TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Anthony Halstead - Director Library
REPORT BY: Michelle Carreon - Supv Staff Services Analyst
SUBJECT: Out of Country Travel Request
RECOMMENDATION
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Authorize out-of-country travel for Jacqueline Flores, Librarian I, and Breanna Feliciano, Assistant Director of Library Services, to attend the Guadalajara Book Fair in Guadalajara, Mexico, from November 30 to December 5, 2024. (Fiscal Impact: $7,000 Expense; Library Fund; Budgeted, Discretionary).
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BACKGROUND
The Guadalajara International Book Fair is the most important publishing gathering for those who are looking to enrich their Spanish materials collections. It is also an amazing cultural festival created 38 years ago by the University of Guadalajara, the Fair is aimed at professionals and the general public alike, a characteristic that sets it apart from other book fairs around the globe. It is also a cultural festival in which literature plays a major role, including a program where authors from all continents and languages participate, and a forum for the academic discussion of the major issues of our time.
As the Napa County Library's mission is to enrich lives with books and information for all community members in Napa County, materials in Spanish are an important part of its collection, including the library collections at each of the Farmworker Centers. It is difficult to find appropriate Spanish materials through the Library's normal means of purchasing, where distributors often focus on English language translations or materials that are not appealing to our population. Additionally, there are opportunities discuss programs and services with other libraries across the nation and build relationships that provide benefits far beyond the conference.
The Library Director believes attendance at this conference will result in a better Spanish collection that will be more responsive to the needs of Napa County's Spanish speaking community. The library has budgeted for airfare and accommodations for these two library staff members to attend. The American Library Association has partnered with Guadalajara International Book Fair to offer libraries free attendance, discounted or subsidized hotel rooms and other cost-saving benefits.
Requested Action:
1. Authorize out-of-country travel for Jacqueline Flores, Librarian I, and Breanna Feliciano, Assistant Director of Library Services, to attend the Guadalajara Book Fair in Guadalajara, Mexico, from November 30 to December 5, 2024, for an amount not to exceed $7,000. Attendance at this conference will result in a current and varied Spanish language collection that will be responsive to the needs of Napa County's Spanish speaking citizens.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Napa County Library General Operations Fund 2020, Subdivision 2020001 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Napa County Library has a goal of providing materials that citizens want and need, and that includes materials in Spanish for the Spanish speaking residents. The Guadalajara Book Fair is the primary international source for materials in the Spanish language, and both of the bilingual library staff members attending this event are involved in selecting these materials for the library. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
None |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Spanish-speaking citizens of Napa County will not have the library materials they want and need, and it will be difficult for the Library to fulfill its goal of outreach to the Spanish-speaking community |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.