HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10562INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10562
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 6, 2021
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: END OF METROPAC CONSORTIUM
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
The purpose of this report is to provide information on changes to Fort Worth’s library services to six other
cities in Tarrant County, referred to as the MetrOPAC consortium.
Background
In 1991, the Fort Worth Public Library (FWPL) signed an agreement with the Haltom City Library to share
material resources. This included sharing books and an online catalog, allowing residents to borrow from
each other’s libraries, and using library trucks to move material between locations. From 1993 to 2002,
Keller, Watauga, Richland Hills, Benbrook, and Burleson also joined. Fort Worth holds all current
contracts, and provides the trucks, couriers, support staff, and supplies needed to provide this service.
With the new contract period approaching at the end of FY20, FWPL staff reviewed the 30-year old
consortium model and determined that the structure was not effective given Fort Worth’s growth and
service costs. Staff proposed moving to a service provider model like those offered in other departments,
such as water and wastewater, animal care and control, and radio communication services. This would be
a different structure but would be a better use of Fort Worth taxpayer dollars. FWPL offered a one-year
extension for FY21 on the consortium model to allow the six cities to evaluate the proposed service
provider model. Benbrook decided to leave at the end of FY20. The other cities signed the extension, but
have all since decided not to sign on to the new structure and instead to form their own independent
consortium.
Financials
FY2020 FY2016-2020
FWPL portion: $764,015 (89%) $3,895,977 (89%)
6 cities portion: $98,842 (11%) $482,982 (11%)
Total cost: $862,857 $4,378,959
Based on the number of locations, the six cities comprise about 29% of the totality of MetrOPAC, while
Fort Worth comprises 71%. As can be seen above, the six cities pay well below that amount. W hile costs
have risen every year, FWPL has not passed on these costs to the other cities. This gap has resulted in
FWPL paying approximately $110,000 per year that proportionally should have been covered by the
MetrOPAC cities. Since 2016, Fort Worth has subsidized over half a million dollars for the consortium.
Currently, the online library catalog and one full-time position (two positions prior to FY2020) are paid for
out of a special technology revenue fund that was intended to be self-sustaining but is not. The fund will
be depleted by the end of FY22, or by FY24 if the position is funded separately. The bulk of the fund pays
for the library catalog, which manages 1.3 million items and almost 200,000 patron records. The library
cannot function without this system. Library leadership is working with Planning & Data Analytics and
Financial Management Services on a solution as part of the FY22 budget process.
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10562
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 6, 2021
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: END OF METROPAC CONSORTIUM
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Service Change Impacts
After the MetrOPAC consortium ends on September 30, 2021, Fort Worth residents will be able to
continue to use any library in other cities that participate in the TexShare program offered by the Texas
State Library. Fort Worth residents will need to obtain a TexShare card to use other libraries that
participate in the program. FWPL also participates in the Texas State Library’s Inter-Library Loan program,
which provides users access to materials that the FWPL does not own. In addition, any student up to 18
years old is eligible for a free Fort Worth Public Library card, regardless of their city of residence.
Library staff are evaluating items that are only owned by MetrOPAC libraries to determine material
purchasing needs and will have no problem bridging the gap.
One of the underserved areas in Fort Worth prior to August 2020 was around the new Golden Triangle
Library. Residents of Fort Worth in that area had the benefit of using the Keller Public Library as part of the
MetrOPAC agreement. Now that Golden Triangle Library is open, even in a limited capacity, Fort Worth
residents are using the Keller library less often.
Fort Worth residents using the Keller library
From February 2020 to February 2021 -46%
From July 2020 to February 2021 -36%
It is no longer necessary for Fort Worth to have an agreement with Keller in order to bridge the gap. The
Golden Triangle Library was built specifically for this reason and is already showing a positive impact.
Other areas of Fort Worth have benefitted from having a MetrOPAC library near them. In FY19, Fort Worth
residents checked out 202,480 Burleson library items, representing 6% of total items checked out across
the city. When open in the future, the far southwest library in District 6 will be able to serve Fort Worth
residents who have been using the Burleson library. FWPL was hoping MetrOPAC would continue, albeit
with a non-subsidized structure, until more Fort Worth library locations can open.
Communication
Changes for residents will begin in June and the public communication plan will roll out in May. Library
staff has briefed the Library Advisory Board and will work with Communications, Council members, and
Advisory Board members to ensure the public is well informed of the change and has the information they
need.
If you have any questions on this report, please contact Manya Shorr, Director, Fort Worth Public Library,
at 817-392-7706 or manya.shorr@fortworthtexas.gov.
David Cooke
City Manager