Library Advisory Committe Report

Released: June 18, 2007

Read the full report (1.2 MB .pdf) or as a smaller file (Slightly degraded graphics but only 400 KB .pdf) which will be easier to browse if you don't have highspeed internet service. Acrobat Reader is required in either case. Alternately, this plain .html file is 112 KB and can be read without Acrobat.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Issue

The Schodack Town Board has appointed this Advisory Committee to make recommendations on the best method for providing library services to the residents.

The Committee Work Plan

1. Thorough review of existing data on Schodack library use patterns; practices in neighboring communities; and the financial and demographic characteristics of those communities.
2. Determination of resident attitudes toward and usage of libraries through a series of face to face meetings with community groups such as veteran's groups, fire department members, students, senior citizens, and pre-schooler parents.
3. Interviews with the boards of the three libraries currently under contract
4. Development of a valid assessment of community attitudes toward and use of libraries through a professionally administered survey
5. Examination of each of the major alternatives and development of fiscally responsible recommendation sensitive to community needs.

Our Findings

1. This is not our fathers' Schodack. It is no longer a rural farming town with small commercial and manufacturing enclaves. Schodack is a suburban town in all but population density
2. Increased income, education and stability of employment create demand for increased levels of town services.
3. Almost all Rensselaer County towns support town-wide libraries. In 2006, town-wide libraries existed in 11 of the 14 towns. Schodack, Pittstown, and Schaghticoke are the exceptions.
4. The 11 towns support very different types of library programs, ranging from very small to one - East Greenbush - which is best described as a regional library.
5. East Greenbush is the best-financed town library, with a budget more than that of the other ten town libraries combined. And about 55 percent of total use of that library comes from outside its district boundaries, with Schodack contributing 16.7 percent (or about 30 percent of total out of district use).
6. Schodack's failure to operate a town library places its library services expenditures effectively outside its control. If it does not offer its contracted libraries a "fair and equitable" reimbursement, its residents can be shut off from library service. The libraries control Schodack spending.
7. While Schodack residents currently enjoy access to the same level of service as library members through its contracts, at least in the case of East Greenbush Community Library, we do not pay the same share as resident users.
8. None of Schodack's contracted libraries are satisfied with the year to year nature of current funding
9. The Castleton Village Library is severely space constricted, with little or no opportunity to grow its collection or effectively meet demand for programs.
10. There is some evidence that demands for the East Greenbush Library services are stressing the system. Programs are fully subscribed and require reservations and materials turnover is the highest in the UHLS system.

The Survey Results

1. More Schodack residents use East Greenbush as their primary library (52%). Castleton is the choice of about 30 percent, and Nassau about 9 percent.
2. Most Schodack residents use a library at least once per month
3. People see the library as a place to get books and other materials, not as a place to get on the Internet or even to attend meetings. Virtually everyone surveyed through the focus groups said they or their family own a personal computer.
4. A clear majority supports better library service, even if that involves an increase in taxes. 62% say they are willing to pay more for a "full service" libraries.
5. Residents are evenly divided on whether to participate in a southern Rensselaer County library district. 44% support and 44% oppose this option.

Recommendations

1. Schodack should take control over its own fate by chartering a town-wide library and moving to create a town-wide library district.
2. Schodack should act to use and strengthen available library resources within the town because the community clearly uses and values public libraries.
3. Regardless of the option chosen, residents should expect to pay more for services because we currently can not control contract costs and costs will be incurred as we create a reasonable service level within the Town.
4. The preferred alternative involves re-chartering the Castleton library - the only service library within town borders - retaining much of its operation within the village, but using part of its collection to "seed" a new location in Town Hall. The Castleton Public Library should continue in the Village as a branch of a town library reflecting the significant use of that facility.
5. Schodack's goal should not be to replicate the East Greenbush Community Library, recognizing that a regional library exists just outside its border. Instead the goal should be to provide the level of library service offered in nearby towns such as West Sand Lake and North Greenbush which are reasonably comparable communities
6. Schodack should "out-source" part of its library service for the next three years because significant numbers of its residents will continue to use the East Greenbush Library, and others reside in the Village of Nassau. Actions to strengthen library services within the town cannot be fairly evaluated before that. In 2010 the contracts should be reviewed and the usage data reanalyzed to decide if they should continue and at what level.
7. The Town Board should immediately appoint a steering committee with the following responsibilities: direct the information program leading to a district vote, conduct major fund raising, create an endowment program, and act until a library board is elected

Additional Recommendations are found in the full report

Cost Implications

1. East Greenbush and Nassau should be supported at current levels until the Town Hall location is up and operating or until 2010. Support levels should then be reassessed to reflect current use patterns.
2. Available Town Hall space will need renovation and equipment to accommodate a library. Donating materials presents an opportunity for citizen participation and investment.
3. If the library district initiative passes costs to relocate part of the Castleton collection and renovate Castleton Library space will occur.

And, repeating for your convenience, you may read the full report (1.6MB .pdf) or as a smaller file (400KB .pdf) which will be easier to browse if you don't have highspeed internet service.