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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - LIBRARY SERVICES (2)NEW BUSINESS DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: — S 6— CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: June 24, 2003 J Marsha McLean PROPOSED REDUCTIONS TO LIBRARY SERVICES IN SANTA CLARITA City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council provide direction on initiating a Save the Libraries Campaign for the Santa Clarita Libraries which would include providing information to the public on the proposed reductions and closure as well as soliciting letters of support from the community to the County Board of Supervisors. BACKGROUND The City of Santa Clarita recently received notice from the County of Los Angeles Public Library that they have proposed the following reductions to library services in the Santa Clarita Valley: Library Current Service Proposed Service Newhall 6 days/53 hours CLOSED Canyon Country 6 days/53 hours 5 days/30 hours Valencia 7 days/63 hours 6 days/50 hours Total Proposed Reductions: 8 days/89 hours or approximately 53 percent. The City has met with the County Librarian and discussed the proposed reductions in detail as well as the potential impact of reduced service hours and the closure of Newhall Library. At this time Councilmember McLean is tentatively scheduled to attend the County budget deliberations to provide input and raise the concerns outlined below. • The proposed closure of Newhall Library will have an adverse impact to one of the City's lowest income communities. Many of the residents of this community will not have the means to access the other libraries if this location is closed. • Valencia Library is the busiest branch in Los Angeles County and will experience a 1 day/13 hour or 21 % reduction of services. • The Santa Clarita Valley generates more revenue specifically for library services than it receives in services. • The County Library is facing a $7.3 million reduction in funding. With an overall proposed County budget of $16.5 billion, this amount seems insignificant when considering the impact that libraries have on teaching children to read. In addition to meeting with the County Librarian, staff has drafted letters to both Supervisor Antonovich and selected community leaders requesting their support for library services in Santa Clarita. Staff is also working with the County Assessor's Office to resolve issues related to the amount of property and special taxes generated from Santa Clarita. The Board of Supervisors will begin budget deliberations on June 23, 2003 and determine the level of funding reductions. It is important to note that the Board has not approved the proposed reductions; however, it is crucial that the community show their support for library services in Santa Clarita. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS City Council hold off on initiating the campaign until after the County's budget deliberations. Other actions as determined by the City Council FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact is dependent upon the direction of the Council.