About the Library — Planning Documents

 

FY 2008-09 - FY 2012-13

LIBRARY FACILITIES MASTER PLAN: a jurisdiction-wide plan detailing the anticipated need for new and/or remodeled public library facilities for a specified period of time.

In 2005 the Library Joint Powers Authority Board revised its Standards for Library Services and Facilities. Previous planning documents were reexamined and updated where appropriate, making them more flexible in a time of rapid technological change.

The Library System achieved relative financial stability in FY 1997-98 with the passage in 1996 of a countywide sales tax that was made permanent by the voters in 2008. In the last decade many long-deferred maintenance projects have been accomplished. The County Redevelopment Agency has constructed a popular new branch in Live Oak, and the Library has renovated and expanded its Garfield Park Branch.

However, much work remains to be done. The purpose of this Master Plan is to outline that work and set a five year timeline for accomplishing it.

Financing Facilities Development

There is no question that the plans set forth will cost substantially more money than the City-County Library System can raise from current revenue sources. The Library Joint Powers Board will therefore need to consider the funding options. Among them is seeking voter approval for a measure specifically tailored to anticipated capital projects. Or, it could choose to wait for funding from a State Public Library Construction Bond. It could also seek grant and other private funding. Two of the needed construction projects, Scotts Valley and Capitola, will be funded through County RDA agreements by cities in the System service area.

Assumptions in the Facilities Development Plan

This Facilities Development Master Plan is the guide for implementing the Standards identified and the plans and commitments already made. The Plan is organized by geographic service area. Existing and planned facilities are described. A section on the facilities needs for System Services is included. A Timeline, a Current Facilities Overview, and a summary of Additional Square Footage Needed are the last Plan sections.

In 2005 the Library Joint Powers Authority Board agreed that what was then called the Tier System of Branch Services continues as an appropriate means for configuring Library Service in the Santa Cruz County service area. The name has been changed to the Branch Service Framework in order to emphasize that it is flexible and can be adapted to meet community needs. A description is contained in Appendix A of this document.

In keeping with the flexible nature of the Standards for Library Services and Facilities, the Branch Services Area population figures are rough projections at best. Census data does not easily adapt to Branch service areas, and library use by the people of Santa Cruz County is as often based on where the patron works, shops, or does other routine errands as on residence. The Population Projections are contained in Appendix B.

San Lorenzo Valley Service Area

The San Lorenzo Valley, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is home to the unincorporated communities of Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Felton, Zayante/Lompico, and Mount Hermon. Felton, located on Highway 9, is the gateway community to this river valley of 28,000 residents. The Valley is served by branches in Felton and Boulder Creek, plus a regional facility in Scotts Valley.

FELTON BRANCH LIBRARY
6299 Gushee Street, Felton

Background

Felton Branch library service dates back to 1942, when a small collection was established in the community hall. In 1956 the Branch moved to its current site, a deconsecrated church dating from 1893. The Belardi Memorial Board, to whom the Library System pays rent, holds the former church in trust. The Branch serves the communities listed above and also includes the unincorporated area of Bonny Doon, a community of 1,500 located to the west of San Lorenzo Valley. Several schools are located in Felton including a K-12 public school system serving 2,500 SLV valley students, numerous charter and home school programs, and private academies. A senior center is located in Ben Lomond. Plans for a new branch building were developed in 2002 but were shelved due to lack of funds.

Existing Space and Services

The Belardi building is 1,250 square feet. There is no disabled access, staff workspace, or storage area. A unisex bathroom is located at the foot of the bell tower. Only street parking is available. Entrance involves walking up two sets of stairs making access difficult for seniors and parents with young children. There are 5 computers for public use and little space for study carrels or for comfortable seating. A popular story hour is held weekly in spite of the small children's area. Public school class visits are not possible due to the small space. The collection of 17,500 items is crowded and inadequate for the service population. Open 44 hours per week, the branch averages 23 visits per open hour.

Due to the gross inadequacies of the present branch the Library Joint Powers Board adopted a resolution in April 2008 setting the Felton Branch as the Library System's highest capital project priority.

Recommendation

The Library System's standards require that the existing Felton Branch be replaced with a facility that meets the needs of a diverse population. A Neighborhood Branch of at least 8,000 square feet is required, and (based on community workshops) interior space should be as flexible as possible, with emphasis placed on meeting the needs of preschoolers, school-aged youngsters through high school, and the desire of the whole community for an informal and comfortable gathering place.

Project Status

A local family has offered the gift of a site on Gushee Street in downtown Felton next to the Post Office for the replacement branch. It is easily accessible by bike, foot, and bus. The site has the capacity for an 8,000-9,000 square foot facility.

In 2008, the Felton Task Force, appointed by the LJPB, began working with architect Teall Messer on incorporating community design comments into a design. As requested by the board, this will lead to a cost estimate. A county planner has been assigned to the project.

A local citizens group, Felton Library Friends, a chapter of the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Library, was established in the summer of 2005 to support the new Felton Branch project. Felton Library Friends has committed to work on raising money within the community and through foundations outside of the community, for furnishings, art, and amenities.

When total cost estimates are available, the Library Joint Powers Authority Board will need to make decisions regarding how to fund the construction costs of the replacement facility.

BOULDER CREEK BRANCH LIBRARY
13390 West Park Avenue, Boulder Creek

Located in the northernmost town of the San Lorenzo Valley, the branch is a 4,600 square foot facility built in 1985 with county funds. The Branch houses 26,800 items. It is open 44 hours per week, and averages 23 visitors per open hour. It has a homework center for youngsters, and a total of 10 computers for public use.

The Branch site requires constant attention to issues such as erosion and run off, but no expansion or changes to the branch are anticipated at this time.

Scotts Valley Service Area

The City of Scotts Valley is a growing community strategically located on the Highway 17 passage over the hill to Silicon Valley. It is a shopping destination for people from the surrounding unincorporated areas, as well as those commuting to the San Jose area. The Library System has one regional branch in the area.

SCOTTS VALLEY BRANCH LIBRARY
230-D Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley

Background

The Library System has maintained a Branch in the City of Scotts Valley since 1953--thirteen years prior to the city's incorporation. The 1950 population of about 2,000 has grown to nearly 12,000 people according to the latest Census. The Branch is currently used by people from all over the County, but especially from the San Lorenzo Valley and other parts of the unincorporated area. Although this use may change as library services in Felton are improved, Scotts Valley's location makes it an excellent site to house Regional Branch collections.

Existing Space and Services

The Branch currently occupies 5,300 rental square feet in a Scotts Valley shopping center. It is open 48 hours per week, has an electronic homework center, and a total of 12 computers for public use. Visitors average 48 per open hour, making it one of the busiest branches in the System. There are 49,800 items in the Branch collection. With the exception of signage, the Branch is ADA compliant. However, it lacks sufficient space for the collections and staff that would support its Regional Branch service mission.

Recommendation

To meet the Library System standards for a Regional Branch, a facility of at least 12,500 square feet is required. Space for young people should be a high priority for the interior design.

Project Status

According to the terms of a Redevelopment Agreement with the County of Santa Cruz, the City of Scotts Valley is obligated to build a 12,500 square foot facility to be operated by the Library System. Some years ago the Library Joint Powers Board requested that 1,200 to 1,500 square feet be added to the building to support the System Outreach Program. This addition is no longer necessary.

The City of Scotts Valley is now (2008) engaged in a town center development project, of which the branch library is an integral part. The Library System staff looks forward to participating in the planning for the new building.

City of Santa Cruz Service Area

The City of Santa Cruz is the County seat and the Library System has three facilities there: the main library (called the Downtown Branch) and the Branciforte and Garfield Park Branches.

DOWNTOWN BRANCH LIBRARY
224 Church Street, Santa Cruz

Background

Public library service began in the City of Santa Cruz in the 1880's. In 1904 the library moved to a Carnegie Building at Center and Church Streets, across from City Hall, which it occupied until the 1960's. In 1968 a new 44,000 square foot facility on the site of the original Carnegie was finally opened. Until 1997 it served as both the main library and the administrative and technical services headquarters for the Library System. At that time various System functions moved to separate space. The Downtown Branch remains the lead public service facility for the City-County System. It also houses certain System services, including Network Access Services (the automation staff and equipment) and the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Inc.

Existing Space and Services

The Downtown Branch has been cosmetically renovated and upgraded a number of times in its more than thirty year life, as service and infrastructure needs have changed. Confronting a major crowding problem in 1997, the Library Joint Powers Board elected to rent additional space rather than expand the existing library. The primary reason for this decision was that planning, design, and construction of additional space would occupy too much staff time when other projects required immediate action.

The Administrative and Technical Services Divisions, as well as the System Outreach Program, were moved away, and for the first time in many years there was room at the Downtown Branch for staff offices, added collections, and more public access computer terminals.

Since 1998 the Joint Powers Board and staff have concentrated on accomplishing deferred maintenance tasks (new carpet, roof work, exterior and interior repainting, HVAC system upgrade, installation of Cat 5 wiring), and in 2000, a major asbestos abatement project.

The Downtown Branch currently provides a full array of library services, including a collection of 216,000 items and 46 computers for public use. It is open 63 hours per week over seven days, with an average visitor rate of 145 per open hour. The Branch is fully ADA compliant with the exception of signage, and houses the System's Sight and Hearing-Impaired access equipment.

The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Inc. office, retail store, and book sale support operation are all located at the Downtown Branch. The Friends have serious security problems with their ongoing books sales in the lobby of the building, and suffer from very crowded office and store space. A subcommittee is developing a proposal for redesigning the lobby to mitigate these difficulties.

DOWNTOWN BRANCH SPACE ALLOCATION

The Branch currently lacks space for three important public service elements: separate space for Young Adult Services, a computer lab for training the public in the use of automated resources, and quiet "study" space, about which users complain. The collections are also extremely crowded, and there is little space to add staff for grant programs or special projects. At least another 2,000 square feet are required.

Recommendation

The Joint Powers Board should consider a study of future Downtown Branch space needs and develop an expansion plan based upon findings.

Project Status

Not applicable

BRANCIFORTE BRANCH LIBRARY
230 Gault Street, Santa Cruz

Background

The Branciforte Branch is a popular branch located on the east side of Santa Cruz. The 7,500 square-foot facility opened in 1967 and replaced two Carnegie Buildings that the Library had occupied since 1909 and 1921 respectively.

The Branch serves a community that includes five public schools, a major senior housing complex, various other multifamily developments and single family homes. The Branch is heavily used by local schools for class visits. The Branch is well located: a block west of the main traffic artery, and served by public transportation.

Existing Space and Service

The Branch has 7,500 square feet and houses a 48,400 item collection, 15 public access computers, and adjacent but separate youth and adult services areas. The Branch sponsors a variety of children's programs, and the children's room has an electronic homework center. The Branch is open 41 hours per week over six days, with an average visitor rate of 58 visitors per open hour, the busiest in the System except for Downtown.

The circulation desk area was renovated in 2001.

A community meeting room had been planned for the branch, but was deleted for cost-saving reasons, and is now sorely missed.

Recommendations

The Library System should address the Branch's security problems regarding street people camping in the Branch garden.

An estate gift designated for the Branch will be used in FY 2008-09 to upgrade the public furniture, which has been in place since 1967.

Due to the age of the building (40+ years), constant attention should be paid to ongoing maintenance.

Project Status

Not applicable

GARFIELD PARK BRANCH LIBRARY
705 Woodrow, Santa Cruz

Background

This Branch is housed in the Library System's last Carnegie building. It was constructed in 1915 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Branch provides neighborhood library services to the nearby Westside community of the City of Santa Cruz. The Westside has two elementary schools, a junior high school and a high school nearby.

The primary service focus of the branch is young adults. Between 1995 and 1997 an innovative service program for this age group was developed using federal grant funds. The old building has survived a project called "A Place of Our Own" that brought extensive computer services, a Teen Advisory Committee, youth volunteers, and a serious collection overhaul. The Branch's 32 open hours per week are aimed at its youth constituency, although adults continue to use the facility.

Existing Space and Services

The Branch is 2,343 square feet and provides a unique array of services to the young adult community, including an electronic homework center, 15 public access computer terminals, and a collection of 14,800 items. It is ADA accessible and averages 36 visitors per open hour.

In 2002 the Branch was significantly renovated and its size was almost doubled. Staff work space, public and staff restrooms, new lighting, better ADA access, and landscape upgrades were all accomplished. The Branch is now an attractive (if small) library, heavily used by its neighborhood constituency.

Recommendation

Because the Branch serves a special constituency, and because replacing it or doing a major renovation would be difficult in the context of its historic status, the Library System does not apply its overall size standards to this facility.

No other current recommendations.

Project Status

Not applicable

Mid-County Service Area

The Mid-County service area includes the densely populated unincorporated community of Live Oak, the city of Capitola, and the unincorporated areas of Soquel, Opal Cliffs and Twin Lakes. The total population of this service area is estimated to be about 44,000 people. The area is served by branches in Live Oak and Capitola. A community branch in Soquel was closed in the 1970's due to budget issues.

LIVE OAK BRANCH LIBRARY
2380 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz

Background

In the 1980's the Library System, with Redevelopment Agency assistance, rented space in the East Cliff Shopping Center in Live Oak and opened a children's branch. The branch was very popular but the Library System was forced to close it in 1996 because of water damage caused by rain storms and a leaky roof.

In 1998 the Library (again with Redevelopment Agency assistance) opened a branch in a former restaurant on the edge of Corcoran Lagoon in Live Oak. The move was supposed to be temporary until a permanent facility was acquired. But the building site proved so popular with Live Oak residents that the County decided to expand there instead.

Existing Space and Service

The old 6,000 square-foot library on Portola Drive was torn down in 2003. The new, 13,500 square-foot facility opened in January 2006. The County Redevelopment Agency paid the $4.3 cost for the expansion.

The new, two-level Craftsman-style building features public art and views of Corcoran Lagoon. Public services are downstairs and staff offices are upstairs. The Branch has 48,000 items. It is open 50 hours per week, with an average visitor rate of 53 per open hour. 30 computers serve the public.

The space includes an adult reading room, a young adult room, a picture book room for children, and a homework center.

Recommendations

None. The branch meets all current library standards.

Project Status

Not applicable

CAPITOLA BRANCH LIBRARY
2005 Wharf Road, Capitola

Background

Capitola's original library was closed during the Proposition 13 cutbacks of the 1970's. After the passage of the Measure B sales tax for the library in 1996, Capitola requested that the Library System operate an interim library. The City of Capitola provided the structure, and the Branch opened in 1999.

In 1987, the City of Capitola signed a redevelopment agreement with the County of Santa Cruz that obligates Capitola to begin construction by 2018 of a 7,000 square-foot facility that the Library System would operate.

Existing Space and Service

The 4,320 square-foot interim building consists of six portable structures tied together by the roof and floor.

The Branch houses 31,000 items and has adjacent adult and children's areas. It has 7 public access computers. Open 42 hours per week, visitors average 41 per open hour. The site also contains a play area for children maintained by the City.

Recommendations

A new branch in this service area should be at least 7,000 square-feet. Allocation of space among services to adults, teens, and children will depend upon community discussions as the branch is planned.

Development of a hotel in the historic Rispin Mansion across the street from the temporary Branch could create parking issues. The Rispin Hotel is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2010. The System should monitor the parking situation.

Project Status

The City of Capitola is responsible for constructing a facility beginning no later than 2018. As of June 2008, the City has set aside $75,000 for the project.

As part of their 2008 work plan, the City will look at possible joint-use projects to include the library. Potentials include a facility that could house Capitola's city government, police department and a library; and a project at Jade Street with the Soquel Elementary School District. No action has been taken yet and there is no City target date for planning a replacement facility.

Southern End of Service Area

The Library System serves all of Santa Cruz County except the City of Watsonville, which provides library services (and is compensated for this under the Joint Powers Agreement) to both the City and its immediate surrounding area. Watsonville maintains a central library and a branch at Freedom.

Much of the southern end of the Library System service area is rural. Therefore the unincorporated "town" of Aptos is the population center, and the Aptos Branch is a regional facility, with a service population of 60,000. A small branch at La Selva Beach also serves the area.

APTOS BRANCH LIBRARY
7695 Soquel Avenue, Aptos

Background

The Library System provided branch service to the Aptos population from store-front facilities beginning in 1935. In 1975 a permanent branch building was constructed. It has been highly popular and heavily used from the beginning, serving as one of the centers of Aptos community life.

Existing Space and Service

The 8,000 square foot Branch houses a collection of 64,300 items with 16 computers for public use. Open 54 hours per week, an average of 57 visitors use the Branch per open hour. With the exception of signage it is fully ADA compliant. It has a heavily used community meeting room. The Branch is crowded in the public service areas, and staff workspace is inadequate. The staff hopes to reorganize the back-of-the house space in FY 2008-09, as well as add workstations for the public.

The parking lot is a particular problem because it is used as overflow parking for nearby shopping centers, and as a drop off/pick up place by the parents and school children of a community almost entirely dependent upon the automobile. The parking lot will be expanded in 2008, but further modifications may be required later.

The Aptos Branch currently provides most regional library services, although it is understaffed (requiring an additional professional librarian) and is open only six days per week.

Recommendation

The Branch does not meet our Regional Branch minimum square footage requirement of 12,500 square feet. There may well be room on the existing site to add 4,500 square feet to the Branch. The Library Joint Powers Authority Board should plan to expand the Aptos Branch and make further modifications on the parking lot as soon as financially feasible.

LA SELVA BEACH BRANCH LIBRARY
316 Estrella Street, La Selva Beach

Background

La Selva Beach is a somewhat isolated unincorporated seaside residential area that has a strong neighborhood organization and places a high value on community activities. It has a small Branch that enjoys strong support. Indeed, during the Proposition 13 cuts of the late 1970's, the Branch was operated by volunteers until the Library System could restore staffing.

Existing Space and Service

The Branch occupies 2,200 square feet located in the community hall/fire department complex, and rented from the La Selva Beach Recreation District. The Branch has 11,400 items, is open 31 hours per week, and visitors average 17 per open hour. It has 4 computers for public use.

Between 2006 and 2008 the branch interior was updated with fresh paint, better lighting, and more comfortable furniture. It currently meets the needs of the La Selva Beach community.

Recommendation

Not applicable

Project Status

Not applicable

System Services

The Library provides centralized administrative and technical services to all its branches, and maintains an Outreach Program. These services were relocated from the Downtown Branch Library in 1997 to space on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz. In late Spring 2008 System Services moved to a City-owned building at 117 Union Street in Downtown Santa Cruz.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
117 Union Street, Santa Cruz

Background

The City of Santa Cruz provides financial, legal, and personnel services to the Library System, which is treated by the City as a Department. The Director of Libraries is thus a City Department Head, and all library workers, no matter where in the County they work, are City employees.

The Library System administrative staff has grown at a slightly slower pace than other Library units. There are 3.35 Administrative Assistants, an Office Manager, and 1.5 Accounting assistants. Professional librarians for young adult services, staff and collection development, and project (facilities) development are part of the System Services staff.

Senior management housed at Headquarters includes the Director and Assistant Director of Libraries, a Head of Technical Services and Coordinators for Youth Services and Adult/Reference Service. The two other members of the senior management team, the [automation] Network Administrator and the Downtown Branch Manager, have offices at the Downtown Branch Library.

Existing Space and Services

The Administrative unit occupies 12% (1,633 square feet) of the 14,104 square feet rented at Union Street. The Conference and Training rooms, plus archives and storage occupy another 7% (1,002 square feet).

Recommendation

Not applicable

Project Status

Not applicable

TECHNICAL SERVICES
117 Union Street, Santa Cruz

Background

The Technical Services Division is responsible for all the activities, from ordering through final processing, that get library materials to the shelves. It also handles the Library's delivery operation, which moves books and other materials to all branches. The staff is comprised of a Head, a professional librarian cataloger, and eighteen technical and clerical workers and courier drivers. The procedures and protocols for cataloging and processing materials are currently being examined with an eye toward outsourcing. The objective is to liberate trained library workers to focus on direct service to the public.

Existing Space and Services

The Division occupies roughly 35% (4,896 square feet) of the 14,104 square feet at the Union Street site. About two thirds of this is devoted to staff work areas including routing for daily delivery to all Branches, and the balance to shelving for books and other materials being processed.

All Technical Services staff work at least two four-hour shifts each week at the Downtown Branch Circulation or Reference Desks.

Recommendation

Not applicable

Project Status

Not applicable

OUTREACH SERVICES PROGRAM
117 Union Street, Santa Cruz

Background

The Library Outreach Services Program functions as an eleventh Branch of the Library System. It is staffed by a Program Manager, three other professional librarians, a Library Assistant, a full time Library clerk, and two Driver/Clerks. The program uses a Bookmobile that is on the road six days per week, two vans and a sedan. The latter vehicles enable staff to provide off-site services to seniors, homecare providers, day care centers, and all the remote sites where people gather who cannot come to a library branch.

Existing Space and Services

The Outreach Program occupies 15% (2,108 square feet) of the 14,104 square feet at the Union Street HQ. Approximately 50% of the Outreach space is devoted to shelving the library materials and other supplies used by the program. The Bookmobile and the cargo vans are parked at the City of Santa Cruz Corporation Yard and at the Locust Street Parking Structure.

Recommendation

In September 2001 the Library Joint Powers Authority Board agreed that it would request that 1,200 to 1,500 square feet for Outreach Services be added to the new Scotts Valley Tier II Branch, since Outreach does not need to be located in downtown Santa Cruz. The Authority planned to bear the local construction cost of this space. However, with the purchase of the Locust Union building by the City of Santa Cruz, and its subsequent lease to Library System Services, the Scotts Valley space is no longer needed. The Joint Powers Board should formally notify the City of Scotts Valley.

Project Status

Not applicable

Facilities Master Plan Time Line

FY 2008-09:

Complete design of Felton Branch Replacement
Work with Scotts Valley Developers and City RDA on design of Scotts Valley Branch replacement
Construct Aptos Branch Parking Lot Expansion
Replace Branciforte Branch Public Furniture
Improve Aptos Branch staff and public work areas
Consider/Approve Friends Downtown Branch Lobby Project

FY 2009-10:

Scotts Valley RDA constructs Branch Replacement
Work with Capitola RDA to plan Capitola Branch Replacement
Plan Aptos Branch expansion
Plan Downtown Branch remodel
Present local bond measure to November 2010 voters

FY 2010-11:

Open Scotts Valley Branch Replacement
Begin construction Felton Branch Replacement

FY 2011-12:

Complete construction and open Felton Branch replacement
Begin Aptos Branch Expansion
Capitola RDA begins Capitola Branch Replacement

FY 2012-13:

Complete Aptos Branch Expansion
Construct and complete Downtown Branch remodel

FY 2013-14:

Complete and open Capitola Branch replacement

 

CURRENT FACILITIES OVERVIEW

 

ADDITIONAL SQUARE FOOTAGE NEEDED