Nevada County Grand Jury
• 2005-2006
Nevada County Library a Golden Carnegie Legacy Reason for Investigation The Nevada County Civil Grand Jury has the
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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 20 findings
F1
In FY 2004-2005 all libraries in Nevada County had a combined annual circulation of approximately 650,0001 books, books on tape and CD, videos, CD’s, DVD’s, and magazines. This is a 4.5% increase from FY 2003-20042 and a 230% increase from FY 1997-19983.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Nevada County Library currently employs a staff of 28.85 Full Time Equivalency (FTE) to serve three full service libraries, two part-time station libraries, one historical research library, and a literacy service. The library staff has experienced a net reduction of 5.00 FTE from FY 2002-2003.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Board of Supervisors should fund additional library staff as required to increase library open hours in the branch satellite libraries and extend the weekend hours coverage in the three main libraries.
F3
In 2002 the voters approved Measure “C”, a countywide 1/8th cent sales tax augmentation to improve library services. In FY 2005-2006, it will provide an estimated $1,570,000, approximately two-thirds of the annual library revenues. Measure “C” expires in FY 2018-2019.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The County General Fund allocated $685,900 to Library Services in FY 2005-2006. This included a one-time special allocation of $120,000 toward the purchase of books and materials, and for carpet replacement. The annual County library allocations, as illustrated in Table A, have not changed significantly over the past 5 years. Table A Nevada County Budget – General Fund Library Allocations 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 $573,708 $601,502 $601,402 $565,902 $570,902 $685,902
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Board of Supervisors should continue to support the Nevada County Library by augmenting the Library General Fund budget as specific needs are identified and defined.
R3
The Board of Supervisors should seek other sources of revenues for Library services.
F5
Fund Balance Reserves are intended for unusual financial circumstances such as sales tax receipt fluctuations, and/or to provide matching funds for potential future facility expansions. Table B lists the annual increases and decreases to the Library Fund Balance Reserve. After adding to these reserves for several years, the Library has been using these funds for normal operational expenditures since FY 2002-2003. Table B Annual Increases/Decreases to Library Fund Balance Reserve4 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 $101,264 $176,348 $32,315 (-$106,727) ($-172,827) (-$84,207) (-$120,484) Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Projected Proposed 1 Nevada County Library Circulation Statistics, FY 2004-2005 2 California State Public Library Services, FY 2003-2004 3 California State Public Library Services, FY 1997-1998 4 County Budget Library Overview, FY 2005-2006 G rand Jury 0506 Schools and Library
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Board of Supervisors should continue to support the Nevada County Library by augmenting the Library General Fund budget as specific needs are identified and defined.
R3
The Board of Supervisors should seek other sources of revenues for Library services.
F6
Table C illustrates the annual Nevada County Library allocations from the State of California. There has been a significant decrease in those allocations from FY 2001-2002 to the present. Table C State Library Allocations to Nevada County Library5 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 $247,213 $292,229 $323,051 $137,509 $125,770 $75,160 $75,160 Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Projected Proposed
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
The Board of Supervisors should petition the State of California to reinstate library allocations to fiscal year 2001-2002 levels.
R3
The Board of Supervisors should seek other sources of revenues for Library services.
F7
The data in Table D lists productivity and performance indicators of the Nevada County Library compared to other California public libraries throughout the state. Table D FY 2003-2004 Data6 Nevada County Statewide Library Average7 Annual Operating Expenditures $1,476,754 $5,632,166 Annual expenditures per capita $15.37 $27.35 Annual materials expenditures per capita $1.15 $2.81 Number of Books 174,902 391,537 Total books per capita 1.83 2.15 Annual total materials available for circulation per capita 1.94 2.32
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The data in Table E compares and ranks the Nevada County Library with the other 32 Libraries in Group 48. Table E FY 2003-20049 Total Children FTE Staff Annual Annual Open Revenue Material Per 10,000 Circulation Service Hours Per Capita Expenditures Population Per Capita Per Capita Per Capita Group 4 Median $28.30 $0.64 4.6 6.27 674 Nevada County $17.31 $0.35 3.0 6.57 1,407 Nevada County 27th 27th 24th 16th 3rd Ranking 5 County Budget Library Overview, FY 2005-2006 6 Fiscal Year 2003-2004 is the most recent year for which these library statistics are available. Average of 175 California public library systems. Group 4: Libraries serving populations ranging from 60,000 to 100,000. The comparison indicators are based on data for FY 2003-2004, the most recent year that statistics are available for all 33 Group 4 Libraries. G rand Jury 0506 Schools and Library
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The Nevada County Library’s annual population served per FTE staff is 3,378 compared to the statewide average of 2,995. The six library locations and the literacy service are open to the public a total of 13,520 hours per year, 1,000 hours more than the next highest library in Group 4.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
There are approximately 62,000 active library cardholders, or about 65% of the total county population.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The Grass Valley, Penn Valley and Doris Foley Libraries are extremely short on space for circulation materials, reading areas and computers. In addition there is a lack of adequate parking at the Grass Valley and Doris Foley Libraries.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Library facility requirements are not addressed in the Nevada County Facilities Master Plan 1988-2020. The County updates this plan annually, however, it has not addressed library facility needs for additional space in each Master Plan revision.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The Board of Supervisors should ensure that future Library Facilities requirements are an integral part of the County’s Capital Facilities Master Plan.
F13
The library provides literacy services to the general public at no cost to the participants. A half-time Literacy Coordinator was reinstated in the FY 2004-2005 County budget. The coordinator oversees a tutorial staff of over 40 volunteers, many of whom are retired teachers.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
The Board of Supervisors should fund the expansion of the literacy program with the reinstatement of the Literacy Coordinator to a full time position.
R6
The Board of Supervisors should draw attention to illiteracy in the County and provide the means for the expansion of services to participants in the literacy program.
F14
The literacy program actively advertises to reach prospective students, many of whom are reluctant to admit their reading and writing difficulties. There are currently about 35 participants in the literacy program.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Board of Supervisors should draw attention to illiteracy in the County and provide the means for the expansion of services to participants in the literacy program.
F15
The literacy program utilizes AmeriCorps volunteers who actively solicit small and medium businesses to encourage their employees with reading problems to contact the library for help.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
The Nevada County Library and The Nevada County Superintendent of Schools sponsor a countywide community reading program called Nevada County Reads. The project's goal is to encourage the entire community to read and discuss with others a selected work of literature.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
The Friends of the Nevada County Library and The Friends of the Truckee Library are volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations with over four hundred members. They collect and sell used books, seek out gifts of materials, services, monetary contributions, and raise funds for the purchase of new books and source materials.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The Nevada County Library Foundation accepts, manages and disburses funds from gifts and bequests. This volunteer organization helps the Library sustain a level of excellence and expands resources, public services, and facilities.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The Library provides children’s activities at each location. These include reading programs and materials for toddlers, pre-school children, elementary grade youths, teens and young adults. G rand Jury 0506 Schools and Library
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Board of Supervisors should ensure that children’s programs are provided adequate staff, physical space, books, films, materials and equipment.
F20
The Paws to Read at the Library program is a unique way of reaching out to children who are reluctant readers. It provides a child an opportunity to read to a “Therapy Dog” in an unthreatening environment. CONCLUSIONS
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 12
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CL1 Page 6The Nevada County Library has fewer available books per capita, ranking it near the bottom when compared to other libraries in Group 4.
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CL2 Page 6The Nevada County Library staff ratios rank near the bottom when compared to other libraries in Group 4.
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CL3 Page 6In spite of the fact that three locations are significantly space limited and “bursting at the seams”, the annual Nevada County Facilities Master Plan does not include library expansion in the scope of future facility needs.
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CL4 Page 6An increase in open hours would improve library services and accessibility to more citizens of Nevada County.
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CL5 Page 6The literacy program, while underutilized, is valuable to the community. It enlists numerous volunteer instructors, and could be expanded.
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CL6 Page 6The Nevada County Library is well managed and allocates resources effectively compared to libraries throughout the state. The scope of services provided, the public support evidenced by the numbers of patrons visiting the libraries, the large and active circulation of books and materials, are indicative of a highly successful library system and program.
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CL7 Page 6The Nevada County Library revenues rank near the bottom when compared to the operating budgets of other libraries in Group 4.C1
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CL8 Page 6The Nevada County Library is under-budgeted, and therefore, must rely on its reserve funds for normal operations. The Library should be in a financial position to save these funds for unforeseen circumstances and future facility expansions.
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CL9 Page 6The decrease in the library allocations from the State of California has had a detrimental effect on the Nevada County Library.
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CL10 Page 6Library facilities designated for children and their corresponding programs are exemplary, well staffed and extensively used. The Paws to Read program is an example of a great way to help reluctant reading children want to read. C1 Group 4: Libraries serving populations ranging from 60,000 to 100,000. G rand Jury 0506 Schools and Library Page 6
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CL11 Page 7The Nevada County Friends of the Library, The Friends of the Truckee Library, and The Nevada County Library Foundation are unique volunteer organizations that contribute to a variety of Library projects. Their programs are commendable in terms of longevity, consistent substantial fund raising, and broad services support to the Libraries.
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CL12 Page 7The Nevada County Reads project is a valuable service to the community.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Nevada County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office