HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-16-2009 - Info Item 5=n-Formq-f-iOn S-F~rn
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Orange County Public Library
300 W Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2525
Memorandum
Date: June 10, 2009
From: Lucinda Munger, Library Director
To: Board of County Commissioners
County Manager
Update: Orange County Public Library and Chanel Hill Public Library
collaboration meetings
In preparation for the Assembly of Governments meeting scheduled for
September 2009 to discuss library services in Orange County, Public Library
Directors and staff from Orange County Public Library (OCPL) and Chapel Hill
Public Library (CHPL) have begun to meet regarding collaboration on library
services.
During initial meetings in May and June, the Directors determined their charge as
subject matter experts and professionals to be: 1) identify alternatives for library
services in Orange County and 2) work within county and town governments to
address specific issues and related costs. For research and background
information, the Directors also determined that the Task Force Reports must be
reviewed and updated as libraries and services have evolved over the last 10
years.
Under discussion by the Directors are 12 alternatives for future library services in
Orange County. The list below provides an overview of these options. The
Library Directors and staff are working on the advantages/disadvantages,
financial implications, and the procedural changes necessary to accomplish
each. The joint report will be provided prior to the Assembly of Governments
meeting in September to ensure a thoughtful and informed discussion between
elected officials. The BOCC will preview and consider the draft joint report at its
August work session dedicated to library services.
Library Services Alternatives:
1) Institute Universal Card for accessing both CHPL and OCPL collections
2) CHPL to continue services to citizens in Orange County with no charge
3) CHPL to eliminate services to non-residents of Chapel Hill immediately
4) CHPL to phase out services to non-residents of Chapel Hill
5) Orange County to phase in funding to CHPL for services. Town provides
time for County to phase in equitable increases in library support
6) Orange County government phase funding in to meet minimum standards
and long-range goals for OCPL.
7) Pursue collection development goal for OCPL and phase in
8) Identify additional funding through taxes for both CHPL and OCPL
9) Pursue Chapel Hill /Carrboro municipal library system
10)Pursue a regional library system between CHPL and OCPL
11)Pursue a regional library system between CHPL and Hyconeechee Library
System (Orange County is a member of the Hyconeechee Library
System)
12)Establish a UNC /Carrboro /Chapel Hill `lab-rary' for shared operational /
personnel support from the UNC -School of Information and Library
Science students
In addition, there are four no cost alternatives that can be implemented in the
2009-10 fiscal year.
1) Block booking of performers for Summer Reading and special
programs. These are discounts for booking a performer in more than
one location within the same week or day.
2) Shared staff development and training between OCPL and CHPL.
3) OCPL and CHPL purchase books and materials from Ingram Library
Services. Ingram is a wholesale retailer of library materials to public
and academic libraries. The Directors will contact Ingram to inquire
about additional group discounts for these purchases.
4) Coordinate the Friends support groups of both library systems to work
together on programming, book sales, and long-term support.
Staff will continue to work during the summer on this collaboration in order to
provide the financial and managerial background for the Assembly of
Governments meeting, as well as implementation of no-cost actions that build
stronger service connections. Please let me know if you have questions or
concerns about the progress being reported.
1998 guidelines for NC Public Libraries as it relates to the scenarios
Access to Library Services
• A full service library is open a minimum of 60 hrs/week, all library services
are available whenever the library is open. Currently Main is the only one
that meets that standard. Reducing the hours at the new library would
mean no OC library would meet that basic standard.
Collection Management
• The library owns a minimum of 2 books per capita, plus other materials.
The library spends at least 20% of its annual budget for print materials, a/v
materials & electronic databases.
• OCPL system requested $286,385/Main $208,662. Difference is only
$77,793. May be reduced due to decrease in state aid.(figures include
addition of state aid funds)
Access to Public Computers
• Each library facility has at least 1 computer work station for every 2,500
people in its designated service area. OCPL has 28 system wide. Meets
standards. The standard in 1998 did not take into account the use of
wireless/personal laptops.
Staffing
• At least 2% of the personnel budget is allocated to in-service training and
continued education. OCPL would be spending $28,639. We are
currently spending $3900 -majority of the funds come from State Aid.
• 1 FTE staff person is provided for every 2,000 people in the service
population; at least 1/3 are of FTE staff are librarians with MLS degrees.
Hillsborough service area population is estimated @ 54,200 (eliminates
Carrboro & Chapel Hill), therefore 54,200/2000 = 27.1. We do meet the
MLS standards, but there are staff who have degrees that are not in
librarian positions.
• A full service library has a state certified Public Library Manager (Branch
Manager), a children's librarian & Reference Librarian. No full service
branch currently has all 3.
• Circulation staff is provided at the rate of 1 FTE per 25,000 annual
circulations. We currently have. 75 FTE, plus temps. Last year's circ @
Main = 194,510 =need for 8 additional circ staff.
• Additional staff is provided for administrative, technical & support services.
We have .5 admin support staff for the entire system. At least 1 computer
technician is on call at all times the library is open. We have 1 FTE for the
entire system & region.
• Regardless of size, all libraries have at least 2 persons per station on duty
at all times the library is open. Standard varies per branch/hour open. Use
of temp staff to remain @ 2 people. Cybrary on Sat. only has 1.
Chapel Hi{I & Minimum Library Standards:
1) Collection: Library owns a min of two books per capita. Yes
2) Library spends 20% of budget on materials. No
3) 2% of personnel budget is allocated to in-service training and continuing
education. No
4) One FTE for every 2,000 people in the service population. Yes
5) One computer workstation for every 2,500 people in the service population.
Yes