Library 2019/09/09500 West Broadway
Anaheim, California 92805
TEL (714 765-1880
FAX (714)765-1731
www.anaheim.net
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Anaheim Public Library
September 9, 2019
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL:
Per ARTICLE IX. APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, Section
908, of the Anaheim City Charter - The Anaheim Public Library Board shall
have the power and duty to: "Within sixty days after the close of each fiscal
year, report to the City Council on the condition of the libraries for the
preceding fiscal year and on such other matters deemed expedient by the
Library Board."
The Anaheim Public Library Board of Trustees is pleased to have the
opportunity to present comments regarding the condition of the Anaheim
Public Library System for Fiscal Year 2018/19.
Anaheim Public Library promotes literacy, lifelong learning, and a love of
reading through traditional print materials as well as virtual services. Our
mission is to promote information through programming ani engage our
community while providing a safe space for the diverse members of Anaheim
to share, thrive, explore, create, enjoy, honor, celebrate, and engage with one
another. In FY 2018/19, our ten -outlet Library system had 1,171,710 visitors
both physically and virtually, 191,269 customer service interactions at the
Public Service desks ani 1,075,452 check out of physical and electronic
materials. In addition, they had 4,449 programs, serving 141,504 children,
teens and adults. Patrons searched in the mobile app 37,023 times, and visited
the webpages 147,498 times.
CURRENT YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS
ISMiTi1$1rt..
In 2016/17, a new Bookmobile was noted as an area of concern. The Library
Board was thankful to the City of Anaheim for its pursuit of a new 38 -foot RV
gasoline -powered Bookmobile. Funding was provided with a $210,000
Community Development Block grant and $26,000 of the City's Fleet
replacement funds. The Orange County Community Foundation and Kiwanis
Club of Greater Anaheim each provided $5,000 for materials and
programming. The official 'launch' of the new Anaheim Public Mobile Library
took place on National Bookmobile Day Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at the
Anna Drive Afternoon Stop. Over 300 people attended this momentous
celebration.
ITEM # 01
Report to the City Council on the Condition of the Libraries
September 9, 2019
Page 2
• Golden Hub of Innovation Award
In May, Anaheim Public Library was awarded the prestigious "Golden Hub
of Innovation Award" in the category of Community Investment by the
Association of California Cities - Orange County. The Golden Hub of
Innovation celebrates men and women in public service who are creating
and implementing innovative policy solutions for Orange County's most
pressing issues. APL was recognized for Project ACES (A Card for Every
Student) program. ACES is a partnership with the Anaheim Elementary
School District and Anaheim Union High School District to give 50,000
students access to online resources to help for further their education. This
service is valued at $200,000. The Community Investment category is
awarded to "Innovators for community investment that add value to Cities
through increasing quality of life, community aesthetics, providing services
that resident's request".
• California Library Association PRExcellence Award
In June 2019, Anaheim Public Library was awarded the CLA
PRExcellence Award in the electronic category (social media) for the Good
Book, Great Burger, AN�esome Combo campaign! In September 2018, we
partnered with Carl's Jr. for Library Card Sign-up Month and developed a
campaign that focused on the benefits of having an Anaheim Public
Library Card.
• Marketing
Enhancing, Library Communications for Residents
o Rebranding Project
The new logo represents our current values of community, diversity
and growth, which meshes with our system -wide services in each
district from east to west. The success of the rebranding project has
been supported by the increased engagement on social media, which
has positioned the Library as a center for learning and literacy.
Report to the City Council on the Condition of the Libraries
September 9, 2019
Page 3
o Social Media
Since the rebranding project, Communications has integrated video
production, live footage of programs and photograph that advertises the
Library's services. This year we have reached our highest impressions,
which are the number of times content has been seen on the Library's
social media accounts. This data not only measures the effectiveness of
the marketing strategies but also provides important statistics on
community use.
Impressions on Library social media accounts:
Facebook: 18,690,099
Instagram: 142,548
Twitter: 437,046
o Patron Point
The Library launched Patron Point an email -marketing tool that helps
us communicate with new and current patrons. Thank you to the
Anaheim Public Library Foundation for funding Patron Point along
with other tools used by Library Communications staff.
Webpage visit increases:
Using the Library Catalog: 83% increase
Special Events: 79% increase
Founders' Park: 82% increase
Audiobooks and eBooks: 100% increase
Library Services: 36% increase
Automated Library System
In August 2018, the Library's Integrated Library System was moved to the
Cloud. This eliminates the need for Library staff to dedicate time to
database administration and equipment maintenance. Once completed,
upgrades to the system brought new functionality and benefits to the
public. Text notifications are delivering requests on hold notices, pre -
overdue and overdue notices to the public.
Video Conferencing System
The California State Library awarded APL a Libraries Illuminated grant to
purchase video conferencing technology for the Central Library's
Multipurpose Room. This room can be rented out to local community
groups, and is used by staff for programming online meetings, author talks
and video instruction. This provides the public and small businesses the
ability to hold online meetings.
Report to the City Council on the Condition of the Libraries
September 9, 2019
Page 4
• Awarded over $233,833 in grant funds.
The Library was awarded a variety of grants from various organizations
dedicated to enhancing literacy. Grant funding was awarded for a
Citizenship Corner at Central Library to assist immigrants with integration,
jobs, etc. Additional grants were received for a National Parks Service
Japanese Confinement Site exhibit, a STEAM Hub at Central Library,
Lunch at the Library, the NEA Big Read, bilingual books, and various
other programs and materials. The Anaheim Public Library Foundation,
Friends of the Anaheim Public Library, and Friends of the Canyon Hills
Library have all pledged support for the various projects associated with
these grants.
• Canyon Hills Branch's East Lawn Reading Garden officially debuted on
June 10, 2019, with new outdoor seating and children's play equipment
purchased by the Friends of the Canyon Hills Library and benches built by
Eagle Scout Ryan Johnson. Community donors Drs. Dick and Leslie
Richards funded the split -rail fencing installed around the perimeter of the
lawn. The native plant bird and butterfly garden was planted by two local
Girl Scout troops as their service project garden.
• "NEA Big Read: A Lesson Before Dying"
For the third year in a row, APL was awarded an NEA Big Read grant in
the amount of $15,000. The NEA Big Read grant funded a month of
programming based around the book "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest
Gaines. The Library partnered with Altrusa, Orange County Heritage
Council, Thurgood Marshall Bar Association, the City of Anaheim's
Neighborhood Services, as well as nonprofit groups to provide
programming during Black History Month. The Library is very
appreciative of the funding received from the Anaheim Public Library
Foundation for this program.
PLANNED PROJECTS
• Central Library Green Space
The Central Library is constructing an ADA -compliant outdoor green
space that will serve as an outdoor programming location for children,
teens and adults. Phase 1 of construction is anticipated to wrap up in
October 2019, with a second phase of construction planned for 2020. The
result will be a beautiful garden space with a trike path and sandbox, a
covered `stage' area and a science island for STEAM programming. A
Community Development Block Grant has funded this project.
Report to the City Council on the Condition of the Libraries
September 9, 2019
Page 5
• STEAM HUB
A "Maximizing Space" grant from the California State Library has helped
improve our teen programming furniture in the adjacent 7-8 Place. Height -
adjustable tables on casters, a mobile programming cabinet/demonstration
table and casual seating allows staff to adjust programming space for teens
quickly and easily.
Euclid Library Outdoor Space Enhancements
The Euclid Branch of the Anaheim Public Library was built in 1976 and
the original building remains the same size 42 years later. With population
growth and community demands for expanded public space and
performance areas, Community Development Block Grant funds were
granted to landscape the 3,095 square foot outdoor space on the south side
of Euclid Library. Work to be done includes a new ADA accessible door to
access the area, leveling and landscaping of the ground, with new
irrigation, lighting and security cameras. This will allow the Library to do
more outdoor programs for all ages and all abilities.
• Founders Park
The Mother Colony House Maintenance & Restoration Project, designed to
improve the structural integrity and security of the building, was completed
between mid-April 2018 and early -January 2019. The work included the
restoration of the vandalized front porch railing, new roof with restored
decorative crest, additional foundation supports, shear walls, plastering of
interior walls, painting of interior and exterior, and new fire and security
systems. The new shade structure constructed between the Carriage House
and Pump House restrooms was completed in September 2018. The
installation of a video surveillance system to combat vandalism is currently
underway at Founders' Park.
"NEA Big Read: Our Town
For the fourth in a row, APL has been awarded an NEA Big Read grant in
the amount of $15,000. The NEA Big Read grant funds a month of
programming based around the book "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder.
We are partnering with Altrusa, the City of Anaheim's Neighborhood
Services and other local nonprofit groups to provide programming that will
represent the heritage of Anaheim's multi -cultural population.
Report to the City Council on the Condition of the Libraries
September 9, 2019
Page 6
• Replacement of Aging Security Gates
The Library is thankful to the City Council for the $60,000 in funding to
replace two inoperable security entrance gates at the Central and Canyon Hills
Libraries.
AREAS OF CONCERN
Stable Library Workforce
Anaheim Public Library is a large urban library currently staffed with 160
(FTE 81.18) employees. Of these, 80% have part-time status (127), most
of them working less than 20 hours a week. Unfortunately, over a third of
part-time employees hired do not stay beyond 18 months as many of these
new hires seek full-time employment. The Library incurs significant costs
through testing, interviewing, qualifying, hiring, training, and mentoring
new staff. We need to ensure a stable, well trained, and experienced
Library staff. Part-time staff do not gain the experience for dealing with
complex patron situations, and have to rely on full-time staff to intervene in
these situations.
As a large urban library system, it is important to maintain a safe and
welcoming atmosphere for the 1 million people who come through our
doors annually. At the Central Library alone last year, there were 67
disruptive incidents, several of which required Police or Fire dispatch
(including 2 assaults). The City's liability risk increases if any of these
emergencies or accidents are mismanaged. The City needs to stabilize the
staffing so employees can be properly trained to manage accidents,
behavioral interventions with disruptive patrons, building evacuations,
communication with Anaheim Police and Fire Departments, Facility
Maintenance, Risk Management; document and input work orders,
accident reports, and incident reports. All of these concerns are amplified
by the fact that there is no full-time staff at Ponderosa Joint -Use Library
and split full-time Librarian staff between Euclid and Central Libraries.
Fiscal Year
Staff — FT Staff - PTE
Total FTE
Staff Per Capita
2008/09
60 68.21
128.21
.037
2018/19
33 48.18
81.18
.023
Report to the City Council on the Condition of the Libraries
September 9, 2019
Page 7
• Support for Library materials
In the past four years, donations from support groups have been used to
start and develop new collections, such as e -Books and downloadable
audiobooks, as well as supplement the book budget.
This year as a one-time service enhancement, City Council allotted an
additional $160,000 for the Library's fundamental product: the book
collection. This one-time increase will help the Library meet its primary
literacy goal by purchasing books of in demand titles, increase the eBook
collection and help build the Library's Spanish and Korean language
collections to support the Anaheim Elementary School District's dual
immersion programs. It will provide a much-needed infusion of new
materials that will support residents' information needs.
The Library Board is grateful to the City Council for the allotment, and
suggests that this is added as a continual support for these integral services.
If this allotment were annualized, the library collection size would be able
to stabilize and grow. [See chart below]
In previous years, Anaheim community support groups have funded eBook
and e -audio books. The Kiwanis of Greater Anaheim, Anaheim Public
Library Foundation, Friends of the Anaheim Public Library, and Friends of
the Canyon Hills Library expect that the City should provide continuing
support for these integral services for Anaheim residents, allowing the
support groups to focus on funding programming.
Fiscal Year
Collection Size
Collection (item) per
capita
2008/09
670,546
1.9
2018/19
552,481
1.6
In the past ten years, patron count has decreased by 47%. This decrease
can be attributed to a variety of factors including an overall decrease in
public library usage nation-wide, declining school enrollment in Anaheim,
a stable economy, political environment, more patrons visiting virtually
rather than physically, availability of electronic resources from a variety of
sources, and a lack of adequate library materials available to our residents.
Fiscal Year Patron Count
2008/09 1,752,838
2018/19 926,591
David Laviguer, Chair