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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - LB - 1996.04.16 BURLINGAME • URLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY r Board of Trustees Agenda Q4 LIC LI5F April 16th, 1996- 43 0pm 130 Park Road- Conference Room SUGGESTED ACTION 1. CALL TO ORDER: 2. ROLL CALL: 3. BILLS: City Checks: $18,873.49 Approval Special Fund: $ 48.00 Duncan Funds:$ 706.53 Approval 4. MINUTES: Information 5. CORRESPONDENCE & COMMUNICATIONS: a. Peninsula Community Foundation Memo b. Trustee Appointments c. California Library Services Board Actions d. New Oakland Librarian e. Survey of Non-Users �-- f. Letter to Friends of the Library Information 6. REPORTS: a. City Librarian's Report: Escoffier b. System Advisory Board Report: Cannon A(o k7 - A-05 in / W c. Foundation Board: Herman 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Information a. Duncan Trust Response 8. NEW BUSINESS: Approval a. Request to Friends 9. ADJOURNMENT: daA 1%_. UBOURLINGAME Burlingame Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes March 19th, 1996 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting of March 19th, 1996 was called to order by President Dunbar at 4:30pm. 2. ROLL CALL: Trustees Present: Berger, Cannon, Dunbar, Herman & Taylor Trustees Absent: None Staff Present: Alfred Escoffier, City Librarian Deanna Tomei, Circulation Supervisor - 3. BILLS: M/S/C (Cannon/Taylor) unanimously to approve the payment of City checks. 4. MINUTES: The Minutes of the Meeting of February 20th, 1995 were approved as written and ordered filed. 5. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS: All correspondence had been mailed in the Trustee packets. Vage t 480 Primrose Road • Burlingame, CA 94010-4083 • (415) 342-1038 0 Fax (415) 342-1948 6. REPORTS: a. City Librarian's Report: Trustee Taylor said she was delighted to have received a hard hat as a gift. Librarian Escoffier said he will be sending a thank you to Richard Sampson and Associates who provided the hard hats for the Ground Breaking Ceremony. President Dunbar noted that members of the City Council cannot attend the Legislative Breakfast due to a conflict. Trustee Cannon said the Board should encourage others to attend the breakfast. b. System Advisory Board Report - Cannon: Trustee Cannon said as of May, the new Burlingame Representative to SAB would be Shirley Robertson. c. Foundation Report: Herman: Trustee Herman said the Foundation did not meet in March. She said there have been several small donations received and that two families have designated the Foundation as their "charity." 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None 8. NEW BUSINESS: a. Bulletin Board Polia Update: M/S/C (Herman/Berger unanimously, to approve the Bulletin Board Policy as written. 9. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting of March 19th, 1996 was adjourned at 5:00 pm. The next regular Board meeting will be held on April 16th, 1996 in the Conference Room at 130 Park Road. Respectfully submitted, Alfred H. Escoffier City Librarian Trustees Minutes-96 March 4/5/96 Vage 2 U[ BURUNGAME , City Librarian's Report April 16, 1996 "Something New is Building..." The Duncan House was razed on April 1,1996, as the first phase of demolition began. During the week following, the stack core, south facing offices and east wing were removed. In the meantime, major reinforcement of portions of the building to be retained has been completed. Steel reinforcement has been added to the front facade of the tower and the former restroom areas, as these walls will remain. Both the Reference Room and the Children's Room have steel bracing in place to retain the structural integrity of the rooms. These will stay in place until the structural steel work is installed in the Fall. Salvage of reusable materials is complete. A professional salvage company removed and paid the city for a number of items, including doors, windows, etc. Other items were salvaged by the contractor for reuse, including: chandeliers, sconces, etc. The site is now fully fenced, including cement barriers along the street frontages. All vehicle parking, including some upper deck parking, has been eliminated. Construction trailers have been installed on the upper deck for the construction manager and the contractor. The public has been very understanding during this particularly noisy and dusty phase of the work. Documentation of the Reconstruction Award-winning construction photographer Susan Lohwasser has been hired to document the construction of the building. She plans to document six major phases of the construction work, beginning with demolition and ending with electronics installation in the completed building. Susan has photographed a number of projects including Moscone Center, the Sheraton Palace Hotel, and the Grand Avenue Overpass in Oakland for which she won a national award. Examples of the first phase of her work will be available shortly. 480 Primrose Road • Burlingame, CA 94010-4083 • (415) 342-1038 0 Fax (415) 342-1948 Primrose Library Interior Work is continuing on the library interior. Color palettes, office system furniture, and other equipment needs are being detailed. A final presentation will be given later in the Spring. Staff are researching telephone and other equipment. Children's Services The Easton Branch received their new puppet stage, a gift from the Friends of the Library. A donation by a Branch patron, further enhanced the Branch operation with new puppets for the children to use. Story times at Easton have overflow crowds. Plans are in place for the Summer Reading Club: "Be a Readersosaurus," for school age children, and "Ravenous Reader," for younger readers. Reference Services Several staff attended a PLS/South Bay tour of the Sunnyvale Center for Innovation, Invention and Ideas (formerly the Patent Library), and to hear Hal Varian, the new Dean of the new School of Information Management and Systems at the University of California at Berkeley (formerly the Library School). He discussed the new curriculum for 21 st century information managers. The tour was especially informative as much of the library is computerized. The center, a result of a unique City/Federal partnership, is the first of its kind outside of Washington D.C. and is now being duplicated in several other states. Esther Cummings and Al Escoffier attended a series of workshops in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. At the first session, staff completed assignments which had them using a library from a wheelchair, blindfolded and with limited hearing and vision. The second session included a panel discussion with a person with limited vision, a person with limited hearing and a person in a wheelchair chair. The final session will be at the new San Francisco Public Library and will be a tour of the special accommodations and equipment for persons with physical limitations. Upcoming Events: o National Library Week, April 15-21, 1996 o Library Board, April 16, 4:30 pm o San Francisco Public Library Grand Opening, April 18 o System Advisory Board, Legislative Breakfast, Stanford Park Hotel, April 20 o Friends of the Library Book Sale, Recreation Center, April 20, 10 am -4 pm o California Library Association, Legislative Day, Sacramento, April 30 o Foundation Board, April 11, 4:30 pm CL.39 4/11/96 STATISTICS FOR MARCH 1996 REGISTERED BORROWERS: Total Registered: Burlingame Adults 14,466 Burlingame Children 2,636 Hillsborough Adults 2,091 Hillsborough Children 870 Universal Borrowers 125 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CIRCULATION ACTIVITY: Main Branch Adult Print Materials(books, periodicals, pamphlets, paperbacks) 20,163 1,257 Children's Print Materials (books, periodicals, pamphlets, paperbacks) 7,198 1,577 Audio Visual Materials(records, cassettes, films, videos, cd's) 5,926 190 TOTALS: 33,287 3,024 Main Total 1996 Circ: 33,287 Main Total 1995 Circ: 41,118 = 19.04%Dec. Branch Total 1996 Circ: 3,024 Branch Total 1995 Circ: 2,632 =14.89%Inc. Grand Total 1996 Circ: 36,311 Grand Total 1995 Circ: 43,750 = 18.30%Dec. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REFERENCE ACTIVITY: Questions Directions Reference 4,664 1,201 Children's 301 258 ILL Borrowed: 1,629 Branch 237 88 ILL Lent: 2,081 Total: 5,202 1,547 ILL Total: 3,710 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _ COLLECTIONS: MAIN BRANCH TOTALVOLUMES VOLUMES/TITLES VOLUMES MAIN&BRANCH Ad.Non-Fiction 114,550 /110,160 4,790 119,340 Ch.Non-Fiction 21,290/ 21,250 3,765 25,055 YA Non-Fiction 1,895 / 1,705 95 1,990 Ad. Fiction 49,920 / 48,280 5,300 55,220 Ch. Fiction 17,745 /16,705 5,450 23,195 YA Fiction 2,700 / 2,470 340 3,040 Reference 5.590 / 5.395 190 5.780 Totals: 213,690 /205,965 19,930 233,620 OTHER MATERIALS: Pamphlets 33,540 Paperbacks 2,800 Maps 1,855 Records 1,500 Cassettes 6,290 Video Tapes 1,640 Compact Discs 1,365 Deposited with the City Treasurer: Main: $ 1,758.69 Branch: $ 642.35 -_ Xerox: $ 585.00 CLSA: $ 10,712.30 Donations:$ 201.55 Total: $13,899.89 Estimated User Traffic: 27,585 Daily Average: 890 IFUBURLINGAME '� April 9, 1996 TO. Library a r Board of Trustees !� FROM: Alfred Escoffier, City Li rian RE: Duncan Trust Fund At the Board's request, I contacted Vera Bennett, the fiscal officer of the Peninsula Community Foundation, regarding the Duncan Trust Fund. As you may remember, our quarterly reports now come with a statement indicating the amount of available monies in the fund. The original endowment in the fund was $ 594,957.00. This original endowment cannot be used, as this is an "income only" trust. Therefore, the amount available is any income above this figure. For your latest quarter ending December 31, 1995, the sum of $ 95,650.35 was available. This "Balance Available" will continue to appear on all upcoming quarterly reports. C L:Duncan.Tru st.Balance 4/10/96 480 Primrose Road • Burlingame, CA 94010-4083 • (415) 342-1038 • Fax (415) 342-1948 PENINSULA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DDUN 02/06/96 Roger & Jean Hunt Duncan F U N D B A L A N C E For the period 10/01/1995 through 12/31/1995 inclusive . BEGINNING FUND BALANCE (as of 10/01/1995 ) : $ 677 , 425 . 24 STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY : INFLOWS Revenues Interest & Dividends 4 , 915 . 54 Gains (Losses ) , Realized 12 , 098 . 39 Gains (Losses) , Unrealized 2 , 984 . 88- Contributions 0 . 00 Other 0 . 00 Interfund Grants Received 0 . 00 OUTFLOWS Administrative Fees 846 . 78- Other Expenses 0 . 00 Interfund Grants Awarded 0 . 00 Grants Awarded 0 . 00 Total Activity: 13 , 182 . 27 --------------- --------------- ENDING FUND BALANCE (as of 12/31/1995 ) : $ 690 , 607 . 51 BALANCE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION (as of 12/31/95) $ 95 , 650 . 35 PENINSULA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DDUN 02/06/96 Roger & Jean Hunt Duncan _ C H A R I T A B L E A C T I V I T Y For the period 01/01/1995 through 12/31/1995 inclusive . Activity Type Date Description Amount ----------------- -------- ------------------------------ ------------- Grants Awarded 02/15/95 Burlingame Public Library 7 , 000 . 00 ------------- Subtotal : Grants Awarded $7 , 000 . 00 ------------- Total Activity: $7 , 000 . 00 CITY 01 BUR UNGAME D►4T[D JVN[�' A.C.'BUD'HARRISON,MAYOR Zbe citp of jourringa me ROSALIE M.O'MAHONY,VICE MAYOR MARY H.JANNEY CITY HALL-501 PRIMROSE ROAD TEL: (415)696-7200 MARTI KNIGHT MIKE KNIGHT BURLINGAME,CALIFORNIA 94010-3997 FAX: (415)342-8386 LI April 2, 1996 Mary Herman 1547 Alturas Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 Dear Mary: On behalf of the Burlingame City Council, it is my pleasure to advise you of your reappointment to the Library Board for a term continuing to June 30, 1999. This action was taken by the Council during the regular meeting held April 1, 1996. We wish to express our appreciation to you for accepting this reap- pointment and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. Sincerely, "Bud" Harrison Mayor v c: Library Board 4k CITY 0 BU RLINGAME 0AST[G(JUN[6 A.C.'BUD'HARRISON,MAYOR Zbe Citp of 7,161urringame ROSALIE M.O'MAHONY,VICE MAYOR MARY H.JANNEY MARTI KNIGHT CITY HALL-501 PRIMROSE ROAD TEL: (415)696-7200 MIKE SPINELLI BURLINGAME,CALIFORNIA 94010-3997 FAX: (415)342-6386 April 2, 1996 Jane Dunbar 732 Crossway Road Burlingame, CA 94010 Dear Jane: On behalf of the Burlingame City Council, it is my pleasure to advise you of your reappointment to the Library Board for a term continuing to June 30, 1999. This action was taken by the Council during the regular meeting held April 1, 1996. We wish to express our appreciation to you for accepting this reap- pointment and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. Sincerely, A. "Bud" Harrison Mayor v c: Library Board gamy California Library Services Board of LIBRARY-COURTS BUILDING (916) 654-0266 P.O. BOX 942837 SACRAMENTO, CA 94237-0001 MEMORANDUM TO: Members, California Library Services Board FROM: Richard E. Terry, CLSA Program Coordinator DATE: March 11, 1996 SUBJECT: Revised CLSB Actions taken at the February 16, 1996 Meeting The attached page 3 revises the actions from the California Library Services Board meeting held in Sacramento on February 16. Please replace page 3 of the copy dated February 27, 1996 with the attached. If you have any questions please call me at (916) 653-7432. CISB Actions, February 16, 1996 Page 3 Transaction Based Reimbursement 8. It was moved by the Budget Committee (Wang) and carried unanimously that the California Library Services Board direct its Chief Executive Officer to increase the withholding amount from 15% to 20% for all CLSA Transaction Based Reimbursement (TBR) Program payments for the third and fourth quarters of the 1995/96 fiscal year and that, after determining the full State cost of the TBR program for the 1995/96 fiscal year, the Chief Executive Officer shall pay the full amount remaining due to each participating library if sufficient funds remain in the 1995/96 CLSA TBR Program appropriation, or pro rate the final payment equitably if insufficient funds remain in the 1995/96 CLSA TBR Program appropriation; and that the CLSB CEO inform all TBR Program participants of this percentage change. 9. It was moved, seconded (Dawe/Moms) and carried unanimously that the CLSB Chief Executive Officer pursue a resubmission of a request to increase TBR funding to meet the full enrollment caseload costs for the fiscal year 1995/96. 10. It was moved, seconded (Morris/Dawe) and carried unanimously that the California Library Services Board adopt the Schedule for Reports on Issues Related to the Effectiveness of the TBR Program as displayed in the chart of the same name and that the aforementioned schedule be incorporated in the minutes of this meeting; and that the CLSB direct its CEO to include a discussion of TBR issues in the meeting of Library Directors to be held on April 29, 1996. (See Attachment C) 11. It was moved by the Budget Committee (Wang) and carried unanimously that the California Library Services Board authorize the CLSB President to send a letter, on behalf of the State Board, to the Governor in support of full funding of the TBR Program based on the allocation recommended under the Enroll men t/Caseload/Population (ECP) process for the 1996/97 fiscal year. Consolidations and Affiliations 12. It was moved by the Budget Committee (Wang) and carried unanimously that the California Library Services Board approve the affiliation of the Belvedere-Tiburon Library Agency with the North Bay Cooperative Library System effective July 1, 1996. 13. It was moved by the Budget Committee (Wang) and carried unanimously that the California Library Services Board approve the affiliation of the Mission Viejo Public Library with the Santiago Library System effective July 1, 1996. Rev. 3/13/96 7 from the *tv Mang r carrts� Marnh 26, 19% Cakiand C Manager Marne$ New Director of Library SerVIC86 GdiuUd, CA -Oakland *3Uria W Crl'9 CTttn uumnca tht ori MJI.�f!>Eo A.Aa>'ay► as Direcuw ogLibraey Strums*the 00a4PubCa Librra'yt rptem. 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'NE's,Dwxy is a ss�afth River i of iia It vitt 8ctenc�!}t IM AHash SarialM and HLtttd} ck� 44. sba hods a'.%fuer 01 Ubrwy Both and r�In San Dssp orfb ria'Ms.Dined is':tass�w ftat+kRlt Dmcy,tie Ecatrartkd s'7r'�etcpmrat a+Kf Ia ay A' or tht 6tv*(Oak Park,'Ifixic 7're D�anws tint troy cbildsnn; Nicole,an tsi'ipiarm with wok tw o Bank,..and Altrnoa, s iecmt Ix Barky 8realts.with a Qa�taar in Sholsical F'*Q**'lt►t;. =ril=l V w(wkits ss a Cour System Admkua'W*r far a 100d wftwscti look#bzvrard to�ricSa with c!x auestaasfmg act 1-+bz'w Saxrd Llrsry �ric�acsa ofZlso L►�asty,floe vaiu►ms;s w ftm of aft tM petraes woo use=reaourm."ssid'W Daacy. "Y plan to bWiW on the 4a3tatulYnb k Lary'=t"Ai6uft ofW;C� asp impwmmsuaw ;#tt c l=acrd dowlay it wcp�d class Rm► fcr Od dAAd mad the Fast 3&7'M2W'Lr ,N20.Ducy is adJaduled to)cid tha Oildar,d public lwibn sy is Wtf' 19"• Cllr of 091dand d" 'ne c1t.Y Ha t TOTAL P.03 To: Beverly Simmons MEMORANDUM From: David Binder Subject: Preliminary Results of Survey of Non-Library Users Date: December 22, 1995 Following are topline results from a random telephone survey of Bay Area residents who have not used public libraries in the last six months. This telephone survey, conducted between December 18 and 22, 1995, followed two focus groups conducted with non-library users on December 7 and 11, 1995. Among the purposes of this research: to determine reasons for non-use of public libraries, to determine images of public libraries that are held by non-users, to determine which potential library services most appeal to non-users, and to help develop a media campaign that will effectively reintroduce the libraries into the lives of those that have not recently patronized public libraries. Results of the survey are encouraging on several fronts: • The images of public libraries are relatively positive. Non-users widely view public libraries as friendly, helpful, calm and safe places. • The non-user respondents are strongly convinced of the value of public libraries: 96% agree that libraries play an essential role in the education of our children; 94% say that public libraries are essential to the quality of life of their community. 88% agree that "I like libraries, but don't seem to be able to get around to visiting them." • Respondents also personalize the value of libraries. For example, only 13% agree that libraries are more for children than themselves. 91% disagree that libraries have nothing to offer them. • Non-users are very favorable about libraries as a vehicle for use of high technology. About 60% of the respondents currently use computers in some form, but 18% would be interested in leaming how to use computers. The availability of computers and classes on use of computers and the Internet rank at the top of a list of services that may draw non-users back into the public libraries. 88% of the respondents agree that libraries should spend more to provide access to computer databases. Other findings indicate that one of the biggest problems facing public libraries in trying to attract non-users is one of public relations. For example, 65% feel that libraries are underfunded. While that may be true, it appears that the perception of libraries' funding problems may contribute to the lack of patronage by some citizens. A surprisingly high one in three respondents agree that libraries are "in decline." Also, 45% feel that libraries are "old- fashioned," and 33% agree that they are "out of date." So despite widespread agreement that libraries are useful, it may be more difficuit to convince non-users that libraries are current, vibrant and convenient. • Topline Resets of Survey of Non-Uorary Users n the day Area.Page I When asked if a series of words and phrases apply or do not apply to libraries, the vast majonty of respondents agree that libraries are friendly, helpful, and safe: but between one-third to one-half also agree that libraries are old-fashioned, not open when needed, in decline, overworked, out-of-date and inconvenient:. Words and Phrases that Describe Public Libraries Phrase Applies to Phrase Does Not Apply to Don't Know Public Libraries Public Libraries Friendly 890/0 511/0 7% Helpful 88 3 9 Safe 86 7 7 Calm 84 6 9 Has lots to offer 83 9 8 Close to my home 82 16 2 Provide answers to your 82 4 14 questions Comfortable 80 10 10 Inviting 71 18 10 Underfunded 65 11 24 Has current technology 56 17 27 Interactive 53 19 28 Old-fashioned 45 44 12 Not open when needed 44 41 15 In decline 36 44 20 Has overworked staff 34 25 40 Out-of-date 33 49 18 Inconvenient 31 63 6 Gloomy 19 71 10 Has unfriendly staff 10 73 17 Topline Resuits of Survey of Ncn-library Users in the Bay Area.Page 2 IF UBWURLINGIAME '� April 5, 1996 Sheri Galvin, President Friends of the Library 130 Park Road Burlingame, CA 94010 Dear Sheri: Congratulations on a great year for the Friends! Your hard work and support of our various library programs has provided an invaluable service to the citizens of our community. The Board realizes the difficulty the Friends have had this year with the library's move to Temporary Quarters. But you have continued your excellent work in spite of the difficulties. Our wish list for the fiscal year 1996/97 is attached. We are asking the Friends to support a portion of our very successful Children's programs. This includes one Author Program, the Holiday program, and Poetry Month. All of these programs are time-tested and popular with children and their parents. In addition we are asking for promotion of Children's programs though the very necessary aspects of printing. The "Begin with Books" program has been sponsored by the Friends since its inception and continues to be popular locally, and has been widely copied throughout the Bay Area. In addition to these programs, we are requesting support for the Audio Visual collections. We did not ask for support in this area last year and are now feeling the pinch of too few items for users to check out. Major portions of the media collections have been gifts of the Friends over the years. In the area of technology, we are requesting a videocassette cleaner. Many of our videocassettes circulate over 200 times. The cleaner will help maintain and pinpoint problems on the cassettes, which can be noted and corrected. Also in the technology area is the addition of a CD Rom workstation for the children's room. This would be a permanent addition to the room which would provide entirely new media just for children. -1- 480 Primrose Road Burlingame, CA 94010-4083 • (415) 342-1038 • Fax (415) 342-1948 I know the Friends share the enthusiasm of the Board and myself, as well as the entire community for the reconstruction of our great library. We thank you for your continuing support of the library. Sincerely, E. M. Jane Dunbar President, Board of Trustees Alfred H. Escoffier City Librarian Attachments: Budget Request Friends of the Library Requests 1996 - 1997 CHILDREN'S SERVICES One author program $1 ,000.00 Holiday program $ 425.00 Poetry Month (paperbacks) $1 ,000.00 Newbury / Caldecott Booklets $ 150.00 Children's Book Week $ 150.00 School Librarian Meetings (4) $ 175.00 Begin with Books $2,034.00 Printing $3,800.00 Puzzles $ 200.00 Puppets (Main & Branch) $ 200.00 TOTAL: $ 9. 134.00 AUDIO VISUAL Video Tape Cleaner $3,950.00 A/V Materials $4,000.00 Children's CD Rom Workstation $2,989.00 TOTAL: $10,939.00 PROMOTION / FUNDRAISER Print posters for public resale (1 ,000) first run TOTAL: $ 1,270.00 $21,343 TOTAL REQUEST Disk:friends request 96-97 - LCALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY Ji 0 '1k14 NEWS NMMNEE�- I -- - --- No. 96-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 5, 1996 CALIFORNIANS REAP HUGE RETURNS ON DOLLARS INVESTED IN PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES Californians received at least a 381% return on their investment in public library services in just the last year. This is but one of the findings of the Status of California Public Libraries 1995/96, which has just been released by State Librarian of California, Dr. Kevin Starr. "California public libraries certainly represent one of the best investments Californians can hope to find. I have not discovered any other investment that has provided me a return of anything even close to 381% in one year," stated Dr. Starr. Other findings indicated that 1995/96 marks the second year in a row that, on a statewide basis, public library funding and service levels have remained fairly stable. This stability is a welcome change after the two previous fiscal years saw decreases of more than 40% in some funding and service levels. "Particularly hard hit in 1992/93 and 1993/94 were the libraries' abilities to purchase books, magazines, videos, cd-roms, computer software for public use, and similar library materials," Dr. Starr pointed out. "Unfortunately, these represent -more- [FOR FURTHER Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY INFORMATION P.O. BOX 942837 CONTACT: (916) 654-0174 SACRAMENTO, CA 94237-0001 the very core on which excellent library service is built, and that core foundation suffered a real set back in those two years." "On the other hand, it was good to see the increase in the number of hours that libraries are open to serve the public this year," Starr stated. "The increase is small at only 4%, but add that to the 7.5% increase in service hours between 1993/94 and 1994/95 and we can hope this represents a significant turnaround from California's status as worst state in the nation in number of service hours per capita during the 1992/93 fiscal year. Other significant report findings include: • Public library funding and service levels vary tremendously throughout the state: While 79 libraries reported budget increases of more than 3%, 45 reported decreases, 21 reported no change, and 26 reported increases of less that 3%. Thus, the budgets of 92 California public libraries (55%) are not even keeping up with the effects of inflation, let alone those of population increases. • Public library services continue to be a real bargain for Californians: While Personal Income per capita for Californians increased by 126% between 1977/78 and 1993/94, the proportion of that Personal Income that went to support public libraries actually decreased by 17%. -3- • Public library services are very important to Californians: Preliminary results of a 1995 survey of information needs of Californians, prepared for the State Library by the Institute For The Future in Menlo Park, indicate that 75% of survey respondents stated that a "Knowledgeable librarian or reference staff' was "very important" to meeting their own personal information needs. • Californians generally agree that the public library services they receive are worth more than they currently pay for these: The same survey reported that 69% of the respondents said they would pay more for expanded Public Library services, and the agreement to pay more cut across all age and income groups. Dr. Starr pointed out that, "Clearly Californians want and need public library services. It is our job to help them find improved avenues for providing the funding necessary to make these services truly responsive to Californian's diverse and growing information needs. A successful democracy depends on an informed population. The public library is the one place devoted to the information, enjoyment, and inspiration of all Californians no matter who or where they are."