Shared Vision and Stronger Together
The State of California invested $16 million through a two-phased project investment – Shared Vision and Stronger Together. This investment helped libraries develop impactful programs with community partners to respond to community needs across three service areas:
- Early Learning programs that connected children, youth, families, and caregivers with the services they need to thrive;
- Out-of-School-Time programs for students that provided social-emotional learning and workplace readiness opportunities; and
- Library Access solutions that removed barriers to library services for underserved community members.
community partnerships
early learning hubs
programs
hours of teen internship work
program attendance
outreach vehicles rolling through or coming soon to California communities
Early Learning
As trusted, stigma-free spaces, libraries offer a unique setting to strengthen families, promote wellness, and deliver a range of important early learning opportunities.
Through the Early Learning projects, local libraries strengthened their roles as early learning community hubs and improved or expanded early learning programs and services in their communities. Libraries partnered with community organizations to provide families with much needed wraparound services and resources, ensuring equitable access to opportunity for young children and their families across the state.
By investing in quality early learning opportunities, we are laying the foundation for a lifetime of success, resilience, and fulfillment.
Mayor Larry Klein, City of Sunnyvale
Several libraries created spaces dedicated to serving early learners and their families that provided access to local community resources and services that helped children develop school readiness skills. From offering high-quality bilingual programs to developmental screenings to outdoor gardening educational programs led by master gardeners, libraries delivered tailored programming that provided youth and families with opportunities that built skills, enriched imagination, and supported whole child development.
At our early learners’ water and harvest time each week after SPROUT Storytime, children learn over and over about plant and healthy eating concepts taught in books. Many caregivers have shared that their small patrons ask each week, when are they going to visit the garden again.
Imperial Public Library staff
Early Learning Hub Toolkit
Libraries interested in developing thriving early learning hubs in their communities should reference the Early Learning Hub Toolkit (PDF), which contains information on getting started, partnerships and programming to consider, and resources to consult.
To learn more about the impact of the Early Learning projects, watch this video:
Out-of-School-Time
A California child spends six hours a day in a classroom and 10 waking hours outside of one. The average school year lasts 180 days. After school, on weekends, and during the summer, funded library projects supported and improved the social-emotional development of school-aged children and the workplace preparedness of teens. Participating youth had a leadership voice in designing and implementing activities.
The Out-of-School-Time Learning grants helped local libraries improve or expand library services to out-of-school time youth. These grants supported and expanded the critical role that libraries play for children and teens when they are out of school. Funded projects focus on one of the following topics:
- Social-emotional development
- Workplace preparedness of teens
- Youth voice and leadership
- Academic / technological advancement of youths
Libraries designed programs to serve their community in a variety of ways. Some held internships, some engaged teens as makers, some had art programs for youth and families, some focused on elevating the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth. All of the projects leveraged community partnerships to make the impact of the work more meaningful for youth they served.
I loved being able to do behind-the-scenes work and help out with kids programs, city events and Comic Con.
A Teen Intern from Santa Clara City Library
It was so cool to meet all the people from the library foundation and learn more about what they do.
An Oceanside Teen Intern who presented to the Oceanside Library Foundation
The most important thing I gained from this internship was communication skills, an essential part of my work with the Literacy Center.
A Teen Intern from the Santa Barbara Public Library
To learn more about the impact of the Out-of-School-Time projects, watch this video:
Improving Library Access
The Improving Library Access grants enabled local libraries to acquire bookmobiles and community outreach vehicles and offer programs that improve access to library materials and services. Over $5.37 million was awarded to help libraries eliminate barriers and implement new ways to bring literacy, technology, and other services to those who face challenges visiting their local public library. When Californians lack transportation, live far from their library, or work long hours, mobile libraries and innovative mobile library service models make it possible to access library services and programs. Several projects involve the use of alternative fuels and green technologies. This project also funded book bikes!
There are 37 mobile outreach vehicles rolling through or rolling towards California communities as a result of this project.
County Librarian Christopher Veach presents on Lake County’s new bookmobile
To learn more about the impact of the Improving Library Access projects, watch this video:
Open+
Open+ is a system that enables library patrons to access library buildings and resources outside of normal operating hours. Created to complement staffed library hours, the system uses cameras, sensors, and automated locks that allow visitors to access hold pick-up areas and other self-service resources.
The Califa Group was the project partner in implementing the Open+ Pilot Project.
Participating Libraries
Shared Vision Projects
- Azusa City Library
- Anaheim Public Library
- Beaumont Library District
- Butte County Library
- Calaveras County Library
- Contra Costa County Library
- Corona Public Library
- Downey City Library
- El Dorado County Library
- Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Center
- Hemet Public Library
- Imperial County Free Library
- Imperial Public Library
- Inyo County Free Library
- Kings County Library
- LA County Library
- Library Foundation of Los Angeles
- Long Beach Public Library
- Los Angeles Public Library
- Madera County Library
- Marin County Free Library
- Merced County Library
- Mono County Library System
- Monrovia Public Library
- Monterey County Free Libraries
- Nevada County Library
- Oakland Public Library
- Oceanside Public Library
- Ontario Public Library
- Orange Public Library
- Pasadena Public Library
- Pauma Band of Mission Indians
- Porterville Public Library
- Redwood City Public Library
- Riverside County Library System
- Roseville Public Library
- Sacramento Public Library
- Salinas Public Library/City of Salinas
- San Benito County Free Library
- San Diego Public Library
- San Jose Public Library
- San Leandro Public Library
- San Luis Obispo City-County Library
- Santa Ana Public Library
- Santa Barbara Public Library
- Santa Monica Public Library
- Solano County Library
- South San Francisco Public Library
- Southern California Library Cooperative and San Diego County Library
- Stanislaus County Free Library
- Tehama County Library
- Torrance Public Library
- Tulare County Library Foundation
- Ventura County Library Systems
- Watsonville Public Library
Stronger Together Projects
- Alameda County Library
- Alpine County Library*
- Azusa City Library
- Butte County Library
- City of Huntington Beach
- City of Pleasanton
- City of San Diego
- City of Richmond
- County of Plumas
- Covina Public Library
- El Dorado County Library
- Imperial Public Library
- LA County Library
- Lake County Library
- Long Beach Public Library
- Los Gatos Library*
- Mission Viejo Library*
- Mono County Libraries*
- Monterey Public Library*
- Oakland Public Library
- Oceanside Public Library
- Pacific Grove Public Library
- Pasadena Public Library*
- Placentia Library District
- Riverside County Library System
- Sacramento Public Library
- San Diego County Library
- San Diego Public Library*
- San Jose Public Library
- San Mateo County Libraries*
- Santa Barbara Public Library
- Santa Clara City Library
- Santa Clarita Public Library
- Santa Maria Public Library*
- Shafter Library
- South San Francisco Public Library
- Sunnyvale Public Library
- Torrance Public Library*
- Tulare County Library
- Ventura County Library
- Whittier Public Library
- Woodland Public Library
- Yolo County Library
*Stronger Together Black Gold Projects
Questions?
Please email the Shared Vision and Stronger Together team.