Library Development Services

Library Development Services develops and implements statewide programs and initiatives; administers grant programs for libraries and other organizations; collects, organizes, and makes available public library data; and provides advisory, consulting, and technical assistance services to California’s libraries and cooperative library systems.

The Bureau’s work helps to create strong communities and opportunity for all Californians. Our initiatives deliver essential services and trusted information, protect California’s cultural heritage, and provide leadership and support for local libraries. Our work, and the libraries we support, help Californians thrive.

Support for California Libraries

Collage of photographs showing children and adults enjoying library programs including storytime, tutoring, science experiments and community events taking place in welcoming spaces.

Annual Update

Our Annual Update shares highlights from some of our programs and includes a full list of our grants, initiatives, and awards funded by the State of California, the federal Library Services and Technology Act program, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

2024-2025 Annual Update

Highlights from the 2024-2025 Library Development Services Annual Update (PDF):

  • Administered over $870 million state and federal funds
  • Awarded 413 grants
  • 188 library jurisdictions participated in statewide initiatives

Previous Annual Updates

Library News

Discover what’s happening in libraries statewide with our two email newsletters.

Library to Library

Stay informed with monthly news on the State Library’s grants, resources, programs, and more.

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View previous editions of Library to Library

California Libraries in the News

Stay connected to what’s happening in public libraries across California with our weekly newsletter.

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Our Team

Have questions about statewide programs, developing or expanding library services, or working with library data and statistics? Reach out to us — our team is here to help.

Staff in Library Development Services:

  • develops and implements statewide initiatives and grant programs
  • provides data and evaluation services for libraries
  • partners with other state agencies on special projects
  • delivers continuing education and leadership training
  • provides advisory, consulting, and technical assistance services, and training to California’s 188 public library jurisdictions and nine cooperative library systems

csllds@library.ca.gov
(916) 603-7212

Administration

Natalie Cole
Bureau Chief

Reed Strege
Assistant Bureau Chief

Lynne Oliva
Grant Administration and Bureau Operation Manager

Annly Roman
Grant Administration and Bureau Operation Manager

Grant Coordinators and Analysts

Our Grant Coordinators and Analysts manage the State Library’s funding opportunities and the Bureau’s outreach and engagement work. They also work with grantees to ensure projects align with rules and requirements.

Wendy Amireh

Libby Carlson

Gabriella Dixon

Amanda Gamon

Allyson Jeffredo

Robyn McCreight

Monica Rivas

Alanna Wilson

Library Programs Consultants and Program Managers

Our Library Programs Consultants and Program Managers create and implement statewide programs and initiatives. They also work with public libraries and partner organizations to provide guidance, support, and training that helps improve and expand library services.

Josh Chisom
High-Speed Broadband for California Libraries
Digital Equity
E-Rate and California Teleconnect Fund

Chris Durr
Access to Library Resources
Resource Sharing in Libraries
Tween and Teen Services

Lisa Lindsay
Rural Libraries
Tribal Libraries

Lena Pham
Adult Services
Library Metrics and Statistics
Preservation and Disaster Preparedness

Julianna Robbins
Adult Literacy Services
Sustainability

Shana Sojoyner
Early Learning and Children’s Services
Family Literacy

Rachel Tucker
Health and Wellness
Summer Meal Programs
Summer Programming

Kaela Villalobos
Health and Wellness
Summer Meal Programs
Summer Programming

Contact Us

For help with a specific program or initiative contact the project support team.

Program Contacts Email
Building Forward Library Infrastructure Program Libby Carlson
Alanna Wilson
BuildingForward@library.ca.gov
California Civil Liberties Program Monica Rivas civil.liberties@library.ca.gov
California Library Literacy Services Allyson Jeffredo
Lisa Lindsay
Julianna Robbins
Shana Sojoyner
clls@library.ca.gov
California Library Services Act (CLSA) Chris Durr
Monica Rivas
CLSA@library.ca.gov
California’s Bookshelf Chris Durr ebooksforall@library.ca.gov
Career Online High School Allyson Jeffredo COHS@library.ca.gov
Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Libby Carlson
Lena Pham
csllds@library.ca.gov
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Alanna Wilson csllds@library.ca.gov
Freedom to Read Act Chris Durr collectiondevelopmentpolicy@library.ca.gov
High-Speed Broadband for California’s Libraries Wendy Amireh
Josh Chisom
Broadband@library.ca.gov
LGBTQ+ Preservation & Accessibility Alanna Wilson LGBTQ@library.ca.gov
Library Services and Technology Act Amanda Gamon LSTAGrants@library.ca.gov
Lunch at the Library Robyn McCreight
Rachel Tucker
Kaela Villalobos
Lunch@library.ca.gov
Outreach and Engagement Gabriella Dixon OutreachLDS@library.ca.gov
Parks Pass Lena Pham parkspass@library.ca.gov
Public Libraries Survey Lena Pham LibraryStatistics@library.ca.gov
Stronger Together Chris Durr
Robyn McCreight
Shana Sojoyner
StrongerTogether@library.ca.gov
Student Success Cards for All Chris Durr
Shana Sojoyner
csllds@library.ca.gov
Summer Programming Robyn McCreight
Rachel Tucker
Kaela Villalobos
csllds@library.ca.gov
Targeted Grants Alanna Wilson csllds@library.ca.gov
Zip Books Chris Durr
Monica Rivas
ZipBooks@library.ca.gov