SunnyvaleRTC

The Board of Library Trustees met in regular session in the Library Program Room, 665 West Olive Avenue at 7:00 p.m. with Jim Griffith presiding.

Chair Griffith welcomed new Boardmember Dennis “Jay” Shinseki. Boardmember Shinseki provided a brief overview of his background and shared his library experiences.

Chair Griffith opened the public hearing, and there being no public testimonies, closed the public hearing.

Director Barrow provided an overview on the Sunnyvale Library of the Future process, RTC and Study. Consulting firm Anderson Brulé Architects has worked with Library staff to compile the study which is based on providing Library services through the year 2030. The study includes current and future community demographics, community resources, current status of Library services, value of the Library as defined by the community, technology, literacy, space needs, staffing, and building/operating costs. Based on the community needs and information gathered, recommended target levels include:

The final RTC will be presented to Council at their January 23 meeting. A community charrette is scheduled for Saturday, February 3. Director Barrow requested that two Boardmembers attend the charrette.

Mr. Marty Rawson suggested that Park sites may be considered for a branch and that the main library be moved to downtown Sunnyvale. He expressed his appreciation to Library staff and the Board for undertaking the project.

Boardmember Pathak inquired on the formula used to calculate the building cost. Director Barrow indicated that the standard California building cost for libraries range from $350 to $450 per square foot.

Boardmember Pathak inquired on the formula used to project Sunnyvale’s population. Miss McBane Mulford from ABA indicated that 2005 Census data was used in conjunction with the City of Sunnyvale’s General Plan.

Boardmember Meagher inquired about site selection and if the decision is contingent upon City owned land/property. Director Barrow stated that staff is examining what the Library of the Future could be. Staff is not in the process of selecting a site. Vice Chair Lilly stated that projected cost is for the construction of a library but not the purchase of a site.

Chair Griffith stated that the RTC projects a service population of 157,000. However, the Study projects a service population of 173,000. He inquired if the RTC should reflect the Study. Ms. McBane Mulford stated that the 173,000 projection is to acknowledge the use of the Library by non Sunnyvale residents who are in the community during the day for work or other purposes.

Chair Griffith expressed his concern with forming a partnership/agreement with a school district in order to open a branch library. Director Barrow stated that scenarios were incorporated in to the study for comparison purposes.

Chair Griffith inquired which municipalities were used in compiling the study. Ms. McBane Mulford informed the Board that statistics were reviewed from the State Library reports and statistics from neighboring municipalities were used based on feedback from and comparisons by library patrons. Chair Griffith stated that he would prefer that larger cities, such as San Jose and San Francisco, be used since Sunnyvale is considered a large City in the Bay Area.

Boardmember Pathak moved, and Vice Chair Lilly seconded, to recommend to Council Alternative Nos. 1, 2 and 3. The Board believes that the Library of the Future will provide a positive impact for future Sunnyvale generations and will provide opportunities for community members to work together for total involvement. Alternative Nos. 1, 2 and 3 follow as:

Alternative 1: Accept the Sunnyvale Library of the Future Study and Strategy: Needs Assessment and Plan of Service, Building Program and Existing Facility Assessment

Alternative 2: Accept the following goals for Sunnyvale Library’s services:

· 4 items per capita in the collection

· .75 to 1.00 square foot per capita for building space

· a service area of up to 26 square miles per library site

· 1 staff member per every 2,160 to 2,420 residents

Alternative 3: Direct staff to explore the following three future facilities options:

· The extent to which the existing library building may be expanded and upgraded for continued use as a library

· Construction of a new library assuming the site is owned by the City

· A branch library option using a school/public library joint-use facility such as Columbia Middle School Library as an example of a public library branch.

Motion carried unanimously.

Chair Griffith and Boardmember Shinseki volunteered to attend the Sunnyvale Library of the Future Charrette on Saturday, February 3.

Director Barrow provided a brief overview of the 2007 workplan. She requested that the Board include the Health and Safety Fair for the May meeting and Customer Appreciation day for the November meeting. Chair Griffith requested that Day in the District be included in the February Board meeting. Vice Chair Lilly requested that the April 2 meeting be cancelled and items be moved to the March 26 meeting since the two meetings would be so close together.

Chair Griffith opened the public hearing and there being no public testimonies, closed the public hearing.

Director Barrow provided an overview of the recommended changes to the Library section of Council Legislative Policies. Chair Griffith inquired if policy 10 (new policy 6) regarding support to the United States Patent and Trademark Office should be eliminated since it is not a library service/function. Director Barrow informed the Board that due to Council support last year, it is not recommended for deletion.

Director Barrow announced that Library Legislative Day in the District is scheduled for Friday, January 26 and Friday, February 2. Day in the District provides an opportunity for library supporters to meet with their local Legislators and discuss library issues. This year it is suggested that library supporters highlight the services that are important to their community and showcase their local library. Chair Griffith volunteered to attend Legislative Day.

Chair Griffith opened the public hearing and there being no public testimonies, closed the public hearing.

§ Parks and Recreation Study Issues: Consider Options for Use of Raynor Activity Center will be reviewed by Council and will impact the Library.

§ At their January 9 meeting, the City Mayor will proclaim February as Silicon Valley Reads Month. Featured book is Tortilla Curtain and the Library will be hosting book discussion groups.

§ The tentative launch date for the eCommerce module through Innovative is scheduled for late January.

§ City Council held a special meeting (study session) on Saturday, January 6 in order to review environmental policies and practices performed by City staff.

§ The Library received an anonymous donation of $10,000 for children’s books and programs through the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program.

§ The Friends of the Library book sale is scheduled for Saturday, January 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Library Program Room.

§ The Friends Annual Brunch is scheduled for Saturday, January 27 from 10 a.m. to Noon. The board and members of the public are welcome. A nominal fee will be charged.

§ Live Homework Help grant will be renewed for a second year. Due to a change in the way Tutor.com charges its subscription fee (e.g. no longer breaking out remote-access versus in-library costs), the fee to continue for one more year will be $5,631, significantly lower than the anticipated $9,900.

§ An intern from San Jose State University Library School will be volunteering approximately 180 hours from January to May 2007.

§ The next Board of Library Trustees meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5. The Board meeting will be in Council Chambers.