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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05021989 - 1.64 s ' TO: Board of Supervisors " - ®�4 FROM: Phil Batchelor, County Administrator x, ''"4 14 DATE: April 21, 1989 SUBJECT: INCREASED LEVELS OF SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY LIBRARY Specific Request(s) or Recommendations(s) & Background & Justification RECOMMENDATION Acknowledge receipt of the attached response from the County Librarian to a letter from Elizabeth B. Zilen of Concord urging that the County increase the number of hours a week that various branch libraries are open to the public. BACKGROUND: On February 14,1989 the Board of Supervisors referred to this office and the County Librarian a letter from Elizabeth B. Zilen suggesting that various alternatives be considered to allow branch libraries to be open to the public more hours per week. While we recognize that keeping libraries open additional hours would be desirable, financial constraints on the County preclude devoting further resources to the Library. Mr.Siegel notes that the Library already uses volunteers and that further increases in hours would require the dedication of considerable additional financial resources which are simply not available at present. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: NO SIGNATURE: Recommendation of County Administrator Recommendation of Board Committee Approve Other: Signature(s): , Action of Board on: May 2, 19 89 Approved as Recommended X Other Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND Unanimous(Absent_ ) CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND Ayes: Noes: ENTERED ON HE MINUTES OF THE BOARD Absent: Abstain: OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN. cc: County Administrator ATTESTED MAY 21989 County Librarian PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD Ms.Elizabeth B.Zilen SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CLVM:ehBY; (� Deputy Clerk library 1635 Humphrey Drive FSB 31989 Concord, CA 94519 ""'BAiCHECOR CLERK O ARD OF SUPERvtSORS ' COSTA CO. January 30, 1989 e De u J Mr. Tom Torlakson Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA 94553 Dear Tom: ' Kindly discuss and give careful consideration to authorizing additional hours for county libraries to serve the public. The Central Library on Oak Park Boulevard has been closed on Wednesdays to provide time to upgrade the services in accordance with modern technology. Also, students from elementary, high school, community colleges and universities need to have the Contra Costa County Libraries open more evenings and Saturday hours to do research for class projects and required papers in these excellent facilities. Adults who work full-time would like to be able to come to the libraries in the evenings to select books for recreational reading and check sources for special interests and professional growth. Have you noticed how crowded the Concord and Central libraries are during the day and evenings they are open? This puts the limited staff under additional strain to serve the public. I realize the budget is limited but alternative possibilities should be explored. University of California library students could be involved in field projects for college credit. Volunteers with special training and former librarians who wish to serve limited hours for service to their community could be recruited. Could a grant be secured for improvement of library services to the public? Any consideration you may give to the solution of serving the young, people, the citizens and leaders of our country in the future will be much appreciated. Sincerely, � �j���•=-C� J Elizabeth B. Zilen STATE OF CALIFORNIA County of Contra Costa u• w CONTRA COSTA COUNTY LIBRARY INTER-OFFICE 14DU DATE: March 15, 1989 T0: Claude Van Marter, Assistant County Admlat�ato FROM: Ernest Siegel, County Librarian SUBJECT: CORRESPONDENCE AGENDA ITEM 3. , FEBRUARY 1489 Attached are copies of my response to the letter sent by Elizabeth Zilen to the Board. ES:if Attachments cc: P. Batchelor Contra Costa R E LE;V J 1989 �'+ Jaid of . C-0U '1y ' ?vtir.cc4r war Er County Library Contra Crtestslegel County Librarian 1750 Oak Park Boulevard Costa Esther Helfand s Pleasant Hill,California 94523-4497 J Assistant County Librarian (415)646-6423 County (415)934-7712(TDD) March 15, 1989 Ms. Elizabeth B. Men 1635 Humphrey Drive Concord, CA 94519 Dear Ms. Zilen: The Board of Supervisors has referred your letter of January 30 to me for response. As County Librarian I share your distress that the Library cannot provide longer hours of service. Hours have been reduced twice due to budget reductions over the last ten years. The Library is fully committed to the use of volunteers for a variety of essential tasks. Our volunteer ranks include retired staff members and occasionally student interns. However, we have found that extension. of library hours is not feasible without a substantial increase in financial resources. The Central Library will resume Wednesday service in early May when the bulk of data for the new system will have been entered into the computer. Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Sincerely, Erni5st Siegel County Librarian / ES:if