04/13/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Mr. Holmer identified the planning period as an appropriate issue for discussion. In his opinion, a ten-year period is more realistic than 20 years. Ms. Decker said it is difficult to plan a major facility for less than ten years. Mayor Obie again stressed the need to build a facility that can grow with the community rather than to plan for a specific projected population. Mr. Bennett agreed that ten years is a reasonable planning period, and he said he was concerned about building with an initial assumption that space would be rented. Ms. Ehrman asked if the ten-year planning period being considered would commence after construction is completed. There was consensus that the council was considering the year 2000 when the projected population would be 168,000. Mr. Rutan disagreed with that projection. Councilors indicated more realistic projections ranged from 160,000 to 170,000, but reached agreement that the planning period should be until the year 2000 for a population of 168,000. B. Service Mix and level Carol Hildebrand reviewed the process of the Future of Our Library Committee as it considered reasonable alternatives for providing adequate library facilities. An early assumption was that the future Eugene Public library should offer about the same mix of services as it does presently. These services include: 1) collections of adult and children's books, reference books, magazines and newspapers, records and cassettes, videos, art prints, and puppets; 2) public spaces that include meeting rooms, reading sections, and study areas; 3) equipment for public use that includes coin-operated copiers, typewriters, and online catalog terminals; 4) programming for children and adults; and 5) "community center" features that provide rest rooms, art displays, and bulletin boards. Other possible services that were considered by the committee but not included in its recommendation were the following: 1) special collections room, 2) office for the Friends of the Library, 3) art gallery, 4) drive-in check-out window, 5) office for community organizations, 6) coffee shop for the public, 7) library gift shop, 8) public smoking lounge, 9) tool library, and 10) meeting room equipped as a television studio. Ms, Hildebrand described the committee's recommendation after its consideration of services to be provided by the library. The committee recommends maintaining the current service mix, with an understanding that changes will occur in format and media. It is assumed that the library will continue to be a collection-based operation. It should continue to provide space for reading, study, and the use of equipment and materials. Meeting rooms should be designed for use by community groups during hours that the library is closed. Ms. Wooten asked if software collections were being considered, and Ms. Hildebrand answered that budget considerations do not allow public check-out of software at this time, but software should be considered part of the MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 13, 1988 Page 6