Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
• 2007-2008
Watsonville Public Library: Potential for Greatness
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 36 findings
F1
The Watsonville Library System's funds come from the following sources: • Quarter-cent sales tax (Measures B and R) • Watsonville General Fund • Property taxes • Library fee and fine revenue • State of California Public Library Fund grant • Donations
F2
The projected general operating budget for 2007-08 includes: • $2,101,614 from Measure B, which is allocated using a population-based formula. • $501,403 from Watsonville General Fund contribution (a fixed amount that is protected from budget cuts due to a Measure B stipulation).
F3
The overall budget includes $125,000 for materials and books for both the Main Library and Freedom branch. This amount has not changed in the past four years. No additional funding was obtained for materials for the new library.
F4
The new Main Library was completed within its allocated $9,000,000 budget. Watsonville Public Library
F5
In May 2005, the California Cultural and Historical Endowment awarded a grant of $300,074 to the City of Watsonville for the construction of the California Agricultural Workers’ History Center at the new library. Due to a delay in paperwork processing by the Watsonville Public Library, the final grant amount paid was $130,000.
F6
The CAWHC was financed largely through grant awards to the City of Watsonville’s Public Library from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment, a $100,000 donation from the Ow Family Trust, and a $10,000 federal technology-matching grant for equipment. Staffing
F7
The Watsonville Public Library employs approximately 50 staff, 14 of whom are full- time. Some students are employed part-time to assist staff.
F8
There are seven librarians, including the Library Director.
F9
Staffing both floors of the new library requires a minimum of seven employees, more than double the number required at the single story former Main Library.
F10
Since more employees are needed to keep the new Main Library open but no additional hires are planned, staff who previously only worked behind the scenes are being assigned to work some hours on the floor with the public.
F11
Neither the Main Library nor the parking garage has a security person on duty to ensure patron and staff safety.
F12
The Watsonville Library and the Freedom branch share one full-time custodian. Custodial staffing has not been increased since the opening of the new library.
F13
Most employees belong to one of the three following bargaining units: clerical- technical, mid-managers, and management.
F14
The Literacy Center, Library Link, and Friends of the Library all utilize volunteers. Facilities
F15
The Main Library is a two-story, 42,000 square foot facility within the Civic Center, which has an adjoining parking garage.
F16
Patrons must walk around the block from the library’s entrance to the parking garage, as there is no direct access.
F17
The first floor of the Main Library is dedicated to children’s services, which includes a craft room and a theater. This floor also provides five self-checkout stations, a circulation desk, and a reference desk. The second floor includes two conference rooms; four study rooms, a large capacity community room with kitchenette, the California Agricultural Workers’ History Center, a teen room (“Teen Space”), and a computer lab.
F18
A federal technology-matching grant tripled the number of computers to 90. Patrons have access to computers in the computer lab, Teen Space, and the children’s area. Watsonville Public Library 93 Both walk-up and Americans With Disabilities Act compliant stations are also available. Patrons can also check out laptops for use on the premises.
F19
An additional 8,000 square feet for expansion is available on the second floor.
F20
Although the Main Library has an after-hours book deposit, it does not have a book deposit accessible by car. Services
F21
The computer/Internet services include • Over 40 databases, including NewsBank and InfoTrac, five databases in Spanish, two for children, and four accessible only in person at the library. • Wireless Internet (WiFi) service. • Both adult and children’s computers accessible in Spanish and English. • MyLibraryDVTM (videos-on-demand), a service enabling patrons with broadband Internet connections to download and view a selection of movies and educational programs at home. This service is available to computers using a Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 2000 and more recent). • Spanish and English versions of the library website.
F22
A Spanish/English translator is always available in the libraries, and approximately one-third of the book collection is in Spanish.
F23
Once a book has been requested by patrons at least five times, that book will be purchased or leased for the library collection.
F24
Interlibrary loan service (loans of books from libraries throughout the United States) is available and free to cardholders.
F25
The children’s area provides several early-literacy learning stations with specialized computers for children up to eight years old.
F26
For patrons needing assistance, walkers with baskets are available to use while in the Main Library.
F27
The Literacy Center tutors approximately 70 individuals each week and offers regularly scheduled classes and discussion groups.
F28
The CAWHC is not yet open to the public on a regular basis. Programs
F29
Programs are offered in English and Spanish whenever possible. The programs include • Raising a Reader, an early childhood program that encourages parents and children to read together. • Outreach to the community, which includes school visits and participation in city- sponsored events. • Computer skills classes. Watsonville Public Library • Summer reading program. • LibraryLink: volunteers bring books, news of community events, videos, and other library materials to homebound patrons. • Adult programs that include immigration issues, divorce and health directives.
F30
The Homework Center in the Main Library closed February 29, 2008. Despite demand, there are no firm plans to reopen it. The Freedom branch, however, continues to operate a homework center.
F31
The Freedom branch provides a large children’s area offering family-oriented programs. General
F32
The seven-member Watsonville Public Library’s Board of Trustees is appointed by the City Council. The board meets monthly to oversee the administration of the libraries and make budget recommendations to the City Council and the City Manager. Specifically, the board has the power and duty to "contract with schools, county or other governmental agencies to render or receive library services or facilities" (City of Watsonville, Charter Section 910).
F33
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) plans to cut library technician positions in the next academic year, which may cause elementary school libraries to close.
F34
Due to budget and staffing constraints, the two libraries will no longer be open on Sundays.
F35
Main Library hours are: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Freedom has the same hours except it is open only from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
F36
Approximately 1,000 patrons visit the new library each day, which is a substantial increase over the number of visitors to the old library. Conclusions
Recommendations 17
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R1Since Watsonville’s population is growing, the Library Director, City Manager and the Library Board of Trustees should monitor annually the population-based allocation of countywide sales tax money to ensure the library receives its fair share. Watsonville Public Library
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R2Procedures for completion of grant applications should be established and monitored carefully, so that opportunities for such funding are not missed. More than one staff member should be aware of the grant application process to ensure impending deadlines are met.
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R3The Library Director should request that the City of Watsonville increase the materials budget. More bilingual (Spanish-English) and Spanish language publications should be obtained for the interested public. The purchase of additional materials will enhance the depth of subject coverage.
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R4More standing book orders could increase purchasing efficiency. The library could form teen and senior advisory boards for input on material purchases.
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R5The Grand Jury recommends that the library explore new partnerships with local businesses as a supplemental funding source.
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R6When financially feasible, both library branches should re-establish open hours on Sundays.
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R7In order to operate with greater efficiency and safety, the new library should hire additional staff to handle the increased patronage.
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R8Re-establishing and restaffing the Homework Center in the Main Library should be a high budget priority.
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R9Staffing should be increased to accommodate regularly scheduled hours for public use of the CAWHC. Increased librarian hours devoted to local history would accelerate the development of the collection, as would the sponsorship of workshops to collect oral histories. Library staff should develop a website to publicize the purpose of the center and the facilities and equipment available.
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R10A garage attendant should be on duty at night until 9 pm to alleviate safety concerns for patrons and library staff. Similarly, patrons and staff could benefit by having some designated reserved parking spaces available on the ground floor of the garage.
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R11Library supervisors should consider the experience and desires of the staff working with the public. Personnel assignments should be best suited to their interest and abilities, when possible. Those lacking experience to effectively communicate and interact with the public should receive additional training.
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R12The City of Watsonville should add library custodial staff to provide regular and on- demand service at both branches.
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R13The library should consider establishing a volunteer coordinator position to actively recruit volunteers from community sources such as local senior centers, high schools and colleges.
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R14Within the purview of union rules, volunteers might be trained to help with library tasks. The Library could offer student internships, and volunteers could act as docents to orient visitors to the new facility.
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R15The Library Board's effectiveness could be improved by taking a more active role in fulfilling its charter responsibilities. The board could consider ways to improve Watsonville Public Library 97 library service to schoolchildren who may be affected by impending closures of PVUSD elementary school libraries.
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R16While computers using Microsoft Windows 2000 or newer Microsoft computer operating systems can use MyLibraryDVTM, the library’s technical services staff should investigate other alternative video downloading to broaden accessibility to those using Mac or other system software.
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R17The Grand Jury recommends that library management consult with the City of Watsonville to establish a location for a drive-up book drop at the Main Library.