City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2023-00660 5/30/2023 Discussion Item 28.
Library Budget Update
File ID: 2023-0060
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Receive and file.
Contact: Peter Coyl, Library Director & CEO, (916) 291-5146, [email protected], Sacramento Public Library; Leyne Milstein, Interim Director of Finance, (916) 808-8491, [email protected], Department of Finance; Mirthala Santizo, Budget Manager, (916) 808-5078, [email protected]; Jason Bader, Principal Budget Analyst, (916) 808-5817, [email protected]
Presenter: Peter Coyl, Library Director & CEO, (916) 291-5146, [email protected], Sacramento Public Library
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Sacramento Public Library FY 2021-2022 Annual Report
3-Sacramento Public Library Year in Review 2021-2022
4-Sacramento Public Library March 2023 Statistics
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The Sacramento Public Library Authority (Library) operates 28 library locations throughout the County of Sacramento with 12 locations within the City of Sacramento. Under the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement, the City of Sacramento provides funds to the Sacramento Public Library Authority for services at City of Sacramento locations as well as cost-allocated funding for system-wide programs and services. An overview of programs and services is detailed in the FY2021/22 Annual Report (Attachment 2).
Like all organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Library usage and service models. During the pandemic the Library pivoted to providing curbside pickup, increased online and virtual resources, added additional hotspots and Chromebooks for checkout, partnered with The California
File ID: 2023-00660 5/30/2023 Discussion Item 28.
State Transportation Agency, City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) to turn eight repurposed SacRT buses into free wireless hotspots in communities with limited high-speed internet access, added remote printing as a service, and deployed Library staff to assist other agencies with contact tracing, provided COVID-19 test kits, as well as utilized its 3D printers to manufacture face shields.
As the Library continues to return to a pre-pandemic service model, we have seen excellent response from our users. In FY21021/22 the Library circulated over 7.25 million items including over 3 million digital checkouts. Over 699,000 users hold library cards, and we process over 2.1 million items annually. While some of these metrics have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, our usage comports with nationwide trends of library use. Additional statistics are available in Attachments 3 and 4.
In addition to the funds provided for in the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement, Measure B (approved 2014) provided $2.4 million in supplemental funding in FY202021/22 and Measure X (approved in 2004 and renewed in 2017) provided $6.3 million in supplemental funding in FY2021/22.
The cumulative $8.7 million in Measure B and X funding represents 16% of library funding. Within the next 5 years both Measure B and Measure X will expire. The Library is working with City staff to determine the timeline to place these measures on the ballot for renewal. While no action from Council is needed at this time, this will be an important issue for consideration over the next several months.
Policy Considerations: This report is consistent with Council’s direction and adopted budget principles to use one-time resources strategically, maintain a fiscally sustainable balanced budget and keep the Council informed on the fiscal condition of the City. The core mission of Library services is to serve people of all ages, to provide access to technology, and to commit to school readiness and student support.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): This action is not a project subject to CEQA because it involves only organizational or administrative activities that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15378(b)(5)).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: The information provided in this report will be used to develop a
File ID: 2023-00660 5/30/2023 Discussion Item 28.
funding plan with the expiration of Measure B in 2026 and Measure X in 2027.
Financial Considerations: Library funding will decrease by 16% with the expiration of Measure B in 2026 and Measure X in 2027. The lack of financial resources would result in severely reduced core library services within the City of Sacramento and the rest of the Library system.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
FY 202 1–2022
ANNUAL
REPORT
JULY 1, 202 1 - JUNE 30, 2022
www.saclibrary.org
Attachment 2
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
Sacramento Public Library started 2022 with
one of the largest changes an organization can
experience: a new leader, mid-fiscal year. As
we build on the foundation that has been laid,
Sacramento Public Library will continue to be
a leader in innovative systems, programs, and
services.
Our staff universally shares their dedication and
passion for what they do. They enjoy serving our
customers in every way, including recommending
books to read, teaching them how to use the internet, showing them resources to search for a job, or helping them complete an online application for a program or service. We are the public library and we couldn’t do it without our incredible communities and patrons across Sacramento County.
Adjusting to living in a world with COVID as a persistent presence hasn’t been easy. We adapted as circumstances and government requirements have necessitated. We changed how we do some things and will continue to evolve to provide services while keeping staff and users safe.
Because we are a public library, we offer a wide variety of materials, programs, and services. Libraries are places of education, entertainment, and enrichment. While we can’t be everything for everyone, we certainly want those who walk through our doors to be represented and feel welcome. We continue our efforts to make sure the diversity in our community is present in what we do. Everyone deserves to have a library that meets their needs.
This past year we brought back in-person programs like Explore and Learn and storytimes with plans to expand those options with additional programs in the coming months.
As we look forward, the library will be planning for what the future looks like. We’ll involve the community in our strategic planning process, seeking feedback and suggestions for the library services and programs that most interest those we serve.
We appreciate the dedication and support our community members, users, and advocates have shown for their library. We look forward to serving you each and every day.
Peter Coyl
Library Director and CEO
Meet Peter
Peter is a California native, raised in Sacramento until he was 9. He received his first library card at Sacramento Public Library when he was 6. He proudly displays that library card in his office today. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration and Public Policy from Oakland University and a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from Drexel University. He has worked in libraries for over 20 years and is active in state and national professional organizations including the American Library Association and the Freedom to Read Foundation, which he currently serves as its President.
ANNUAL REPORT
FISCAL YEAR 2021–2022
Sacramento Public Library continues to innovate and adapt to better serve our community and bring people back to the library amidst an ongoing pandemic. Through changing regulations, learning interruptions, and even a change in leadership, FY 21-22 proved the library is essential in providing crucial services to Sacramento County. The library continues to be a leader in our community by demonstrating creativity, resiliency, and flexibility in meeting the needs of our customers.
HIGHLIGHTS
Return to in-person programming
In 2021, Sacramento Public Library was able to safely open its doors at most locations. While navigating ever-changing health restrictions, the need for in- person programming was clear. At the start of FY 21-22, the library returned to in-person programming while continuing virtual programs. Realizing the pandemic’s immense impact on our youngest learners, Outdoor Family Storytimes were introduced as the first in-person programs offered at the library since March 2020. The program continues to be popular and helped the system chart a course for more in-person programming.
Expanding access to our communities
The library continues to invest in its facilities and collections to provide the community with access to dynamic, exciting, and functional materials and spaces. In addition to beginning the process of relocating the North Sacramento- Hagginwood Library by acquiring the expansive former Sacramento News & Review building in July 2021, development and community engagement for the new Elk Grove Library continued in FY 21-22. The renovated Orangevale Library reopened to the public with a grand opening event in August 2021. The $950,000 renovation boasted ADA accessibility throughout and doubled its footprint.
Southgate Library also received important enhancements, including ADA updates to the existing restrooms, a new family restroom, a water fountain/bottle refill station, and an upgraded exterior to further improve accessibility. Southgate Library reopened to the community in March 2022.
Investments in our library are about more than buildings. In summer 2021, the library introduced the Sacramento Intelligent Material Management System (SIMMS) throughout the system. SIMMS tracks each item in the collection, helping us pinpoint its status and location down to the shelf, making it easier for patrons to find holds and locate materials. Our system-wide equity work continued with Sacramento Public Library proudly hosting a robust and engaging Latino Heritage series including virtual bilingual craft-making, author visits, and storytime events for all ages, helping expand access to our Spanish and dual- language community. In September 2021, our Wi-Fi hotspot and Google Chromebook lending program expanded to bridge the digital divide by adding 400 hotspots and 190 Chromebooks for check-out, providing library patrons easy access to the Internet. In January 2022, amid a spike in cases in Sacramento County, the library handed out 45,000 free COVID-19 test kits at all of our locations in partnership with Sacramento County Public Health department. The community response was unprecedented and clearly illustrated the fulfillment of a needed service for our community.
Maintaining resiliency and flexibility as a system
Sacramento Public Library continued to adjust as the pandemic waxed and waned. In addition to virtual programming for all ages, such as online storytimes, virtual author visits, and Sacramento Room Zoom presentations, previous in- person programming had to adapt as well. In 2021, our Meals at the Library program became a to-go service. Sacramento County guidelines made eating meals in person impossible, so youth were able to pick up pre-packaged healthy meals to take home during the summer when school was out. Library volunteers shifted to online assistance, through online tutoring and virtual Book First classroom visits from the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library. In early 2022, the library began a phased structural realignment process, the goal being to better serve our community with more flexibility in staffing, regional and systemwide support, growth opportunities for staff, clearly defined roles, and a more equitable allocation of resources. The first phase of realignment was successfully completed in June 2022 thanks to our talented staff who were patient and dedicated throughout the entire process.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Supporting our youngest learners
During the pandemic, services for young children were significantly reduced throughout the county. The library took the lead in filling the gap for critical early learning services in innovative new ways. The Early Learning Department developed a variety of services to support caregivers with children 0 to 5 years old. In 2021, the library launched Outdoor Family Storytime in partnership with local park districts and started an outdoor Explore and Learn program at select library locations to offer hands-on early learning activities through a play-based program model. In total, the library hosted 165 outdoor early learning programs attended by 7,330 people. Additionally, library locations distributed 4,000 Storytime To Go packs across the county, including bilingual materials for young children.
In celebration of Día in April 2022, the library offered Bilingual Spanish Storytime throughout Sacramento County as well as virtual bilingual programs. The library again partnered with the Sacramento County Office of Education to provide information in both English and Spanish on how to support children who are dual language learners. This included the creation of special Storytime to Go kits and virtual early learning workshops attended by 252 parents and caregivers. The library also hosted 131 virtual programs for children under 5, including weekly Virtual Song and Rhyme Storytimes and Baby Storytimes on social media. These virtual programs garnered 8,182 views. 4,000 131 8,182 165 7,330
STORYTIME VIRTUAL VIRTUAL PROGRAM OUTDOOR OUTDOOR PROGRAM
TO GO PACKS PROGRAMS ATTENDEES PROGRAMS ATTENDEES Connecting with kids and teens
Re-engaging school-age children and teens in Sacramento County was critical after pandemic-related disruptions in education calendars. The library’s annual Summer Reading campaign finished strong in 2021 with 14,529 signups (+230% YOY), 9,212 finishers (+225% YOY), and 219,934 books read (+175% YOY), activating readers of all ages. In May 2022, the library hosted an in-person Summer Reading Kickoff event at McClatchy Park, drawing on community partners, staff, and the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library for an amazing event attended by over 600 people.
Over the summer months of 2021, 31,800 meals
were served through our Meals at the Library
program for youth under 18. The meals were grab-
and-go to provide easier and safer access for families
to participate. Additionally, the library’s 2021-2022
Youth Library Leadership program provided 65 local
teens with valuable workforce development, socio-
emotional learning skills, hands-on program planning
experience, and stipends for their hard work.
Our homework help services for kindergarten
through 8th grade students provide access to
resources to support school work and allow them to
work with live tutors who can assist with a variety of
subjects. From September 2021 to May 2022, there
were 570 drop-in virtual visits and 79 students who
received assistance from our group of incredible
teen volunteers, who racked up 932 coaching hours
collectively.
68 570 30 932
VIRTUAL HOMEWORK VIRTUAL HOMEWORK TEEN HOMEWORK COACH
HELP SESSIONS ZONE VISITS VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER HOURS 7 103 65 31,800
TEEN COMMUNITY ENGLISH CONVERSATION YOUTH LIBRARY MEALS AT THE LIBRARY
CONVERSATIONS ATTENDEES LEADERSHIP TEEN MEALS SERVED
PARTICIPANTS
14,529 9,212 219,934
SUMMER READING SUMMER READING SUMMER READING
SIGNUPS FINISHERS BOOKS READ
Serving adults
The library once again partnered with the Sacramento County Office of the Registrar of Voters to support the 2021 gubernatorial election and the 2022 primary election, helping make the democratic process convenient, accessible, and trustworthy. 27 library locations offered ballot drop boxes for the public.
Five locations served as 4-day in person vote centers in the September 2021 recall election and 14 locations hosted 4-day in-person vote centers for the June 2022 election. Library locations accounted for approximately 24% of the total drop-off ballots collected in Sacramento County.
Now, more than ever, the health of our community is top of mind. To that end, Samuel Merritt University nurses returned after a 2-year hiatus and served 50 patrons at mobile stops at senior living sites. In 2022 the library introduced a Journaling for Mental Health program that was fantastically received by patrons and will be returning for a 6-session series in 2023. Overall, we hosted 13 health education classes on various topics including COVID-19 vaccines, heart health, and more. Our virtual Zumba and yoga class series continued to help provide fun and energizing movement to people from the comfort of their own homes. 43 virtual Zumba classes were held, drawing 1,300 participants. 23 virtual yoga classes saw 350 participants.
24% 400 138 1,650
PERCENT OF BALLOTS VOLUNTEER HOURS ADULT LEARNER VIRTUAL ZUMBA AND
DROPPED OFF TO LIBRARY DURING ELECTIONS VOLUNTEERS YOGA CLASS ATTENDEES
LOCATIONS IN SAC COUNTY
57 1,546 364
COHS GRADUATES LIBRARY OF THINGS AUTHOR TALKS
EXPANSION SURVEY ATTENDEES
RESPONSES
“[Career Online High School ] was one of the best experiences of my life and I learned so many valuable lessons.
I can guarantee that is the best thing you can do for yourself.” - La Keishia Whitmore Mobile Services continued to help bridge the
divide between library services and community
members. A mobile vehicle made an appearance
at NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing with
resources during the Love and Literacy Across
California event in March 2022. In addition to its
regular routes, Mobile Services also participates in
other forms of outreach, like the Midtown Business
Association’s monthly Fresh Air series, where
staff promoted the library’s health resources and
attracted new patrons. The library was thrilled to
once again join the Pride Parade and Festival in
June 2022.
In June 2022 we announced our plans to expand
the Library of Things collection to two new
locations, Valley Hi-North Laguna Library and
Walnut Grove Library. Online and print surveys
resulted in 1,546 responses directly from
community members about what they want to
see in the collections. The library also introduced
the brand new Shari Nichelini Cake Pan Library in
April 2022 to a hugely positive patron response. In
2021, Sacramento Public Library reached a record-
breaking 3 million digital book checkouts ,
making it one of just 20 public library systems
worldwide that surpassed one million digital
checkouts. This milestone illustrates the continued
growth and demand for library services including
digital lending of ebooks and audiobooks. In
June 2022, the library, in partnership with the
Library Speakers Consortium, provided patrons
with access to talks from bestselling authors and
thought leaders through free virtual events called
Author Talks.
Through a partnership with Smart Horizons and
California State Library, the library offers Career
Online High School (COHS), a nationally accredited
high school program that includes a 24/7 online
classroom, personal academic coaches, and real-
world career training. The library awards COHS
scholarships to make this program free for adult
students. In September 2021, Sacramento Public
Library honored its COHS graduating class of
2020 and 2021. 57 adult students completed their
studies and earned their accredited high school
diplomas during the pandemic and were able to
walk across the stage as part of the first in-person
graduation ceremony since 2019.
Cost Allocation Distribution
Salaries
Services & Supplies,
Deferred Maintenance
Books & Materials
Capital Projects
LIBRARY AT A GLANCE FY 202 1–2022
273
FTE EMPLOYEES
699,101
LIBRARY CARD HOLDERS
1,148,709
ANNUAL VISITS
3,965,821
ANNUAL CIRCULATION
781
COMPUTERS IN BRANCHES
155,149
COMPUTER HOURS OF USE
2,047
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
52,670
PROGRAM
ATTENDANCE
18,450
VOLUNTEER
HOURS
1,492,026
TOTAL POPULATION
SERVED
$247,849
FRIENDS OF THE
LIBRARY SUPPORT
$56,197,000
ANNUAL BUDGET
Revenue Sources
County Property Taxes
City of Sacramento
General Fund
City of Sacramento
Parcel Taxes
Other
53.9%
26.7%
14.2%
5.2%
54.6%
25.6%
16.5%
3.3%
RECOGNITION
• Sacramento Public Library , 2021 Librarian at Your Service Award, Unique Management Services • Caitlyn Tormey , 2022 Odyssey Award Committee Member
• Lindsey Helfrich , 2022 Stonewall Books Award Committee Member • Addie Estrada-Huerta , 2021-2022 Silbert Award Committee Member • Justin Azevedo , 2022-2023 Silbert Award Committee Member • Peter Coyl, 2022-2023 Freedom to Read Foundation President Friends of the Sacramento Public Library
12,698 25,936 553 199
STUDENTS SUPPORTED BOOKS DISTRIBUTED CLASSES REACHED SCHOOLS REACHED 199 233 $102,000
LIBRARIAN CLASS VISITS BOOK COUPONS BIG DAY OF GIVING (VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON) REDEEMED IN LIBRARIES FUNDS RAISED The Friends of Sacramento Public Library is the
Library’s official and only fundraising partner,
designated by our Library Authority Board in 2019.
Collectively, the Friends provide thousands of hours
of volunteer time for the Library and even help
sustain the planet by finding new homes for books
through sales at the Book Den. The Friends provide
valuable support through their sponsorship of
Library events, staff appreciation and so much more.
They are also tireless library advocates. In 2014 and
2016, the Friends supported the passage of two City
of Sacramento ballot measures to provide funding
for the system.
In May 2021, the Friends raised $102,000 through
their Big Day of Giving appeal to support the sixth
year of our Book First program, making it possible
for the Library to provide two books to every first-
grade student at 182 eligible schools throughout
Sacramento County. They also established and
raised over $140,000 for the Rivkah Sass Young
Readers Fund honoring our former library director.
* FY23 visit counts for ARC, CAR, DEL, ISL, KIN, MCC, ORA, POC, RIO, NAT, SYL and WAL are estimates.
SPL at a Glance: March 2023
2,638,673
DIGITAL
CHECKOUTS
FISCAL YTD
2,035,725
PHYSICAL CHECKOUTS
FISCAL YTD
UP 12.5% OVER
LAST FISCAL YTD
1,420,743
LIBRARY VISITS
FISCAL YTD*
UP 85% OVER
LAST FISCAL YTD
177,285
PUBLIC COMPUTER
RESERVATIONS
UP 79% OVER
LAST FISCAL YTD
0 500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
Mar-FY20 Mar-FY21 Mar-FY22 Mar-FY23
PHYSICAL ITEM CHECKOUTS FISCAL YTD
0 500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
Mar-FY20 Mar-FY21 Mar-FY22 Mar-FY23
DIGITAL CHECKOUTS FISCAL YTD
0 50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
Mar-FY20 Mar-FY21 Mar-FY22 Mar-FY23
PC RESERVATIONS FISCAL YTD
0 500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
Mar-FY20 Mar-FY21 Mar-FY22 Mar-FY23
LIBRARY VISITS FISCAL YTD*
Attachment 4
5/10/2023
1 Year in Review
FY 2021-2022
699k
LIBRARY CARDHOLDERS
Attachment 3
5/10/2023
2 TOTAL CIRCULATION
7.25 Million
EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS
& MORE
3.2M+
Digital Checkouts
in 2022
5/10/2023
3 2.1M+ Materials
Processed Annually
Delivering the joy of reading
TOTAL PROGRAM ATTENDANCE
52,670
5/10/2023
4 Youth Services
LUNCH AT THE
LIBRARY MEALS
SERVED
31,800
OUTDOOR STORYTIME
REACH
7,330
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
SUPPORTED BY BOOK
FIRST
12,698
SUMMER READING
BOOKS READ
219,934
Digital Equity
1,786 Wi-Fi Hotspots
641 Chromebooks
checked out to patrons
5/10/2023
5 1,149,709
Library visits
155,149 hours
Public computer use
5/10/2023
6 Community Impact
CAREER ONLINE HIGH
SCHOOL GRADUATES
57 MOBILE SERVICES
MILES DRIVEN
7,330
COVID TESTS
DISTRIBUTED
45,000
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
DROP-OFF BALLOTS
COLLECTED
24%
Infrastructure Grant
Central
$929,932
Belle Cooledge
$1,203,342
Del Paso Heights
$203,070
Martin Luther King Jr.
$5.5m
5/10/2023
7 Now & Future
Sacramento County
Property Taxes
54.9%
Sacramento City
General Fund
25.3%
Sacramento City
Parcel Taxes
16.0%
Other
3.8%
FY23 Income