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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9072INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS To the Mayor and Members of the City Council No. 9072 June 23, 2009 Page 1 of 2 SUBJECT: PROPOSED LIBRARY LONG RANGE PLAN UPDATE This Informal Report presents the Library's intent to update the Fort Worth Public Library 1981 – 2000 Facilities and Long Range Planning Study and its 2004 Long Range Services Plan. This 2009 update will provide continued guidance for the Library's services and facilities development during the next five to ten years. Texas Public Library Standards require libraries to conduct community analyses and needs assessments every five years. The 1981 Facilities Plan analyzed population trends, branch service area populations, and underserved areas of the growing city. The Plan recommended adding four regional libraries and six neighborhood branches before the turn of the century. Five new facilities— Southwest Regional, Diamond Hill, East Regional, Summerglen, and the new Northwest Branch —were added as a result of that Plan. The 2004 Long Range Services Plan was adopted by Council in February 2004. This Plan helped the Library update and focus library services for the 21" century by increasing the emphasis on high- interest books and digital media; greatly expanding the selection of materials in Spanish; updating its public computers, online catalog, and inventory management system; improving the Web site; increasing services to children; creating customer - friendly public spaces; and improving staffing efficiencies. The goals of the 2009 plan are to: • Recommend viable service models and facility options such as renovations, On Demand facilities, co- locations, re- purposing locations and sites for future facilities • Determine if there are cost efficiencies for alternative service models Update the 2004 Library Long Range Services Plan • Document preferred library services of the various customer market segments in Fort Worth • Identify library services that would appeal to existing and potential library customers • Estimate costs for attaining desired facility standards • Demonstrate the Library's essential role in meeting City of Fort Worth Strategic Goals The Library plans to employ a customer analytics consultant to analyze the interests, lifestyles, and demographic characteristics of its diverse customer base. This analysis will identify existing and potential customers' market segments so the Library can target services efficiently and effectively. These consultants will be experts in retail site selection, and will help identify service scope, optimum locations for libraries based on market segmentation data, and drive -time analysis. Library facility consultants will be expected to evaluate existing facilities and make recommendations for renovating, co- locations, or repurposing existing buildings based on service scope. They will benchmark Fort Worth Library's facilities against peer cities, recommend sustainability goals and minimum standards for library facilities, and explore alternative facility models. The facilities plan will incorporate recommendations from the City of Fort Worth Facility Master Plan. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH. TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS To the Mayor and Members of the City Council No. 9072 June 23, 2009 Page 2 of 2 SUBJECT: PROPOSED LIBRARY LONG RANGE PLAN UPDATE The Planning Committee will be comprised of representatives from Library stakeholders and appropriate City staff. Fort Worth residents will be able to participate in the planning process through surveys and stakeholder focus group sessions. The draft plan will be available for public review and comment. Costs for the plan are estimated to be $275,000. Anticipated funding sources include grants, private sector and library support groups donations, and general funds. The Library plans to present the final recommendations to Council in January 2010. '4'-a . Fisseler, P.E. City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS