TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Melissa McCollum, Senior Recreation Manager
Kari Bell, Senior Recreation Supervisor
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Library Commission Recommendations, Including Work Plan Updates and Potential Uses of Los Angeles County Library Set Aside Funds (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
(Estimated Time: 30 Min.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding Library Commission recommendations, including Work Plan updates and potential uses of Los Angeles County Library Set Aside Funds.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action. Agreed upon expenditures of Library Set Aside Funds are facilitated by the Los Angeles County Library System, which accumulates surplus funds generated from property taxes paid for the use and benefit of the Manhattan Beach Library.
BACKGROUND:
Manhattan Beach has a branch of the Los Angeles County Library System (LA County Library). Property taxes paid into the system by Manhattan Beach residents exceed the cost of operating the branch, including the debt service on the library building. The surplus funds accumulate for the benefit of the Manhattan Beach Library. Currently, there is an accumulated surplus balance of $11.0 million. Most recently, for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, the library generated a surplus of $1,455,730.
In 2013, the City and County executed an amended and restated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that governs the use of Set Aside Funds with a term until 2043, with two possible five-year extensions. The MOU established a structure in which the expenditure of the library surplus funds could be spent on the Manhattan Beach Library. Set Aside Funds may be used for one-time improvements such as capital improvements, materials, furniture, and equipment purchases; for payment of debt service on bonds issued by the County to design, construct, and furnish the new library facility; for on-going service enhancements (including expanded hours, staffing, or programming); and for additional needs as mutually agreed.
The City Council discussed the use of LA County Library Set Aside Funds at their meeting on October 17, 2023, and directed staff to:
1. Move forward with plans for digitizing the City of Manhattan Beach Historical Collection;
2. Move forward with an exploration of a cultural library concept and community outreach in partnership with LA County Library with Councilmember Steve Napolitano serving as the City Council liaison with staff and LA County Library; and
3. Develop plans for expanding Manhattan Beach Library Programming (including a speaker series and community read) in partnership with the Library Commission and LA County Library.
The Library Commission’s recommendations for revising the City Council’s 2024 Work Plan were presented as part of the City Council Work Plan Meeting on February 13, 2024. Their recommendations are now returning to City Council for specific direction.
Library Commission recommendations include:
• Use of Library Surplus
o City Historical Collection - Digitization and Contract Archivist
o Cultural Library Feasibility Study, including exploration of a community Maker Lab
o One Book, One County Program Support
o Speaker/Music Series Support
• StoryWalk
• Library Appreciation Events
If approved, the following items related to the Library Commission will be removed from the Work Plan (attached):
• Learning at the Library
• Manhattan Beach Poetry Event
• Entertainment Series
• Photo Op Event (will be absorbed as part of another library event)
• Book Giveaway
• Library Awareness Program
DISCUSSION:
City of Manhattan Beach Historical Collection - Digitization and Contract Archivist
The City Council will consider approval of an amendment with History Associates Incorporated for expanded archiving services using Library Set Aside Funds, including digitization of historic newspapers and photographs and contract archivist support, as part of a separate agenda item at the City Council meeting on March 19, 2024.
Cultural Library Feasibility Study
LA County Library recently agreed to have a consultant explore the development of a Cultural Library on the east side of town, including library services, storage/display/access to the City’s historical collection, and possible inclusion of a community Maker Lab. Staff will return to City Council with details regarding project scope, timeline, and cost of the study after additional discussions with LA County Library, the City Council liaison, and the Library Commission.
Use of Library Surplus for Expanded Manhattan Beach Library Programming
The Library Commission recommends using library surplus funds to implement the following expanded LA County Library programming during the next twelve months. Moving forward with both initiatives - One Book, One County and Speaker/Music Series - would require use of library surplus funding in the amount of not-to-exceed $46,000.
• One Book, One County - This new community reading program designed to celebrate collaboration, education, and conversation across LA County and emphasize the power of connected libraries to create connected communities is planned for summer 2024. All County residents are invited to read and discuss LA Weather by María Amparo Escandón. LA Weather is a fast-paced novel about a Mexican American family living in Southern California during 2016 - one of California’s driest periods on record.
Over seventeen library jurisdictions have joined the project, including LA County Library, Los Angeles Public Library, Beverly Hills Public Library, Calabasas Library, Long Beach Library, and Santa Monica Public Library.
An essential component of the plan is an in-person author visit at a culminating gathering at the end of July 2024. The discussion will include LA County Library Director Skye Patrick and Los Angeles Public Library City Librarian John Szabo in conversation with the author and an anticipated audience of 500 or more.
In addition, there will be supplementary book-related programming at various library locations throughout the summer of 2024. This could include, but is not limited to, book discussion groups, speaker presentations, film screenings, and thematic youth programming. There is also a need to purchase additional print or digital copies of LA Weather for the permanent library locations to support increased readership.
LA County Library’s Art and Culture Program Coordinator Isabelle Briggs spoke with the Library Commission on January 8, 2024, about opportunities for enhanced Manhattan Beach participation, including the possibility of a special kick-off event with the author in early spring in Manhattan Beach.
The cost identified by LA County Library for Manhattan Beach’s enhanced participation in the inaugural One Book, One County program is $8,500 from the library surplus.
• Speaker/Music Series - The City of Malibu and the LA County Library have used Malibu Set Aside Funds for a speaker series since 2013 with LA County taking the lead in planning and facilitating the programs. As the Library Commission is interested in expanding library programming for adults at the Manhattan Beach Library, LA County Library recommends piloting a quarterly speaker/music series for the first year with a not-to-exceed cost of $37,500 from the library surplus for the first four events. The events would be organized, staffed, and marketed by LA County Library with advisory input from the Library Commission.
This is a return to the model used in the past of allocating library surplus funds for expanded LA County Library programming at the Manhattan Beach Library. The Library Commission and City staff believe this strategy is better aligned to the Library Commission’s mission, and conserves valuable General Fund and Parks and Recreation Department resources.
StoryWalk
A new StoryWalk was installed in Polliwog Park in August 2023. StoryWalk places pages of a picture book in weather-proof cases along a path to encourage children to read. The books are changed quarterly and selected in consultation with the Manhattan Beach Library. Similar to this Fiscal Year, $600 to support the program will be included in next year’s Parks and Recreation Department budget.
Library Appreciation Events
Library appreciation events include a grab-and-go lunch event and a brunch event provided annually to honor and thank the twenty library staff members at the Manhattan Beach Library. Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) librarians are recognized separately at their schools. Similar to this Fiscal Year, $1,650 to support the program will be included in next year’s Parks and Recreation Department budget.
Removal of Work Plan Items
The Library Commission recommends removal of several items to better align their activities with their mission - “Established by resolution, the Library Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council regarding library services provided by the Los Angeles County Library System to the citizens of Manhattan Beach. Also the Commission acts as a liaison between the City and public/private community groups supportive of library services.”
Items recommended for Work Plan removal include Learning at the Library, Manhattan Beach Poetry Event, Entertainment Series, Photo Op Event, Book Giveaway, and Library Awareness Program. Author talks, a key component of Learning at the Library, will continue to be offered at the Manhattan Beach Library and facilitated by library staff. The Photo Op Event will continue as part of future library events if desired by LA County Library, but it will no longer be a standalone event hosted by the Library Commission. This year, the Photo Op will be part of the Manhattan Beach Library’s kickoff event for the Summer Reading Program on June 1, 2024.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding Library Commission recommendations, including Work Plan updates and potential use of not-to-exceed $46,000 of library surplus funds to support the inaugural One Book, One County program and pilot Speaker/Music series in partnership with LA County Library.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council discussed their Work Plan, including Library Commission items, at their meeting on February 13, 2024. The City Council considered the City’s Historical Collection at meetings on July 19, 2022, March 7, 2023, and June 6, 2023.
Public input on library services is received monthly at Library Commission meetings. The Library Commission approved 2024 Work Plan recommendations for the City Council at meetings on November 13, 2023 and January 8, 2024.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 pf the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. City Council Work Plan - Library Commission Programs
2. LA County Library Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Designation Balance
3. Amended and Restated MOU-County of Los Angeles
4. PowerPoint Presentation