REPORT TO BOARD
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Review and Recommend the City Council to Approve the Library Facilities Master Plan
Report
BACKGROUND
In FY 2022-23, the Library received funding approval for the development of a Library Facilities Master Plan. As a long-term planning tool, the Facilities Master Plan would provide the information and recommendations needed to guide decisions on capital investments for library services for the next 20 years. Incorporating professional assessment of property conditions at all Library facilities, stakeholder and community input, and strong data collection and analysis, the plan would help guide decisions for the future of library facilities in Santa Clara in coordination with projected population growth. The project was re-budgeted in the FY 2023-34 and 2024-25 Operating Budget and approved by Council on June 27, 2023 (23-144). An RFP was issued, and on August 2, 2024, an agreement was completed with Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, LTD DBA (MSR Design).
In addition to thorough facility review and assessment, the Library and MSR Design held engagement sessions at all library locations and community events such as Art and Wine Festival and Comic Con 2024. Engagement efforts included City and Library staff, the Board of Library Trustees, the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends Board, seven additional City boards and commissions, and community members through online surveys and engagements in four different languages.
The analysis and recommendations in the Facilities Master Plan are based on data collected from facility assessments, community and stakeholder input and surveys, demographic and user data, service population size and future growth, public library best practices and standards, national and regional public library trends, and comparative library system data.
DISCUSSION
The Library Facilities Master Plan is a comprehensive, 20-year plan. It provides priorities and recommendations for facility upd...
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