Pleasanton Library Receives Over $100K In Grants

PLEASANTON, CA — The City of Pleasanton received nearly $117,000 in three grants to expand accessibility at the Pleasanton Library, the city announced. The Pleasanton City Council accepted the grants during its Nov. 7 meeting.

The city received $11,915 from the Pacific Library Partnership to create a Memory Kit designed to support cognitive needs of seniors. “Memory Kits for Adults and their Caregivers” contain several assorted activities like conversation cards, games and puzzles to help seniors recall and discuss their memories. The library also plans to offer “Decades” kits providing music, books, news, and culture from different historical eras. Library staff are exploring opportunities for seniors to connect while using the kits at the Pleasanton Senior Center, and open a Memory Café on weekends when the senior center is closed.

The grants are part of the city’s ONE Pleasanton Strategic Plan goal of increasing equitable access to city services. Library staff identified seniors, particularly those with cognitive needs, as one group they felt were currently underserved by existing services.

“The collaborative efforts of our library and senior center enable us to leverage our collective resources, as well as each area’s unique expertise, to amplify the impact of our services,” said Heidi Murphy, director of the City of Pleasanton Library and Recreation Department. “In line with our City’s commitment to inclusion, we value the importance of fostering connections among community members. These memory kits and programs have the power to serve as catalysts for meaningful connections between seniors, and their family members and caregivers.”

The city also received two grants from the California State Library: $43,776 for adult literacy services and $61,071 for English as a Second Language services. The library provides literacy learners and tutors with supplies, resources, and free meeting spaces. The ESL grants will expand the library’s current program, which serves a total of 291 English language learners and 126 volunteer tutors.

"With this investment in adult literacy and ESL services, we take a meaningful step towards building a more inclusive community," Murphy said. "The support of these grants helps provide individuals with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to engage fully in our community."

For more information, email literacy@pleasantonlibrary.zendesk.com or call 925-931-3405.