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Scugog Memorial Public Library Library Needs Assessment Draft Final Report For review and discussion with Steering CoCommitteemmittee December 2006 ddmmA Planning & Management Services 4263 Sherwoodtowne Boulevard, Suite 100 ! Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1Y5 (p) 905.275.4458 (f) 905.275.7148 ! (e) [email protected] ! (w) www.dmaconsulting.com 4263 Sherwoodtowne Blvd. Suite 100 Mississauga, ON L4Z 1Y5 Tel: (905) 275-4458 Fax: (905) 275-7148 [email protected] www.dmaconsulting.com MEMORANDUM To: John Sellars and Tom Bonanno From: Jim Morgenstern, Principal, dmA Planning & Management Services c: Barb Adderley, Senior Planner, dmA Planning & Management Services Date: December 12, 2006 Re: DRAFT FINAL REPORT Please find attached the draft Final Report for the Scugog Memorial Library Needs Assessment Study. This report consolidates the findings from all phases of the study process, including the Planning Context material which you have already reviewed, and the facility model evaluation process (Chapter 7), which was completed subsequent to our last meeting with the Steering Committee. We understand a joint meeting of the Library Board and Council will be arranged to review this report. Scugog Memorial Public Library Draft Final Report Library Needs Assessment Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction and Report Overview .........................................................................................................................1 2.0 Population and Socio-Demographic Analysis.......................................................................................................2 2.1 Community Profile...............................................................................................................................................2 2.2 Population Change..............................................................................................................................................2 2.2.1 Age Distribution ...............................................................................................................................................4 2.2.2 Families and Households..................................................................................................................................4 2.3 Education and Income ........................................................................................................................................5 2.4 Diversity and Movement......................................................................................................................................6 2.5 Employment and Industry ...................................................................................................................................6 3.0 Library Trends and Best Practices .........................................................................................................................7 3.1 Emerging Trends in Library Design.....................................................................................................................7 3.1.1 Libraries as a Focal Point in the Community.......................................................................................................7 3.1.2 Libraries as High Profile, Civic Institutions ..........................................................................................................7 3.1.3 Libraries as Multi-Service Providers...................................................................................................................7 3.1.4 Libraries as Centres for Technology Training......................................................................................................8 3.1.5 Libraries with a Customer-First Focus................................................................................................................8 3.2 Trend Implications ...............................................................................................................................................9 4.0 Service Assessment.................................................................................................................................................11 4.1 Branch Library Profile..........................................................................................................................................11 4.2 Comparative Data – Similar Township Library Systems .....................................................................................12 4.3 Comparison of Library Services with Guidelines.................................................................................................13 4.4 Future Space Requirements ...............................................................................................................................14 5.0 Consultation Activities.............................................................................................................................................15 5.1 Library User Survey.............................................................................................................................................15 5.2 Key Informant Interview Summary ......................................................................................................................27 5.3 Case Studies of Other Libraries Experiencing Relocations ................................................................................30 6.0 Alternatives for the Future ......................................................................................................................................31 6.1 Factors Influencing the Development of Facility Models.....................................................................................31 6.1.1 Library Expansion Potential on the Existing Site..................................................................................................31 6.1.2 Implications for Facility Models..........................................................................................................................32 6.2 Number of Service Points ...................................................................................................................................33 6.2.1 Growth Potential in Urban vs. Hamlets and Rural Areas ......................................................................................33 6.2.2 Access Considerations .....................................................................................................................................34 6.2.3 Potential for the Development of a Second Library Branch in the Port Perry Urban Area ........................................34 6.3 Alternative Facility Models ..................................................................................................................................36 6.4 Facility Model Evaluation Process ......................................................................................................................37 7.0 Evaluation of Alternative Facility Models ..............................................................................................................39 7.1 The Evaluation Process..........................................................................................................................................39 7.1.1 Potential Impacts to Downtown Businesses and Services ....................................................................................39 7.1.2 Potential Impacts on Library Use/Users..............................................................................................................41 7.1.3 Complementary and Conflicting Site Issues........................................................................................................43 7.1.4 Service Excellence...........................................................................................................................................44 7.1.5 Cost Implications..............................................................................................................................................45 7.2 Evaluation Summary ...........................................................................................................................................49 7.3 Next Steps and Implementation Strategy ...............................................................................................................50 Scugog Memorial Public Library Draft Final Report Library Needs Assessment Appendix A: Literature Review – List of References Appendix B: List of Key Informant Interview Participants Appendix C: Comparison with Other Library Systems Appendix D: Case Studies of Other Libraries Experiencing Relocation Scugog Memorial Public Library Draft Final Report Library Needs Assessment 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND REPORT OVERVIEW This document consolidates the findings of all phases of the Scugog Memorial Public Library Needs Assessment. The first chapters establish the planning context for the study. 1996 and 2001 Statistics Canada Census data, as well as population distribution and projection information provided by the Township is used to develop a socio- demographic profile. Relevant library trends and best practices are then presented. An assessment of the current state of library service delivery is provided, based primarily on information provided by the Library and from secondary sources. Consultation activity results are summarized, including the results of a survey undertaken with library patrons; a summary of interviews