Future of Library Service Delivery in Ventura

• Jan 2009: Recommended closure of the Wright Library due to budget deficit

• Sep 2009: County initiates discussions to revise MOU

• Oct 2010: City of Camarillo leaves VCLS• Oct 2010: Ventura Council/Library

Advisory Commission joint meeting

Recent Background

COUNCIL MOTION:• For Council to discuss, at an upcoming meeting:

– Providing notice of intent to leave VCLS on 6/30/11– RFP for library services in Ventura

• Instruct the LAC to design a strategic planning process (quick, inexpensive, built on former docs)

Council/Library Advisory Commission Discussion on

10/14/10

Timing Issues• Ca Educ Code requires notice be provided

before 1/1/11.• County MOU requires 6 months notice of

withdrawal• Together, these requirements demand City

leave VCLS as of 12/31/10 and “buy back” services

1. Withdraw from VCLS by 12/31/10; issue an RFP in 1/11; Select service provider (new or continue with VCLS) in June 2011

2. Conduct strategic plan, with analysis of service options; Select service delivery model in June 2011

Ventura’s Current Options

Option 1: Pros and ConsCONS• Waiting allows City to

identify and address transition issues

• Leaving means loss of unincorporated funding (20% of budget)

• Notice now may hinder discussions re MOU changes

PROS• May result in cost

savings (as did in Camarillo)

• Cost savings could be used to fund some hours at Wright

• Gives City maximum flexibility

Option 2: Pros and ConsCONS• Cannot be done both

inexpensively (ie, with students) AND quickly

• Should City elect to leave VCLS, cannot be done until Jan 1 2012

PROS• Will provide means

and time to fully analyze and compare options

• Will allow for community input as to service priorities

• The Ventura Library Advisory Commission discussed issue at 2 meetings

• On 11/8/10, declined to make a recommendation to Council. – “At this point in time, the Commission feels it does not have

enough information to either support or not support the intent to withdraw from the VCLS. It is the Commission’s intent to work with staff to identify all services that are currently being provided by the VCLS, and what other cities of comparable size and demographics are paying for their services.”

LAC Consideration

Future of Library Service Delivery in Ventura

1. Withdraw from VCLS by 12/31/10; issue an RFP in 1/11; Select service provider (new or continue with VCLS) in June 2011

2. Conduct strategic plan, with analysis of service options; Select service delivery model in June 2011