City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2015 09 08

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SUBJECT: DATE: ANNUAL REPORT — LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 PAGE 2 OF 3 Delving into the demographic details of users and non -users of the library requires time and diligence. Although there are firms that do sophisticated demographic analysis, there is no funding for this, so the Board has attempted to analyze and draw its own conclusions about use related to where people live and the trends the data represent. The Board is interested in reaching out to non -users by producing door hangers or other introductory pieces and distributing them to neighborhoods with low library participation, but funding those is also an issue. LIST PLANS /GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR: 1. Continue to looks for ways to market the Library to Louisville and Superior residents, especially to non -users 2. Continue to support Library programs and policies 3. Support Library staff with outreach to schools 4. Celebrate the 10 -year anniversary of our beautiful Library building! IN WHAT AREAS DO YOU NEED CITY COUNCIL INPUT /FEEDBACK? We'd like Council to appreciate the great value our Library provides for the City resources invested in it. Drawing an average of 800 visitors every day, the Library is an anchor that promotes downtown vitality. KNOWING THAT FUNDING IS LIMITED AND NOT ALL PROGRAMS WILL BE A PRIORITY IN ANY GIVEN BUDGET YEAR, WHAT PROJECTS/ PROGRAMS /POSITIONS ETC. DOES THIS BOARD RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL FUND IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET? Although there are no plans for additional staff at the Library in the 2016 budget, the Board would like to draw attention to the charts included in the presentation (and in the packet) that show the high per capita use of the Library and its low staffing, compared to other libraries in the state serving populations from 25,000 to 100,000. The two 20 -hr. per week staff members added at intervals in 2015 will help as programming numbers continue to rise, but staffing levels are still low for the level of service delivered. The Board is excited at the potential of the Library's new Makerspace to give residents of all ages opportunities for hands -on learning about programming, circuitry, audio and video production, and other science, technology, engineering, and science (STEM) concepts. Fundraising for equipment has so far been done by the Library's Foundation. The Library Board would like to see the City also provide support for this important effort to strengthen STEM learning through informal education. ARE THERE LEGISLATIVE ISSUES (NEW LAWS, AMENDMENTS, CODES, ETC.) THIS BOARD WOULD ENCOURAGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER? CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION 3