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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - LB - 2003.02.04 :'►URLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY BURL'NA"'E 1 Board of Trustees Agenda _ a February 4, 2003 — 6:OOpm - Special Meeting Ge< RPS 480 Primrose Road — Board Room SUGGESTED ACTION 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION a. Easton Branch Options (Item 5) Information 4. FROM THE FLOOR (Public Comments) 5. EASTON BRANCH OPTIONS Discussion/Action 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS _ ,DJOURNMENT BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY w January 27, 2003 a TO: Library Board of Trustees FROM: Al Escoffier, City Librarian RE: Easton Branch Library: Options and Implications of Closure Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board and Council consider delay of the closure of the Easton Library for one year. This will give the Council, Trustees and staff time to analyze the service levels and the viability of the Branch. The renovation design will be completed in March 2003. The renovation contract was scheduled to be bid in May, with construction to begin in July. At this juncture, however, the project should be placed "on hold," until a decision is reached on a permanent solution for the future of the Easton Library. We would not want to be in the position of completing a major renovation and then closing the branch the following year. It is further recommended that the Foundation Board alert all donors to the Easton project (approximately 200) of the delay in the renovation and the potential for closure in the coming year. Donors should be given the opportunity to have their donations returned should they wish to do so. Background: Options Identified for Easton Branch: staff identified five potential options for the future of the Easton Library: 1) Remain open; business'as usual; Go forward with renovation 2) Remain open; business as usual; Delay renovation until a future date. 3) Close Easton as of July 1, 2003. 4) Close Easton only if Tier 2 budget reductions are implemented. 5) Close building for a year; decide on an option at that time. L 480 Primrose Road•Burlingame•CA 94010-4o83 Phone (650) 558-7474'Fax (650) 342-6295 Implications of Closure of Easton: • Closure of Easton is an irrevocable decision; we would not go back and reopen the facility or seek a new branch library in the future. • It would be a danger to the building and the contents to remain vacant for a long period of time. Without heat, books would mildew and the site could be a target for vandalism. • Closure of a library on the site would open up the possibility for the City to re-use the facility for non-library purposes: a community center, recreation center, etc. However, there is no off street parking on the site. • Reuse of the building for other purposes would still require some renovation for seismic, handicapped access, roofing, all of which are major aspects of the proposed renovation. • The public's reaction to the Easton closure could be significant, since so much goodwill has been generated through fundraising efforts and historical studies of the site. • Closure and sale of the site would result in one-time revenue to the City of perhaps $ 600,000. Library Service Issues Identified by sta �- • The Easton Branch is a unique library service, which encompasses a small town, feel much like a "community living room." • Circulation and use of the facility would certainly increase upon renovation with more variety of materials. • Part of the concept of the renovation was to expand hours at the facility after renovation and increase transactions and programming. • It currently costs 3% of the total library budget, or $ 100,000 to run the library per year. • The Easton Library has a "sense of place" unlike any other in the City. Easton Options for Discussion 2003 Easton Branch Snapshot January 2003 Built: 1927, North Burlingame Women's Club 1943, Converted to Easton Branch Library Square footage: 2880 Volumes: 17,000 approx., with an average addition of 1082 per year (last 3 yrs.) Hours open: 23 per week, Mon.-Fri., 2-6:00 p.m., Sat., 2-5:00 p.m. Circulation: 1998 30,895 1999 29,176 2000 29,645 2001 30,733 2002 29,656 5 year average: 30,021 per year 2,502 per mo. Traffic: 2000.(10 mo.) 14,755 2001 15,922 2002 17,056 34 mo. Average: 1404 per mo. Programs/Attend. 2001: 87/3054 2002: 88/3581 2 year average: 88/3317 per yr. Ref. & Dir. Ques.: 2001: 3117 2002: 2559 2 year average: 2868 per yr. Internet use: 2001: 1188 2002: 1162 2 year average: 1175 per yr. (1 terminal) Highest circulation by material type, based on 24 month survey*: 1. Juvenile picture books 2. Juvenile fiction 3. Adult periodical 4. AN materials (all juvenile videos, music, books on tape) 5. Adult new fiction *Childrens' materials account for approximately 63% of Easton Branch circulation. Selected patron survey results, March 2002: `— What would you like more of in the renovated Easton Branch? (List your top 3) 1. Videos (35%) 2. Children's books (32%) 3. Books on Tape (28%) 4. Adult fiction and mysteries (26%) 5. Computers (19%) How have you used the Easton Branch in the last six months? 1. Check out books 2. Find information 3. Check out videos 4. Attend programs 5. Check out music and tapes Other uses identified: meet a friend; check out magazines; use the copy machine; read newpapers and magazines; do homework; use the Internet; do puzzles. What is it about the Branch you value the most? Please explain...Most frequently expressed values: 1. Convenient location, walking distance to home (55%) 2. Cozy, home atmosphere and small size (43%) 3. Friendly, helpful and welcoming staff(31%) 4. Accessibility and service to children including programs �-- Materials, and homework support (26%) Easton Branch Today: As it has since 1927, the Easton Branch still sits comfortably on its modest corner lot, surrounded by homes of similar age and a variety of historic revival styles. With just under 3,000 square feet, it continues to have the feel of an intergenerational community living room for the neighborhood. Patrons and staff often know each other on a first name basis. The working fireplace at the north end of the building provides a comfortable space on cold winter afternoons to sit and read, or browse nearby magazines. Children come after school to do homework and grown-ups stop by to check their e-mail. Toddlers and pre-schoolers trundle up on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for story hour. Classes from nearby schools visit with their teachers on other closed mornings. The front corner of the building still houses the popular "Lions Den", a cozy room offering picture books, tiny chairs, puppets, and puzzles. Most people walk to the branch and the residential location is highly prized. Friends and neighbors meet one another on their visits, and, amid the tricycles and strollers, the family dog often waits patiently out front, tethered to the bike rack. For 60 years, Easton Branch has provided a type of service in a category of its own and an experience of "the library as place" which is not duplicated at the Main Library in busy downtown Burlingame.