05/11/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e day collection. Ms. Hildebrand said that the library branch would be staffed by 2-1/2 people. Ongoing maintenance costs, personnel, book acquisition, and equipment costs would be about $175,000 to $200,000 per year. She added that this figure could be different from location to location. Ms. Hildebrand cautioned the council that such branch libraries as the one she described did not substitute for the necessary square footage needed in the main library dictated by increased use and an increased population. She described the experience of the Salem Library, which has a single branch on the west side opened one year ago. Statistics regarding the use of the main library does not indicate when the branch was opened: main library use remained at the same, and higher levels, as previous. Ms. Ehrman asked if the budget figures for the branch reflected the same operational hours as the main branch. Ms. Hildebrand said her figures re- flected fewer hours, Noon to 8 p.m., six days a week. Responding to a question from Mayor Obie, Ms. Hildebrand said the library will check out about 1,200,000 items this year. Mayor Obie asked Ms. Hildebrand what impact a branch would have on this figure. Ms. Hildebrand said she did not think that Eugene's experience would be different than Salemls experience. She did not think that a branch would lessen the main libraryls circulation levels. Ms. Hildebrand confirmed that a branch library would have a high collection turnover due to the nature of the collection, and it is important to keep the collection fresh. e Mr. Holmer asked what affect branch libraries had on bookmobiles. Ms. Hildebrand predicted that bookmobile use would be different, as the bookmobile now visits shopping centers and senior centers. If there were branches, the bookmobile would most likely visit special populations who can't get out. Ms. Ehrman asked what effect a branch would have on the square footage of the main library. Ms. Hildebrand said that if the council established two 3,000 square foot branches, they could subtract that from the main library, but she noted that the library is already operating under a square foot IIdeficitll and should be twice as large as it is. Ms. Decker said that staff had used the Echo Hollow example because they concluded Bethel-Danebo citizens use the bookmobile more heavily than other citizens and the main library less, probably due to distance. Ms. Decker asked the council if, in putting together the library proposal to serve the population expected by the year 2000, they wished to see branches included it the first phase or add branches after the main library is expand- ed. Mr. Rutan advised the staff to wait on branches. Ms. Ehrman agreed. She said that the branches would increase costs. Councilor Holmer said he had not fully formed his opinion and did not wish to commit himself. He wished to revisit the issue before the final decision was reached. Ms. Schue said e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 11, 1988 Page 7