Exciting News about Library plans!

Carson City officials gave the Office of Business Development the nod Tuesday to participate with the Carson Nugget in developing a detailed plan for nearly nine acres of downtown property as a civic and business city center.

The public-private partnership would feature a new central library in the downtown center and a business and technology center. The project could create a central heart in downtown Carson City. The centerpiece could be a knowledge and discovery library, the other buildings could:

• House new non-gaming, non-service based industries
• Serve workers in high-paying jobs
• Provide in-town loft and townhouse residences
• Offer a large plaza with recreational, cultural and arts programs

From November 6, 2009 Nevada Appeal

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20091106/NEWS/911069974/1070&ParentProfile=1058

THE CARSON NUGGET PROJECT'S ANCHOR INSTITUTION:

The Knowledge and Discovery Library (aka the Carson City Library!)

The Knowledge and Discovery Library (KDL) will serve as the central community gathering place offering a gateway to knowledge and avenues of discovery including information, research, technology, learning, entertainment and civic engagement. A central mission of the KDL will be to reinvigorate a commitment to the future of Carson City by investing in resources that support and grow business in the region.

The Transformative Power of a Library to Redefine Learning, Community,

and Economic Development

Evidence comes from projects all over the country… Seattle; Denver; Salt Lake; Moab, Utah; Cheyenne, Wyoming and Rockville, Maryland. Communities with new downtown libraries experience:

Economic Vitality

Nearby businesses report increases in spending associated with visitors to the Library. Increases in the use of Library resources contributes to learning, literacy, business productivity, personal

and professional development, and individual livelihood.

Image and Identity

The Library attracts knowledge workers and the business sectors which desire ready access to this workforce. The Library contributes to a sense of pride and community.

Community Character and Livability

The Library functions as a public space, increasing the livability of Downtown. The increased number of Library visitors contributes to Downtown vitality and vibrancy, making it a more attractive residential and commercial market.

Why is an anchor institution important to the project?

Connected Nation conducted surveys to better understand the role of libraries as a community technology hub. In brief, the findings indicate that libraries are vital in filling an access void in local communities where the library is most often the only source of free Internet availability.

As part of the strategy for broadband adoption, anchor institutions hold the key…. Libraries especially hold promise in this area because they already are a central point within communities for people who want to use the Net to do research or hunt for jobs.

For more details about the project:

http://www.nevadasworkingcapital.com/

Keep posted to this blog or website above for news at it develops and please make comments about the project!

Don't miss upcoming Library baord Meeting!

Don’t miss October’s Advisory committee meeting- held this month- October 22nd at 6:00 pm rather than 5:00 pm!

The topic of October’s advisory committee is:

ACQUIRING STIMULUS/AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA) FUNDING FOR A NEW LIBRARY.

Millions of dollars may be available that could help support the local public investment in a new library.

Two speakers will give information on these opportunities:

• ARRA Broadband Opportunities for Nevada Libraries, Daphne Deleon, Administrator Nevada State Library and Archives
• Other Stimulus Opportunities - Heidi Eskew-Herrmann, AICP Associate Planner/Grants Coordinator Carson City Executive Offices

Building green? What are the benefits?

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN -Is it what you think it is?

With the adjective “green” now used to market anything environmentally friendly from packaging to plumbing, its easy to dismiss it as just the latest trend. However, when you look at the impact buildings have on people who live, learn and work in them, it becomes clear that rather than just being another architectural style, green design is simply good design

It is the best choice not just for the environment but for the community- and contrary to popular perception even for the pocketbook

What is sustainability anyway?

Sustainability makes the connection between a designed environment and the life lived in it. Structures built with wrong kinds of construction materials can result in decreased productivity and health- greening can save a community a considerable amount of money in future health costs, especially those incurred by sick building syndrome- where conventionally constructed building occupants experience negative health and comfort effects as a result of time spent in the building.

PERCEPTION VS. REALITY
Do you think of “green” as “brown” -functional but primitive?
Or, do you see it as extremely modern?
Green building are as different as the communities where they are built. If you want modern or classical, you can have it.

To illustrate the point look at these recently completed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Public Libraries

Classical designs:

Darien, CT

Bozeman, MT

More modern designs:

Cheyenne, WY

Centennial Hills, Las Vegas, Nevada

The benefits
Even if you’re convinced that green buildings are the way to go from the standpoint of human needs, you may be skeptical about the environmental impact a building has in the first place, shouldn’t we be more concerned about gas-guzzling cars and overloaded landfills?

Buildings currently rack up 40% of total global energy use:
65% electricity consumption
30% greenhouse gas emissions
30% raw materials use
30% waste output
12% of potable (drinkable water)

Green design addresses this through wise management, not by skimping on necessities. Careful designers look to alternative energy resources and ways of reducing the quantity of water needed.

Green design provides a long term financial benefit.

They use:

• 30% less energy
• 35% less carbon
• 30-50% less water use
• 50-90 % less waste cost
  

How green should the new library be?

The LEED system-Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design- is part of the Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It’s a way to ensure you get the green building you pay for. Because buildings rated by the LEED system can fall into one of four levels of acceptable achievement in green building performance-certified, silver, gold or platinum-flexibility exists in planning how a community's needs mesh with its desire for environmentally sound structure.

Certified 40-49 points
Silver 50-59 points
Gold 60-69 points
Platinum 80 + points

Resources

US Green Building Council

Green building Costs and Financial Benefits

Building Green Won't Break the Bank

The True Costs of Building Green

Size of the New Library

On August 27, the Library Board received the report from Kathy Page from Page + Moris with the recommendations for the size of the new library. A formal report should be available next month.

The consultant gave detailed information on the community and what is needed in a new library. In a nutshell the new library is planned to be at least 60,000 square feet. It will provide more than three times the amount of seating currently available, computers will more than triple- there are 31 available now and the plan calls for 105. There will be small and large meeting space- including a large meeting room with capacity of 175-200 people and six to eight smaller rooms for groups of 6-12. The new library will include ample space for children, youths and teens, including programming space for different ages. The area for books will increase to 183,000 volumes- an increase of 60,000 books, magazines or other media.

In the community survey and interviews people said loud and clear...more technology and more books!


Below are more details of the presentation whose purpose was to:

• Identify Carson City residents’ library space needs
• Assess current library facility’s ability to meet needs
• Recommend service levels through 2030
• Recommend square footage needed to accommodate the needs

The methodology for the study included:

• Stakeholder and community interviews
• Library staff interviews
• Analyze demographic trends
• Identify projected population
• Study library usage + collection patterns
• Observe + assess current facility
• Compare to current industry trends
• Develop recommendations

Ms. Page told the Board and audeince that Carson City is growing, will reach 70,000 by 2030. The current Library was built when the population was 15,500, and the addiiton for a population of 32,000. The size of the library has been inadequate for at least 20 years.

Demographic trends suggest children + youth make up 25% population and will continue to grow as the City grows. Seniors are 15% and also expected to increase. Hispanic residents more than doubled since 1990, they now represent 19% of population. Non-native English speakers also increasing - 15% speak another language at home. The Carson City median income level is less than state average - $50,000- compared to the state average of $53,750. However the educational attainment reflects state average – 80% high school graduates; 20% college graduates.

To people that use the Library her findings about the facilities limitations are no surprise:

• 21,532 sq. feet- too small
• Lack of space + seating
• Noise + congestion are disruptive, create conflict
• Shelving at capacity – collections cannot grow, still-useful materials withdrawn
• Lack of browsability + access
• Too few computers - more needed for every age level
• Lack of flexibility in electrical distribution
• Few outlets for laptop plug-in
• Lack of computer training space
• Conflicts with other users
• Meeting room too small
• Friends’ book store further erodes space, ambiance
• Meeting room lacks appropriate storage, kitchen, AV Noise spills into other areas
• Storytelling space blocks access to collection
• Awkward layout adds to noise + discomfort
• Access to children’s + teen spaces through adult area
• Service desks have large footprint, noise spills into public space
• Children’s + teen spaces need separation
• Staff work spaces congested, erode productivity, prevent concentration at tasks
• Main workroom remote from public service point
• Inadequate space for deliveries, receiving, shipping
• Inadequate storage space

To deal with the limitations the library has these needs for space:

• Space for people
• Space for resources
• Space to incorporate current + emerging service trends
• Space to support an efficient, productive staff
• Space for complementary services + amenities

The specific recommendations are for seating, shelving, technology/computers, and better ways to serve the public, and also to provide some ways for the library to generate more of its own funding. Specifically the plan calls for:

Increased seating:

• Distributed by activity + noise level
• Quiet reading areas
• Parent/child seats
• Teen area
• Table seats / laptop perches
• Areas for both individual + collaboration/group study
• “Commons” space

Increased shelving capacity:

• Browsable display shelving for books and media
• Stack-end display
• Factor in growth of electronic collections
• Now = shelving for 120,000 items (2.1 volumes/capita)
• Recommended = shelving for 183,000 items (2.6 volumes/capita)

More computers:

• Distributed for access by all age levels
• Online catalog stations located at key book stack areas
• Enclosed computer training space
• Plentiful laptop plug-in access
• Now = 31 workstations (0.53 computers/1,000 people)
• Recommended = 105 workstations (1.5 workstations/1,000 people)

Increased meeting space:

• Larger major meeting room
• Dividable space
• Appropriate storage, kitchen, AV system
• Separate, dedicated retail space for Friends’-operated book store
• Dedicated children’s programming space adjacent to Youth Services area
• Secondary meeting room
• Now = meeting room seats 50 to 60
• Recommended = 175 seats

Customer Service Points:

• Self checkout for most circulation transactions
• Self service holds
• Self-service returns that empty into sorting room
• Automated materials handling equipment
• Compact, efficient service desks
• Staff equipped with mobile telecommunications devices

More efficient staff work space:

• Efficient sorting + returns operation
• Work rooms located close to staff work assignments
• Delivery + shipping located adjacent to delivery entrance
• Ergonomic desks and work counters
• Sufficient storage for supplies, equipment

Friends Book Store:

• Larger, well-designed retail space for books + other sale items
• High visibility location at entrance
• Appropriately sized work space for sorting donations

Cafe/Other Amenities:

• Space to eat, drink + socialize
• Gallery space for art exhibits
• Outdoor reading courtyard
• Business Resource Center
• Connections to other institutions – museums, retail shops, etc.

And all of that equates to:

60,000 square feet of space

Two floors

0.85 SF per capita for 2030 population

The Board accepted Ms. Page's report noting that they wanted to insure this was an adequate sized building and when built would last Carson City through whatever the final population is in the next 30-50 years. The Library Director indicated she believed it was, it would be large enough for now and the future yet a size that would not be a huge burden to operate both from energy use, but more importantly from a human resource perspective since additional full time library employees are unlikely to be possible for many years to come.

Bookmobile and Outreach Services

The July 23rd Advisory meeting to the Carson City Library Board of Trustees featured Library Trustee Maxine Nietz discussing a Bookmobile for the Carson City Library and library employee Sandy De Vaney discussing library services to the homebound

Trustee Nietz covered all aspects of a Bookmobile including:

• What is a Bookmobile?
• Outreach
• Customer Satisfaction
• Constituencies
• Other Counties
• Varieties
• Marketing
• Comments
• Resources
• Tips & Tricks
• Fleet Services
  

History
Library Wagon: Washington County,
Maryland in 1905
“No better method has ever been devised for reaching
the dweller in the country. The book goes to the man,
not waiting for the man to come to the book.”

History
1918 the Hibbing (MN) Public Library initiated the first walk-in type bookmobile service in the nation, with its own wood and coal stove for warmth on cold winter

What is a Bookmobile?

• Created for those patrons who could not get to the library
• A bus or truck that houses books from a library for patrons to check out
• Coordinates with your in-library system so that the patron has access to the entire collection
• The bookmobile schedules “stops” in neighborhoods or institutions where all neighbors, students or teachers can enjoy the bookmobile
• Open to everyone in the library system

Outreach

• To reach patrons who do not normally get exposed to the library
• Primary place to get information in rural areas where getting to a library is difficult
• Good for low-income areas where computers are not in every home
• Can have a substantial impact on illiteracy, education and poverty and to help span the Digital Divide
  
  Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship

Why do you come to the bookmobile? 90% Convenience

Why do you borrow books & materials? Customer Satisfaction 90% Pleasure/Relaxation

How often do your use the bookmobile? 57% Every time it stops here

How far do you live from the town library? 56% within 10 miles

Customer Satisfaction

• How does access to the bookmobile affect your life? 67% Has made my life better
• If the bookmobile services were converted to $$, how much did you receive today? 65% $20 or more
• What would be the consequence to you if this bookmobile were not available? 62% Bad or Desperate
• 1997 survey avg responder: female and 50 yrs old
  

Constituencies

• HeadStart, Pre-Ks, Kindergartens and Daycares
• Institutions for the elderly and people with special needs
• Boys & Girls Club for homework help
• Native American populations
• Teens and Tweens after school and weekends
  

From our Neighbor, Utah
Did you know:

• Utah Bookmobiles travel 150,000 miles each year
• Serve 303 bookmobile stops in 15 Utah Counties
• Serve 89 schools (public, charter and Head Start)
• Serve over 200,000 Utah readers
• Many Bookmobiles in the State Bookmobile fleet offer Internet service
  
  

Other Counties

Lyon County – Moundhouse

Douglas County – Indian Hills
Inter-local agreements can be made with these jurisdictions to serve their populations with our bookmobile

Varieties

• Family Bookmobile: Appropriate materials and places for parent/child interaction
• Explorer Bookmobile: brings the total "library experience" to kids with space for browsing, computers, story-time, etc.
• Internet Bookmobile: books in the public domain available via the Internet. Equipped with a laser printer, a desktop binding machine to turn files into books that do not have to be returned
• Digital Bookmobile: equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players, these interactive computer stations give visitors an opportunity to search the digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and sample eBooks, audio books, music, and video
• “Green” Bookmobile: runs on biodiesel with solar power for the interior
  

Marketing

• Local banks and/or utility companies can include the bookmobile schedule in every statement
• Piggyback homebound delivery service with Meals-on-Wheels
• Include info on the library website and in all brochures and publications
• Use public TV, radio, and other media to keep the schedule in the public eye
  

Comments:
“Make them into mobile computer labs, or rolling teen clubs or whatever.”
“It’s nice to see kids come and hang out. It becomes a teen center to some degree.”
“Now we need it more than we did before.”
“We go wherever readers are, delivering great service and bringing the library to families in neighborhoods and grateful patrons who receive their deliveries at home.”

Resources

• Association of Bookmobiles and Outreach Services: 2008 Bookmobile Guidelines. http://www.abos-outreach.org/
• Librarian.net: search on Bookmobile.
  http://www.librarian.net/
• American Library Assn: search on Bookmobile. http://www.ala.org/
• Internet Archive: info about the Internet Bookmobile.
  www.archive.org/bookmobile
  

About your Bookmobile: (some fun thoughts on them...)

• To make the satellite dish work, you must plug in the correct cord.
• Thrift stores are key. We bought a card table for a buck and it made all the difference.
• Martha Stewart was right. A table cloth with a tasteful print adds pizazz to a bookmobile display.
• Always take the keys out of the ignition before locking the door.
• If you're gonna lock the keys in the bookmobile, make sure you're at a library.
  
  Fleet Services
• “Owns” all vehicles in Carson City
• Bookmobile would be about 6 VEU’s ($5,400) in routine maintenance
• City gasoline is now $0.54 less than at the pump
• Fleet Services can obtain a used vehicle, such as JAC or school bus, etc. and can do
  the conversion

Following the presentation of a possible bookmobile for the new Carson City Library, Sandy De Vaney presented information on the library's homebound services:

Our homebound program delivers books to those who are not able to get to the library. Working from a request list, books are chosen to fill the patrons' reading preferences. All varieties of genres are on the list - from adventure to zoology - and are selected by Sandy, the homebound coordinator.

The patron chooses any favorite authors she wants to read, and the number of books she wants per month. We call new patrons to let them know of the delivery day - then drop off the selections. Next month, we deliver the next batch and retrieve the returning books. Folks can submit their requests by phone, notes left in returning books or e-mail. I am always glad to hear from the patrons - what is their favorite book this trip - what they are looking forward to next month.

It is important for the Library to continue to reach out to users, some who simply cannot get in our doors...perhaps you might offer a suggestion to us about outreach. We also would love to hear your thoughts on a Carson City Bookmobile.

Private and Grant Funding options

On June 25th, the Library Board had a presentation by two experts in the private fundraising profession:

Presentation by Pam Graber, Resource Strategist

Private Funding: Ongoing and Current Needs

Ongoing
Twice a year annual appeal (mailing)
Annual Fundraiser events
Gift envelopes
Public awareness enhancement
Website

Current
Current need: capital campaign
Basic Steps in Capital Campaign
1. Feasibility Study
2. Case for Support
3. Asking
4. Stewardship
(Campaign Committee will be formed, honorary chair is usually appointed)

Feasibility Study, via interviews, seeks information and advice from top prospects to get their input on and buy-in on the project.

Interview topics include:

Their knowledge, usage and opinion of the library and its services
Library's reputation
Library staff reputation
Public satisfaction, i.e., what's the word on the street?
Knowledge of other fundraising efforts in town and their support of them
Advice on how to garner support of the library project
Their own capacity/willingness to support financially

Old adage: “Ask for money and get advice. Ask for advice and get money!”

Who do you interview?
Folks are known supporters
Others of influence or affluence identified via prospect research
Case for Support, aka Case Statement is an interesting and readable document that tells about the project and why it is deserving of support
Describes the current library and the benefits it offers our community
Describes your vision of how the new library will be better
Describes “what's in it” for the donors, i.e., donor recognition, donor appreciation, naming opportunities, other giving extras

Asking The main reason people don't give is that no one asked-

Major gifts are solicited face-to-face
Boards and committee members will be key
Sara will be “at the table” for most asks
It's not that scary. Remember, you're not asking for yourself, you're asking on behalf of everyone in the community who will benefit from the new facility.

Stewardship- The ongoing care and feeding of donors

Thank yous, appreciation events, invitations, personal contacts

Michelle Schmitter, Development Manager for

Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center

In my experience here are some Basics for success: Very important that Development person be involved throughout the process (Space planning, Focus Groups, etc.); Look at Funding mechanisms that were successful for other library (Milpitas); Start with the Clients/users (30,000) in the search for funding.

A. Feasibility Study – Grants Opportunities

Compile list of appropriate projects, i.e. equipment, furnishings, artwork, technology with expenses. You will be looking for capital or special needs funds not Operating. Most Foundations do NOT award grants for operating costs
As part of the application process, most Foundations will require an organizational history so it is good to have that prepared ion advance
Audit – some Foundations require an audit, so if you haven’t had one in the last three years, you might want to budget for one – this would be an audit on the Friends group, the 501(c)(3)
Research – 80% of your effort - using foundation center database as well as a host of other resources available Foundations that fund library projects in Nevada
Review their guidelines and then if you have determined there is a 60% chance of funding, write grant proposal – 20% of time
Project budget – will need lots of detailed information
Follow the guidelines - Very important to create a unique grant package for each funding source which directly answer all the questions they provide

B. Case for Support

Know the facts, create the “story”

Research and Quantify:
Community Impacts
Economic Impacts
Environmental Impacts (if applicable)
Local Values

C. Asking or How do we get the project financed?

1. Look beyond traditional funding strategies:

Public/private partnerships
Federal funding and/or tax credits
Non-profit and foundation grants with “green” focus
Donations in-kind (technology, etc.)

2. Develop a creative, layered financing approach:

Traditional financing (private & public)
Tax Credits (if applicable)
Grants and Donations
Donations in-kind, or “demonstration” systems

3. Explore all the Possibilities as each possibility brings other possible sources of public and private financing and funding options

A. Adaptive Re-use of an Existing Building
B. Community Development
C. LEED or High Performance Building
D. Stewardship – Follow through with Funding Sources

All successful grants come with individual set of requirements associated with the gift. Important to follow the instructions or contract which is sent with the successful grant award.
Setting up a Fund accounting system will allow you pull a financial report of grant funds detailing income and expenditures when needed.
Annual Reports – Some Foundations may require you to submit a report once the project is completed where they will be looking for quantifiable information, i.e. number of people served.
Reimbursable grants – Some grant funds (mostly state and federal dollars) ask that you expend the money and then submit “lots of paperwork” so they can then send you a check. This process requires the organization to first outlay the cash to pay for project costs, so you need to make certain that you have the funds.
Please, please always remember to thank the funding source in writing immediately on receiving the grant. Invite the Trustees for a hardhat tour, to the opening event, to the dedication ceremony.
Handout - Naming Opportunities

Possible examples for the Library project include:

$5,000 Gift
Provide computer equipment
Furnish the lounge
Provide 1 Drinking Foundation
Purchase books
Provide unrestricted funds toward completion of the project.

$10,000 Gift
Furnish the conference room with tables and chairs
Underwrite security cameras to ensure client safety and building security
Underwrite artwork for the donor wall in the reception area
Provide unrestricted funds toward completion of the project.

$25,000 Gift
Provide landscaping for outside garden area
Furnish the reception area
Provide unrestricted funds toward completion of the project.

$50,000 Gift
Landscape the building exterior
Furnish racks for books
Pave the parking lot
Provide carpeting for the building
Provide unrestricted funds toward completion of the project.

$100,000 Gift
Children’s Reading Area
Underwrite the heating or air conditioning system for the building
Provide unrestricted funds toward completion of the project.

$250,000 + Gift
Underwrite the expenses for the building to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified
Provide unrestricted funds to fill the entire funding gap of the project

New library discussions ...with an eye towards the visual!

The Carson City Library has recently had two meetings about the new library, both centered on the "visual".

On May 28th, the Carson City Arts and Cultural Coalition started a dialog with the Carson City Library Board of Trustees about integrating art into the new public library, this included:

• 1 % for Art – juried public art
• Changing Galleries within the new Carson City Library
• Artists in Residence – Performing, Visual and Literary space within the new Carson City Library

Presenters from the Carson City Cultural Coalition- Peter Barton, Carson City Cultural Commission, Sharon Rosse of the Capital City Arts Initiative, Robin Hodgkin from the Nevada Arts Council and Joe McCarthy, Office of Business Development and staff to the Carson City Cultural Commission all gave information to the Library Board.

Several wonderful examples of art in public spaces were shown- the entire presentation can be seen from this link:

http://www.acctv.org/?page_id=48

Integrating art in public buildings is common all over the country and is an especially good fit in a public library where there are both residents and visitors using and enjoying the facility.

Additionally public libraries both new and old are considered works of art themselves:

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Seattle_Public_Library.html

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Multnomah_County_Public_Library.html

On June 4th the library held a meeting- Envisoning the New Carson City Library- more than a hundred pictures were on display to help the community begin the conversation about what they want in a new library... traditional... modern... lots of space for kids ....great technology...???

The display is still available to look at in the Nevada State Library and Archives, 100 N. Stewart Street in the Joseph Anderson Gallery, which is open 9-5 Monday thru Friday, and comment cards are available for you to give your opinions.

Kirk Caraway of the Nevada Appeal published a great article about the process on Saturday, June 6th:

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20090606/NEWS/906059957&parentprofile=search#commentsand

News Carson City also covered the event:

http://www.newscarsoncity.com/?p=3828

The consultants Page + Moris and Field Paoli will continue working with the library to provide all the documentation needed so that when a site is selected architects can be engaged to provide conceptual renderings for all to see.