HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 1807ClSA also provides for reimbursement for those libraries that loan more than they borrow. If a
library directly lends a greater number of items to users from outside its jurisdictions than its
residents directly borrow from libraries of other jurisdictions they have a net imbalance and are
net lenders. A library that lends fewer items to users from outside its jurisdiction than its
residents borrow from libraries of other jurisdictions is a net borrower, does not incur a net
imbalance, and does not receive any reimbursement. Palo Alto City Library is a net borrower.
The California State Library coordinates two week surveys each quarter to determine the
specific direct lending and borrowing to non-residents for each library. It uses this data to
determine eligibility for reimbursement and the amount of reimbursement. The California
Library Services Board annually sets a reimbursement rate based on the average state-wide
cost of an over-the-counter loan of library materials. As the number of eligible loans has
increased, the state budget for CLSA reimbursements (sometimes call"Transaction Based
Reimbursements or TBR) has not kept pace. Consequently, net lenders are currently
reimbursed for only a small portion oftheir costs of lending. The G~vernor's earlier Proposed
Budget eliminated ClSA funding entirely. However, the state legislature passed a budget that
added back 50% of the funding. The May Revision to the Governor's budget maintains the 50%
reduction. Attached is a report that shows estimated annual loaning and borrowing from the
most recent four quarters data as compiled for Palo Alto by the State Library.
ANALYSIS:
Option 1. Palo Alto remains a member of PLP and also continues its participation in the
universal borrowing service.
There are a number of advantages to membership in PlP. There is the opportunity to
collaborate with other Iibra'ries, to share resources and ideas, and to leverage buying power
and dollars. This option also maintains the city's long-standing policy of opening our collections
to e'!eryone living in the state. Palo Alto is an employment center with many non-residents
working here as well as Stanford residents who bring large amounts of sales tax to the City. City
residents would lose the benefit of borrowing from the County Library facilities but County
Library residents would not be restricted from borrowing from City facilities.
Option 2: Palo Alto remains a member of PLP and discontinues its participation in universal
borrowing. It either charges an annual non-resident fee to people living outside of the PLP
service area or simply does not allow borrowing by them.
Palo Alto continues to provide equal access to the majority of non-resident users outside SCCo
and their home libraries continue to provide access to Palo Alto residents. The reciprocal
nature reflects the value of sharing resources and opening collections to the many people who
live in one community, and work, regularly shop and visit in others. The cooperative system is
working as intended -people use other libraries to supplement their use of their own library.
There are a number of advantages to membership in PLP. There is the opportunity to
June 13, 2011
(lD # 1807)
Page 2 of 3
collaborate with other libraries, to share resources and ideas, to leverage buying power and
dollars.
County Library residents who regularly use Palo Alto libraries and do not wish to pay a non-
resident fee may inform its Governing Board that equal access was an important benefit. An
unknown amount of revenue would be generated to the City's General Fund if 5-10% of non-
resident users(mainly Stanford residents) purchased cards.
Option 3: Palo Alto withdraws from membership in PLP and also discontinues its
participation in universal borrowing. It either charges an annual non-resident fee to people
living outside of Palo Alto or simply does not allow borrowing by them.
Many people working in Palo Alto, doing business in Palo Alto, or visiting Palo Alto for an
extended time would no longer be able to use the city libraries and their resources. For
example, people who work for a Palo Alto business but reside elsewhere would be unable to
use materials and online resources unless they paid an annual fee. These businesses, and their
employees contribute to the City's revenue through sales tax, business license tax and other
sources yet could not have equal access.
Other PLP libraries might also then withdraw from PLP and universal borrowing, and Palo Alto
residents would lose access to them or pay a non-resident fee.
Option 4: Palo Alto no longer loans to non-residents.
Like Option 3 but no annual fees are charged. No check-out of materials or use of online
resources are available to non-residents.
RECOMMENDATION:
Option 1. At this time, the City of Palo Alto should continue to offer universal access to
California residents and review this policy in six months. At this point, all the other library
jurisdictions in Santa Clara County besides the County Library are planning on maintaining
current non-resident borrowing privileges.
Attachments:
• FY 2010 Reciprocal Borrowing (XLS)
Prepared By:
Department Head:
City Manager Approval:
June 13, 2011
(lD # 1807)
Evelyn Cheng, Administrative Assistant
Monique Le Conge, Library Director
James Keene, City Manager
Page 3 of 3