HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09232008 - C.65 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS s Contra
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FROM: Anne Cain, County Librarian o� �;���. s Costa
DATE: 23 September 2008 �osrq �o ;i "w County
SUBJECT: Approve and Authorize the County Library to offer teens an opportunity to "read down'
their fines during Teen Read Week, October 12 — 18, 2008.
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS)
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Library to offer teens an opportunity to "read down" their fines
during Teen Read Week, October 12— 18, 2008.
A fine forgiveness or amnesty program would:
• Give teen patrons a fresh start and a clean account
• Encourage teens to return to the library
• Bring"lost" library materials back to the library
• Establish goodwill between libraries, teens and communities
• Increase teen reading
• Promote Teen Read Week.
FISCAL IMPACT
The library projects a loss of fine revenue of approximately $9,000. This will be partially offset by the value of
missing items returned to the library, which is estimated to be $4,700.
BACKGROUND
Research indicates that libraries nationwide have used fines amnesty programs as a way for teen patrons to
"clean up" their accounts, and as a successful way to encourage "lost"teen patrons to return to the libraries. In
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ES SIGNATURE: (/,(J)j�,,-
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ❑RECOM ENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE ❑OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD O �� APPR VEDAS RECOMME ED OTTER❑
yTE OF SUPERVISORS: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY
OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
AYES: NOES: ATTESTED:September 23,2008
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
Contact: Anne Cain,County Librarian DAVID TWA,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
(925)Cain,Co SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
County Library Administration
County Administrator By: Deputy
County Auditor
Contra Costa County Library
Page 2
addition to bringing teens back to the library,the goal of the program is also to recover lost items.
Importantly, the program would support specific Contra Costa County Library objectives.
Community preferences. Data(Strategic Plan, p. 5) indicate that there is an expressed need for an emphasis of
library services and programs for children and teens.
Positive publicity. Communities respond positively to programs that support teen learning, which is excellent
public relations for the Library. The program also promotes and supports the nationwide celebration of Teen
Read Week.
Literacy leadership. The Library is expected to promote a love for reading and libraries—A "read down' for
fines forgiveness supports this.
Materials recovery. Overdue items returned would again be available for use, thus increasing information
accessibility and turnover.
Charges that can be waived are limited to fines. Lost book charges, processing charges, and accounts already
sent to the library's collection agency cannot be waived.
The County Auditor and County Counsel have both reviewed and approved the proposed program.