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Agenda Item No:
Meeting Date: January 19, 2010
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Library
Prepared by: Department Director City Manager Approval•
SUBJECT: Request for Council approval of and participation in the San Rafael Public Library Strategic
Planning Task Force, 2010.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends Council appoint two of its members to serve in an advisory
capacity on the Library's Strategic Planning Task Force, from January to March, 2010.
BACKGROUND: At the City Council's budget study session of December 15, 2009, members of the
Council heard an analysis from the Library Director of the resultant cuts accruing to library service in San
Rafael, given a 10% budget cut to the department. Following the presentation, the Council asked a
number of questions regarding the operational structure of the Library. In an effort to respond thoroughly
to those concerns and questions, the Library Director has proposed that a task force comprising members
of Library staff, Library support groups and other stakeholders, other City staff members, a librarian from
outside the County of Marin, as well as City Council members, be charged with an assessment of the
Library's operations and an analysis of what services could be delivered given various levels of funding.
ANALYSIS: Below is an outline for the work of the Library Strategic Planning Task Force.
Goals of the plan:
A. Arrive at a rational plan of service for the San Rafael Public Library given the available funding
from the City's general fund, and potentially from other sources. (Three scenarios: status quo;
with 10% cut; with additional funds.)
B. Identify areas for improvement in staffing patterns, and a plan for succession for existing staff.
C. Provide a sense of best practices, industry standards, and optimal service levels should
funding become available, potentially via a dedicated tax for Library services.
II. Participants in the process:
A. Library Staff: representatives of supervisory and line staff from each Library unit
B. Support Groups: representatives from the Friends of the Library and the Library Foundation
C. Library Board of Trustees members (2)
D. City Council members (2)
E. Other City staff with planning expertise
F. Librarian from outside library from a comparable city.
III. Time line:
A. Appoint members and hold first meeting by end of January
B. Assign work on particular components by mid-February
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.:
Council Meeting:
Disposition:
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D. Begin to draft findings into a plan by
E. Submit plan by end of March.
IV: Components to be considered:
A. What are base -line Library services?
1. Open hours
2. Service desk staffing
3. Materials acquisition
B. Are there functions that can be consolidated, outsourced, or performed by volunteers?
C. Should staffing patterns be reorganized?
D. How do the Library's facilities needs play into the future of library service?
E. Is consolidation with the County Library a viable option?
F. What is the future of virtual library services?
G. Is there a possibility for a dedicated Library tax for San Rafael?
FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact.
OPTIONS: Endorse Task Force proposal and structure and appoint two Council members.
Endorse Task Force proposal and structure without appointing Council members.
Do not endorse proposal.
ACTION REQUIRED: Approve concept and plan for the Library Strategic Planning Task Force and
appoint two members of City Council to the Task Force.
Encls.