Agenda Item # 8
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
04/12/2016
Agenda Report #110
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Grant
INITIATED BY: Parks and Recreation Department
Recommendation Approval is requested to submit an application and if awarded
accept funds for $1,000 from Georgia Recreation and Park Association for our
?Little Free Library Program. The books will be donated by the organizations in
the community and will be stored at one of our recreation centers. No matching
funds required
Background: A Little Free Library is a ?take a book, return a book? free book
exchange. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common version is a
small wooden box of books. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share.
Little Free Library book exchanges have a unique, personal touch.
The books that will be used to fill the Little Free Libraries will be donated
by organizations within the community. As a department we have been collecting
books for approximately two years and storing them at one of our recreation
centers. We have garnered partnerships with the local Chattahoochee Valley
Library System, the Columbus Literacy Alliance, Barnes and Noble, UGA
Cooperative Extension Service, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Newspaper, Fort
Benning Children and Youth Services, and Midtown Columbus. These partnerships
will enable us to continue to gather books and keep the Little Free Libraries
maintained and stocked for years to come.
We have a lofty goal to eventually place a Little Free Library in every park we
have which would total about 52 Little Free Libraries. We want to begin our
program by placing Little Free Libraries in our parks that have recreation
facilities. We will use the staff at the facilities to help maintain the
libraries and to act as ?librarians? for our libraries making sure they stay
stocked with lots of books for people of all ages. We will also use our RSVP,
Retired Senior Volunteer Program, as well as other partner organizations such
as the Columbus Literacy Alliance, and UGA Columbus Extension office to help in
maintaining the books at each Little Free Library.
We will use old metal newspaper boxes that we will acquire from the Columbus
Ledger-Enquirer to retro into new Little Free Libraries. We will also be
utilizing the carpentry staff of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department
to build artistic and wooden Little Free Libraries as well.
Analysis: Parks and Recreation is requesting to receive grant funds from its
state organization, Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA)
Financial Considerations: The grant amount requested is $1,000 for the
Department of Parks and Recreation and the city of Columbus. There is no City
match required.
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and if awarded
accept funds for $1,000 from Georgia Recreation and Park Association for our
?Little Free Library Program. The books will be donated by the organizations in
the community and will be stored at one of our recreation centers. No matching
funds required
A RESOLUTION
No____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR, AND IF
AWARDED, ACCEPT A GRANT FROM GEORGIA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION (GRPA) TO
FUND A ?LITTLE FREE LIBRARY?.
WHEREAS, the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) recently
announced a new grant program for its agency members; and,
WHEREAS, the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) New
Initiative Grant program is intended to spur innovation in parks and recreation
services at a local or regional level; and,
WHEREAS, grant funding is available for agencies submitting the grant
application, with the future applicability for other agencies at a local,
regional or statewide level; and,
WHEREAS, initiatives can be defined as programs, services or events; and,
WHEREAS, five $1,000 grants are being made available for agencies
initiating new programs in their communities; and,
WHEREAS, grant funds must be expended within the agency?s current or
upcoming fiscal year in which it is awarded.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to submit an
application and if approved, accept funds from Georgia Recreation and Park
Association (GRPA) to fund ?Little Free Library? program.
___________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
__________ day of ____________________, 2016, and adopted at said meeting by
the affirmative vote of _______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Buck voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_____________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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