheit 457, and we would hold one of our regular teen events, such as teen movie and pizza night, with a just-for-teens screening of the movie. Teens would have the option of participating in the community-wide events or the events designed for their age group. To encourage local business leaders and their employees to participate, we would partner with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. They have agreed to let their members know about our community reading program and encourage their participation. We would also arrange for Chamber of Commerce members to receive a discount on Fahrenheit 457 book purchases. Other grassroots approaches would include reaching out to local churches and youth groups such as the Boys and Girls Cub, all of which are very active in Carlsbad. With additional funds, it would be our priority to seek a media sponsor, such as our local NPR affiliate, KPBS Radio and Television. A strong partnership would involve support of respected radio and television personalities, who would participate in book or panel discussions, possible live on-air broadcast of programs, interviews with Library staff and/or other program related speakers, and airing of PSAs. The Library’s Community Coordinator is developing an expanded public relations plan and will explore additional media opportunities. 5. Target Audience Carlsbad is a community that values its Library and tiakes great pride in having a premiere Library system. It is common to hear residents remark that they moved to Carlsbad because of the strength of its libraries and schools. The Carlsbad City Library makes it a top priority to serve all segments of its population, with a large children and teen book collection, study rooms and desks for students, and books and programs for people of all ages. Circulation for the “The Big Read” Carlsbad City Library proposal Carlsbad, California Page Five Library locations was 1,289,091 between July 2004 and June 2005 - a rather impressive figure, we believe, for a city of 95,000. Community support is also illustrated by the amount of volunteers, who donated more than 11,000 hours of their time last year. The Library plays an important role in the community by serving San Diego County’s diverse population with our Spanish-language library, Centro de Informaci6n, and Spanish-language books as part of the collection at our other Library locations. Perhaps the biggest publicity asset in 2006 will be the success of the 2004 program and the . unsolicited, rave reviews from those who participated in that event. Thus, to further engage new audiences in 2006, the Library will partner with community members, local businesses and elected officials in a grassroots organizing effort, spotlighting those who are participating in the reading program. Non-readers may be inspired to participate if they see that their neighbors, business owners and local politicians are excited about “The Big Read.” 6. Book Selection Carlsbad City Library would select Fahrenheit 457 by Ray Bradbury as the novel for our community-wide reading program. We have selected Fahrenheit 457 because we feel its message is as important today as when it was written. Fahrenheit 457 has the ability to appeal to many different generations, from those who grew up alongside Ray Bradbury to teens who may just now be discovering how “cool” and timeless Bradbury’s work is. We want to encourage as many people as possible to participate and an important first step is the book selection. The core principle of Fahrenheit 457 is the importance of free speech and independent thought. As librarians, honoring the freedom to read is the cornerstone of our work. As is commonly said in our industry, “We have something in the library to offend everyone.” We greatly value the diversity of opinions that one can find in the Carlsbad City Library’s collection and the opportunity that our community has to challenge their own pre- conceptions. Finally, Carlsbad City Library feels a special connection to Ray Bradbury because he visited and spoke at the Library in one of our most popular author events ever. There are many in the community who still remember and talk about that extraordinary visit. We would welcome the opportunity to invite him back! Conclusion Carlsbad City Library serves a key role in the community, providing patrons of all ages with convenient access to high-quality resources and services to inform and enrich individual and community life. The Library locations also serve as community gathering places, bringing people together for cultural arts and literacy events. To meet the needs of the community, the Library employs a highly-skilled and experienced staff, who are well prepared to develop, promote and manage a community-wide reading event such as “The Big Read.” We ask the National Endowment for the Arts to partner with Carlsbad City Library for a community-wide reading program.