Post on 01-Apr-2015
Oakland Public LibraryMain BranchMatthew Colbert, Diana Learned, and Jessica Raburn
Welcome to the Oakland Public Library
Library Mission: “to inform, inspire and delight our diverse community as a resource for information, knowledge, and artistic and literary expression, providing the best in traditional services, new technologies and innovative programs.”
Understanding the Service Population
Very diverse user base Over 70% of population
non-European Over 30% of population
speaks language other than English primarily
Strong African American, Asian, Latin American, and LGBT communities
Very politically and socially Progressive
Active small business community in area
Supports local schools and students Many community and 4-
year colleges in area Secondary support for
limited school library media centers and for many private institutions
Main branch serves downtown area – many people coming and going through area
Understanding the Collection
COLLECTION POLICY
Selection Policy Community interest – Mostly
popular materials Contemporary significance or
permanent value Controversial Materials
“Not excluded because of frankness or language”
“Judged on the volume as a whole”
Weeding: Damaged, out-of-date, or extra copies Large storage room in basement Last copies often saved
SHELF SCAN
Fifty Shades of Grey6 holds on first copy returned of 80
copies 1 hold on first copy returned of 1 copy
Building Stories4 holds on first copy returned of 1
copy
Let’s Go For a Drive!1 hold on first copy returned of 37
copies
Killing Kennedyhold on first copy returned of 1 copy
Gone Girl Killing Kennedy
hold on first copy returned of 1 copy
Understanding Other Resources
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES eBooks and audio books
Oakland ePort▪ Overdrive subscription to
cardholders▪ Nook, Sony Reader, Kindle,
and iPad materials available BALIS consortium
Electronic Databases Large variety available
through OPL to cardholders Databases and govt.
materials also available through CA State Library
OTHER COLLECTIONS
BALIS library consortium Links library resources in San
Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties
Shared digital resources and ILL (fee to patron)
Link+ Courier System Links East Bay libraries through
courier system Any member library cardholder
can place holds at any Link+ library
Faster than ILL & no fee Many libraries in area to
patronize
Measure Q
City set 2 Year Budget
Defunding Libraries was Considered
Mayor Quan Supported Cutting 14 Branches
2011
Approved by 77.1% of Voters
Mayor Quan Co-authored & Supported
$13 M in parcel tax revenue
City must spend at least $9 M from the general fund on library services.
Library = 13.84% of GF Revenue FY 12
2004
Current Budget Reality
FY 10 & FY 11
Percentage ChangePersonnel + 7.69%OOE + 14.47%Collections -7.78%
Trends
FY 10 Circulation FY 11 Circulation
Percentage ChangeTotal +1.43%Children’s +9.21%Non-Book +7.62%Non-English -9.67%
Strategies to Reduce Spending
Entertain bids to competitors of OverDrive
Increase the automatic buy from Hold Rates from 3 to 1 to 5 to 1
Promote use of BALIS Library Consortium
Utilize and promote use of Link + system
How Does This Inform Us Going Forward?
15% overall cut 20% Foreign
Language 18% Reference 11% Popular Fiction 11% E-Books
References
City of Oakland Budget Office. (2010). Fact Sheet about FY 1010-11 General Fund. http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/cityadministrator/documents/marketingmaterial/dowd009068.pdf
City of Oakland Budget Office. (2011). FY 2011-13 Adopted Policy Budget. http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/cityadministrator/documents/report/oak032748.pdf
City of Oakland Budget Office. (2012). 2011-13 Proposed Amended Policy Budget. Retrieved fromhttp://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/CityAdministration/d/BudgetOffice/index.htm
Inez Ward, J. (2011, May 7). Despite Measure Q, Oakland libraries may be hit hard in new budget. Oakland Local. Retrieved from http://oaklandlocal.com/article/despite-measure-q-oakland-libraries-may-be-hit-hard-new-budget
Kuruvila, M. (2011, May 28). Jean Quan’s tax plan riles Oakland library backers. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved from http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Jean-Quan-s-tax-plan-riles-Oakland-library-backers-2369428.php
Oakland Public Library. (2009). Oakland Public Library Annual Report 2009-2011. http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/sites/default/files/OPL_AnnualReport_20092011.pdf