HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01241984 - 2.6 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
January 24, 1984
Adopted this Order on ,by the following vote:
AYESSupervisors Powers , Fanden, McPeak, Schroder, Torlakson.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None .
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT. Use of Dublin Branch of Alameda County Library
The Board received a report from County Librarian dated
January 6 , 1984 , relating to the use of the Dublin Branch of Alameda
County Library by Contra Costa County residents .
IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the aforesaid report is
ACKNOVTLEDGED and that copies be forwarded to Alameda County Board of
Supervisors members Donald A. Excell and Joseph P. Bort
i hereby certify that this Is a true and correct copy of
an action taken and Entered or the minutes of the
Board of supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTS®: _�� 3. J .
J.R. O� s �, ...b?ui:' T CLE::iC
and ex off ciO Cierk of fhe Board
By .
Depvty
Orta. Dept.:
CC: County Administrator
County Librarian
Donald A. Excell
Joseph P. Bort 329
CONTRA.COSTA COUNTY LIBRARY
INTER-OFFICE MEMO
DATE: . January 6, 1984
TO: Board of Supervisors
l
FROM: Ernest Siegel , County Librarian ' C-
SUBJECT: USE OF THE DUBLIN BRANCH OF ALAMEDACO NTY=LIBRARY
BY CONTRA COSTA COUNTY RESIDENTS
The County Administrator has requested that I .report to your Board on the use
made of the Alameda County Library's Dublin Branch by residents of Contra Costa
County.
The Alameda County Library reports that currently 45 percent of the circulation
of the Dublin Branch is accounted for by residents of Contra Costa County. I am
sure that that figure is accurate.
The Dublin Library is a very busy one, so the 45 percent represents a considerable
amount of service, equal to the total circulation of some of our middle-sized
branches. There .are other services provided in a quality branch library that it
must be assumed are used in proportion, e.g. reference and information services,
children's story hours, etc.
The Dublin Library is in a location which is both closer and more convenient for
many residents of Contra Costa County than the San Ramon Valley Branch in
Danville. The Dublin Branch is close to the county line, has excellent shopping
with adequate parking close by and is convenient to the natural traffic pattern.
The branch is large, attractive, well-stocked and well-staffed.
Though no formal or direct proposal has been made, the notion has surfaced that
this use of the Dublin Library by Contra Costa residents exceeds normal inter-
jurisdictional use and should therefore be compensated for above and beyond the
transaction-based reimbursement currently provided by the State of California.
We have, of course, discussed the Dublin situation, and the subject of possible
payment to Alameda County inevitably comes up; but at this informal level no
"position" has been taken by either library.
The State compensates public libraries for service rendered to other jurisdictions.
The transaction-based reimbursement program provides $.48 for each net direct loan.
Contra Costa County is a "net borrower," receives no funds under this program,
and therefore cannot comment on its adequacy. It is, however, the foundation of a
statewide program for increasing library access and should be tampered with only
in extraordinary circumstances. There are legal aspects to the situation; and
I have attached, without comment, those sections of the California .Education Code
which I understand to be pertinent.
I would not recommend voluntary compensation to Alameda County for present use
of the Dublin Branch by residents of Contra Costa County for the following
reasons:
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1 . Alameda County is currently reimbursed by the State for this service
under the "universal borrowing" provisions of the California Library
Services Act.
2. Alameda County is a substantial beneficiary of universal borrowing,
not only under the reimbursement program, but through the considerable
use its residents make of other public libraries. Contemplation of
separate payment threatens the foundations of an important statewide
program.
3. I feel strongly that the County's limited financial resources should
be used for providing library service to residents within the county
and that the time is ripe for a comprehensive look at library facility
needs within the City of San Ramon and vicinity.
4. In making payment to Alameda County, Contra Costa County would be
"buying in" to a service over which it has no control . The Alameda
County Library operates at different costs, under different rules and
under different planning criteria than Contra Costa County. Such an
arrangement would leave in doubt the responsibility for the planning of
future library service in this burgeoning area.
5. Alameda County should not be allowed to lose sight of the fact that it
realizes a substantial economic benefit from Contra Costa County residents
who use the library in conjunction with their normal shopping patterns.
I would recommend instead that the County direct its resources toward working
with the City of San Ramon and major developers in an effort to provide this
growing area with a library facility and services appropriate to a community of
this size.
ES:lf
Attachment
330
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