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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS A Contra
FROM: SUPERVISOR MARY N. PIEPHO Costa
DATE: July 11, 2006 �
°sr9-�- County
SUBJECT: EAST COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. DIRECT the County Librarian to undertake a preliminary review of the unmet need for
library service in Far East Contra Costa County communities.
2. DIRECT Supervisor Piepho's office to work with the County Librarian and Library
Commission on service options for East County residents who do not have convenient
access to a library facility, and report back to the board with their findings.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Library staff can undertake a preliminary study of possible options and estimated
implementation costs.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ❑ YES SIGNATURE:
❑ RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ❑ RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
❑APPROVE ❑OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON Q ®CD
APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED O HER ❑
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND
CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND
.UNANIMOUS(ASSENT.Jr`qff�!n� ) ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
AYES: NOES:
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTESTED: JULY 11,2006
Contact: Lea Castleberry JOHN CULLEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
Office of Supervisor Mary N.Plepho SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
(925)820-8683 •
cc: Members,Board of Supervisors By: Deputy
John Cullen,County Administrator
Anne Cain,County Librarian
County Library Commission
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BACKGROUND:
A recent report from the CAO found that geographical differences exist in the allocation of
library facilities with East County— and especially Far East County— having a much smaller
amount of library space relative to the population served.
The report also identified two broad themes in service delivery models used by County
departments: centralized and decentralized. Centralized services are those that use the
Internet, telephone, and other methods of delivery to all regions of the County, thereby
reducing the need for customers to travel to a County facility. For the library, examples of
centralized services include access to the library's databases, live homework assistance from
a tutor, the ability to renew items and check customer accounts, receiving e-mail notification of
items ready to be picked up, fee-based books by mail, and access to the Business Connection
website, just to name a few.
Decentralized library services require customers to travel to a library facility. The County
Library partners with local cities and communities to provide library services, with
cities/communities providing facilities and the County providing library operations and services.
Examples of decentralized library services include browsing and selecting reading material,
attending library programs, participating in the summer reading programs, and receiving
assistance in using library resources
East County library service is expected to improve as new libraries are planned by the cities of
Pittsburg, Antioch, and Brentwood. Even with these new facilities, Far East County residents
will still have to travel significant distances.
The planning of a major new civic facility such as a library can take five or more years.
Therefore, the County Librarian is being asked to identify and provide preliminary costs for
more immediate options for improving library service to East County residents.
CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without the proper study of library services throughout the county and a review of potential
services, many children, commuters, and facilities may not be receiving the proper resources
available for their needs.