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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-16-1974 Library Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES TIME: JANUARY 16, 1974 PLACE: CRISP MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM, 13777 FRUITVALE AVE., SARATOGA, CA TYPE: REGULAR MEETING I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL PRESENT: CHAIRI4~N HALL, COMMISSIONERS CAMPBELL, FARLEY,. FALLTRICK AND OLSEN ABSENT: NONE GUESTS: ~. ROBERT BEYER (SARATOGA CITY MANAGER), MISS BARBARA CAMPBELL (COUNTY LIBRARIAN), MRS. PAMELA HOOK (REGIONAL LIBRARIAN), AND I~S. JEANIE BROBST, REPRESENTING FRIENDS OF THE SARATOGA LIBRARIES, AND MR. LARRY TYLER, MEMBER OF COUNTY LIBRARY COMMISSION. B. MINUTES Commissioner Falltrick moved and seconded by Commissioner Campbell that the minutes of October 18, 1973 be approved as mailed. Motion carried unanimous ly. II. CONSIDERATION OF REFERRAL FROM CITY COUNCIL TO REVIEW ALTERNAIBfES REGARDING BRANCH LIBRARY SITES FOR THE CITY OF SARATOGA Chairman Hall opened the meeting by asking if everybody had received a copy of the memorandum from the City Manager. He indicated that in ~ight of the changing conditions which have been presented to the Board during the past several months that it necessitates looking at questions submitted by the City Manager and possibly starting from scratch to review not only where we have been but where we are going. He further commented that it is :necessary; in light of recent City Council action, to reconsider some of the Commission's previous positions and to evaluate whether they were still relevant at this time. Commissioner Earley questioned whether or not there are any new facts but whether they have just been juggled around over the last several years. Miss Campbell outlined former County Librarian George Farrier's philosophy O,m his concept of library service. She indicated that it was his posture to tell the cities what the best library service for that community was and that the economics should not affect that recommendation. She further explained that his primary emphasis was in the providing of library services and that other people had to be concerned about the affect of the costs and the economics of those recommendations. She further commented that other changes have been necessitated due to inflation and that as a result of these various elements we are:in ~::his position today of having to recognize a new set of criteria and facts and that it is hoped a decision could be made soon within these new peramaters. She further pointed out that the capital expenditure for a library facility was not the problem but that the major problem was one of library operations on a year-to-year basis. Commissioner Earley then reviewed the history of site selection in Saratoga over the past ten years, He indicated great concern because of the County's change in thinking over the Cox Avenue site. He felt that the City had been led to :b~[~ that the County supported the Cox Avenue site during the past couple of years and all of a sudden is changing its mind because of its proximity in relationship to the Cupertino branch. LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES CONTINUED - JANUARY 16, 1974 Miss Campbell then revtewed a draft report on the income and expenditures in the Saratoga library service region for the past three years. She indicated that questions can be raised concerning how these assessments had been spread however the figures were very accurate. She indicated that this accounted for seven (7) full-time librarians during this total period of time in the Saratoga service area. These .figures indicated that the expenditures exceeded income for the region for the 1970-71 and 1971-72 fiscal years. However, in 1972-73 when the tax rate had an increase to 24 1/2¢, there was an excess of income over that expended of some $18,500. The~ihcrease that year'reflected:money~ put:'im::for the construction 6f.: the Campbell library. Chairman Hall then suggested that prior to any further discussion on specific site locations it might be well to review the Commission's evaluation for considerations for library service in Saratoga. The City Manager distributed some questions which were presented to assist the Commission in answering some of the questions that are relevant to library service standards. The key area discussed here was that of level of service to be provided by library facilities in Saratoga. This included accessibilit~ the geographical location of the facility, the quality of the collection. This relates to quantity of service and the number of volumes available to library users. It was generally concluded that accessibility was very important in terms of being close to residents but that generally access would be provided by motor vehicle or bicycle because of t~e great mobility of the populatiom. The Conm~tsston then reviewed Whether or not one, two or th=ee sites would best:~!:e~::i:th~:!~::i~V:et of':ZZZservice. It was unanimously agreed that one site, in addition to the Village branch would best meet the library service demands of residents of Saratoga because of the availability of the collection, a centralized facility, anda reduction inthe operating costs for one facility over two or three facilities. The Commission emphasized that it wants quality library service for Saratoga and felt that this would be deteriorated if the three branch facility concept was implemented.. The Co~unission then reaffirmed its motion made at the October 18,:~1973 meeting at which time it supported the concept of one major library facility of 16,000 to 20,000 square feet in addition to the Village branch. They felt that the Village branch should be kept "recognizing the historic~role which the Village library has played throughout the history of Saratoga and its proximity in the Village to the Monte Sereno service area." Furthermore, if recommendations for the Village under consideration in the current General Plan revision are ', implemented, there will be increasing need for such a facility by Saratoga's growing adult community. The City Manager then presented an evaluation of two additional sites for the Commission's consideration. These were two sites that had been recommended by the City Council that the Conmtission give additional study to following their public hearing in December. These sites are t~e Congress Springs site off of Cox Avenue and a site om Saratoga Avenue between the Vineyards and the mmdical dental c emplex on the corner of Cox and Saratoga Avenue. Mr. Beyer's presentation was similar to that presented at the City Council where sites were::compared in relation to proximity to existing residential units or existing population surrounding the site as well as future population. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of each site were presented and discussed. Of the two sites discussed, the Commission tended to reject the Congress Springs site because of poor access and the additional traffic problems that would possibly be generated in residential areas. Additionally, the Commission did not feel that a library s~e at this location wo~ld be as visible and accessible to at~ o:~::.the',resi~ents of the community. Of these two sites they favored the site on Saratoga Avenue. LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES CONTINUED - JANUARY 16, 1974 Discussion then centered on this site in relation to the Cox Avenue site and the Civic Center site which had previously been discussed by the Commission. After further consideration, two sites were tentatively selected as possibilittewilZ;one being the Civic Center site the other being the new site~ ~ropqseR on Saratoga Avenue near Cox. Prior to making a specific decision on the matter, however, the suggestion was raised as to whether or not the Commission would want to bold an informational public hearing to get additional input from residents of the community on this very important subject. The Commission after some discussion agreed that additional community input would be very valuable and that it would be appropriate to hold a public hearing. It was approved that a public hearing would be scheduled for 8:~00 P.M. on February 7th if the Council Chambers were available. The Commission indicated its interest in finding out the approximate cost of the Saratoga Avenue property and indicated that there should be a special meeting of the Commissi~ held prior to the public hearing to ~gain discuss the possible sites and the potential costs of such a facility. It was approved that there would be another meeting of the Commission scheduled for Thursday evening, January 31st at 7:30 P.M. in the Crisp Conference Room. III. ~ORT FROM COUNTY LIBRARIAN ON COUNTY L/BRARY SYSTEM 1. Miss Campbell indicated that the State Library had recently reported to her that Title II funds are now available for library construction. Congress is now considering providing funds for this program and any jurisdictions interested in the possibility of recei~mg Federal funds for library construction should file a M~otice of ~tent for these funds. She ind~=ated that there is no commitment but that it would be beneficial if funds became available and priorities were so determined that it would assist in the construction of a new library facility in Saratoga. The Co, salon indicated that since there was no official commitment necessary at this time that it would be good to indicate the Cites potential interest by filing a notice of intent. 2. Miss Campbell indicated that the City of Los Altos has set a bond issue for a $400,000 library addition on March 5th. She reassured the Commission by indicating the County's priorities were first to the City of Saratoga in getting the new facility constructed here. 3. Miss Campbell reported that the Cupertino City Council had sent a request to the County to consider Sunday openings. If this were to be approved, it~wodld:;be necessary to provide this feature throughout the library system and consideration would be given to keeping Quito open on Sundays. There would probably be a comparable number of hours when the library would be closed at another time and this would probably be on Monday mornings. 4. Miss Campbell requested whether or not street signs directing people to the library could be installed. The City Manager indicated he would look into this request. 5. Miss Campbell indicated that she was submitting a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for a 25¢ charge for the use of 16 millmeter films. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Rob, Acting Secretary