SR-1200-001
LIB:ADMIN:WA:RLF:F:\LIBRARY\ADMIN\STAFRPTS\arroyosecostfrpt.doc
September 12, 2000 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to adopt a resolution authorizing the Santa
Monica Public Library to join the Arroyo Seco Library Network
Introduction
This staff report recommends that Santa Monica Public Library apply for charter
membership to the Arroyo Seco Library Network/Library of California.
Background
The Santa Monica Public Library has been a member of the Metropolitan
Cooperative Library System (MCLS) since August 1968, initially under the
authority of the Public Library Services Act and in 1977 under the California
Library Services Act (CLSA). The 1977 CLSA created 15 regional cooperative
networks statewide that have since been operating under individual joint powers
agreements. The libraries that currently comprise the MCLS joint power
agreement include public libraries in the southern California region.
All cooperative systems provide numerous benefits to residents and libraries by
expanding information resources beyond the local library. The key elements for
residents are the ability to request that a reference question be sent on to a
higher resource level if the local library cannot answer it. For member libraries,
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the State provides reimbursement for nonresident lending, offers communication
and delivery services among the libraries and provides staff training through
workshops or one-on-one at the library. Santa Monica through the years has
benefited immensely from being part of the MCLS.
Discussion
In 1998 the state legislature created the Library of California as a means of
expanding the concept of cooperative systems beyond public libraries. The
Library of California will provide users of all types of libraries access to the
collections and resources of public, school, government, academic, and special
libraries throughout the state, ie., “One Library – 8,000 Doors.” The Library of
California, comprised of 7 regional networks, is intended to replace 15 CLSA
cooperative systems by the year 2004. Until then, however, both will run
concurrently so that public libraries are able to maintain their benefits while the
Library of California is being structured.
Under the Library of California, the 31 Library jurisdictions in MCLS, the 9
libraries in the Santiago Library System and the 3 library jurisdiction in the South
State Library System (greater Los Angeles area) have been authorized to form
as the Arroyo Seco Library Network. Because these 43 public library
jurisdictions are members of exiting cooperative systems, they meet the Library
of California membership requirements and are therefore automatically qualified
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to be members. A formal application, however, must be made and approval
given by the governing body.
The Arroyo Seco Library Network is in the process of being organized as a
501c(3) non-profit tax-exempt corporation and is currently offering charter
membership to anyone who wishes to join and qualifies: public, school, private,
and university libraries. There is no cost to join and, in addition to the current
benefits of MCLS membership, the Santa Monica Public Library, as a member,
would also be able to participate in new benefits that the Network is offering now
and in the future.
Some of the programs that the Santa Monica Public Library will be able to
participate in as a member will result in tangible financial savings. They are:
1. Contracts negotiated for databases and other services that will take
advantage of the buying power of libraries statewide and will reduce
the cost for local provision of full-text databases and other services to
patrons.
2. Relationships with major academic and resource libraries statewide
that have the potential to reduce or eliminate the cost for receipt of
materials and information from these libraries.
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3. Statewide funding of telecommunications infrastructure development
within and between regional networks, including installation of both
hardware and software to develop and enhance all types of
communications among member libraries, enhancement of local
capabilities to enable connections to the network and development of
communications and marketing solutions to address local needs.
Also, the Library of California has provided grants to the Arroyo Seco Library
Network for network programs at no cost to participating libraries. For example,
Santa Monica Public Library was able to order:
1. Subscription to the full text database of the Orange County Register.
This would be a yearly savings of $690.00 for the Santa Monica Public
Library.
2. Subscription to the full text Spanish language database Noticias, a
yearly savings of $3,300.
To take advantage of these opportunities, libraries must become members of the
Arroyo Seco Library Network. Failure to do so will cause loss of access to these
opportunities.
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Santa Monica Public Library Board highly recommends that the Santa Monica
Public Library apply for charter membership in the Arroyo Seco Library
Network/Library of California. Membership at this time will make the library
eligible for all state-funded programs at no cost and will also put the Santa
Monica Public Library in the position of participating in the governance of the
Network from the beginning thereby influencing the discussion of plans for
network activities and services in the future.
Budget/Financial Impact
There will be no cost to the Library. The Library of California Act specifies that
there can be no dues for membership; therefore, there is no membership fee to
join the Arroyo Seco Library Network. All basic services for members will be
funded by the State at no cost or reduced/subsidized cost. Enhanced services
will be available to members for a fee; however, no member will be required to
purchase any enhanced services or participate in a reduced/subsidized cost
program as a condition of membership.
Recommendations
That the Santa Monica City Council adopt the resolution authorizing the Santa
Monica Public Library to join the Arroyo Seco Library Network and approve the
Library Board’s recommendation for charter membership in the Arroyo Seco
Library Network/Library of California and recommend approval by the Santa
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Monica City Council to authorize the City Manager and City Librarian to sign the
membership application form.
Prepared by: Wini Allard, City Librarian
Attachment: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica
authorizing the Santa Monica Public Library to join the Arroyo Seco
Library Network
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