HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 5136
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO.5136
A RESOLUTION CALLINGA CITY ELECTION ON
NOVEMBER 3, 2015, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
REFERRING TO THE LEGAL ELECTORS OF THE
CITY OF EUGENE A MEASURE AUTHORIZING A
FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION LEVY FOR THE
FUNDING OF LIBRARY OPERATIONS.
PASSED: 8:0
REJECTED:
OPPOSED:
ABSENT:
CONSIDERED:July 13, 2015
RESOLUTION NO. 5136
A RESOLUTION CALLINGA CITY ELECTION ON
NOVEMBER 3, 2015, FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFERRING
TO THE LEGAL ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF EUGENE
A MEASURE AUTHORIZING A FIVE-YEAR LOCAL
OPTION LEVY FOR THE FUNDING OF LIBRARY
OPERATIONS.
The City Council of the City of Eugene finds as follows:
A.
Despite reduced budgets in recent years, the Eugene Public Library is heavily used by our
community. In FY14, the Library served over 3,000 visitors daily and processed nearly
three million check-outs. The Library provided more than 1,800 programs, ranging from
storytimes to classes to entertainment with approximately 55,000 community members of
all ages attending these free events. Monthly, the Library’s three locations provided over
75,000 wireless sessions and 18,000 Internet computer user sessions.
B.
The City’s Library Services funded byGeneral Fund and donation funds. The FY16
$10.6 million budget pays for the following existing services:
a.Downtown Library services 61 hours across seven days a week
b.Bethel and Sheldon Branch services 26 hours over five days a week.
c.Publically available technology to use at the Library.
d.Ability to use your own technology to access library services online 24hours per day,
7days each week.
e.Purchase of a limited amount of new materials.
f.Approximately1,200free public programs offered at the Library annually, for all
ages.
g.Some off-site programs, all of whichserve those unable to come into the Library,
such as storytimes to low-income children at daycares and large print book delivery
to homebound seniors.
C.
Eugene Public Library is nationally recognized for excellence in cost-effective delivery
of services. In its 2014 rankings, Library Journal named Eugene Public Library a “Star
Library” for thefifth time. The designation means Eugene Public Library ranks among
the top three percent of public libraries nationwide for excellence in cost-effective
delivery of key services. The Library Journal study, the “Index of Public Library Service
2014,” examined 7,586 public libraries. Only 258 libraries, including Eugene Public
Library, received a Star Library designation. Eugene Public Library’s delivery of services
per capita was evaluated against public libraries with comparable budgets.
D.
In October 2014,the Library engaged the community in a visioning process about the
“Eugene Public Library of the Future”. Participants, representing diverse demographics
and viewpoints withinthe community,reached a consensus that “Eugene Public Library
has been and will continue to be a center of our community, a community that values
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learning and opportunity for all of its residents.” The resulting report set out a vision for
the future 2024 Librarythat included themes such as technology, literacy, off-site
delivery of Library programs, creativity and creative spaces, growth in services, facilities
growth and funding.
E.
In April 2015, the Library contracted fora survey to explore the community’s opinions
and priorities regarding Library services and to learn the probablelevel of support for a
five-year local option levy as a supplement to the General Fund. The survey results
confirmed community support for a Library Local Option Levy and reaffirmed the
priorities heard repeatedly from council, Library users and supporters,and from the
Library of the Future visioning process.
F.
Increased access to existing Library services by adding back open hours was rated by
community members as the most critical enhancementfor levy funding.Also highly
rated was a restoration of the Library’s materials budget to former levels, which would
reduce “wait times” for the most popular materials. Libraryservicestargeted to specific
underserved groups were also identified as a high priorityfor investment. Theseinclude
early literacy skill development for preschoolersand their families, an expansion of
programs and services for teens, and an investment in new technologies such as
makerspace.
G.
In response to the community feedback about service level enhancements, the City
Council developed a proposal for library levy funding. The proposal was shaped by what
residentsidentified ashighestprioritiesfor themselves and the community as a whole.
The levy proposal would pay for service enhancements, not existing Library services.
Existing Library services would continue to be fundedby the General Fund and donation
funds.
H.
Based on community input, the levy services will focus on expanding hours and access
for everyone and ensuring equity in provision of library services. Specifically, the levy
will fund the following service enhancements:
a.Additional hours and access. This would includeadding22 hours each week at
Bethel Branch, to be open 48 hours over six days a week; adding 22 hours each week
at Sheldon Branch, to be open 48 hours over six days a week; and restoring3 hours
on Sunday mornings each week at the Downtown Library, to be open 64 hours over
seven days a week.
b.Increaseby 33% on-sitefree programmingfor all ages,with particular focus on teens;
expanded “makerspace” toprovide community members with access to and training
on tools and equipment they might not be able to afford individually; and increased
off-site delivery of programs,including focusedexpansion of the early literacy
outreach and other volunteer programs.
c.More technology and materials, including restoring$300,000per year to bring the
budget for books and other resources back to FY09 levels,to ensure a shorter “wait
time” for the most popular items; and technology (tablets and/or laptops) to lend for
public use on-site at both BranchLibraries.
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