HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03212006 - C.55 (2) i
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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS `tl-' Contra
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FROM: Anne Cain, County Librarian s Costa
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DATE: March 21' 2006 �o
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SUBJECT: Information on Proposed License Agreement with Civic Technologies, Inc., for a Geographic
Information System(GIS) Subscription for the County Library
SPECIFIC REQUEST (S) OR RECOMMENDATION (S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
PROVIDE information to the Board of Supervisors on a proposed License Agreement with Civic Technologies,
Inc., to subscribe to LibraryDecision, a Geographic Information System (GIS) based web service for public
libraries.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total cost of the subscription to LibraryDecision is $9,990, and is included in the FY 2005-2006 Library
budget. This cost will be offset by reducing the amount of staff time needed to independently research
demographic and geographic data.
BACKGROUND
In order to make the best possible resource allocation decisions and deliver effective library services, the library
analyzes a variety of data and statistics. LibraryDecision integrates local demographic.and geographic data with
information from the library's Integrated Library System (ILS) on library use, collections, circulation and
facilities.
LibraryDecision will assist library staff to determine planning guidelines such as square feet per capita,
circulation per capita, holdings per capita, reader seats per thousand population, meeting room seats per
thousand population, computers per thousand population, circulation per holding,`operating cost per hour open,
and parking spaces per thousand square feet of building area.
LibraryDecision will allow the library to evaluate how well it meets the needs of each community library and to
plan service improvements. The maps and data from LibraryDecision will help library staff make informed and
timely decisions that will improve library service in Contra Costa County.
LibraryDecision can improve library service when it is used to:
• Map where library customers live and their travel distance to the library ;will help identify where the
population is currently being underserved or focus on who is being served and how well services are being
delivered
• Calculate service indicators by individual community library to measure how well library services and
programs are meeting unique neighborhood and community needs
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ® YES SIGNATURE: _
2RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR❑ RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
C APPROVE ❑ OTHER
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SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOA N APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED [R OR ❑
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VOTE OF SUPERVISORS: 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN
ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF TME BOARD OF
X UNANIMOUS(ABSENTS ) SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHO lWN.
AYES: NOES:
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTESTED
Contact: Anne Cain,County Librarian,(925)646-6423 JOHN CULLEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
cc: County Library Administration
County Administrator
County Auditor
Tom Whittington,Department of Information Technology Director By lleputy
John Huie,Geog aphic Information Officer
0 ABOSTivictechnologies.doc
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Information on Proposed License Agreement with Civic Technologies,Inc., for a Geographic Information
System (GIS) Subscription for the County Library
March 21, 2006
Page 2
• Ensure efficient library operations by analyzing days and hours open, staff levels, operating cost and cost of
service
• Perform scenario planning utilizing current service areas, future service areas and long-term service areas
• Prepare demographic segmentation analysis of each library service area in order to tailor services,
collections and programs I
• Identify locations with low patron use and few cardholders to target development campaigns.
• Evaluate possible locations for new libraries based on proximity to underserved populations.
• Prepare grant applications with solid data and visually convincing maps.
• Analyze demographic characteristics to determine, for example, the need to purchase a greater number of
Spanish-language books or the need to offer more programs for seniors.
• Identify potential library customers and sent material designed to attract new library customers.
• Market to library-card holders with young children with invitations to participate in the summer reading
program. Teens could be asked to volunteer at the library.
Like other County departments, the library has found that data in graphical form`often reveals information that
is difficult to perceive in the more traditional formats currently being used and has recognized the value of
integrating GIS information into library decision making. The library, for example, finds it useful to have
density maps that depict patterns for cardholders, borrowers, and items borrowed by community and countywide
and by age group.
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LibraryDecision has been evaluated by John Huie, the County's GIS Officer, who has determined that, for the
same cost the County could not develop and support a system with the capabilities that LibraryDecision offers.
Mr. Huie recommends that, if this product meets the library's needs, it is a prudent investment for the County
Library.
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