HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-12-22; City Council; 894-3; Library Master Planb�
CITY OF CARLSBAD
AGENDA BILL N0.j y_�. Initial:
Dept. lid.
DATE: December 22, 1977
C. Atty.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager C. Mgr.
tsubi ecu: -- -?----
LIBRARY MASTER PLAN
Statement of the Matter
On August 30, 1977 the Library Buard of Trustees and the
City Council had a joint meeting to discuss the Library
Master Plan. It was agreed that the City Manager and
the City Librarian would review the Master Plan and list
those recommendations which may be in need or specific
review.
This has been done and reports from the City Manager and
City Librarian are attached as exhibits.
+ Mr. Raymond Holt, consultant on the Library Master Plan,
{ will be present at the meeting.
,
Exhibit
Memo from City Manager to City Council dated 12-20-77
Recommendation
See exhibit dated 12-20-77
Council action
12-22-77 The City Manager was instructed to take the necessary steps
to provide for a contract with Mr. Holt, for up -date or
revision on the "Matching User Needs - Master -Plan for the
Carlsbad Library.
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DATE: DECEMBER 20, 1977 ,
TO: CITY COUNCIL
.FROM: City Manager
'SUBJECT: LIBRARY MASTER PLAN
BACKGROUND
Upon recommendation of the Library Board, the City Council com-
missioned a study of library services and needs by Raymond M.
Holt. That study was completed in March, 1973 and the report,
Matching User Needs - A Master Plan For The Carlsbad Library,
} was s forwarded to the City Council. After a presentation by
Mr. Holt, the City Council accepted the report and directed that
it be brought back for a study session where it could be re-
viewed in detail. That study session never occurred. Even
though the plan was not adopted by the City Council as City
policy, the Library Board recognized that many of the recom-
mendations -were sound and worked toward their implementation.
' During the last year the budgeting and approval of funds for
! the development of the Children's Library plans brought forward
the question of inconsistency with the Master Plan.
On•August 30, 1977 the Library Board of Trustees and the City
Council had a joint meeting to discuss this and other issues.
It was the recommendation at that time that Mr. Holt be retained
to review, not only the question of the Children's Library, but
also any other elements of the Master Tlan which might need
updating. It was agreed that the City Manager and the City
Librarian would review the Master Plan and list those recom-
mendations which may be in need of specific review.
STAFF EVALUATION
Mrs. Cole and I•have reviewed the Master Plan independently.
Comments from both of us are provided for your consideration.
Mrs. Cole's comments are attached as Exhibit 'A' to this report.
The purpose of doing separate comments was not because of any
significant differences but rather for convenience and to provide
a slightly different perspective for Council review. The comments
follow the Master Plan format and for convenience you may wish to
refer to your Master Plan, pages 3 through 6.
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. 419�
page 2
December 20, 1977
Subject: • Library Master Plan
A. PRIORITIES (Consultant's Recommendations)
1, The present Central Library must be strengthened
and specific programs adopted to improve (a)
collections, (b) staffing, and (c) space utiliza-
tion.
Comments
This is an ongoing process. Significant work has
been done in this area over the last 4 years.
2. Planning should proceed for a small branch library
to serve the La Costa area with operations begin-
ning sometime in the second half of the 19701s.
Comments
With the growth in the La Costa area, I anticipate
* that requests for a branch library in La Costa
will be made within the next 2 to 3 years. This
need should again be reviewed by the consultant.
i 3. Ways and means must be found to adequately finance
' the continuing development of the Carlsbad City
Library.
Comments
The need to plan for'the financing of public facilities', i
is an ongoing one. The Capital Improvement Budget is a
useful tool to help develop goals and priorities. As
these are developed, specific financing methods can be
-discussed. Most of the financing tools available to
the City are known at this time.
B.- RECOMMENDATibNS (Consultant)
1. The Library must enter into a long range plan for the
coordinated development of the library's collections,
both print and nonprint.
Comments
Much work has been done in implementing the recommendations
of the Master Plan in this area. Nb•specific recom-
mendations for review are being made at this time.
Page 3
December 20, 1977
- Subject: Library master Plan
2•. The Library should begin to identify and bring
,greater visibility to present services, while develop-
ing new services to be offered as the community and
Library expand.
Comments
In the Master Plan Report the use of Cable Television
(CATV) is discussed. This will become increasingly
important now that the City has awarded its CATV
franchises. The extent of its use by the City, the
agency responsible for its coordination, and our
relationship with the School Districts, relative to
x * the use of CATV, needs to -be thoroughly reviewed.
One possibility the consultant might be asked to
review is the desirability of creating a joint
City/School District task force or advisory group
a on the use of CATV.
f .
3. The Library should improve its present services and
begin preparations for future growth by creating and
* filling a variety of positions of which at least four
are critical: (1) Bibliographer, (2) Technical Services
Supervisor, and (3) Children's Librarian; additional
support personnel must be employed as needed.
Comments
The recommendations made in the original Master Plan are
completed'although the staffing needs continual attention.
I would recommend that the consultant review this area to
see if present staffing needs are consistent with changes
which may have occurred in the Library and it they are
consistent with present and projected circulation and
population. ;
4. The Library should move forward on a comprehensive
program to improve the utilization of its present
building, including the completion of the unfinished
mezzanine work area.
Comments
The recommendations are basically completed. As a matter
of interest it might be pointed out that the east mezzanine
is getting increased public use. It is anticipated that
an additional staircase will be in next year's annual
budget to meet fire code regulations.
Page 4
December 20, 1977
Subject: Library Master Plan
5.
The Library should regularly study the patterns of
usage and inaugurate programs designed to increase
library service to those who make little or no use
of the library.
No
Cbmment
6.
The Library.should continue to increase the effective-
ness and the efficiency of the library staff through
improved work methods and the use of labor saving
equipment.
No
Comment
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The Library should, after reasonable study, adopt a
new form of organization geared to the future develop-
ment of the library.
Comments
Mr. Holt's original recommendation concerning the
adoption of an organization was of a very general
nature. Although I have no reservations about the
consultant reviewing this recommendation, it requires
specific Council policy input relative to the Library's ,
relationship to the City organization. The internal
departmental organization seems to be one which the
library is satisfied with and, at with any other
departmental organization, should be reviewed from
time to time.
8.
The Library should gain additional benefits from the
services of the Library Board of Trustees by encouraging
-the reappointment of interested and effective members •.
to a second and possibly a third term.
Comments
The %onsultant has adequately covered this in his original
recommendation and further consultant study of this issue
is probably not required.
9.
The Library should anticipate the design and construction
of a new Centrai Library building which will serve as a
Central -Library and Headquarters for Carlsbad and as a
Reader Subject Center Library for residents of the North
Coastal area; active planning should be under way before
the city reaches 50,000 population, with occupation taking
.place by the time the population approaches 75,000.
Page 5
December 20, 1977
Subject: Library Master Plan
10.
In view of the future need for a new Central Library
building, library officials should work with city
officials to develop a program which will lead to
the selection and acquisition of a suitable site
before such quantities of properly located land are
either unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
" 11.
Library and city officials should give cc%.sideration
to the possibility of providing a cultural. center
-facility adjacent to the future Central Library building
because
of the need and compatibility of these two
functions.
12.
When the new'Central Library building becomes a reality,
the present library building should be converted into
a branch library to serve the northwest quadrant of
the eity's population.
13.
in planning an extension's programs, the library must
insure against the provision of branch services at
the expense of developing much.needed Central Library
services and collections.
14.
Library officials must develop a flexible plan of
j
extending services to the residents of Carlsbad,
utilizing a variety of techniques and facilities. ,
15.
A library facility of limited size should be planned
for operation in the La Costa area sometime after 1.975.
16.
As population warrants and financial resources permit,
the library should consider providing one or
more
extension facilities in each quadrant of the city,
using the present library building to house the branch
serving the northwest quadrant.
Comments (Items 9 through 16)
} *
Because of population changes, restrictions which appear
to be forthcoming in the development of the local coastal
program, and the relationship of Children's Library
facilities and branch libraries, recommendations 9 through
1
16 should all have extensive review by the consultant.
Page 6
December 2 D; 1977
Subject: Library Master Plan
17. Library officials should works closely with city
officials to .,dentify and set aside through
appropriate methods those locations which seem
,most apt to meet the site requirements for future
branch libraries and have these designated as part
of the city's General Plan.
Comments
Once the Council adopts goals and priorities for
the development of the library system, it will be
essential that the Capital Improvement Program set
aside funds for land acquisition for library and
other public facilities. It is not unusual for
cities to acquire and set aside land 10 to 15 years
s .
in advance of their anticipated needs.
18. Library officials, in collaboration with city officials,
3 'should seek guidance in determining the long range
financial capability of the city and the library's
share thereof.
Comments
As part of the City's•Capital Improvement Program, the
staff needs to improve its long range financial pro-
jections. The Finance Department has already begun that
a process.
19. The Li.brary should seek an immediate commitment for
sufficient funds to. (1) hire needed personnel, (2)
improve space utilization in public and work areas,
and (3) begin a meaningful collection's development
program.
Comments
` As indicated by Mrs. Cole, the immediate requirements at
the .time of the preparation of the Master Plan report
have been accomplished with the exception of the ongoing
need to develop the collections.
The consultant's recommendation originally referred to
some immediate needs which he felt needed to be funded
outside the library tax rate. Some of these needs were
accomplished in this way such as the building of the
west mezzanine. Since a separate tax rate no longer
exists for the library, the funding of future needs will.
not necessarily be restricted by any arbitrary rate.
Page 7
December 20, 1977
Subject: Library Master Plan
20. 'Library officials should begin working with city
officials to find methods of financing both the
.initial outlay for a small branch library in La Costa
and for increasing the annual library revenues to com-
pensate for the cost of operation.
. 'Comments
The financing of the La Costa branch should be proposed
in the Capital Improvement Program once a determination
is made as to the appropriate timing of such a branch.
As previously recommended, the consultant should review
that issue.
21. Library officials, in cooperation with city officials,
should move forward on a carefully planned program to
attract substantial gifts and donations from individuals,
foundations and corporations to be used to supplement
i tax revenue for the library; such funds can be used for
future capital. improvements and/or endowments directed
toward the improvement of collections and services.
Comments
No recommendation is made for review.
22. Library officials should continue to investigate and,
where possible, utilize state and/or federal funds
available for public library construction, operation and
special programming.
Comments
No recommendation is made for review.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of reviewing for the Council, those areas the staff
feels need of review by the consultant, is not to limit the scope
of the consultant's work but to ensure in his review that he does
not overlook items which are important to the City. Further, it
is hoped that in giving him some guidance he can'make a
specific proposal regarding the time and funding necessary to
perform this service.
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Page
December 20, 1977
Subject Library Master Plan
It is suggested that each Council member review the original `
recommendations and add any items which you feel staff may
have overlooked.
Each original recommendation in the Master Plan has been listed
in this report. For your convenience an asterisk -has been
placed by those recommendations that I feel should be reviewed
by the consultant. After any additional input from the City
Council, the consultant should be requested to bring back a
specific proposal for accomplishing the Master Plan review.
PAUL BUSSEY
City Manager
PDB:ldg .
Att.
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EXHIBIT 'A
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November 3, 1977
' 3
TO: City Manager
FROM: City Librarian. s
SUBJECT: Library Master Plan
Attached is more detail on aspects of the Master Plan !
t which have been accomplished, or are in some stage of j
completion. f
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sI do feel, however, that the piece -meal approach to the s
revision of the Master Plan is very unaccepatble. Cir-
cumstances, statistics, population --- all factors have
t changed to such a degree that the Consu-'taut should
have free reign, rather than being hampered by more than
A minimum of direction. !
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CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
MATCHING USER NEEDS
SUMMARY OF PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
A.' PRIORITIES.
1. The present Central Library must be strengthened
and specific programs adopted to improve (a)
collections, (b) staffing, and (c) space utiliza-
tion.
With the exception of deveZoping the coZZection,
which is on going - this is completed.
2. Planning should proceed for a small branch library
to serve the La Costa area with operations begin-
ning sometime in the second half of the 1970's.
This was changed to pZans for ChiZdrenIs Library -
behind s6he6Ze.
3. Ways and means must be found to adequately finance
the continuing develOPL It of the Carlsbad City
Library.
Needs much work - by City, Board of Trustees and
Librarian.
R. RECOMMENDATIONS.
1. THE CENTRAL LIBRARY.'
No. 1. The -Library must enter into a long range plan
for the coordinated development of the library's col-
lections, both print and non -print.
Needs attention.
No. 2. The LibXary should begin to identify and bring
greater visibility to prdsent services, while develop-
ing new services to be offered as the community and
library expand.
Partially comoleted by pubZic reZations person.
No. 3. The Library should improve its present ser-
vices and begin preparations for future growth by
creating and filling a variety of positions of which
at least four are critical: (1) Bibliographer, (2)
Technical Services Supervisor, and (3) Children's
Librarian; additional support personnel must be em-
ployed as needed.
Completed except for support staff, which is open-
ended.
11/77
.
t
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
MATCHING USER NEEDS
SUMMARY OP PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS page 2
B. RECOMMENDATIONS. cont'd
No. 4 The Library should move forward on a compre-
hensive program to improve the utilization of its
present building, including the completion of the
unfinished mezzanine work area:.
Completed and building very close to capacity now.
No. 5. The Library should regularly study the pat-
terns of usage and inaugurate programs designed to
increase library service to those aho make little
or no use of the library.
Annual, project.
No. 6. The Library should continue to increase the
effectiveness and the efficiency of the library staff
through improved work methods and the use of labor
saving equipment.
Continuous - OCLC; CLSI (future).
No. 7. The Library should, after reasonable study,
adopt a new form of organization geared to the
future development of the library.
Working toward; suggested organization chart.
No. S. The Library should gain additional benefits
from the services of the Library Board of Trustees by
encouraging the reappointment of interested and ef-
fective members to a second and possibly a third term.
Council must face this very important problem.
No. 9. The Library should anticipate the design and
construction of a new Central Library building which
will serve as a Central Library and Hendquarters for
Carlsbad and as a Reader Subject Cente. Library for
residents of the North Coastal area; active planning
should be under way before the city reaches 50,000
population, with occupation taking place by the time
the population approaches 75,000.
City Attorney" says Carlsbad will have 30,000 pop u-
Zation by end of the year. 'If this is so, site and
design planning should begin during 1978-79.
K
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
MATCHING USER NEEDS
SUMMARY Of' PRIO. iTIES ANUD RECOMHENDATIONS page 3
B. RECOMMENDATIONS. cont'd
No. 10. In view of the future need for a new Central
Library building, library officials should work with
city officials to develop a program which will lead
to the selection and acquisition of a suitable site
before such quantities of properly located land are
eigher unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
Should be done in Z978.
No. 11. Library and city officials should give consi-
deration to the possibility of providing a cultural
center facility adjacent to the future Central Library
building because of the need and compatibility of these
two functions.
Should land ever be donated for a cuZtu:^aZ center, this
would be a fine idea. Pittsburgh's Oakland Area
provides every cultural advantage possible - theatre,
lecture halls, museum, arboretum, Zib=2r y, library
school, large auditorium -- a privilege to grow up
in such a city -- a city with a soul.
No. 12. When the new Central Library building becomes
a reality, the present library building should be
-converted into a branch library to serve the north-
west'quadrant of the city's population.
Plans being implemented for this transition.
2. BRANCH LIBRARIES.
No. 13. In planning an extensions programs, the library
must insure against the provision of branch services
at the expense of developing much needed Central Library
services and collections.
CbmpleteZy concur.
No. 14. Library officials must develop a flexible plan
of extending services to the residents of Carlsbad,
utilizing a variety of techniques and facilities.
PartiaZly completed. (a) Strong outreach program;
(b) Mini-boolonobiZe.
11/77
CARLSBA; ITY LIBRARY
MATCRING USER NEEDS
SUrV"I 01. PRI 10 TIES AU., A% COM2+'.E :TBATIO;:S P; e !s
No. 15. A library facility of limited size should be
planned for operation in the La Costa Area sometime
after 1975.
Testing need with mini-bookmobiZe. So far somewhat
negative.
No. 16. As population warrants `and financial resources
permit, the library should consider providing one or'
more extension facilities in each quadrant of the city,
using the present library building to house the branch
serving the northwest quadrant.
In staff pZanning stage.
No. 17. Library officials should work closely with
city officials to identify and set aside through.
appropriate methods those locations which seem most
apt to meet the site requirements for future branch
libraries and have these designated as part of the
city's General Plan.
Must be more City -Library Board cooperation. Library
must not remain so'Zow in Zist of City priorities..
It is one of the City's most vaZuable assets.
3. FINANCES.
No. 18. Library officials, in collaboration with city
officials, should seek guidance in determining the
long range financial capability of the city and the
library's share .thereof . ,
Board of Trustees 2riority
No. 19. The Library should seek an immediate commit -
went for sufficient funds to (1) hire needed personnel,
(2) improve space utilization in public and work areas,
and (3) begin a meaningful collections development
program.
AecompZished except for on going collections deveZopment.
No. 20. Library officials should begin working with
city officials to find methods of financing both the
initial outlay for a small branch library in La Costa
and for increasing the annVal library revenues to com-
pensate for the cost of operation.
Cooperative City -Board pZanning shouZd be emphasized.
. 11/77
CARLSEAL .IT.Y LIBRARY
MATCHING USER NEEDS
Sut2iARY OF -PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
page 5
B. RECOMMENDATIONS. cont'd
No. 23'.. Library officials, in -cooperation with city
-officials, should move forward on a carefully planned
program to attract substantial gifts and donations
from individuals, foundations and corporations to be
used to supplement tax revenue for the library; such
funds
can be used for future capital improvements and/
or endowments directed toward the improvement of col-
lections
and services.
Agreed.
'
No. 22. Library officials should continue to inves-
tigate
and, where possible, utilize state and/or
Federal funds available for public library construction,
operation and special programming.
Completion of plans or ChiZdr ' ,f en s Library should be
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accomplished as quickZg as possible for this reason.
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11/77