HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-06-2000-9cORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June G, 2000
Action Agenda
Item No. 9 -~
SUBJECT: Creation of Libra Task Force
DEPARTMENT: Library PUBLIC HEARING: Yes No X
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Library Services Task Force Proposal Brenda Stephens, Ext. 2528
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 96$-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To establish a short term, county-wide task force to study library services in the
county and prepare a draft long range plan for Orange'County libraries by April 30, 2001. The
plan will evaluate branch library proposals currently on-the-table, examine the adequacy of the
county's current facilities, and make recommendations about potential future library sites.
BACKGROUND: In the past several years, various individuals, organizations and
municipalities have proposed locations for new library branches. Several proposals for libraries
are currently under consideration including the Carrboro Community Center Cybrary and the
school media center at the new high school. The county has evaluated each proposal
separately, absent a long range plan for county library services. In April 1999 UNC graduate
student, Lindsey Tear, conducted a community survey under county aegis to assess the service
needs of all Orange Co. residents. In April 2000, the library. established a working group
composed of staff librarians to build on the results of the survey; it has begun collecting
demographic and other background data from local, state and federal sources.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. (If the task force decided to conduct focus groups or undertake
other large data collection efforts around the county, this would incur costs. Otherwise, costs
for organizing and implementing the task force would be borne by the library.)
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board accepts this proposal to
establish a short term task force to study county library services.
Library Services Task Force Proposal
Charge/Mission:
To study library services in the county and submit a report of its findings to the BDCC by April
30, 2001. The report will evaluate branch library proposals currently on-the-table, examine the
adequacy of the county's current facilities, and make recommendations about potential future
library sites.
Time Line:
• 7/00-8/00 Recruit task force members; schedule initial organizational meeting
• 9/00 Hold organizational meeting
• 9/00-1/01 Hold regular monthly meetings
• 1/15/01 Complete data collection
• 2/15/01 Complete data analysis
• 3/15/01 Prepare draft report with findings and recommendations; make available for
public review and comment
• 4/15/01 Complete incorporating public comments
• 4/30/01 Prepare and submit final report to BOCC
Composition of _-member Task Force:
(county employees would be non-voting members)
• 1 citizen representative from each county township (7)
• President, Board of Trustees, Hyconeechee Regional Library System or designee
• President, Board of Trustees, Chapel ,Hill Library,. or designee
• Representative from Board of County Commissioners
• Chair, Orange County Board of Education, or designee
• Director, Orange County Public Library or her representative(s)
• Assistant County Manager
• Representative from Durham Tech Community College Task Force
• Mayor, Carrboro, or designee
• Mayor, Chapel Hill, or designee
• Mayor, Hillsborough, or designee
• UNC School of Information and Library Science representative
• Representatives, Friends of the Library groups (OCPL & Carrboro)