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Home My WebLink About2009-10-06; City Council; 19987; Presentation on the Library Learning CenterCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL 13 AB# MTG. DEPT. 19,987 10/6/09 LIB A PRESENTATION ON THE CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY LEARNING CENTER DEPT. HEAD CITY ATTY. CITY MGR. d RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept the presentation regarding the Carlsbad City Library Learning Center. ITEM EXPLANATION: The presentation will provide an overview of the Library Learning Center's activity levels during its first year of operation. In that period, the Learning Center demonstrated substantial use as anticipated in the conceptual planning of the facility. This information will help the City assess the value of the project to the community. FISCAL IMPACT: None. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The presentation does not qualify as a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378) and no environmental review is required. EXHIBITS: 1. Memo to the City Manager from the Library Director. DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Heather Pizzuto,760-602-2056, Heather.Pizzuto@carlsbadca.gov FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY. COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED DENIED CONTINUED WITHDRAWN AMENDED D D D D D CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC D CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN D RETURNED TO STAFF D OTHER -SEE MINUTES D Council received presentat .on. EXHIBIT # 1 August 26, 2009 TO: CITY MANAGER VIA: DEPUTY CITY MANAGER FROM: Library Director LIBRARY LEARNING CENTER FIRST YEAR ACTIVITY This week, the Carlsbad City Library Learning Center celebrates its first year of operation. The anniversary presents an opportunity to reflect on the Learning Center's use by and impact on the community since it opened its doors August 23, 2008. Because many years of planning and a strong commitment on the part of the City Council allowed the Learning Center's unique concept to be realized, this information may be of interest to Council members. During its first year of operation, the Learning Center warmly welcomed 28,000 visitors. A staff of 7.75 FTE answered almost 8,800 reference questions and provided a full array of library and literacy services. In fiscal year 2008/09, 100 adults received twice-weekly instruction and assistance in strengthening their reading, writing and computer literacy skills. 12,400 volunteer hours supported this effort along with the Homework Zone, which served more than 1,200 students with homework and learning assistance during the school year. By second quarter, 2009 (April-June), internet computer use had increased 32% over last quarter, 2008 (October-December), totaling 2,700 hours of use for the three-month period. With the conclusion of the Summer Reading Program in the first week of August, we can now see the general community use of the Learning Center. 537 people, from babies to adults, participated in Summer Reading Programs for all ages — triple the number in the 2008 Summer Reading Program offered at the Centro de Information. Together, they read more than 120,000 pages over seven weeks, coming to the Learning Center 3,000 times to report to volunteers who encouraged them with incentives to sustain their reading through the summer. Perhaps the best indicator of how the Learning Center has made an impact on the lives of community members, however, is expressed in their own words: "The program has meant a lot. I have learned how to use the computer to send e- mail, look for addresses and type letters. I am improving my reading skills. Now I can go back and read the papers I was given years ago with the information to help my disabled son. I feel more confident about the future and what I can learn. My goal is to get my high school diploma." -Learner Elena M. "Coming to the Literacy Services Program has changed my life in many different ways. The program staff and tutors have created a comfortable learning environment. Their support takes away a lot of the fear and embarrassment of making mistakes. I have gained the tools to help improve my reading and spelling skills. Passing the GED exam gave me the confidence to change careers. I have become a certified trainer at work. The tools for spelling and reading that I have learned help me cope with daily tasks." -Learner Kevin B. I hope this information will be helpful in considering the value of the Learning Center to the whole community. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like additional information. And thank you so much for supporting the construction and opening of the Library Learning Center. HEATHER PIZZUTO Cc: Deputy Library Director Principal Librarian Carlsbad City Library Learning Center Review of first year of service Literacy services •Program established in 1984 •Provides English-speaking adults assistance with reading, writing, and computer skills Bilingual services •Program established in 1991 •Library and information services and programs in English and Spanish First year by the numbers: •28,000 visitors •8,800 reference questions answered •12,400 hours of volunteer service •1,200 K-12 students assisted in the Homework Zone •100 adults received twice-weekly literacy instruction •32% increase in computer use, Fall 2008 to Spring 2009 •Triple the participants in 2009 Summer Reading Program over 2008 Building skills. Changing lives. Helping Carlsbad succeed.