City Council permission is requested to apply for a federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant administered by the California State Library. The purpose of the grant is to expand the library’s ability to capture local Sunnyvale history as well as the personal histories of Sunnyvale residents using multimedia technology according to established standards and to preserve it and share it broadly with Sunnyvale residents and other interested parties.

The California State Library invited LSTA grant proposals in January 1999. The major provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act cover two broad areas:

Technology, Networking, and Resource Sharing: Qualified projects involve linkages among libraries, linkages with other services, access to information, consortia and multitype library networking to increase sharing of resources and information, and acquisition of information technology and telecommunications.

Targeted Library and Information Services: Qualified projects involve library services to people who are underserved – those who are disadvantaged, geographically isolated, illiterate, disabled, or who are having difficulty using a library.

One of the Act’s stated goals is: "By 2002, at least 10 technologically-based library services/tools will have been developed and tested using LSTA funds to improve access to learning and information resources through libraries of all types."

In May 1999 notification was received which encouraged the Sunnyvale Public Library to submit a complete application based on its proposal. The project focuses on the preservation of stories of local historical and current cultural importance. Technology exists which allows average citizens to record historically relevant information by merging photographs, video clips, printed information, artwork, computer text, voice and music digitally to create living histories through personal storytellling. Sunnyvale Public Library proposes to establish three complete state-of-the-art multimedia workstations in the library, develop and provide training programs and materials, preserve digital stories in multiple formats, and make them available for check out from the library, display on local cable channels, and on the world wide web.

Goal 6.2A Collection Development: Provide a balanced and current collection of library materials in a variety of formats to meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs of residents.

Goal 6.2D New technologies: Develop and maintain state-of-the-art delivery of library services to residents.

The proposed project complements many of the efforts underway in the community wherein residents are finding ways to highlight and preserve those things that are special about Sunnyvale. The Library is coordinating this project with the Community Development Department’s oral history project, the Sunnyvale Historical Society, and Orchard Heritage Park Interpretive Exhibit. The stories developed will add to and build on their perspective on the community. The State Library requires adherence to established standards for preservation of materials as well as to those established for oral history projects. This differentiates the project from the significant work of the Digital Clubhouse which provides a similar opportunity for storytelling. Residents trained in the library may choose to later participate at the Clubhouse and vice versa.

This project provides an opportunity for older residents who grew up in this community when it was covered with orchards to share their memories with those whose parents toil in Silicon Valley’s digital industry. It is a perfect marriage of the City’s roots in agriculture and our future in high technology. The project also has the potential to expand beyond local history to embrace the diverse population in our community. Increasingly the Sunnyvale population includes many foreign born people. Multimedia storytelling is another way to build understanding between neighbors at a time when we often notice our differences more than our similarities.

The grant will fund the acquisition of equipment, software, temporary personnel and publicity materials. Staff time and materials already designated for local history preservation will be used in conjunction with grant funds.

The Board of Library trustees heard a presentation about the grant proposal and encouraged its submission in January. Informal conversations have been held with some members of the Cultural Heritage Commission and the Sunnyvale Historical Society.

Staff recommends Alternative 1.

Prepared by:

Victoria L. Johnson
Director of Libraries

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager