REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Update on the Status of the Library Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan and Next Steps
Report
BACKGROUND
In 2025, the Santa Clara Public Library (“Library”) completed drafts of two key planning studies, the Library Strategic Plan (“Strategic Plan”) and the Library Facilities Master Plan (“Facilities Master Plan”). The Strategic Plan, based on extensive community engagement and data analysis, provides a clear 3-year vision of operational and service priorities. The Strategic Plan includes specific and actionable initiatives to guide staff work towards effective achievement of goals. The Facilities Master Plan, also based on strong community engagement and data analysis as well as professional facility and community assessments, provides a 20-year plan to guide the maintenance and capital investment decisions for the Library system. These plans were reviewed with Mayor and Council in a 2x2x3, a series of small reviews supported by Library staff and the City Manager’s Office. These sessions allowed a deeper review of the plans by Council, addressing questions and feedback, and incorporating recommended updates.
DISCUSSION
The final drafts of the Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan were agendized for Council review and recommended for approval on February 10, 2026. This report was originally drafted prior to Council review, and the Board will receive this report following Council review on February 12, 2026 at a special meeting. Outcomes of Council’s review on February 10, 2026 will be shared with the Board by the City Librarian during the special meeting. If approved, the Library will proceed with intention towards realizing the outcomes envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The recommendations in the Facilities Master Plan, if approved, provide a 20-year, long-term, data-informed guide for the maintenance and renovation needs of Library facilities. It further provides specific recommendations for updating Library-related language in the General Plan, which was coordinated with the Community Development Department and will be recommended for Council consideration when General Plan updates are next considered. The recommendations in the Facilities Master Plan, when approved, will be incorporated into the planning and use of Library’s portion of Measure I funds. Those changes recommended in the plan for the Mission and Northside Branch Libraries are more short- to medium-term and of lower cost than the long-term changes recommended at Central Park Library and, thus, would likely be prioritized first.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered for this study session does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5), an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the preparation of this report or with the study session. The FY 2022/23 Adopted Budget included General Fund funding for the Strategic Plan ($250,000) and the Facilities Master Plan ($250,000) studies.
The Facilities Master Plan identified construction projects with a cost of over $55 million for existing and new facilities (2025 dollars) as well as ongoing costs for deferred maintenance and staffing that are currently unfunded. Measure I, approved by the voters in November 2024, includes funding of $9.0 million for the renovation/expansion of the libraries; the Measure I funding could be used to fund a portion of the construction projects. Additional funding would need to be identified to support the majority of the recommended projects. Some of the potential funding strategies identified in the Library Facilities Master Plan include philanthropic support, public-private partnerships, the reallocation of the debt service funding for the Central Park Library once it is paid off in 2032, partnering with a developer, the evaluation of a future General Obligation bond option, a parcel tax, as well as the City’s General Fund.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Manager’s Office
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Board agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file status update on the Library Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan
Staff
Reviewed by: Sami James, Management Analyst
Approved by: Patty Wong, City Librarian
ATTACHMENTS
1. Library Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan Council Review Presentation 2025
2. Library Strategic Plan
3. Library Facilities Master Plan