55D - RESO REINSTATE LIBRARY DEPT

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: AUGUST 20, 2019 TITLE: ADOPT A RESOLUTION REINSTATING THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT (STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 7,6) CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: APPROVED ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1s' Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt a resolution reinstating the Library Department. DISCUSSION Historically, the City has maintained a Library Department for many years. During the recent economic recession, the Library Department moved under the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency as the Library Division. The Santa Ana Public Library is an essential part of the community and provides residents access to free library cards allowing patrons to borrow books, DVDs, CDs, Hotspots, use computers, access eBooks, databases, eMagazines, and receive one-on-one tech and research assistance. The City's current library system includes a main branch, a learning center, and services at three community centers. In addition, a variety of programs and services are offered to the community that include story times, youth, tween, teen and adult programs, workshops and special events. The demand for additional library services has increased over time including the commitment and resources to operate the library. Since June 4, 2019, an interim Library Director has provided leadership over the library division and is evaluating current operations of the library system. Many positive changes are in process and others have been identified for the new Library Director to implement including but not limited to increasing operating hours at Newhope Branch Library from 27 to 48 weekly and adding a Librarian to be in charge of the facility, bookmobile/tech mobile, organization of the history room at the main library to properly store items, and updating spaces within the main and New Hope Branch Libraries. 55D-1