Item Description:
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Neg Agmt with Kidzibits, Inc. to provide early literacy play structures at library project sites, 10/30/24-10/29/30, NTE $1,500,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate an Agreement with Kidzibits to design, fabricate, install and maintain early literacy play structures and spaces at Hennepin County Library sites, during the period of October 30, 2024 through October 29, 2030, in the not to exceed amount of $1,500,000 be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the county, and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
The Hennepin County Library (HCL) in partnership with Hennepin County Facility Services published a Request For Proposals (RFP) for Early Literacy Play Structures and jointly evaluated all proposals.
The Hennepin County Library Capital Plan calls for remodeling up to 14 libraries of various sizes across the county over the next six years. As library spaces are redesigned or built, HCL is committed to including creative and fun literacy and learning play spaces that support early learning and school readiness. Our early learning play spaces connect to the mission and vision of Hennepin County Library: to inspire, facilitate, and celebrate lifelong learning. Our early learning spaces are a shared space for enrichment and connection.
The RFP was written and evaluated in collaboration with the Facility Services Library Projects Manager. Funding for the early literacy play structures that will be completed as a result of this Agreement is sourced from the capital project budgets allotted to Facility Services for library building renovation and construction. Facility Services supports the projected budget amounts and totals as outlined below within the context of these projects as an appropriate portion for early literacy play structures. The intent of the Library and Facility Services is to follow the attached budget plan as listed, however, changes to the order of the libraries or amounts identified may occur based on new circumstances.
As library spaces are redesigned or built, this contract will provide needed expertise in supporting and developing the highest quality early literacy structures ensuring that Hennepin County Library:
• Provides creative and engaging early learning play structures that stimulate and support early learning and school readiness skills.
• Creates hands on early learning play environments that support family and community bonding.
• Encourages a love of reading and learning.
• Provides welcoming spaces in our buildings for children and their caregivers.
• Delivers early learning spaces that encourage curiosity, inquisitiveness, and sustained play.
• Supports healthy social emotional skills such as self-confidence, genuine happiness, curiosity, decision making, and more.
Background information on Early Learning and Play
Public libraries are positioned to be a part of the community to model and support playful learning. Play is essential to early literacy as it encompasses the five early literacy practices of talk, read, write, sing and play.
For those without access to preschool programs, libraries fill gaps in their access to guided and research based early learning experiences. (Harvard Research Project).
Research suggests that social imaginative play-often what you see happening in the library play spaces-helps a child learn about cooperation, empathy, reduced aggression, and better overall emotional and social health.
Five proven benefits of play:
1. Play is essential for healthy brain development.
2. Play reduces obesity and associated diseases.
3. Play helps manage stress and recover from trauma.
4. Play helps families bond.
5. Play contributes to academic success.
These spaces are used by families, community groups, and other Hennepin County departments. Child Well Being uses these spaces for supervised visitations or to meet families in a space that may be close to them and feels comfortable and welcoming. The Hennepin Health Nurses who do home visiting also model early literacy and connection to library and community resources by meeting families in our libraries and using the play spaces.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval