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Staff ReportMEETING DATE: 10/20/15 ITEM NO: (p VU tos e�ptoe COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2015 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER l ez ��ww� I�2cuel� SUBJECT: ACCEPT THE LOS GATOS LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2015 -2020 RECOMMENDATIONS: Accept the Los Gatos Library Strategic Plan for 2015 -2020 BACKGROUND: The new Los Gatos Library opened its doors in February of 2012. Since that time, the Library has transformed into a vibrant, active community gathering space. The number of people through the doors each year has grown by 85 %, with teens accounting for a large portion of that growth. In addition to these in- person visits, the Library gets about 250,000 website views, one million catalog hits per year, and eBooks are becoming increasingly popular. As the demand for and the use of virtual library services increases, the physical space and physical collection remains highly relevant as well (see Attachment 1). To efficiently and effectively manage this dynamic library environment and serve the changing needs of the community, Library staff engaged with the community to create a clear strategic plan, including: purpose, vision, values, and strategies for the next five years (see Attachment 2). DISCUSSION: Data collection and input for the Los Gatos Library Strategic Plan was done through community surveys, one -on -one interviews, and through focus groups, including: a Youth Commission sub- committee, a Friends of the Library sub - committee, a Library Board sub - committee, and staff sub - committees. Additionally, the latest Pew Research Center Study on libraries, Libraries at the Crossroads, was consulted for nation -wide data. The Pew Research Center "is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. [They] conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data - driven social science research around particular topics" such as libraries. PREPARED BY: HEIDI MURPHYI,�� /' Library Director Reviewed by: Town Manager Chown Attorney PAGE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: ACCEPT THE LOS GATOS LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2015 -2020 OCTOBER 7, 2015 DISCUSSION (Cont'd The guiding principles and direction for this process were derived from the Public Library Association's The New Strategic Planning for Results: A Streamlined Approach. - Local community input aligned across focus groups, between library users and non - library users, and across demographic distinctions. The local data also aligned similarly to the national data contained in the Pew Research study. The top responses for Library priorities over the next five years, in priority order, included I . Continue to be a gathering space for community connection 2. Embrace a new role as part of a larger cultural center, including the museum and Friends of the Library bookstore 3. Create and provide more meaningful volunteer opportunities 4. Provide remote services through a mobile library 5. Provide more outreach activities to underserved areas of the community 6. Assess collections and services to make sure they match the changing demographics of the community 7. Establish and better utilize existing collaborations with other agencies, including local businesses, school, and non - profits In addition to these top focus areas, one -on -one interviews revealed the need for Library staff to connect more with the community, both inside and outside of the building, and to better tell the story of available Library services. Survey responses revealed a need to focus on maintaining facilities and expanding programming for adults around books and technology. Staff conversations focused on generating purpose, vision, and values statements that reflected the community responses in a global way and then defining core strategies and service responses that reflected the specific nature of the public input. NEXT STEPS: Library staff will actively use this document to align all Library services with the needs identified by the community. This document will be used for: • Budgeting purposes, including resource distribution within the Library budget • Program planning • Service response planning • Collection planning • Staff training • Communication and outreach planning Library staff will provide yearly updates to Council, during the budgeting process, to highlight how resources are being used to effectively meet community needs as identified in the strategic plan. PAGE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: ACCEPT THE LOS GATOS LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2015 -2020 OCTOBER 7, 2015 CONCLUSION: According to the Pew Research Center's September 2015 research study entitled Libraries at the Crossroads, "Libraries are in great flux as information is shifting from the analog to the digital age, as people's need to acquire knowledge shifts, and as Americans' interests in personal enrichment and entertainment are reshaped. The data paint a complex portrait of disruption and aspiration." (The entire Pew Research Study can be accessed at: http: / /www.pewintemet.org/2015 /09/15 /libraries -at- the - crossroads /.) The Los Gatos Library Strategic Plan provides a framework for Library staff to navigate through this time of rapid change in both the community and Library services with a clear focus. Staff recommends that the Town Council accept the Los Gatos Library Strategic Plan for 2015- 2020 as written. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: The Council's discussion of this matter is not a project defined under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no anticipated fiscal impact associated with acceptance of the Los Gatos Library Strategic Plan for 2015 -2020. Implementation of the strategies encompassed in the guide will be accomplished within the Library budget and any relevant grant opportunities. Attachments: 1. FY 2014/15 Library Use Data Graph 2. Los Gatos Library Strategic Plan for 2015 -2020 This Page Intentionally Le, ft Blank FY 2014/15 in the library! p° X1 S 3,197 350,373 ` Y New Borrowers Visitors 29,827 Total Borrowers It# 403 Programs with 16,051 Attendees 32,938 Computer users 33,144 Questions Answered 0 r' n.. ATTACHMENT 1 This Page Intentionally Left Blank Page 1 of 5 LOS GATOS LIBRARY ■ PURPOSE ■ VISION ■VALUES ■STRATEGY 2015 -2020 Los GAT05 LIBRARY ATTACHMENT Page 2 of 5 PURPOSE - WE ARE HERE TO... FOSTER CURIOSITY AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION VISION - WE STRIVE TO BE... LOS GATOS LIBRARY AT THE HEART OF AN ENGAGED AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY VALUES - WE ARE... RESPECTFUL - WE VALUE COURTESY VIBRANT - WE CELEBRATE COMMUNITY WELCOMING - WE HONOR EVERY PERSON CURIOUS - WE FOSTER LEARNING PROGRESSIVE - WE EMBRACE NEW IDEAS TIMELESS - WE RESPECT OUR HISTORY LIBRARY Page 3 of 5 STRATEGY - WE PL THROUGH... ACCOMPLISH library.losgatosca.gov 1408-354-6891 1 100 Villa Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 LOS GATOS �l7 LIBRARY Welcoming Space • Facilities Management • Staff Training Sound Zones Library Beyond the Building • Homebound Outreach • Mobile Library • Community /School Events Partnerships • Local Public and Private Schools (Pre -K -12) • NUMU (Art & History) ■ Friends of the Library 1 CREATING COMMUNITY • Los Gatos MoteSeecoPolin Los Gatos /Monte Sereno Police CONNECTIONS Department • Local Businesses • Local Bookclubs Programming ■ Creative Learning Opportunities for All Ages • Promote Community Knowledge Sharing • Digital Literacy • Volunteer Training Access • 24 Hours through Website and Digital Content ■ Open Hours Convenient for Community Needs • Mobile App library.losgatosca.gov 1408-354-6891 1 100 Villa Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 LOS GATOS �l7 LIBRARY Page 4 of 5 Early Literacy • Storytimes • Staff Training /Development • Family Programming • Summer Listening School Age • Developmental Assets • Staff Training /Development • Family Programming • Reading Buddies • Summer Reading BUILDING THE NEXT Teens GENERATION LIBRARY Volunteer Opportunities ■ Youth Commission USER Library Board Youth Members ■ Textbook Collections • Safe and Welcoming Space • Community Services Officer Intern • Partnerships with High School, Middle School, CASSY, and Youth Friendly Businesses • Developmental Assets • Staff Training /Development • Passive and Social Media Programming • Curriculum Aligned Programming • Summer Reading LOS GATOS library.losgatosca . gov 1408-354-68911 100 'Villa Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 LIBRARY Partnerships • NUMU • Local Schools Access EMBRACING LOCAL • Digital Collections ■ Mobile app Capabilities HISTORY Docent Hours • Staff Training • Outreach Programs Volunteerism • Local Knowledge Base • Technology Skills LOS GATOS library.losgatosca . gov 1408-354-68911 100 'Villa Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 LIBRARY Page 5 of 5 ■ Ideas at Every Level ■ Team Building ENGAGING OUR STAFF Training Opportunities • Connections to ALA, PLA, CLA, and PLP TEAM Networking with Local Libraries • Recruitment • Performance Management Succession Planning /Cross- Training library.losgatcsca.gov 1408-354-6891 1 100 Villa Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 Los taros �� LIBRARY Collections ■ Collection & Demographic Assessment ■ Print & Digital Content Assessment • Digital Access /Availability Assessment ENHANCING Technology COLLECTIONS & CENIC — ConnectingtotheCalifornia Educational Network Broadband for higher TECHNOLOGY speeds and greater capacity • Flexible /Adaptable Technology ■ Wi -Fi Access • Programming • Staff Training ■ Ideas at Every Level ■ Team Building ENGAGING OUR STAFF Training Opportunities • Connections to ALA, PLA, CLA, and PLP TEAM Networking with Local Libraries • Recruitment • Performance Management Succession Planning /Cross- Training library.losgatcsca.gov 1408-354-6891 1 100 Villa Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 Los taros �� LIBRARY