10-25-17 City Council Agenda Packet

Home Browse Search

ATTACHMENT A • • • Public Library Date: October 9, 2017 To: Jon Ruiz, Manager City of Eugene From: Joe Gonzales, Chair Eugene Public Library Advisory Board Subject: Report on the 1St Year of the Library Levy On November 3, 2015, the City of Eugene voters approved Measure 20-235 to fund expanded Eugene Public Library services for five years beginning in July 2016. The citizen Library Advisory Board has the responsibility to annually review the levy performance to ensure accountability and transparency; this is the report on the levy's first year. As you will read in the attached report, the focus of the Eugene Public Library's first year of the levy implementation is: "Promises made, Promises kept." The expanded services promised in the levy were in three categories: 1. More Hours and Access Promises made: The Library promised to add 22 hours each week at the neighborhood Bethel and Sheldon Branches bringing each to a total of 48 open hours across six days. Also promised were restorations of the Sunday morning hours at the Downtown Library. Promises kept: As soon as the levy was approved, the Library went to work to prepare for expanded hours. They were successfully able to implement the new hours on the very first day of the levy funding, Friday, July 1, 2016. This has translated into increased access and use of all three library locations. 2. More Programs for All Ages Promises made: The Library promised to increase free events by 33% over the course of the levy with a particular emphasis on areas identified as community priorities: early literacy, activities for teens, and "Maker" opportunities. The Library further promised to provide more free programs off-site and to bring these services to parts of the community not currently served by one of the three branch locations. Promises kept: Library programs were increased 25% in all priority areas, well on the way to the eventual goal of 33%. During the first year, the off-site services were prototyped in a leased van and specifications were developed for the purchase of a custom van to increase efficiency in future years of the levy. 3. More Materials and Technology Promises made: Return the Library's budget for books, movies, eBooks, and etc., to pre -recession levels. And, increase the community's Internet access at the Bethel and Sheldon Branches by providing laptops for patrons. Eugene Public Library • 100 West 10th Avenue • Eugene, OR 97401 • 541-682-5450 • 541-682-5898 Fax www.eugene-or.gov/libra ry