SR-850-009
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JUN 2 7 1989
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Council Meeting of June 27, 1989
TO: Mayor and City Council
Santa Monica, California
FROM: City staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation that city Council Authorize withdrawal
of Santa Monica from the Public Library Video Circuit
Introduction
This report recommends that the City council authorize the
withdrawal of santa Monica from the Public Library Video Circuit.
Background
The Public Library Video Circuit was established as a joint
powers authority in 1984. Its purpose was to help libraries meet
the growing public demand for videocassettes by creating a common
pool of videocassettes to be distributed for loan among the
member libraries. Member libraries agreed to pay an annual
membership fee which was used to purchase videocassettes for the
circuit collection, which remained the property of the circuit.
Santa Monica became a member of the circuit by action of the city
Council in JUly, 1984.
The videos purchased for the video circuit are divided into
packets containing approximately 40 titles each. They are
rotated among the member libraries, each library having the use
of each packet for approximately one month. The packets contain
a mix of popular feature films, documentaries, short subjects and
children's titles.
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since joining the circuit, the library's own collection of
videocassettes has increased until it currently numbers
approximately 1100 titles. In addition, it is supplemented by a
rotating collection of popular feature films supplied by a
commercial vendor. Staff has found that the library's collection
is adequate to meet the needs of our patrons, and that there no
longer exists a need to supplement it with the videos supplied
through the video circuit. staff has also learned that, due to
duplication of titles in the library's collection with those in
the Circuit's, circulation of the Circuit videos is very low. In
any given month, less than half of the Circuit videos circulate
at all; with many titles circulating only once.
Whether the videos circulate or not, staff must spend a minimum
of two to three days each month processing them for loan and for
delivery to the next Circuit member. The thirty to fifty videos
in each packet are also taking up limited shelf space which is
needed for the library's own collection, and to accommodate the
new collection of city-produced videos which the library has
begun to loan. For all these reasons, staff believes circuit
membership is no longer of great benefit to the library and its
users.
BUdget/Financial Impact
The current membership fee is $900. Withdrawal from the circuit
will free up this money to be used for the purchase of additional
videocassettes for the library's own collection. By the terms of
the joint powers agreement, the City forfeits its right to any
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refund of funds or materials purchased with prior membership fees
the City has contributed.
Library Board Action
At its regular meeting of May l6, 1989, the Library Board voted
to recommend to the city Council that it authorize the withdrawal
of the City from the Public Library Video circuit.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City council authorize the withdrawal
of Santa Monica from the Public Library Video Circuit, and
instruct its representative to the circuit commission to advise
the circuit members of its action.
Prepared by: Carol A. Aronoff, City Librarian
(PLVC)
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