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Leon County
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Item#21 January 24, 2023 |
| To: | Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board |
| From: | Vincent S. Long, County Administrator |
| Title: | Acceptance of $100,000 Donation from the Friends of the Library |
| Review and Approval: | Vincent S. Long, County Administrator |
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Department/Division Review and Approval: |
Alan Rosenzweig, Deputy County Administrator Wanda Hunter, Assistant County Administrator |
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Lead Staff/ Project Team: |
Pamela Monroe, Library Director Kaycee Shiley, Innovation Officer Sally Mason, Learning and Workforce Development Manager Danielle Daguerre, Library Services Manager |
Statement of Issue:
This item seeks Board approval to accept a $100,000 donation from the Friends of the Library for enhancements to library programs and services in support of the Essential Libraries Initiative.
Fiscal Impact:
This item has a fiscal impact. Board approval of a resolution and Budget Amendment is needed to realize the funds into the FY 2023 budget (Attachment #1).
Staff Recommendation:
Option # 1: Accept the $100,000 donation from the Friends of the Library, and approve the Resolution and associated Budget Amendment (Attachment #1)
Report and Discussion
Background:
This item seeks Board approval to accept a $100,000 donation from the Friends of the Library for enhancements to library programs and services in support of the Essential Libraries Initiative (ELI).
Adopted by the Board on June 8, 2021, the ELI (Attachment #2) guides the Library System’s daily actions to serve and support citizens as they learn new skills, engage with the community, and pursue creative interests. The four ELI focus areas: Literacy and Lifelong Learning, Business and Workforce Development, Civic and Community Engagement, and Arts and Humanities, guide in the development of all new Library programs and services.
This donation from the Friends advances the following FY 2022- 2026 Strategic Initiative:
This particular Strategic Initiative aligns with the Board’s Quality of Life Strategic Priority:
The Friends of the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library (Friends) was formed in 1954 to develop community interest and financial support for the establishment of the Leon County Public Library. Since that time, the Friends’ organization has continued to build community interest, pride, and support for Library programs and services; educate the community about the Library; encourage use of the Library’s many resources; and provide donations for special purchases. In addition to an annual donation of $15,000 for literacy programs, donations from the Friends have been used for special event speakers, multiple bookmobiles, and the establishment of the Library of Things. The Friends are also major donors for the 2022 KCCI Fully Booked Catalyst project resulting in Wander in Wonder Trails, book benches, and the first Hammock Garden at Eastside Branch library. Interest earned from the Friends’ endowment fund and annual fund-raising events made this $100,000 donation possible. As discussed in the Analysis, the Friends have requested that a portion of the funds be utilized for specific services that further the objectives of the ELI.
Analysis:
The Friends’ donation will be utilized to support the ELI. A large portion of the donation has been earmarked for books and media materials, and to support library cardholders’ increasing use of Kanopy, the on-demand streaming service. The Kanopy video platform is designed exclusively for public libraries, and provides patrons access to free films, documentaries as well as children’s programs. The increase in the number of subscribers and items borrowed continues to grow and subsequently increased the monthly cost for this service. The Kanopy subscription supports the ELI’s Arts and Humanities focus area by offering a diverse collection that meets the needs and interests of the community.
A portion of the funds will be used as operating expenses to support the various programing events planned for FY 2023 which will spotlight topics such as growing and preparing healthy foods, discovering Spanish heritage, celebrating the life and legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune, and exploring the treasures of Lake Jackson Mounds.
The Friends has requested that some of the funds be utilized to purchase the Author Talks virtual platform. This service features monthly on-line discussions with bestselling authors from a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres. Each event is live with interactive question and answer sessions. The funds will also be used to add books written by the featured authors to the Library’s collection.
As outlined in the ELI, to ensure lifelong patrons of all ages, libraries must attract and retain more young people by creating collaborative, social and personal spaces and services designed to meet their interests and needs. To that end, the Gates Lab located on the first floor of the Main Library, is being reconfigured. To enhance these efforts, the Friends have requested that a portion of the donation be utilized to purchase equipment for the updated youth spaces, to include new audio-visual equipment, modular seating, and more youth-friendly study areas.
As approved by the Board and funded by the Friends in 2022, the Library of Things continues to grow with items being added regularly based on patron suggestions and community needs. This latest donation by the Friends will allow for the purchase of items such as paddle boarding kits for water recreation, bird watching backpacks that include binoculars and an illustrated guidebook of a variety of bird species, and an electric-powered auger for gardening.
The Friends has been instrumental in providing support to the ELI’s four Focus Areas: Literacy and Lifelong Learning, Business and Workforce Development, Civic and Community Engagement, and Arts and Humanities. The Friends’ full commitment to the Library system has resulted in building the print and digital collection, creating three Wonder in Wonder Trials located in County Parks adjacent to the Woodville, Fort Braden and Eastside Branch libraries, establishing the Library of Things, continuous support for literacy, and creating inviting spaces within the library for all residents of Leon County to enjoy.
This item recommends the Board accept the $100,000 donation from the Friends and approve the Resolution and associated Budget Amendment to realize the funds into the FY2023 budget which is included as Attachment #1.
Options:
Recommendation:
Option #1
Attachments: