HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 19, 2016 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL
SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016
A. Roll Call by City Clerk
An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held
Tuesday, April 19, 2016, commencing at 7:00 a.m.
Present: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Nakanishi, and Mayor Chandler
Absent: Council Member Mounce, and Mayor Pro Tempore Kuehne
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Ferraiolo
B. Topic(s)
B-1 Library Teen Scene Project (LIB)
Library Services Director Dean Gualco provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the
Library's Teen Scene project. Specific topics of discussion included agenda, Library by the
numbers, Homework Help Room, how the role of the Library has changed, need for a teen area,
Library's vision, what can be offered with a teen area, proposed Teen Scene, and cost/timeline.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, City Manager Schwabauer stated that the Library has
249 volunteers, representing over 300,000 hours of volunteer time at a value of over $676,000.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Literacy and Volunteer Manager Yvette Herrera stated
that the Library receives grant funding from the State library system for the Adult Literacy
Program and has a collaborate effort with the school district for the Homework Help Program, but
no financial support.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Ms. Herrera stated that the State grant is roughly
$31,000 and is based on the State economy and what it is willing to share, adding that three
years ago the City received no funding. In further response, Ms. Herrera stated there are 127
adult literacy programs in the State library system; however, she was uncertain what the school
district offers in homework help, other than after-school tutoring services. Mr. Gualco stated that
the City is involved with the Bridge Program, explaining the district pays the City, which includes
tutoring services, and the district receives funding via State grant. Mr. Schwabauer further
explained that the Bridge Program is a flat, fully -funded State grant at five schools with the same
program existing as a paid program at the remaining schools. Mr. Gualco stated there is a cap on
the number of participants that can enroll in the Bridge Program and there is typically a waiting
list; whereas, the Library's Homework Help Program is available to anyone.
Council Member Johnson suggested that the Greater Lodi Area Youth Commissioners could be
tied into a teen Library program, either as an adjunct or volunteer, to help in creating opportunities
and activities that would be appealing to young teens. Mr. Gualco agreed, adding that the Library
Teen Scene will include a coffee bar; it may remain open until 10 or 11 p.m. on some nights; and
may offer activities such as SAT testing preparation and debates to engage youth and give them
a place to go. Library staff has worked with other successful libraries to see what works and what
does not and additional concepts may be added in the future.
Sam Harper with WMB Architects reviewed the schematics, renderings, and the existing and
proposed floor plans for the Teen Scene area.
In response to Mayor Chandler, Mr. Harper stated that the existing brick wall is behind the group
study area and that the existing mechanical system will be relocated.
1
In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Gualco stated that staff learned that the existing
mechanical system is in proper working order, despite the age of the unit, and it is unnecessary to
upgrade it; however, there is also a generator in the area that is no longer necessary because the
Library does not function as an Emergency Operations Center any more and it will be removed.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Harper stated that the design takes security into
account, explaining that the top of the block wall is 7.5 feet high, which should prevent individuals
from hopping over to sleep in the patio area.
In response to City Attorney Magdich, Mr. Harper stated that there are methods to muffle or
diminish the sound from the mechanical pieces that impose on the patio area, including
mechanical options and orientation of the fan that would blow away from the space. He stated
that, essentially, it will be more like a low-level white noise, with which the Library Board of
Trustees, who brought up the same concern, was satisfied.
Mr. Schwabauer pointed out that Mr. Gualco approached him two years ago with an idea for
additional capital work at the Library, part of which was funded through fundraising campaign
efforts of the organization and Mr. Gualco, as well as holding various positions open, leaving
those dollars in the Library to fully fund some of these projects.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Schwabauer stated that, over the last 2.5 years, a
total salary savings of roughly $360,000 helped toward the construction of these projects.
In response to Council Member Nakanishi, Mr. Gualco stated that the Library spends a significant
amount of funding on adults, adding that $400,000 was spent over the last few years to build four
new adult literacy rooms and $120,000, versus $40,000 three years ago, was spent on books, the
majority of which are for adults. With regard to noise, Mr. Gualco stated that libraries tend to have
more noise these days because they contain fewer materials on -hand and more congregation
areas. He felt that prohibiting conversation in the library would drive away patrons, but the noise
does need to be controlled. Having the Teen Scene area separate with a back area and patio
may help diminish noise.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Gualco stated that proposals are already underway
to address the administration office that would recapture some of the back office space and
reclaim it for public use.
Mayor Chandler thanked Mr. Gualco for his leadership and energy, stating that the Library is
indeed another Lodi jewel.
C. Comments by Public on Non -Agenda Items - None
D. Adjournment
No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 a.m.
ATTEST:
Jennifer M. Ferraiolo
City Clerk
2
AGENDA ITEM
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TM
AGENDA TITLE: Library Teen Scene Project
MEETING DATE: April 19, 2016
SUBMITTED BY: Library Director
Bi
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive presentation on the proposed Teen Scene project for the
Lodi Public Library.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Over the years, the mission and focus of libraries has evolved and
changed. For centuries the library's primary responsibility has been
to disseminate knowledge. Over the past years, however, the
mechanism to accomplish this task has changed. Libraries have
moved from disseminating knowledge to also now teaching/enabling
the public to utilize this information to make better decisions, and to create new knowledges with the help
of a library's assets and services. It has become the most fundamental and transformative reorganization
of the Library in memory.
To accomplish this critical community need, over the past two years the Lodi Public Library has
embarked on a comprehensive redesign and reconfiguration of the Library to meet the current and future
needs of the community. The components of this transformation include:
e Children's Area — Redesign of Rott Children's Area, adding new furniture, murals, and play
structures to make the area more physically and mentally engaging to the City's children.
▪ Students — Building a new Homework Help Room. From 2013 to 2015, attendance has increased
67 percent (from from 3,000 in 2013 to nearly 5,000 in 2015). We have added "Math Power Hour"
on Tuesday and expanded the program to include Thursday (previously, the program only
included Monday through Wednesday). This new Homework Help Room should be completed by
Summer 2016.
• Adult Computer Center — Built a new computer center. Since its construction, attendance has
increased 37 percent (3,340 in 2014 to 4,593 in 2015), and the number of computer classes has
increased 26 percent.
• Finally — and the focus of this Council Communication — is the creation of an innovative and new
Teen Scene. The Lodi Public Library does not have, at present, a Teen Area that promotes and
encourages Teens to study/interact at the Library. The proposed Teen Scene area will be
approximately 2,600 square feet, which includes about 1,800 square feet of current library space,
plus the renovation of an outdoor patio to add another 800-900 square feet.
This is a vital part of a comprehensive, inclusive Library and one that should be addressed by
Lodi in the immediate future. Over the past years other public libraries have concentrated on
APPROVED:
ep
en
Sch
ba er, City Manager
serving their teen patrons. At the Lodi Public Library, there are few options for teens to interact
with their peers, raise their educational levels through homework assistance programs, and attend
programs that expand their capabilities/knowledge. With social media, video games, and the
Internet it can be a challenge to encourage teens to visit the Library, and the creation of teen
friendly spaces is a necessary first step.
Teens are the most challenging group to visit into the library, but by giving them a space created
for them a Library can sustain the visitation by teens that once began when they were children.
Teens are attracted to spaces that are bright, colorful, have available technology, a place they
can work together, hang out, and that is comfortable. Typically, this teen space is away from the
main floor or has some type of divider to give teen patrons privacy (or at least the allusion of
privacy). It is difficult to build lifelong learners — from toddlers, to children, to teens, to young
adults, to the elderly — when the library, at present, has neglected a wide swath of that continuum
(the teens). In fact, next to children some would say the most important demographic for a library
is its teen population, and with the construction and focus of the library on the teen population,
this City Council has an opportunity to make one of the most transformational changes to its
community in a great number of years. The void now experienced by the absence of teens can be
addressed through such a space and attention to their needs.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable.
Gualc Libra irector
Dean ry
Il
II
Teen
Scene"
• Library by the numbers
• Homework help room
• Role of a library has changed
• Need for a teen area
• Our vision
• What we offer with a teen area
• Proposed Teen Scene
• Teen Scene pictures
• Cost and timeline
• 250,000 annual visitors (25,000 more visitors than 2014)
• Homework Help attendance up 65% from Aug 2015 -Jan
2016 (versus Aug 2014 -Jan 2015 ,1300 more students)
— 5000 attendees in 2015, 4455 in 2014, 3000 in 2013
• 18,500 books checked out in March, highest in 12 months
• 9,337 new materials added in 2015 (up 26% in 2014; 61% in 2013)
• 244 computer classes in 2015 v 193 in 2014 (up 26%)
• 4,593 computer attendees in 2015 v 3,340 in 2014 (up 37%)
• new eBooks; tens of thousands offered vs 200 previously
• Children's redesign complete in late 2015
• Increased library hours 22% in 2013; most in SJ County
• 240 volunteers donated 27,000 hours annually
• Reduced FT staffing 35% since 2011-12 (14 to 9)
• Reduced PT staffing 36% since 2009-10 (11,309 hours to 8,568)
• Through books/videos, games, trainings/programs, libraries
• create a more knowledgeable person that makes the right decision
at the right time and for the right reason;
— contribute their talents/gifts to the betterment of others,
— build a more decent and honorable community with charity,
compassion and goodness in its people.
• Two central changes in library:
— For centuries, the library's TASK remains the same (disseminate
knowledge) but MECHANISM (books) has changed.
— Today, libraries create/disseminate knowledge that creates a better
person, and a better community.
— With your help, we have renovated the adult area, redesigned the
children's area, and we are expanding the homework help area
— But it is difficult to build lifelong learners — from toddlers, to children,
to teens, to young adults, to the elderly — when the library, at
present, has neglected a wide swath of that continuum (the teens)
• One of few libraries without a teen area
— currently "lose" teens after childhood & before adulthood
— nearly impossible to build lifelong learning
— 10,000+ teens, 8 middle and 9 high schools
• Few options for teens at library to:
— interact/network/converse with other teens
— find a safe place to study, tutor/be tutored, relax
— work on college applications/write resumes
• What teens want in a teen area:
— teens want own dedicated, unique area in the library
— attracted to bright, colorful areas with new technology
— coffee, media, computers, large work areas
— HOMAGO: hang out, mess around, geek out
Our Vision:
Our vision for a Teen Scene
is of a new, interactive,
and technology -laden area
that best prepares teens
to become functioning and capable
members of our community
• Raise education levels through a high school/middle-school
homework help program
• Develop programs specifically aimed at teens:
— present online seminars
— SAT/ACT prep courses
— resume/cover letter workshops
• Teach/use innovative media (social media, video games,
the Internet, iPads/smart pads, etc.)
• Patio area offers a unique aspect for a teen area:
— events that are much larger (80-100 people)
— events that offer food/beverages
— events that are louder (Girl Scouts, Ukulele, Tuesday Tunes)
— events with more attendance (poetry reading, speaker presentation)
— events to promote/fundraise for the library
— community events requiring large, unique spaces
• Most transformational change in the library
— actually CREATING a new teen area
• Teen Scene projected to be approx. 2,600 sq ft
— 1,800 sq ft of current library space; 800sq ft patio renovation
— Dramatic media room w/ TVs, surround sound, game consoles
— 2 group (10 person) student study rooms
— 2 group (4 person) computer stations/cubicles
— 2 large "Apple-store/lab" tables
— Comprehensive "homework help center" to include printers,
scanners, paper/pens
These ambitious goals are a reflection of how Lodi is working to
create a better community by preparing future generations to deal
with some of the problems they will confront as adults
f-\\
ADMIN.
OFFICES
31'x29' c
BOOTH
LH
L l
TEEN LOUNGE
24' x 33'
CIRCULATION
DESK
3
GROUP
STUDY
13'x9'
COFFEE
MECHANICAL
19' x 16'
MEDIA ROOM
27' x 24'
nnnn
HIGH TABLE
LI LI Lill
GROUP
STUDY
12'x3
J
PUBLIC USE
COMPUTERS
COMPUTER
LEARNING
AREA
... .................................... , _
A ii
................, 7. :.: ...,.......„
4111111111PP-41gillir."
• April - City Council approval (hopeful)
• July - Construction documents complete
• Aug - Bids accepted for project
• Sept - City Council selects bidder
• Nov — Construction begins
• Jan 2017 — Construction completes
• Projected cost: $439,000
— $239,000 from Library Foundation
— $200,000 from Library funds
We are only limited
by
our dreams
of a better world
and
our determination
to make it
come true
o c
11i
O in
t
O I
g
N
G >
W �
O a°
V
IL.
E
in
a E
E8
0
rU)
�.
c
0
iti)
L
0
/GOALS\
• Complete renovation of library patio into new Homework
Help Tutoring Center
• Launch fundraising campaign for proposed Teen Scene Area
• Recruit volunteers to offer programs and events to the public
• Expand the number of courses in the library's award winning
Computer Learning Center
• Complete purchase/installation of new eBook system
• Fill vacant librarian positions
• Identify sponsor to expand children's story time programs
• Enhance computer system to allow patrons to apply for a
Library card through our online catalog
Your place to be...
Motivated to Learn
Encouraged to Explore
Inspired to Act
\Facebook.com/LodiPublicLibrary Lodi Public Library
ryLodiocust Lodi CAgov 209-333-5566
go eD
cog
p.g-0 a r
an.4
spogafitotworkleagll
0
CD
Z.CD
0
0
03
0.
0'
cD
CD
Ca
0
0
N
12:
0
0
N
Completed $53,000 renovation of the Children's Area
Expanded Homework Help from 3 days per week to 4
days per week; added "Math Power Hour" including
Physics/Chemistry College Prep
Doubled size of the Friends Bookstore
Doubled number of books purchased from 2014 to 2015
Tripled free Computer Learning Center usage from ist
quarter 2014 -1st quarter 2015
Expanded Spanish Storytime to twice per week
Added accessibility to free DMV practice driving/
commercial tests online