TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Anthony Halstead - Director of Library Services and Community Outreach
REPORT BY: Michelle Carreon - Supervising 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 Refugio Rivera, Library Associate II, and Karime Jacobo, Literacy Project Associate, to attend the Seguimos Creando Enlaces (We Continue Creating Connections) Conference in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, on March 13 and 14, 2025. (Fiscal Impact: $6,000 Expense; Library Fund; Budgeted, Discretionary).
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BACKGROUND
Attending the Seguimos Creando Enlaces Conference would provide invaluable opportunities for three library staff members to deepen their understanding of cultural diversity and strengthen their ability to support Spanish-speaking families in Napa County, a key focus of an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Family Engagement grant. The Family Engagement grant is for Spanish-Speaking community members and helps libraries act as a guide and model for specific actions that family members can take to support learning from birth through young adulthood. This includes providing resources and programs that reinforce learning in the home and community. The conference, with its theme Unidos en la Diversidad: Embracing all Voices, fosters essential community connections and promotes inclusive practices across libraries. By participating, our staff will gain insights into best practices for engaging Spanish-speaking communities and addressing the specific needs of these families, such as after-school tutoring and computer classes in their native language. The bilingual and bicultural sessions will enable our staff to expand their knowledge and return with practical strategies to enhance library programs and services, ensuring that we continue to provide responsive and culturally relevant services that empower our Spanish-speaking community members.
Requested Action:
1. Authorize out-of-country travel for Jacqueline Flores, Librarian I, and Refugio Rivera, Library Associate II, and Karime Jacobo, Literacy Project Associate, to attend the Seguimos Creando Enlaces Conference in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, on March 13 and 14, 2025, for an amount not to exceed $6,000. Attendance at this conference will help deepen staff understanding of cultural diversity and strengthen their ability to support Spanish-speaking families in Napa County.
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 2020000 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The awarding agency approved use of grant funds to attend the Seguimos Creando Enlaces Conference. Attendance will allow staff to gain insights into best practices for engaging Spanish-speaking communities. |
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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: |
Staff will not be able to attend the Seguimos Creando Enlaces (We Continue Creating Connections) conference that fosters community connections and cultural diversity in public, academic, and libraries. This event brings together libraries from the US, Mexico, and across the globe to build more inclusive library spaces. |
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.