HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-03-2004-8mORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 3, 2004
Action Agenda
Item No. ` - I-Y,\
SUBJECT: Library Services Task Force
DEPARTMENT: Library
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brenda W. Stephens, Library Director,
ext. 2528
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To re-convene the members of the Library Services Task Force and review the
recommendations from the Library Services Task Force Report submitted to the Board of
County Commissioners in November 2001.
BACKGROUND: In June 2000, the BOCC created the Library Task Force to study library
services in the County and prepare a draft plan for Orange County libraries, Commissioner
BarryJacobs served as Chair for this Task Force. The recommendations were presented in
November 2001 to the BOCC.
The principal recommendations were 1) New library projects should come online simultaneously
in southern and northern Orange County and should be viewed as complementing rather than
competing, 2) Raise the funds directed to library services to the state average over a three year
period, 3) Facilities should be located where there is considerable public support, including but
not limited to financial contributions, 4) Replicate the co-location model (i.e., Library/School) to
draw on expertise of participating entities and to reduce costs, and 5) Uniform hours of access
to the public should be provided,
At the BOCC meeting in December, the Commission expressed an interest in re-convening the
Task Force to review the recommendations contained within the original Report and have it
report back to the Commission.
The proposed charge for the re-convened Task Force is shown below:
CHARGE: To review the Library Services Task Force Report submitted to the BOCC in
November 2001 and to subsequently make recommendations to improve library services/
facilities in Orange County specifically related to the expansion of the Central Library in
Hillsborough and the branch library in Carrboro.
2
Potential areas of study for the task force are 1) pursue co-location of a new facility for the
Central Library in Hillsborough with the Orange County campus of Durham Technical
Community College scheduled to open in Fall 2006, and 2) possibly combine Carrboro Library
operation of a cybrary and the McDougle Branch Library.
The overall composition of the Task Force is suggested to remain the same as the original.
Actual member appointments are to be made by the BOCC later on this same agenda under
"Appointments".
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with re-convening the Library
Services Task Force activity. There are fiscal consequences attached to the actual
implementation of particular recommendations; i.e., new construction/development or increased
service levels.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board consider re-convening
the Library Services Task Force and authorizing its charge.