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.
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Attachments
cc: P. Batchelor
Contra Costa
R E LE;V J
1989
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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 /
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