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Needs Assessment for the Richmond Public Library

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Needs Assessment for the Richmond Public Library LIBRARY NEEDS ASSESSMENT FEBRUARY 2009 NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY Table of Contents EXECUTIVE Summary 0.1 SpaCE NEEDS Assessment 7.1 Recommended Richmond Library Service Levels [7.1] NEEDS ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 1.1 Executive Summary [1.1] APPENDICes A.1 Involvement of Community [1.1] Library Survey Instrument [A.1] Methods [1.7] Library Survey Results [A.3] The Library’s Collection [A.18] COMMUNITY Analysis 2.1 Shelving Space Allocation [A.20] Executive Summary [2.1] Patron Seating Space Allocation [A.23] Factors Affecting the Library’s Goals [2.1] Technology Space Allocation [A.24] Staff Workstation Space Allocation [A.25] Analysis OF COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS 3.1 Meeting Room Allocation [A.26] Special Purpose Space Allocation [A.27] Analysis OF Library SERVICE NEEDS 4.1 Executive Summary [4.1] Needs [4.2] SERVICE LimitatiONS OF THE EXISTING FACILITY 5.1 Executive Summary [5.1] Limitations and Constraints to Service [5.2] CURRENT PHYSICAL LimitatiOns 6.1 Structural Systems [6.1] Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Systems [6.2] Architectural [6.6] Project Team City of Richmond Monique le Conge Director of Library & Cultural Services Stantec Architecture (Formerly Chong Partners Architecture) Edward Dean, AIA Project Director Joseph Marshall Rollen Perry Mike Wong Leslie Nordby Library Consultant Linda Demmers Library Consultant LIBRARY NEEDS ASSESSMENT FEBRUARY 2009 NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY Ex EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this Community Library Needs Assessment is to identify the current and anticipated library service needs of Richmond residents COMMUNITY LIBRARY SERVICE NEEDS through the year 2030, particularly as they relate to a new Main Library. Library needs of Richmond residents fall into four categories—general, To determine the library service needs, a number of complementary strate- collection, services and spaces. The primary general needs expressed by gies were employed. All segments of the population were represented residents were for extended service hours and a facility that is safe, attrac- through a combination of: tive, high-tech and welcoming to all. There was also considerable support for a branch library in the Hilltop area. • Analysis of community demographics • Review of current library use statistics The collection needs include children’s books, community information, new • Study of City planning documents books and bestsellers, career guidance and job-hunting guides, school cur- • Analysis of a Library Survey with 1,100 respondents riculum support, adult fiction and non-fiction, reference materials and adult • Review of a National Citizen Survey conducted by the National basic education resources. Audiovisual materials are in high demand. Research Center in 2007 Materials in languages other than English, bilingual books and English • Interviews with 47 library stakeholders language learning resources were requested by many community members • Focus groups with 13 specials constituencies and service providers, a reflection of the diversity of the population. The services most valued by community members were services to children (homework assistance, reading programs, and story times), public access SERVICE LEVEL GUIDELINES to computers and computer training, adult education and basic literacy While there are no universally accepted standards for library service, instruction, teen programs, arts programs, and access to local history some library jurisdictions have established guidelines to improve library information. They also value staff reference assistance and programs that service. Service elements include facility size, collection size, seating, and improve English language skills. public access computers. It is recommended that service levels be set for The spaces that survey respondents cited as most needed in a new the Richmond Public Library. The recommended service levels are similar to Main Library were the children’s area, homework center, quiet room with those of other jurisdictions that have undertaken Master Facilities Plans in comfortable seats for reading, Internet stations with wireless technology, recent years. The service levels relate to the entire Richmond Public Library, art exhibits, individual and group study areas, a career and job center, including the Main Library, two branches and the bookmobile. a local history room, and a café. Community organizations frequently requested space for programs and meetings, and almost all participants wanted an area for teens. Executive Summary| 0.1 SERVICE LIMITATIONS OF THE LIBRARY SPACE NEEDS EXISTING FACILITY The needs identified during this needs assessment process will be trans- lated into a Library Plan of Service, which will be used to develop a full The existing facility is no longer able to support the delivery of services to Building Program for a new Main Library. Preliminary estimates of spaces a community with such diverse needs. There is no more room for books needed to deliver the services and materials identified by residents include or audiovisual materials. Seating is limited, having been replaced over allocations for collections, seating, technology, meeting rooms, staff work- the years with shelving. Public access computers are in great demand; stations, special purposes and a percentage of non-assignable space for many residents do not have access to the Internet at home. It is difficult to utilities, circulation, restrooms, stairways and elevators. The proposed level increase the number of computers because of limited access to electrical of service for collections, seating, technology and square feet per capita and data lines. are based on the standards proposed above and are similar to those of comparable libraries. The space allocation for special purposes, meeting Programming for children, teens and adults is limited; staff share the use rooms and staff workstations were derived from interviews with staff and of the single meeting room with community organizations. There is not an community stakeholders. The proposed size of a new Main Library for adequate space to provide needed homework assistance to students; the Richmond is approximately 65,300 square feet. Friends of the Library must sort gift books in an aisle in the staff workroom; not all areas of the library are ADA compliant; and there is not enough room in the Children’s Room to provide story times that encourage children to love reading and learning. The library’s literacy program and bookmobile service are not housed within the Main Library, which results in operational inefficiencies. RECOMMENDED SERVICE LEVEL RANGES FOR THE RICHMOND PUBLIC Library SQUARE FEET COLLECTION SeatinG PUBLIC COMPUTERS Recommended Service Levels 0.5 - 0.61 /capita 2.75 - 3 items/ capita 2.5 - 3 .0 seats/1,000 1-1.1/1,000 0.2 | RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY | NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROPOSED SpaCE ALLOCatiON FOR A NEW RICHMOND MAIN Library (SQUARE FEET) Collections 16,566 Seating 6,510 Technology 2,675 Staff Workstations 6,817 Meeting Rooms 4,963 Special Service Spaces 8,267 Subtotal 45,798 Non-Assignable Space (30%) 19,502 TOTAL 65,300 SF Executive Summary| 0.3 01 NEEDS ASSESSMENT MetHODOLOGY EXECUTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF SUMMARY COMMUNITY The purpose of the Community Library Needs Assessment is to as- The Richmond community was actively involved in the needs assessment process through an certain the current and anticipated needs of Richmond residents for advisory committee, a library survey, and focus groups and interviews with civic leaders, library services, particularly for the Main Library through the year city staff, library staff and administration, special interest groups and community organiza- 2030. A number of complementary strategies were used to obtain tions. Additional information about library service needs was obtained from the National information, maximizing the participation of community members Citizen Survey conducted for the City of Richmond by the National Research Center in and reaching representatives of all major populations in the City. 2007. A series of community design workshops will be scheduled once a draft Library Plan of Service and Building Program are completed. Direct Involvement of the Community • Richmond Library Building Advisory Committee Richmond Library Building Advisory Committee (RLBAC) • Analysis of a Library Survey with 1,100 respondents Appointed by the Director of Library and Cultural Services, this group included eight • Review of a National Citizen Survey conducted by the Na- respected community leaders, and six library and City administrators. They represent the tional Research Center government, business, education, and arts communities, the Library Commission, the City’s • Interviews with 47 library stakeholders Planning Department, West Contra Costa County School District, and the Neighborhood • Focus groups with 13 community groups and special constitu- Councils. The committee met at critical points during the needs assessment, beginning in encies January 2007, and will continue to participate as the project moves into the design phase. Analysis of Existing Data Community Surveys • Analysis of community demographics Two surveys – one library specific and the other covering a wide range of public services - • Review of current library use statistics engaged many community members. The surveys are described in the Methods section that • Study of City planning documents and budget follows. Community Stakeholders Many community leaders and other stakeholders with a great love for
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