Proceedings of the Convocation on Providing Public Library Service to California's 21St Century Population(Sacramento, California, May 22-23, 1997)

DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 422 000 IR 057 116

AUTHOR Keller, Shelly G., Ed. TITLE Proceedings of the Convocation on Providing Public Library Service to California's 21st Century Population(Sacramento, California, May 22-23, 1997). INSTITUTION California State Library, Sacramento. PUB DATE 1997-07-00 NOTE 116p. AVAILABLE FROM California State Library, P.O. Box 942837,Sacramento, CA 94237-0001. PUB TYPE Collected Works Proceedings (021) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC05 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Access to Information; *Conferences; Futures (of Society); *Library Collection Development; Library Personnel;*Library Services; Lifelong Learning; Literacy; OutreachPrograms; Program Evaluation; *Public Libraries; State Programs IDENTIFIERS California State Library

ABSTRACT The California State Library convened the Convocationon Providing Public Library Service to California's21st Century Population with the goal of creating a vision of public libraryservice in California. Over 100 library leaders and supporters gathered fortwo days of meetings and work sessions. These proceedings are designed to givea detailed view of the Convocation, including: California's 21stCentury Population: a demographic profile; 15 perspective papers on the major topicsof the Convocation: access, collection development, community collaboration and outreach, lifelong learning, promoting the value of libraries,staffing to serve California's 21st century population, technology inlibraries; recommendations for the California State Library, theCalifornia Library Association, public libraries, library schools,and library supporters; remarks of Dan Walters, syndicated political columnistand author, and Richard Rodriguez, journalist and author;names and affiliations of Convocation participants; and references andresources from the Convocation. Included separately is the "Summary of Input Receivedfor the Public Forums on the California State Library's Convocation on Providing PublicLibrary Service to California's 21st Century Population"dated November 4, 1997. (AEF)

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CONVOCATION PROCEEDINGS

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Providing Public Library Service to California's 21st Century Population

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS CENTER (ERIC) MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY O This document has been reproducedas received from the person or organization originating it. C.D. Robertson O Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality.

Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES official OERI position or policy. INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."

1997 2 A Publication of the California State Library Convocation on

Providing Public library Service to

California's 21st Century Population

Convocation Proceedings

Edited by Shelly G. Keller, Convocation Coordinator

California State Library Sacramento, California July 1997

Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of California

3 Table of Contents

Preface 3 Acknowledgments 4 Introduction 5 California's 21st Century Population: a Demographic Profile 8 Perspective Papers Access 14 Collection Development 20 Community Collaboration and Outreach 26 Lifelong Learning 36 Promoting the Value of Libraries 41 Staffing to Serve California's 21st Century Population 46 Technology in Libraries 53 Remarks of Dan Walters 60 Remarks of Richard Rodriguez 69 Recommendations by Assignee 78 Recommendations by Priority 84 Appendix A - Recommendations by Topic 88 Appendix BParticipants 94 Appendix C Agenda 98 Appendix D Convocation Packet 101

California Stale Library Convocalion on the 21sl Cenlury 4 Preface

California's public libraries are at a crossroads. As we face the 21st century, dramatic forces are impacting public libraries: iminigration is rapidly changing the composition of California's population; public funding has fallen; the gaps in educational attainment are widening; and new information technologies are redefining how we access and use information.' Fundamental changes in the California environmentfrom how libraries are funded to how the electorate views immigration and diversitypose tremendous challenges for libraries and librarians in the 21st century. Despite these challenges, the out- look for California's public libraries is bright because support for public libraries runs wide and deep. Public libraries are places where people help people get closer to their potential. This is, perhaps, the most human of endeavors. Despite the value libraries bring to Californiansboth individually and as a societylibraries must change if they are to meet our future education, information and recreation needs. The California State Library convened the Convocation on Providing Public Library Service to California's 21st Century Population on May 22-23,1997 with the goal of creating a vision of public library service in California. Over 100 library leaders and supporters gathered for two days of meetings and work sessions. Their purpose was to assess the state of library services to diverse populations and develop recommendations for new statewide programs that respond to the needs of California's population in the 21st century. The recommendations contained herein reveal participants' ambitious dedication to redefining the role of public libraries in their communities. Their recommendations also prescribe new directions for the California State Library in how it develops and supports public library services. The California State Library could not have fulfilled the Convocation's purpose without the support of each library professional and library supporter who participated in this convocation. I thank them, and you, for your concern and dedication to helping public libraries meet the education, information and recreation needs of California's 21st century population. Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of California

' Institute for the Future. Entering the 21st Century: Calijarnia's Public Libraries Face the Future (Sacramento, CA, California State Library, 1996), p.iii.

California Stale Library Convocation on the 2Ist Century 3 5 Acknowledgments

The California State Library gratefully acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the Convocation Planning Team, including: Martha Arroyo-Neves, San Francisco Public Library; Liz Gibson, California State Library; Luis Herrera, Pasadena Public Library; Susan Hildreth, California State Library; Shelly Keller, Convocation Coordinator and Proceedings Editor; Kathleen Low, Convocation Chair, California State Library; Gerald Maginnity, Mountain Valley Library System; Bessie Condos Tichauer, California State Library; and Patty Wong, Berkeley Public Library.

Several library professionals helped to prepare the Convocation participant invita- tion list, including: Kristie Coons, Kern County Library; Billie Dancy, Oakland Public Library; Anne Marie Gold, Contra Costa County Library; Susan Kent, Los Angeles Public Library; and Kathleen Ouye, San Mateo Public Library. The State Library gratefully acknowledges their dedication and assistance in making this Convocation a success.

Thanks also to each and every Convocation participant for helping the State Library develop recommendations for library service that respond to the needs of California's 21st century population.

4 California Stale Library Convocation On the AU Century Introduction

Inthe fall of 1996, California State Li- Since 1988, new issues have emerged that brary staff approached the State Librarian with a impact the future roles of public libraries in proposal to convene a statewide convocation to California, including: assess library services to diverse populations and The continued, rapid change in develop recommendations for new statewide California's demographics in terms of age, programs that would address the needs of income, employment, and cultural diversity; California's population in the 21st century. A growing proportion of young people who live in homes where English is not the It has been nine years since the State primary language; Library convened a similar conference, "A State A changing point of view of the elector- of Change: California's Ethnic Future and Librar- ate regarding immigration and diversity; ies," in 1988. The purpose of that conference was A decline in public library funding; to explore the changing ethnic character of Cali- The role of information technology in fornia and its implications for libraries. The State libraries; of Change Conference produced a total of 177 Widening gaps in educational attainment recommendations. Conference attendees targeted among youth; and 34 recommendations to the California State The impact of corporate downsizing on Library, 106 recommendations to local library the role of libraries in retraining and preparing jurisdictions and library supporters, 13 to library citizens for new employment opportunities. schools, and 24 to the library community at large. Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of Califor- In the following years, the California State nia, accepted the proposal to fund a "Convocation Library responded to 19 of its 34 recommenda- on Providing Public Libraries Services to tions. Responses included creation of the Partner- California's 21st Century Population." A plan- ships for Change Program (1989-1995) as well as ning team, comprised of State Library staff and funding of a variety of training and collection public librarians, was convened to provide direc- development programs for public libraries tion. The team devised a process for selecting throughout California. participants and framed an agenda for the Convo-

California Stale Library Convocation On the 2Ist Century 5 7 cation. Participants were selected by the team ogy. To lay a foundation for work group discus- based on their: sion, the team also invited selected participants to Demonstrated commitment to serving write and present perspective papers on each of California's diverse population; these issues of public library service. Experience in developing and providing public library service programs; These Proceedings are designed to give a Personal contributions to the continuing detailed view of the Convocation, including: enhancement and restructuring of library services California's 21st Century Population: a in California; and Demographic Profile; Their potential ability for implementing 15 Perspective Papers on the major change in the delivery of public library services in topics of the Convocation; the twenty-first century. Recommendations for the California State Library, the California Library A profile of Convocation participants Association, public libraries, library schools, and reveals that: 10 percent of participants attended library supporters; the 1988 State of Change Conference; 10 percent Remarks of Dan Walters, syndicated are members of ethnic library organizations; 33 political columnist and author, and Richard percent are front line public library staff, middle Rodriguez, journalist and author; managers and library professionals; 36 percent are Names and affiliatioris of Convocation library policy makers; six percent are community participants; and members and public library supporters; and five References and resources from the percent are library educators. Convocation.

The planning team also identified the The Convocation can claim several major major issues of public library service for discus- accomplishments. One was that the Convocation sion, providing a framework for drafting final continued to raise awareness and generate discus- recommendations. These include: Access; Col- sion concerning the major issues affecting deliv- lection Development and Resource Sharing; ery of library and information services to Community Collaboration and Outreach; Lifelong California's 21st century population. Another Learning; Promoting the Value of Libraries; accomplishment was that Convocation partici- Staffing to Serve the 21st Century; and Technol- pants went away with renewed energy and enthu-

6 California Stale Library convocation on the 21sl Century siasm regarding the future of California public As a result, the Convocation has created libraries and the willingness of the State Library an environment for success one where public to provide much needed support. Finally, the libraries, the California State Library and the Convocation put major issues of service and library community-at-large can work together, equity back on the library community's agenda, anticipating and preparing for the challenges of while further enhancing a vision for public librar- the 21st century. ies in the 21st century.

California Sidle Library Convocalion on Ihe 21st Century 7 California's 21st Century Population:a Demographic Profile

Remarks of Elias Lopez, Research Program 1. California will have a higher proportion of Specialist, California Research Bureau older people. May 22, 1997 For instance, in 1990 ten percent of the population was 65 years and over. By 2040, this Good Morning. It's a great honor to segment of the population will comprise 18 be here today. I am especially blessed to be percent. among you, among visionaries planning for the future. 2. The Central Valley will be the second big- When I was born my parents gave gest region, second only to the region of South- me the name Elias, after the prophet Elias in ern California. the Old Testament. Their hope was that At the moment the Bay Area is the second someday I would be a prophet. I am sorry to biggest region with 21 percent of the population. say, and to my parents' dismay, that I haven't By the year 2040, the tables will have turned and had any divine revelations up until now. the Central Valley will house more people than the However, I will be sure to let you know Bay Area. when I do. Nevertheless, I am in a position to 3. Latinos will be the largest ethnic group; tell you how California is likely to look Whites will be the second largest, Asians the demographically in 40 years. Keep in mind third largest, and Blacks the fourth largest. that these are projections based on past A side note: In your packet there are some demographic trends. As such, projections handouts pertaining to this presentation. Under usually do not account for future changes in the ethnic/race category of your handouts, Asians foreign policy, immigration policy, wars, or were lumped into the "other" category. I apolo- catastrophic events. gize for this. In their next projections, the Depart- According to the projections done by ment of Finance should have Asians as a separate the Demographic Unit of the Department of group. Finance, California 40 years from now will So what type of clientele can libraries be different in at least three ways. expect in the future? Libraries can expect to serve

8 California Stale Library COnvOCali011 On the 21sl Century 1 0 a very diverse population, both in age and The Latino community is a tough community to ethnicity. In many regards, this is a problem since work with. You can nevertheless be successful in a different marketing plan will most likely be reaching out to the adults once you understand needed to attract people from the different groups their immense preoccupation over their jobs. A to use the library. library that can provide easy to access job related Being a Hispanic or Latino myself, I can information will be more likely to attract the offer you my thoughts for working with the Latinoadults. community, which can be a hard community to Third, you can have more success reach. attracting Latinos to your library by simply using First of all, one needs to use a paradigm the various mediums of communication that reach that looks at the family as a whole, as opposed to their homesthe Spanish radio and television the individual. stations. When you see a Latino kid coming to And fourth, you have to understand that your library, what you should be asking yourself is trust takes time to build. In the former years, not how can I serve him or her better, but how cantherefore, the library will have to be patient. The the library serve the whole family. library should not expect to get an overwhelming Working with the whole family, how- show of people right away. ever, implies that you have parental cooperation. Thank you very much and may God bless you.

California Slate !Amy Convocation on the list Cenlurf 9 California Current & Projected Demographic Profile

California is projected to grow Total Population: 29,976,003 63,343,055 at 1.5% annually.

Age: <18 7,869,864 26% 17,508,036 28% 18-64 18,971,688 63% 34,319,424 54% In 40 years, the elderly will >64 3,134,451 10% 11,515,595 18% comprise a larger portion of 100% 100% the population.

Regions: Southern CA 17,260,200 58% 36,500,254 58% The Central Valley will Central Valley 4,314,101 14% 12,935,694 20% become the second most Bay Area 6,282,301 21% 9,150,926 14% populated area, swiching Other 2,119,401 7% 4,756,181 8% places with the Bay Area. 100% 100%

Ethnicity/Race: White 17,198,646 57% 20,554,792 32% Black 2,116,415 7% 3,756,709 6% In the future, Latinos will Latino 7,740,303 26% 31,506,365 50% comprise the largest ethnic Other 2,920,639 10% 7,525,189 12% group in California. 100% 100%

Median Age: In General 31 35 In the year 2040, Whites will White 36 45 4-be older, as a group, relative Black 29 32 to other ethnic groups. Latino 24 28 Other 30 38

Source: State of California, Projected Total Population of California Counties: 1990 to 2040, Report 93 P-3, Sacramento, Califonia, May 1993.

Compiled by the California Research Bureau, California State Library, Elias Lopez, Ph.D., 5113/97.

10 &timid Slate Library ConvocationOBthe list Century 12 The Bay Area Current & Projected Demographic Profile

Total Population: 6,282,301 9,150,926

Age: <18 1,459,847 23% 2,115,510 23% 18-64 4,133,762 66% 4,865,979 53% By the year 2040, the Bay >64 688,692 11% 2,169,437 24% Area will have a vely large 100% 100% senior citizen constituency.

Ethnicity/Race: White 3,855,679 61% 3,589,440 39% The Bay Area will also be the Black 522,610 8% 859,771 9% most diversified of the Latino 974,552 16% 2,745,138 30% 41>regions. Other 929,460 15% 1,956,577 21% 100% 100%

Source:

State of California, Projected Total Population of California Counties: 1990 to 2040, Report 93 P-3, Sacramento, Califonia, May 1993.

Compiled by the California Research Bureau, California State Library, Elias Lopez, Ph.D., 5113/97.

California Slate kW Convocation 00 the 21s1 Cenlilly 11 1 3 The Central Valley Current & Projected Demographic Profile

Total Population: 4,314,101 12,935,694

Age: By the year 2040, the Central Valley will still have a high <18 1,279,785 30% 3,815,742 29% proportion of school-age 18-64 2,573,979 60% 7,127,894 55% population. >64 460,337 11% 1,992,058 15% 100% 100%

Ethnicity/Race: White 2,726,869 63% 4,612,567 36% 219,370 5% 728,898 6% Black Latinos will be the largest 24% 5,761,810 45% Latino 1,027,737 ethnic minority. Other 340,125 8% 1,832,419 14% 100% 100%

Source: State of California, Projected Total Population of California Counties: 1990 to 2040, Report 93 P-3, Sacramento, Califonia, May 1993.

Compiled by the California Research Bureau, California State Library, Bias Lopez, Ph.D., 5/13/97.

.12 California Stale Library CO1117001011 on the 2Ist Century 14 Southern California Current & Projected Demographic Profile

Total Population: 17,260,200 36,500,254

Age: By the year 2040, Southern <18 4,590,678 27% 10,384,424 28% California will have a 18-64 10,961,790 64% 19,659,751 54% relatively large school-age >64 1,707,732 10% 6,456,079 18% 4--population along with a 100% 100% large senior citizen constituency. Ethnicity/Race: White 8,984,905 52% 9,410,576 26% Black 1,325,776 8% 2,066,925 6% The largest ethnic group in Latino 5,396,526 31% 21,547,703 59% 4-Southern California will he Other 1,552,993 9% 3,475,050 10% overwhelmingly Latino. 100% 100%

Source:

State of California, Projected Total Population of California Counties: 1990 to 2040, Report 93 P-3, Sacramento, Califonia, May 1993.

Compiled by the California Research Bureau, California State Library, Elias Lopez, Ph.D., 5/13/97.

California Slate Library &Nan on the 21s1 Century 13 1 d Access

Improving Library Access Funding BarriersWhile the Public Perspective Paper No. 1 Library Foundation (PLF) Program is a major inducement to local governments to maintain by Diane Duquette, Director, levels of service statewide and a much appreciated with Kristie Coons, Head of Adult Services, Kern County Library source of state aid, the inequity in the distribution of wealth makes it appear that "the rich get richer Many public libraries in California are no and the poor get poorer." This is also reflected in longer the great democratic institutions they once the level of local government support through werebecause of access limitations. We must taxation, as it often parallels the level of local rethink our missions and refocus our efforts to community donations. provide equitable access to all Californians. In addition, an inadequate level of funding Inequitable access must be ameliorated to ensure of the state's Transaction Based Reimbursement representative democracy for all citizens well into (TBR) Program2 and local funding levels may the 21st century. cause local governments to restrict access to resources rather than encourage a reciprocity of Major issues involved in improving borrowing for the benefit of the public good. access in public libraries Funding problems are the major issue Legal BarriersProperty taxes cause not just a serious lack of adequate funding to inequities of service due to the unequal fulfill public library missions, but a debilitating distribution of wealth. Proposition 218 allows inequity in the distribution of wealth, which is direct rather than representative democracy. undermining the very basic tenets of a democratic form of government in our great State of Califor- Physical BarriersMany geographic nia. In addition to major funding barriers are areas of the state lack public library services those imposed by legal requirements, physical within a reasonable distance from work or home inadequacies, governing body and community use (i.e., mountains, deserts and vast expanses of requisites. These are key issues that prevent farmland). Access to library service is sometimes equity and/or access, which must be addressed inequitable because of the uneven rural/urban statewide and resolved if we are to reach our population. Architectural barriers continue to ultimate goal of equitable access. exist in dysfunctional buildings that do not ac-

=1985 CALTAC Tool Kit Committee, Trustee Tool Kit fOr Library Leadership, Editor/Chair, Betty Bay, (California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners. Sacramento, CA 1987): p. 299,TBR (Transaction-based reimbursement). The group of California Library Services Act programs that subsidize Equal Access, Universal Borrowing, and Interlibrary Loan involving public libraries. So called because each borrow or loan ("transaction") is reimbursed according to a formula.

1 4 California Slate Library Convocation on the llst Century 16 commodate individuals protected by the Ameri- other reasons can cause governing bodies or cans with Disabilities Act. In addition, the lack ofpolicy makers to restrict access via approving space, datelines, electronic access points, electri- closed stacks, poorly funding materials collec- cal outlets and equipment, and resources to assist tions, inadequately addressing on-site information these individuals prevents equal access. access, placing limitations on interlibrary loan Public transportation needs to be improvedborrowing, charging non-resident or resident user and extended to all areas of the State to give readyfees and fines, which may shut the doors to many access to public library service. The locations of individuals, especially low-income community some facilities can pose problems if they are members. situated in dangerous neighborhoods, unreachable Allowing branches or "stand alone" on foot, bicycle or skateboard, or lack adequate libraries to remain unlinked within a library parking or safe areas in which to locate personal system or larger jurisdiction, or without a public belongings. Access may need to be offered at catalog linkage to networked, resource sharing alternative sites such as bookmobiles, kiosks at libraries is also a form of restricted access. Some community fairs, library by mail, etc. libraries have too much electronic access, some In addition, bibliographic access to materi-too little (i.e., the balance between als is incomplete. All materials need to be retro- electronic resources and print resources might be spectively converted on-line and networked with unbalanced in relationship to community needs). bibliographic utilities worldwide via Internet. Governing bodies and/or policy makers can Subject access to materials and authority control further limit access by the passage of restrictive as well needs to be updated and expanded. use policies (e.g., closed stacks for sensitive materials, choosing not to buy controversial Governing Body BarriersFederal and materials, or using filters on Internet access). In state mandates are crippling local governments' addition, they can prevent voters from ever having ability to act responsively to their citizenry. the opportunity to pass a measure to give in- Consequently, whether it be from a lack of funds creased financial support to a library. or because they are given low priority, inadequately funded public libraries limit access to Community Use BarriersThere are materials, information and trained staff. More- some individuals in society who distrust govern- over, hours of opening are often curtailed, thereby ment; therefore, they do not want to register at a not meeting community needs. Lack of funds or public library for fear of possible government

Odd Sidle Library Convocation on the 21sICelary 15 1 '-( intervention in their lives. There are those who to heavy traffic in some areas of the state. All of have language and cultural barriers (i.e., those the aforementioned must be addressed and im- who have little understanding of this public proved to meet the needs of California's 21st institution). Some people have a perception of not century population. being welcome. Others perceive the public library as an elitist institution, and/or that it is too expen- Recommendations: sive for them. In some areas, the public library is Public libraries and the California State located out of their immediate neighborhood, or if Library should work together with representative it is there, it does not reflect or respond to neigh- stake holders to help redefine and refocus our borhood needs. And then, there is the illiterate mission in light of limited resources. Not only is it not just the person who cannot read, but the important to increase and stabilize funding for computer illiterate as well. For these individuals basic library services and for staff training and access issues are compounded. volunteers, but it is equally essential to forge Lack of time and time restrictions on use partnerships with other service providers who of materials and/or computers dissuade some share common goals to maximize our resources individuals from using the library. Some libraries and make society a better place to live. Equitable may treat youths as second-class users, limiting funding must also be provided in the PLF and use privileges by virtue of parental and/or library TBR programs, and we must work toward full control measures. Libraries may offer services funding of these efforts. and resources which users deem immaterial to In addition, we need to earmark Library their lives. Services and Technology Act funds and the Individuals can also have psychological pending Library of California funds toward barriers to using a library due to a lack of knowl- programs that will break down these barriers; we edge about the value of the public library, or must mount a positive, statewide public relations because they mistakenly believe they know how effort to ensure success in garnering additional to use the library and don't ask for help when they funding resources to educate our public regarding need it. Public library access, too, is limited to our mission to serve their desires and needs; and those who lack research skills, exposure to a we must take the lead to become more customer public library due to limited school field trips, service-oriented, proactive, creative, resourceful, disinterested guardians, or inadequate resources visionary and responsive to change to evolve into for private or public transportation. It is also due a great democratic institution that ensures access

1 6 California Sidle Library COnvOtaliOn 011 the NY Cenliny 13 to all. Let us move forward to create our future number and percentage of Californians over 65 is and do it with the passion and zeal that brought us rising, and libraries need to examine their facili- into this profession in the first place. ties and their collections in terms of accessibility for the elderly and disabled. The ADA has created guidelines for physical access inside our build- Improving Library Access ings, but a growing number of people may have Perspective Paper No. 2 difficulty getting to the library. Libraries may be by Margaret Miles, County Librarian, Plumas able to improve service to the growing elderly County Library population through bookmobile services, books by mail, or volunteer delivery outreach programs. Recently, with the goal of improving Continued funding of libraries is a basic access to the Quincy Library, we closed down for necessity if we are to improve, or even continue six weeks. During the time we were closed, the providing access to, our collections and services. building was painted and carpeted, the bathrooms The time librarians spend examining local and were refurbished to comply with the Americans alternative funding sources continues to be a drain with Disabilities Act (ADA), the fiction section on our direct service to the public. The State was reoriented to be parallel with the lights, and Library's publication on referendum campaigns larger signs were installed on the ends of shelves. has been beneficial to many libraries, but a num- I firmly believe that entire ranges of fiction that ber of measures were defeated even though they were previously in the dark are now circulating received over 50 percent of the vote. The current better. two-thirds majority requirement for the passage of Improving access to public libraries in bond measures was instituted through the demo- California is unfortunately not as simple as apply- cratic process and can be removed the same way. ing a new coat of paint. Our changing demograph- The State Library, the California Library Associa- ics, tenuous funding situations, advances in tion and local libraries should lobby for a measure technology, and harmful stereotypes of libraries that would require only a simple majority to pass and librarians are all issues that must be examined bond measures. and addressed if we are to improve access to Legislation that would fund public librar- public libraries. ies at the state level is another solution to the For many members of the public, physical funding crisis and would mediate the inequities access is the greatest barrier to library service. The caused by funding based on property taxes. If the

California Stale Library Convocalion on Ihe 21s1 Cenlury 17 13 state provided matching funds up to $10 per The rapid changes in technology give capita, or a percentage of a library service area's libraries the opportunity to increase access to median income, libraries would be guaranteed a library collections and services but also create a stable funding base that would allow us to focus number of complications. The Internet expands our attentions on library services rather than library resources to include far more than will fit fundraising. In addition, local government would on many library shelves, including information have an incentive to fund libraries in order to that we might not have selected if given the receive matching funds. choice. As librarians, we have a responsibility to California is one of the most culturally educate our patrons and provide guidelines that diverse states in the country, and more immigrants will help them navigate the information maze. move to California than to any other state. In Any library with a web site is creating a naviga- order to serve these new library users, libraries tion device that is available outside its walls and need to reflect the growing diversity of their is, therefore, eliminating some of the barriers populations, not only in the collections, but in created by time and space. Access is no longer library publicity and staff. In areas with large limited to those who can travel to the library numbers of non-English speakers, libraries can during open hours. facilitate access and promote a balanced staff by Libraries that seek to improve access requiring applicants to have knowledge of a through technology must take the next step, which second language. Literacy programs that provide is educating the public to use the new tools. Many English as a Second Language (ESL) training can members of the population do not have access to also help eliminate the language barrier. Although the Internet in their homes and are not being the mountain and coastal regions of Northern trained to use it elsewhere. According to the California are less culturally diverse, it is equally National Center for Education, 85 percent of important that their libraries expose patrons to California schools are not connected to the points of view and cultures other than their own. Internet, which means most children are not State Library materials grants that seek to improve receiving formal education in information search- access to multicultural collections and promote ing. The InfoPeople Internet workshops have been exploration of diverse cultures should be made very helpful in training library staff to teach the available with less regard to local demographics, public, and their manual now provides that infor- and with a view toward the benefit for the entire mation to staff members who cannot leave their population. branches to attend training.

18 California Stale Library Convocation on the ilsl Century 20 One barrier to improving technology is the Librarians need to communicate to the state of many library buildings. Many libraries are public that we are friendly, knowledgeable and not wired for ISDN lines or additional phone valuable. In fiscally and politically conservative cables and often do not have enough electrical areas where many citizens express distrust of outlets to plug in any more devices. Librarians government, librarians need to educate the public need to evaluate their facilities in terms of and government leaders about the role of the long-range technological needs, and many of us library as a protector of freedom of information, could benefit from training in this area. Once we while demonstrating the direct benefits to the have determined our needs, State Library technol- local area. A statewide public relations campaign ogy grants can help to bring library buildings into to correct the librarian stereotype could be very the 2Ist century. effective, but would be much more powerful if Perhaps the most daunting barrier to also pursued at the local level. Cooperation with public library access may be the public image of other community organizations and private com- libraries and librarians. We continue to be por- panies is vital in promoting library services and trayed in advertising and popular culture as can build partnerships that benefit the library archaic, unfriendly and generally inaccessible, a financially. belief that is held by a larger percentage of the Improving access to public libraries population than we are comfortable admitting. involves much more than opening doors. Only by Although the majority of the public views librar- adapting to California's changing information ies positively, most people are often unaware of needs, educating the public and continuing train- our services or our expertise. Librarians need to ing for librarians can we position the public focus on providing access to non-library users by library as the information centers of California correcting their misconceptions of libraries and by communities. educating them about our services.

California Slate Library Convocation on ffie 21s1 Century 19 21 Collection Development Opportunities for the 21st Century: Collection Development and Resource Sharing demographics in some cases change major func- Perspective Paper No. 3 tions of the library within the community. Communities where libraries have served by E. Hope Hayes, Administrative Director, as recreational reading suppliers are now finding African American Museum and Library at Oak- that they need to become proactive in providing a land Public Library place for homework centers, independent learning Abrief and informal survey of my col- centers or perhaps community centers. leagues, who are the collection development The issues before us are what may be librarians, coordinators or czars of their institu- referred to as the four F's and one L: funding, tions, confirms my belief that collection develop- focus, formats, function and leadership. In our ment remains one of the most important responsi- best interest, these issues provide us with opportu- bilities of librarians in public library service. nities to look at our communities and services as Some branch librarians devote more than 50 well as our collections in a fresh and vital light. percent of their time to this one aspect of their "Collection development should be tied to duties, and with the narrowing of budgets, the the library's needs assessment (and community selection process becomes even more analysis) results."3 The community needs assess- time-consuming because of the need to acquire ment process offers a first-hand opportunity to the very best with less funding. meet "your neighbors," and develop "their sense In addition to funding constraints in some of [library] 'ownership' [that] comes from being 4 jurisdictions because of changing demographics part of the planning process."In addition, this and cultural diversity, community libraries are process will result in a better understanding of finding that a re-examination of their focus what your library's function in the community changes their collection needs. And with the should be: where you should focus your collec- introduction of many new media and culturally tion; where there may be other funding sources to different learning and listening styles, materials complement your budget; what materials will be for library collections now include several formats most suitable for the collection; and what formats that incorporate new, and not so new, technologies will best serve the needs of your library's commu- (i.e., CD-ROMs, videos, etc.). Indeed, California's nity.

3Adelante: Recommendations fin- Effective Library Services to the Spanish-speaking, (Sacramento, CA, California State Library, 1994), edited by Shelly Keller. 4Keeping the Promise: Recommendations Jim Effective Library Services to the African Americans, (Sacramento, CA, California State Library,1996), edited by Shelly Keller.

20 California Stale Library COMMIlioll On the MI Century 2 2 Funding ballot initiatives that have increased their local Of the four F's, funding presents the funding; however, the increases have not reached greatest challenge and/or opportunity for it is the inflation level of the past ten years, while tax intrinsically connected to the library's ability to dollars were in hiatus. In other words, there is carry out the other three F's. Therefore, it is the more, but it buys less. Other libraries continue to major concern for most institutions. There are struggle through limited funding. In both cases, very real costs associated with change. If a needs creativity, mother wit and political savvy are the assessment reveals that you've been purchasing most useful skills for any librarianbranch, materials on "horses" in French, and what you children's, reference and all others in public really need is not materials on "horses," but service. CD-ROM encyclopedias with audio, the costs Over the past ten years, the State Library could be outstanding. Few institutional budgets and public libraries have provided funding and can tolerate more than one change of this kind. access to funding, which served as a starting point And if your collection is that far off the mark, for planning and preparing for the 21st century. there are most likely many changes necessary. Such programs as Partnerships for Change, A It is essential that library administrators State of Change Conference, etc., began the understand the collection needs of the library's critical thinking necessary for change from the community and provide the leadership to support traditional to the more functional for all popula- and empower the librarian in addressing those tions who need public library services. The State needs. It is the librarian's responsibility to provide Library's publication of "how to" guides, (Keep- the administrators with supportive documentation ing the Promise: Recommendations for Effective and information (e.g., statistics, community Library Service to African Americans and assessments and analysis, public testimony) that Adelante: Recommendations for Effective Library validates the community's library needs. Within Service to the Spanish-speaking) will continue to this responsibility lies the opportunities inherent assist public libraries in meeting service chal- in getting to know the community; and in return, lenges of the 21st century. the community receives a reintroduction to the library. Where do we need to go? More than anything, our plans, documents Where are we now? and programs should be re-examined and evalu- Some library jurisdictions are blessed with ated to determine their effectiveness. Resource

California Stale Library CONOCalion 00 the MI Century 21

2 3 sharing and networking requires, in some in- Collection Development and Resource stances, revamping and better coordination. The Sharing Ideas State Library needs to give more consideration to for California in the 21st Century the new (and not so new) technologies that may Perspective Paper No. 4 serve to assist with resource sharing and network- by Brian A. Reynolds, Director, San Luis Obispo ing. For some library administrators, it may be City-County Library necessary to review budget priorities if change is inevitably needed. The State Library may need to assist library leaders with staff training and with The purpose of this paper is to briefly the development of empowerment skills. explore two important, but often overlooked, aspects of collection development and resource Recommendations sharing: 1) attitudes and perceptions of library Because change is rapid and for the past decade staff; and 2) the political/fiscal climate in which ongoing: public libraries operate. Staff attitudes and The needs assessment and goals set political/fiscal matters are, in turn, affected by based on the assessment will need con- increasingly rapid change in all aspects of stant review. The review should be done librarianship. Change is now the order of the day with key residents of the community. and affects everything we do: our customer base, Keep your collection fresh; this does not the media we use to satisfy customer needs (e.g. always require dollars. print, A-V and electronic), our buildings and our Be prepared to be innovative in selecting budgets. materials. In response, public librarians are becoming Share whatever you have learned that more proactive and less reactive. Courage, fore- works with your colleagues. sight and persistence are required personality Be open to change. traits for librarians, who must become comfortable with taking nothing for granted and for adapting service patterns continuously to meet changing community needs. Instead of waiting in libraries for the customers to arrive, librarians are reaching out to perform sophisticated community market analyses, which become essential guide-

22 California Slate Library Convocation on the 2Ist Century

2 4 posts for collection and service priorities. It is problems, meet friends and receive emotional hard to find a sustainable comfort zone in an support.'Library users, like most everyone else, environment defined by change and uncertainty. seek a balance between personal autonomy and The challenge for California's public libraries is connectedness with the world. Librarians must even greater in the face of widespread, serious and design services which recognize that a visit to the persistent budget shortfalls. library often has deep, emotional ramifications. In addition to these problems, there are This is also the key to success at the polls. other barriers to good serviceboth real and So far, librarians do not know nearly perceived. Pressures from outside and within our enough about how people make use of informa- profession constantly remind us that our services tion in their lives, or how public libraries and new need to be ever more relevant to customer needs: electronic media will fit into the overall scheme. whatever the status quo, it is most likely already Computer scientist Phil Agre says that what is out of date. needed is "a better understanding of how to Two examples of other modern myths organize and present information and how people create confusion and raise stress levels even use information once they have it." Agre empha- higher: 1) In the 21st century will public librarians sizes that the focus of research should shift from be invaluable or quaint examples of obsolescent computers to social scientists, psychologists, and "technology"? and 2) Must a librarian speak the librariansto people instead of machines.6 A same language and belong to the same ethnic recent example of this idea is the doctoral pro- group as a customer to get the job done? gram being initiated by the Indiana University School of Library and Information Sciences to Needed Improvements study human-computer interaction, "drawing on In order for library staff to design good psychology, cognitive science, sociology, and collections, they must understand much more ergonomics."7 In the meantime, the California about why and how people useor might use State Library and local public libraries can help public libraries. Thanks to research sponsored by the process in many ways. the California State Library in 1985, at least some of the answers are known. Most people visit a Possible State Library Actions public library not to become more informed, but Serve as an advocate for public libraries to satisfy emotional needs and to make "sense" of in Sacramento and locally, as appropriate. If local an often senseless world. They come to solve public library budgets improve, so will collections

5Dervin, Brenda and Benson Fraser, et al. How Libraries Help. California State Library, 1985, 0.2, 6Chapman, Gary. "Search Tool of the Future? Librarians," Los Angeles Times, August 17. 1995, p.D-I. 7Anonymous. "Human-Computer Ineraction Priority at Indiana SLIS," U Hotline, v.24, #38, September 25, 1995, p.4.

California Sidle Library COIYOU11011 Oil ffie 2Isl Ceiling 23 and greater potential for resource sharing. library at all. In many cases, these non-users exert Promote an affordable, dependable political influence far greater than their demo- telecommunications backbone for public libraries graphic "niche." statewide. Create/sustain dynamic collection Sponsor research into the details of: 1) development policies that are based upon an how/why people do/do not use information in understanding of how to respond to community their lives; and 2) how public libraries can use needs/demands for library collections. Innovative these data to become more meaningful to custom- outreach/community analysis will reveal customer ers and community members. Research into ethnic preferences in media format, language and literacy variables could include everything from vendor level. Whenever possible/feasible, collection evaluations to development of a multilingual priorities should reflect community priorities library lexicon for subject headings and computer especially those involving basic, emotional issues terms. such as health, education, employment and hous- Partner with others to eliminate the ing. two-thirds super majority in local funding elec- Develop staff with bilingual and bicul- tions. (An interesting tidbit: Since the alleged tax tural talents as well as sensitive interviewing skills revolt began almost 20 years ago, only two out of and a business approach to good customer service. 50 states [California and Missouri] require a super More is not better, and remote access is majority vote.) not ownership. Most library users want the right Partner with others to empower and information, right now. Library staff mediation, involve more Californians in voting and becoming not disintermediation, will be invaluable in proactive in their own self-governance. This has viding this custom fit. In most cases, putting extremely important implications for public something tangible in a customer's hands before librariesand for their diverse customers. he or she leaves is more important than knowing it exists somewhere else. As needed, selective Possible Public Library Actions outreach will take library resources to where the Plan/perform community analyses, customer is. which should reveal at least two things:1) how to Try to place the basic thrust of the better serve existing and potential customers; and collection just behind the curve of popular de- 2) how to broaden/deepen the perceived value of mand and current events. A public library should public libraries to people who will never use the not strive to become a popular bookstore or an

24 Cdfiforifid Slate Library Convocation On the list Century 26 Internet switching station. Most people expect a about the wonders of technology or how various public library to provide services that are at least a ethnic groups are supposed to think/behave. tiny bit dated, but which are enhanced with the Public libraries are places where people help value that careful selection, processing and inter- people get a little closer to their potential. This is pretation provide. perhaps the most human of endeavors, and librar- Partner with local groups on projects/ ians should be proud of the role they play. events that are identified as community priorities. Use all of the above to promote success- Be suspicious of generalitieswhether ful local library funding elections!

al Iii0171th Sidle Librd ly CO IlvOrdlioll On ffie list Century 25 27 Community Collab Oration and Outreach Transforming Libraries into Community-Based Partnerships cooperation with the State Library, can redirect Perspective Paper No. 5 resources to address and enhance community collaboration and outreach. by Luis Herrera, Director of Information Services, City of Pasadena A New Era for Partnerships Rapid social and technological changes are The idea of community partnerships is not dramatically impacting how public libraries a new concept for libraries. For years, librarians deliver library services. New community expecta- have been involved in working with community tions combined with an increased competition for agencies to deliver service primarily through funding have heightened the urgency to traditional outreach programs. The problem with re-examine and rethink how libraries conduct this approach was that these partnerships were business. As we prepare to lead library organiza- nothing more than an expedient attempt to provide tions into the 21st century, librarians have a activities which would attract users to the library. significant opportunity to redefine the library's These efforts were fragmented and misguided, and role within the broader community context. This usually the first casualties during budget cuts. As new role has the potential to give libraries the a result, these programs had little or lasting impact competitive advantage to solidify our position as in the community. lead players in the community's educational and Community collaboration is a serious and cultural mission. complex business. It involves a formal arrange- This essay discusses the need to forge ment between two or more agencies to provide strong community alliances as a crucial element of mutual support in attaining a common goal. The success for public libraries in the next century. goal can be project- or program-based and should This perspective outlines key concepts towards address specific needs of the target group. Estab- effective community collaborations. It discusses a lishing a clear set of criteria allows the library to new definition and era for partnerships; calls for determine the scope of the partnership, the re- the transition of libraries towards collaborative source commitment and the ultimate basis for organizations; and offers a new approach to the evaluating the overall success of the agreement. concept of outreach. The essay concludes with a While each library can establish its own criteria, strategy for change on how public libraries, in the list should include a clear understanding of the

26 California Stale Library Convocation on the 2Ist Century 2 3 goals, a sharing of resources, an implementation with communities because of their impact and schedule and a periodic review process. An response to real-life needs. This relevance estab- effective partnership demonstrates a reciprocal lishes the library as a strategic partner in enhanc- exchange of resources, maintains a balanced ing the quality of life in the community and relationship and identifies the anticipated out- develops a broad-based political constituency. comes. Each entity is enjoined with specific rights and responsibilities that should be clearly Transforming Library Organizations articulated and carried out. Many public libraries are not ready or prepared to foster effective partnerships. While Building Community Connections the intent and philosophical commitment may be Community collaboration implies a strong strong, the institutional systems are often not in connection to the external environment and a place to carry out the obligations of the under- community-based approach to service delivery. standing. To succeed, library organizations must This means that a library must commit to work examine their missions, values and service priori- together with its partner(s) to identify the issues, ties in order to ascertain whether the organiza- develop the strategy and pursue a resolution. tional culture is in place to nurture and sustain any Community collaborations should avoid duplica- collaborative initiative. tion of service and focus on a cost-effective Public libraries struggle with their mis- method to deliver service. For example, a commu- sion. The concepts of information, books, literacy nity partnership may be sought to develop a and technology, while important, are too broad to particular expertise within the library, identify capture the essence of what public libraries are new sources for program funding, and focus on an about. They represent different things for the exchange of informational resources. Partnerships profession and certainly to the public. Our em- may include a variety of agencies that target phasis is too diluted to make an impact and fails different groups or provide a unique service. Each to accept the reality that because of limited re- partner should offer its unique orientation or sources, we must prioritize and redirect our strength and complement the contributions of the efforts. Community partnerships are an ideal other. vehicle to identify priorities and validate assump- The benefits of forming strong community tions on services. An effective partnership model alliances can be dramatic, with lasting implica- safeguards the community interests by focusing on tions. A successful alliance can strengthen ties results determined by multiple parties. This builds

California Stale Library Convocation on the 21si Century 27 public accountability, which is crucial in meeting assumes that outreach programs are marginal in the needs of California's complex and diverse the overall library purpose. They become activi- populations. ties instead of the mission. As a result, outreach Barriers to organizational change such as programs have never entered the mainstream of outmoded processes or a heavy reliance on anti- service and come and go depending on availability quated systems can impede partnerships. Libraries of funds, grant opportunities or political pressure. need to give serious consideration to new organi- These temporal infusions simply whet the appetite zational structures that facilitate a responsiveness and raise false expectations of what effective to change. This means a greater focus on external library services should be. rather than internal dimensions of service. An California's communities deserve more ongoing redeployment of staff and continuous and will demand better. The dramatic demo- redirection of work responsibilities to focus on graphic shift to a new majority behooves libraries new models of collaboration and outreach should to change from a traditional, insular approach to be the order for the "new" public library in Cali- one of innovation and inclusion. In California, fornia. Unfortunately, in the changing political programs such as Partnerships for Change are climate, public libraries are abandoning their excellent examples of a model that worked be- advocacy for the disenfranchised at a time when cause of systemic change and community involve- these individuals are most in need. Librarians ment. Our communities should participate in must reaffirm their commitment to empower redefining service priorities and the design of Californians to demand greater support for librar- library programs. Our approach to service should ies. This can only happen if the public shares our be results-based to ensure that we are making vision of the value of libraries in society. long- term impact with the public dollars invested in our libraries. Outreach for the 21st Century The concept of outreach for California's A Strategy for Change 21st century populations must also be redefined if As we approach the 21st century, public we are to successfully carry out community libraries face daunting challenges. The need to collaborations. The current approach to outreach partner with communities to create informed and is outmoded and at times condescending. The literate Californians has never been as critical. term "outreach" connotes a handout and a pater- Public librarianship needs leadership that will nalistic attitude to service delivery. This view promote change in the collective library mind-set.

28 California Stale Likly CO11110611100 011 /he BSI Cellillff 30 California is faltering as a leader in innovation. ies and offer expertise and support in leading The State Library needs to take a leadership change initiatives. Both the Library of California position to ensure equity in library services, so and the new Library Services and Technology Act that the public library system of California does (LSTA) should include provisions that support not become a patchwork of have and have nots, or funding for community collaborative models. a cluster of the information rich and poor. Continuing education, leadership development Several recommendations are in order on institutes and an ongoing commitment to eradicate how the California State Library can provide the growing inequity of service should be the leadership in this effort. First, the State Library priority for the California State Library. should support projects that develop new models for collaboration and change. The criteria for this Conclusion funding should include the integration of commu- This strategy is suggested in order to place nity partnerships in library service; the involve- California once again on the cutting edge of ment of the community; innovation in service innovation. Public libraries in California are in designs; and new models focused on community the midst of challenges and opportunities that will results. Additional state and federal funds should require a commitment to forge new alliances and be allocated to identify public libraries that can ventures to create new information organizations. serve as models for change and innovation, The new public library of California will be particularly as they relate to this new collaborative adaptive, responsive and proactive in its approach emphasis. And finally, the State Library should to information service. California should become support joint initiatives between library education a national leader in advocating for libraries that and public libraries that can experiment with new truly address the diversity and richness of our approaches to community collaboration. For communities. To do this, we need to transition example, funding should be provided for resident from the past and transform the future. field experts and consultants to work with librar-

WITOIllid SIaIeiibrry COMMilion 011 the AV Centsy 29 Community Collaboration and As we come together to consider the Outreach public library in the 21st century, we must discuss: Perspective Paper No. 6 I) how libraries can retain their positions as integral resources in our communities; and 2) by Penny S. Markey, what steps we can take to increase the library's Coordinator of Youth Services, County of Los Angeles Public Library visibility and esteem in the community. Collaboration, partnerships and coopera- Community collaboration and outreach are tion are the key operating words in California and terms that have taken on new meaning and height- throughout the nation. The Governor and Legisla- ened importance for the public library in Califor- ture support efforts and provide funding to en- nia. As budgets have deteriorated and the compe- courage collaborations such as Even Start and tition for limited public dollars has intensified, the Healthy Start. The American Library Association assumed inviolate nature of the public library has (ALA) and the Library of Congress support Head proven to be a myth. Burgeoning new technolo- Start Partnerships. ALA funds the Born to Read gies and the widely held misconception by policy- Project, which like its prototype in California, makers and the public at large that the Internet Begin at the Beginning With Books, encourages will be the information provider of the future has collaboration with health care agencies. Thanks made it essential for libraries to become visible to the efforts of the Serra Library System, libraries and integral to the life of the community. throughout Southern California are collaborating As Coordinator of Youth Services in the in the development and implementation of the County of Los Angeles Public Library, I network 1997 reading program, Library Detectives, Inc., with a host of youth serving agencies, public which attracted funding from Wells Fargo Bank. policy planning groups and coalitions. I speak to Library literacy efforts including Families for constituency groups, parent groups and public Literacy are a model for coalition building and policy-makers. In general, I find that: 1) libraries community collaboration to raise funds and as institutions are revered; 2) many people, even provide important services. highly educated ones, have a limited perspective In Southern California, both the City and of the array of services that the contemporary County of Los Angeles have created Commissions library provides; and 3) many are not aware of the whose goals are to spearhead neighborhood impact those services have on the community. I planning efforts and encourage collaborations on do not think my experience is unique. behalf of children and youth. Technology for

30 California Slate Library Convocation on the llst Century 32 Learning is a collaborative effort mounted by the raise visibility and underscore the value of librar- Los Angeles County Office of Education to build ies. As resources diminish, it is natural to retreat partnerships among educational institutions, into the library building and focus attention on public and private agencies and corporate spon- keeping the doors open for loyal customers. As sors to improve the availability of computers and the library presence in the community diminishes, technology for children. Also, in Southern Cali- so does its visibility and prestige, and ultimately fornia, a new organization, Partnership for Los its value to the community at large. Angeles Youth Enrichment and Recreation Ser- It becomes increasingly important in lean vices (PLAYERS), has formed to encourage times to make every effort to maintain a presence collaboration among enrichment and recreation in the community, whether it is the actual provi- organizations. sion of services outside the building in the tradi- In order to ensure public library survival as tional sense or intensifying public relations or a vital agency into the 21st century, library deci- marketing activities. It is important to strengthen sion makers need to analyze their library's role in ties to the community by activating support and/or the community. It is important that library staff advisory groups that are representative of a participate in and take an active role in local cross-section of their constituencies and willing to planning initiatives and become players in local spread your message. Library booster groups public policy and problem-solving processes. need to be developed with liaisons to local PTAs Being part of a community collaborative and other active community groups. means working together with other agencies to On a wider front, California libraries need identify mutual goals and create an implementa- to develop a statewide public relations outreach tion strategy to work together and meet these campaign to raise the profile and visibility of goals. It also means sharing existing resources and libraries in general. Public libraries must collabo- seeking resources from new funding sources such rate with each other and media partners to send a as community redevelopment, block grants, strong message about their importance to the family preservation funds, etc. The library cannot community. It is particularly important to make be isolated from the community planning process the public aware of the vast array of library ser- and hope to be remembered and taken care of. vices by specifically defining them and quantify- Even as collaborations strengthen the ing their importance to both community members library's role as a participant in community plan- and public policy-makers. Such a public relations ning, community outreach must be increased to effort would require a multifaceted strategy,

etilifOrnid Rale Likdrj CONOCellion 011 the list Century 31 33 including media and coordinated outreach activi- 21st Century California Is a ties on the local level and across library jurisdic- Multicolored Quilt, Made by Many. tions to focus attention on the benefits of a strong, Did You Bring Your Needle and well-funded public library. Thread? The California State Library can support Perspective Paper No. 7 community outreach and collaboration in the by Francisco Pinneli, County Librarian, Nevada following ways: County Public Library Collaboration: Create strong collaborations with state agencies and organizations. All librarians, but more importantly ethnic Provide timely information on upcoming initia- librarians, need to ask what are we doing to tives. Provide training opportunities and funding position libraries at the heart of our communities? incentives. Are libraries visible and viable institutions that are Community Outreach: Spearhead a relevant and serve the needs of our constituents? statewide public relations outreach campaign Are there other avenues to pursue that create a coordinating planning and fundraising. Coordi- stronger library through a widening breadth of nate collaboration of libraries throughout the state connections? Are services that benefit the com- in this effort. Provide training experiences state- munity being actively promoted? Are librarians wide to front-line staff to emphasize the impor- assuming that the public understands what we do? tance of community outreach. Who is taking responsibility for the commonweal, The future is now, and it is never too soon making positive changes and demonstrating pride to begin. in who we are? The Institute for the Future's report, Entering the 21st Century: California's Public Libraries Face the Future, is the latest study that describes the accelerating pace of diversification. For example, it states that the non-Hispanic population is aging and that the Hispanic population comprises more than 50 percent of the population under the age of 15. As the demographics continue to change, is there full understanding about the impacts created by an ethnic California?

32 California Slate Librd ly Con vocollon 011 the 21st Century

3 4 I believe that the profession took a positive latest handcuff). step when the State of Change process and its The impact of technology is redefining progeny, the Partnerships For Change (PFC) how libraries deliver information. Input from program, began to focus attention on the needs of librarians is minimal. California's ethnic populations. Their successful The balancing act required during this programs enriched communities by bringing transitional stage of stretching funds to acquire together groups and individuals previously uncon- materials, hardware and software. nected to libraries. This process should be more Competition from private sector technol- widely disseminated as an effective example for ogy companies that wish to make a profit from other libraries to emulate. information services which libraries offer for free. Given the current situationpolitics, Downsizing of resources, especially staff finances, the impact of technology, competition who do more with less. Staff have less time to do from other information providers, public apathy outreach when they are trapped inside library (or benign neglect) of libraries and reading buildings. librarians have been forced to come to grips with The placement of ethnic library services the reality that we cannot afford to do it alone or on the periphery when other service priorities take in our quiet, behind-the-scenes manner. Coalition center stage. building, collaboration, partnershipsthese are The closure of library schools and the themes that must be embraced if libraries are reductions in recruitment of qualified ethnic to remain viable. candidates for the profession. The library's traditional rolesas provid- The political backlash of public distrust ers of equitable access to information, conduits for of government and bureaucracy. lifelong learning, safe harbors in a chaotic world, The anti-minority sentiments that perme- and preservers of cultureare still relevant. ate all levels of society. The threats to affirmative Librarians need to understand the stresses placed action cripple the ability of institutions to offer on libraries and clearly define our mission, roles minority scholarships and to hire ethnic librarians, and services in this changing new world. These who are still underrepresented in the profession. messages must be communicated to the public and Libraries can continue to be at the fore- to local officials, including: front in counteracting divisive viewpoints by Lack of funds and the diminishing offering multicultural programs that reduce options for funding libraries (Prop. 218 being the barriers and increase cultural understanding.

Calif& a Slate Like Contain On lbe list Century 33 Ethnic librarians must break out of the box and pand ethnic and cultural awareness by providing dare to imagine and create a new life for our information no one else may have. Without communities. The Benton Foundation report, presenting our views, history and customs, we're Buildings, Books and Bytes, states that there is left out. greater support for libraries from minority popula- G Groups: think partnerships, coalitions, tions. Minorities are also more supportive of the collaborations. You can't do it alone. Organize library's role to provide access to on-line re- action groups in the community. Create multitype sources. This support should be leveraged to library agreements. increase the bargaining power for librarians when U Understand yourselves and your commu- requesting funds for enhanced services. nity. Where do you want to go? Define effective Grassroots approaches are effective. Successful methods to reach these goals. politicians listen and respond to the collective L Learn more. Become more politically voices of constituents they represent. savvy. Be innovative in creating new services. Individually we must be involved in our L Lead. Take leadership roles in your communities. We must become joiners. We must community. Recruit people into the profession. also become promoters of libraries and describe Be a mentor to students and to other ethnic library the library's competencies and benefits to the workers. community. We need to become politically savvy 0 Outreach. Get out of the building! Pro- and join others in fighting legislation aimed at mote your library. Meet people. Use the media. curtailing the rights of ethnic populations. We Use multimedia for enhanced and vibrant flyers, must build coalitions within our own ethnic etc. groups as well as with society at large. We need to foster an understanding about our mission and The California State Library and its con- gather support from all levels. This must include sultants can continue to support our efforts with the business sector. Individuals do make a differ- staff training, grants for ethnic services, public ence. Take pride (orgullo in Spanish) in your awareness campaigns, and leadership to produce a endeavors. Here is what you can do: vision of the library for the 21st century that does 0 Organize and create ethnic collections. not marginalize ethnic California. The issue is not Post them on the Internet. Cyberspace is a world about libraries as depositories of books and without boundaries, and it is not monolingual! computers, but rather it is about preserving the R Resources: share them with others. Ex- quality of life that is inclusive of various points of

34 Ctilifornia Stale Libfg &Walk 011 the 21s1 Century 3 6 view. By eliminating sectors of the population, When they work in harmony, the multifac- society ensures that everyone's future is dimin- eted cultures that comprise our society piece ished. The library must become a positive force together the fabrics which create the beautiful and in society by increasing its role as a safe and multicolored quilt that is California. neutral bridge builder that unites cultures.

California Slate Library Convocation on the ilst Century 35 lifelong Learning Lifelong Learning and Libraries Perspective Paper No. 8 particularly true for the ways of accessing infor- by Martha Arroyo-Neves, Circulation Manager, Mission Branch, San Francisco Public Library mation through technology. Libraries can help people meet their life needs by addressing the Although lifelong learning has been following issues. embedded in libraries' mission statements for years, it has taken on a much more important Issues meaning in the last decade to a rapidly growing Training: Library staff need to be trained and more culturally diverse population. Society's first in order to help the public. The Internet, like expectations in this day and age of fast-growing many databases, is rich in resources that can help technology are such that people of all ages are our public, but we can't help if we don't know turning to the library for help. They range from how to use it. Because of recurrent budget cuts, preschool children who are expected to pass a library staff are not being adequately trained in all concept test to enter kindergarten, to senior new available technology (i.e., Internet, databases, citizens who are expected to become computer CD-ROMs, etc.). There is nothing more frustrat- literate to use an on-line catalog and/or go back to ing than learning while teaching. Training for all school to be able to pass a citizenship test. And, of library staff in all areas should be top priority. course, in between are the young adults who are expected to do assignments using the Internet Technology: California libraries have without the knowledge or the mediums to accom- gone to great effort to make technology accessible plish it.Lastly, there is a large population who, in to the public, from the on-line catalog in the order to keep their jobs, must keep their work library to the shopping mall kiosks. But, the skills by home studying or by going back to demand for more computers grows as more school. people become aware of them. People are being The roles of libraries and librarians have limited to 15 minutes of on-line terminal use also gone through a tremendous change. Not only when there are other people waiting. For an are librarians expected to provide traditional average student doing research, 15 minutes is not information services but they have also become enough. Also, there is a great demand for personal information navigators and teachers. This is computers where people can type, among other

36 California Stale Library Convocation On the 2Ist Ceiba 33 things, school reports and resumes. There should Cooperative Planning between Librar- always be a staff person available who can show ies and Schools: The fact that school librarians people how to use these terminals and computers. have been virtually eliminated shows the state of Additional staff would help, but the key word here education in the age of technology. Libraries and is training. schools, including adult education, need to coordinate their efforts and resources. One area where Outreach: Libraries have a wealth of libraries can truly make a difference is in provid- resources for everybody's needs, including ing a wide range of material supporting curricu- Internet, special book and/or media collections lum (not required texts, but recreational material such as self-help, work skills, careers, education, that would enhance courses). One example would books on tape, and others. Unfortunately, many be materials in non-English languages that are people are not aware of them. Many library easy enough to read for someone who is learning systems do not emphasize outreach because it's another language. costly. It not only takes time to do outreach, but it also takes time to train people to use the library Literacy: We could say that people who from filling out a library card application to the cannot read have fewer choices in learning. use of the Internet. Publicity works. Reading is essential. Project Read has been very successful in addressing this need. But now there Collection Development: In times of is a new challenge: a population which cannot book budget cuts, the concept of lifelong learning read or write in their native language which must tends to weaken. It is in the library's best interest learn to read and write in English in order to to buy for the "library supporter" who tends to be function in society. Recruiting volunteers to teach educated, affluent, a technology-user and English- are an option for libraries addressing this issue, speaking. Of course, this is a very political issue. since spending for this particular group is not But, there is also a large population of voting going to get support from politicians, library taxpayers who speak a language other than En- commissions, advisory boards, boards of glish and use the library on a regular basis. Edu- supervisors, etc., considering the current political cating this group of people about politicians' climate. games would help in a time of needed support for book budgets and for library services in general.

California Slate Library Convoralion 00 lhe 21s1 Ceiling 37 Recommendations Lifelong Learning: Library directors need to make staff Survival in the 21st Century training a top priority. The State Library can help Perspective Paper No. 9 by providing or coordinating workshops in all areas of the profession. The State Library can also by Henry Der, Deputy Superintendent, External Affairs Branch, help by identifying course work in other lan- California Department of Education guages presented by California public schools and identifying support materials that libraries might During the baby boom years of the 1960s acquire. through the 1980s, a professional career and job The State Library can coordinate state- security were taken for granted in the American wide, on-line resource sharing in all available workplace for many college graduates and skilled languages. One example would be making avail- workers. Lifelong learning was an activity under- able full text, Spanish periodical indices. Another taken largely when an individual retired from his example would be identifying helpful web sites or her chosen career. Former Governor Jerry that libraries can use in all subject areas and in all Brown's derision of "knitting macrame" classes available languages. reinforced misinformed public perception that The State Library can emphasize the need lifelong learning was a luxury in which only the for computers and homework centers in all librar- retired and/or well-heeled were engaged. ies, but especially in libraries serving economi- Corporate downsizing of the 1990s and the cally disadvantaged populations being left behind emergence of information technology have because of lack of exposure to technology. changed public perception of lifelong learning. Libraries should put more effort into The notion of a stable career after college gradua- coordinating outreach and resource sharing with tion has come under severe question. More than other community agencies, social services, ever before, many professionals and workers feel schools and religious organizations. that there is no job security, no matter how dedi- cated and hard-working an individual may be. Many today find themselves having to seek out lifelong learning opportunities just to survive in the job market, reposition themselves into new or self-created jobs, and/or acquire new skills as a safety net in a multinational economy that can

38 California Slate Library ConVOCall00 On dr lIsl Century 4 0 easily obtain contract work performed by indi- In short, lifelong learning is the process by viduals living in Malaysia, Brazil or other foreign which every Californian becomes countries. information-literate about any conceivable sub- In the midst of the economic recession ject, topic, policy and/or challenge of interest and during the early 1990s, California erred in raising necessity. Information literate individuals are community college fees for college graduates who those who learn how to learn and seek out infor- found themselves having to return to the class- mation as needed for any task or decision. Life- room to acquire new knowledge and skills. The long learning necessarily begins at the earliest age imposition of higher fees on baccalaureate degree possible; it is not an activity undertaken when an holders depressed community college enrollment individual begins to think about retirement. at a time when enrollment should have increased Rightfully or wrongfully, there is consider- so that unemployed and underemployed Califor- able public anxiety that today's young people may nians could reposition themselves in the job not be effective learners, much less lifelong market. The lesson learned is simple and severe learners. Even though California is home to the lifelong learning is a necessity for survival in the top-ranked public research university in the 21st century without regard to an individual's nation, state policy-makers bemoan the unaccept- previous education attainment level. ably high numbers of first-time California State This survival is not solely related to University freshman students who must enroll in economic and job market challenges. Rather, remedial English and math classes. On the Na- lifelong learning is an imperative for all as cul- tional Assessment of Educational Progress tural, racial and ethnic identities and experiences (NAEP) test, California students rank at the very come closer into contact, and even clash. Life- bottom with Louisiana students in reading. Be- long learning provides the calm, reflection and tween 1989 and 1994, the number of poor chil- excitement in which Californians can question dren, age 5-17, grew 44 percent to more than 1.4 where we have been, what we have done, and million. Due to circumstances beyond their where we need to go. This is critical in an emerg- control, poor students do not acquire academic ing, technologically oriented world that applies and other learning skills as well as their more seemingly straightforward, number-crunching affluent counterparts. As the single largest ethnic solutions when complex, multilayered cultural group in California public schools, more than 80 solutions may be equally, if not more, appropriate percent of all Hispanic students score "below and vital. basic proficiency" in NAEP tests.

California Slate Library Convocation on the 2Ist Century 39 41 The California infrastructure for lifelong battles over the role of education in American learning is on unstable grounds. This instability is society, lifelong learning must be inclusive if not solely a function of inadequate funding for California is to remain a viable, multiracial de- public education. To a large extent, the lack of mocracy. California society cannot allow any rigorous academic standards and expectations of citizen or groups of citizens to be either California students, the absence of culturally anti-education or wrongfully perceived as such by sensitive and relevant support services for racially the general public. Lifelong learning must be one diverse students, and the often open hostility of those essential experiences that bind Califor- toward more than 1.3 million limited-English- nians together, without regard to race, ethnicity, proficient students, all undermine the foundations linguistics or cultural background. of lifelong learning. The functional illiteracy and Even as the California economy continues inadequate job skills of hundreds of thousands of its upward trend and, at least for now, more welfare recipients, who are now required by the dollars are available for public education, the so-called federal welfare reform bill to work, challenge remains to have every Californian, underscore the need to reinvigorate and expand young and old, see themselves as a lifelong California's infrastructure for lifelong learning so learners and secure every opportunity to be so. that these individuals can secure the necessary job Our public institutions must collaborate and skills and knowledge for successful employment acknowledge that all Californians can and should and self-sufficiency. be lifelong learners or information-literate citi- The passage of Propositions 187 and 209 zens. Lifelong learners will not only help Califor- and the 1995 anti-affirmative action resolutions by nia society to survive in the next century, but the University of California Board of Regents create a society that is economically competitive, have sent harsh signals to certain groups of Cali- culturally open and enriched, and politically fornians that they may be excluded from lifelong engaged to make decisions which benefit the learning opportunities. At a time when national public good. and state leaders have temporarily ceased partisan

40 California Stale Library Convocation on the 2Ist Century 4 2 Promoting the Yalu of Libraries

tions to community groups, city councils, etc. Some libraries address the value of the library by Getting the Word Out developing information that shows how much Perspective Paper No. 10 bang a citizen gets from her buck at the public library. These projections outline the dollar value by Regina Minudri, Director Emerita, Berkeley Public Library of library services to the community. The effectiveness of these methods varies enormously. The state of California is a vast media If the public library of the 21st century market. We are a diverse state, geographically wants its message heard throughout the state, it is varied and educationally mixed, with a dizzying necessary to use mass media outlets. Statistics array of media outlets. The major media markets show that a majority of people get most of their in our state surround our largest metropolitan information from television and radio. This areas: Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, San means that they acquire news in brief, fast-paced Diego and Sacramento. Reaching those markets segments. Entre to mass media can be difficult for in a meaningful manner challenges the most many libraries. This relates directly to the type of sophisticated and resourceful advertising agencies information featured on newscasts: fire, famine, in the country. pestilence, death, war, etc. That's why libraries The major issues facing public libraries look to Public Service Announcements (PSAs) as and promoting the value of public libraries in- a good way to get their message out. However, clude access to the media, effective utilization of production of effective PSAs for TV and radio local media, ability to fund the production of should be done by professionals, with content effective messages, and access problems faced by advice from practicing, front-line librarians. This smaller libraries in major metropolitan regions. takes money with a capital "M." A small or Libraries act locally, advertising their services, medium-sized library does not usually have the programs and events in local print and broadcast resources needed to produce high quality mes- media. They produce flyers and distribute them sages. throughout their communities, publish annual In our regionalized media markets, it reports with illustrations, interesting narratives makes good sense to regionalize the library's and statistical profiles, and make budget presenta- messages and produce PSAs that have generic

California Slate &au CONOCal1011 On the llst Century 41 4 3 appeal throughout the specified area. Issues of regional basis, leaving a place to plug-in local "turf' problems rise and must be handled appro- information. priately so that both large, medium and small California's public libraries and the State public libraries perceive the value of participation. Library can address these needs by finding out if The public library needs to be seen as more than a effective cooperation is really feasible, outlining people's university, a children's center or informa- the advantages and disadvantages for different tion depot. Our messages should reflect current libraries. A consultant with extensive, quality concernshomework help, literacy training, the experience in assisting public agencies and Internet, etc.; they should also be focused on one non-profits can assist in determining what ap- aspect and not mushed together. Presenting one proaches will work best in regions or statewide. story at a time works best. Consider the effect of the advertising campaigns Public libraries need to cooperate in in the last two years that touted the significance of advertising campaigns and agree on the type of smaller class size and the importance of the message and approach, without diluting the classroom teacher. Development of effective information to please everyone. People remember public library value promotion is a money, money, "stories." (Consider the effect of the Willie Horton money issue. Financial resources need to be found ad on the Dukakis presidential campaign.) There that will permit large scale, professional promo- are all kinds of personal stories that will bring tion done on a statewide basis. library services and programs much closer to the Let's not forget Cable TV. Local access average TV watcher. Use of humor gets the channels give local libraries an opportunity to message across easier. broadcast a wide variety of programs, including A statewide approach is also effective in story hours, book discussion groups, call-in promoting a single messagefor example, "Every shows, etc. Librarians need training and assis- school child in California will have a library card tance before jumping into the Cable TV mael- by the second grade," or promotion of statewide strom. Workshops on Cable TV production are events like National Library Week or Children's often available from Cable TV franchises. Book Week. The State Library or the California Libraries have an important story to tell Library Association might want to consider and need help in conveying their messages to the placing collections of downloadable clip art, public in a manner that makes the library inviting, mock-up flyers and brochures on a web site. Print attractive, useful and necessary. This can be done, media promotions can also be done on a state or so long as there is motivation, money and message.

42 California Slate Library Convocation on the llst Century

4 4 Promoting the Value of Libraries libraries. We must first make sure that libraries Perspective Paper No. 11 really do provide value to their communities. We need to contribute resources, time and money to by Linda M. Wood, County Librarian, Alameda County Public Library the value of libraries and then promote community awareness of that value. Why are we talking about promoting the California's 21st century population will value of libraries? Doesn't everyone know how be older and more culturally diverse, with a valuable our services are? Isn't it evident that growing proportion of youth in poverty, a greater libraries have a substantial value to their commu- need for services and resources in different lan- nities? Doesn't every intelligent person under- guages, an increasing use of and reliance on stand what we do and how valuable it is? technology by more and more people (but not You know the answer to all these ques- everyone), and more affluence. These are con- tions. We take it for granted that everyone recog- flicting trends with increasing extremes of both nizes the value of libraries, but the fact is that, wealth and poverty, and a reliance or non-reliance despite a vast reservoir of good will and positive on technology. In other words, we will be continu- feelings about public libraries, few peopleeven ally more diverse in every way. the best educatedcan define what the value of a Each of our communities is unique. Some library really is to their community. They have a will continue to be more affluent and more knowl- vague idea that we do something good for kids edgeable about technology. Others will reflect the and seniors. growing number of youth in poverty and be The first major issue involved in improv- technologically poor. Increasing cultural diversity ing how we promote the value of libraries is that will be found connected with both extremes of we need to recognize that we cannot just sit back poverty and wealth. The larger the library jurisdic- and assume everyone knows how valuable we are. tion, the more likely that it will be a microcosm of We need to think seriously about how to promote the state and reflect all these conflicting trends. knowledge and understanding of our value, so that The smaller the library jurisdiction, the more when communities decide how to allocate their likely that it will be more homogeneous. resources, they will be fully aware of the value Since our first priority must be to ensure libraries offer. that our libraries truly are valuable to our commu- The second major issue is to ensure that nities, we must understand those communities and we can do a good job of promoting the value of recognize that the value of libraries to different

California Stale Library Convocalion on file llsl Century 43 4 5 communities may be very different. The focus and How can only be defined in the context of each emphasis of services in one community may need community's unique needs. to be quite different from those in another com- Once we have ensured that our libraries do munity. We will need to focus on more intensive have value to our communities, then we need to community analysis and planning than ever before think about promoting that value. We know all the to be sure that our libraries remain valuable or traditional ways to do thatstandard public develop new value for our changing communities. relations techniques, speaking engagements with We all know how difficult this is, particu- clubs and organizations in the community, news- larly in a time of fiscal constraints and other letters mailed to key opinion leaders in communi- obstacles such as rigid civil service systems and a ties, media spots and appearances and publicity normal reluctance to change. Yet in order to materials. Using these techniques, we need to be respond to California's increasing diversity in able to state the economic, educational and cul- every sense of the word, we must become more tural value of the library which emerges from our flexible and more responsive as organizations to planning processes with the community. the unique needs of our communities. The State Library can help in a variety of For the individual public library, the ways. To support our first priority, the State challenge is to study the community, engage in Library can sponsor training for local library staff dialogue with the community, and integrate both on how to do community-based planning to our study and the dialogue into the planning ensure the value of libraries. It can commission a process. We can learn a great deal from planning study about the economic value of libraries and and community involvement techniques fostered provide training to library managers about how to by the Partnerships for Change Program. We must determine that economic value. be willing to devote resources to these efforts, or To support our second priority, the State we will not be able to determine and respond to Library can fund and sponsor a statewide media the unique needs of our changing communities. campaign about the value of libraries. I do not Then we must devote resources to ensur- mean media spots to be sent to individual libraries ing that we do change in appropriate ways, retain- to customize and distribute to their local televi- ing and reinforcing our traditional value to com- sion and radio stations, but instead, media produc- munities, but also enhancing and developing new tions that would be general enough to use state- value for our communities. Services and tradi- wide. I am talking about a campaign similar to the tional methods of operation will need to change. statewide media campaign against smoking. This

44 California Rale Library CollWalioll on lhe lIsl Century

4 would be very expensive, but could be a critical needed to our changing communities, more people investment in public understanding of the value of will be able to answer the questions, "Why does libraries. Perhaps corporate sponsorship through your community need a library, and what is the the State Library Foundation would be an appro- value of the library to your community?" priate way to fund and sponsor such a statewide In the long run, most of the other topics we media campaign. Hopefully, it could be ongoing, are talking about at this Convocationaccess, not a one-time-only production. Television is the collection development and resource sharing, best means to reach the most people, so I would community collaboration and outreach, staff, and recommend using it, even though it is expensive. technologyare means to the end of providing If we really focus at the local level on value to our communities. Community-based planning to ensure the value of libraries, then by planning, which is needed to ensure our value, is getting the word out, using all the classic methods the process that will provide guidance for us in all of public information and adapting them as these areas.

California Slate Maly &Million 011 lhe 2Isl Cellfilly 45 4 e Staffing to Serve California's 21st Century Population Staffing in Public Libraries to Serve the 21st Century Perspective Paper No. 12 new technologies and make them work. Libraries should be leaders in the area of linking informa- by Marilyn Crouch, Director, San Diego County Public Library tion systems, collections and technologies, but they need the expertise to do so. We need the It is the year 2030; the information revolu- ability to provide information in multiple formats, tion is in full swing. New technology and techno- electronic as well as print. logical developments pile one upon another. Is there a public library? What does it look like? Outsourcing will become more common Who does it serve? among public libraries. Many backstage activities These are questions that need to be consid- have been automated or streamlined. More and ered in examining how we staff our public librar- more of our technical service activities will be ies. What is our focus? What changes should we outsourced to save time and money. These in- make to improve staffing in public libraries for the clude payroll and benefits packages, cataloging 21st century? and processing of materials, delinquency collections and technology maintenance. This means Issues that some of the traditional jobs in libraries, Automation has fundamentally altered the particularly in the area of technical services, will library's internal environment. We should be able no longer exist. Staff will need to be retrained in and willing to recruit in new areas for needed other, more direct public service areas. disciplines not part of traditional library training. In particular, there will be an increasing need for Contracting for specialized or short-term network management and telecommunications skills such as network technology, collections expertise. The environment is rapidly evolving recovery, employee training, customer service and changing. The pay for these individuals will training and corporate fundraising is a new option. be different from that of the librarian and parapro- These specialized skills are available and may be fessional. Libraries should recognize and be much more cost-effective by contracting with willing to accept the higher scale needed to link private sector experts.

46 California Stale Library Convocation on the 21s1Centurf

4 3 Diversity/new competencies in the of service at low cost. This allows the permanent workforce to meet new needs for services, ex- workforce to focus on core functions and complex panded customer bases (cultures, ethnic and services and technologies. These workers should diverse age populations) and an increasing senior reflect the need for a workforce that is diverse in population. New and expanded skill in commu- age and ethnicity. nity outreach, marketing, public relations, community collaborations and fundraising will be Continuing education for staff will be needed as public libraries move to augment their critical as individuals from traditional library skill services by forming alliances with other commu- areas will need to be retrained and shifted to core nity partners. Also needed will be skills in the services or to new service areas as they emerge. areas of space and building design to accommo- As services and technologies change, librarians date new services and technologies. Most of these and other staff need to pick up skills and tech- skills are not present in the existing library niques that will help them adapt to the evolving workforce and are not taught in the traditional concept of the public library. We need to make library school curriculum. sure we offer the opportunity to upgrade skills on the job continuously. New, expanded recruiting techniques will be needed to attract and keep a broader Technology outside the library will spectrum of staff outside the library world. We significantly change the way we do business. We must reach into diverse communities and age are beginning to focus more and more on extend- groups to meet and cross diverse customer and ing information and services outside the library cross-cultural boundaries. Learning how to recruit walls to the home or business. Staff who are in new places to find needed skills (i.e. computer flexible, change-oriented and customer service technology and fundraising) will also be neces- oriented will be essential. sary. A more non-traditional civil service approach will be needed, especially for areas where Change, especially technological change, contracts for services are established. will dictate that libraries redefine their missions, goals and objectives, planning and marketing Increased use of hourly/temporary/ processesthe way we do businessto relate to unbenefited workers for routine functions is an more and more of our customers. This involves option that can provide more flexibility for hours identifying our customers and their needs, inter-

Cd 111044 Sidle Llbrdry Convocation 00 the 21s1 Century 47 4 3 ests and expectations in order to design service always available locally. Mini-courses (i.e., one- strategy and marketing techniques. or two- day sessions) with continuing education credit would mean expansion of the core curricu- Ethnicity, age and cultural diversity will lum of library schools. However, if library schools be a factor. We will want to develop new multi- could offer these mini-courses, this would provide lingual services to meet the interests of an increas- the diversity of training and skills needed. Library ingly diverse population. To conduct effective schools have the existing training structure in community needs assessment, we must hire staff place to most efficiently offer this type of training from these communities and build partnerships and lend their credentials to a credible type of with diverse groups. course work.

How Can the State Library and There is a need for State Library con- Public Libraries Address these Needs? sultants in some areas of specialty, particularly There is a need to develop expertise to for small and rural libraries which do not have the contract for services not available within the expertise or resources even within their local library, especially in the areas of technology, government to handle some changes and enhance- marketing, public relations, and community needs ment of services. Examples are network and assessment and collaboration. information technology planning as well as The State Library can work with and community needs assessment and marketing. The underwrite initial funding for library schools to State Library could provide funding opportunities develop one- or two-day workshops or curriculum for libraries needing expertise in new areas, or it for training in the areas of contracting and could provide contract experts. Network technol- outsourcing for library directors to hire experts in ogy in particular is becoming a critical require- new fields. Library administrators should learn ment that will only increase with the implementa- how to develop scope of work and contracting tion of the Library of California. Many libraries terms to bring in these areas and how to evaluate do not have the resources (personnel or funding) their services. to hire this specialty and only need it for limited periods for start-up on long-range planning. The Ongoing continuing education training same is true of the following areas, all which are for professionals and paraprofessionals will be becoming critical to the success and future of desperately needed. Training resources are not public libraries:

48 California Slate Library Convocation on the 21st Century 5 0 Community/Corporate Fundraising adapt to new communities and technologies are Foundations critical to the future existence of public libraries. Community Needs Assessment Public Relations Customer Service Training Improving Staff to Better Serve California's 21st Century Population Customer service training, as libraries Perspective Paper No. 13 focus more on tailoring services to fit the needs of by Billie Dancy, Director of Library Services, specialized communities, will become more and Oakland Public Library more important. Training in this area is needed, particularly because of the amount of change The 1996 Benton Foundation report, taking place in the traditional library role. Buildings, Books, and Bytes: Libraries and Communities in the Digital Age, is a wake-up call Funding and fundraising training is for librarians about how the public perception of critical to the assured success of public libraries. the role of libraries in the future and the percep- Our base will remain public funding. As a public tions of librarians often differ. According to the library, we should receive public support. How- public opinion research conducted by the Benton ever, today's library is in an increasingly competi- Foundation, there is a critical need for libraries to tive race for declining resources. Unless public define their relative and collective roles in an libraries adopt and master the language and expanding marketplace of information. In a techniques of our competitors, we face a decline community-driven political environment, organi- in the significance of our services. Increasingly, zations that do not recognize or share local com- we should develop the skills to build collabora- munity values will be in jeopardy, or risk being tions with public and private sector sources. marginalized as other institutions compete for Fundraising and grant-writing are such needed limited public monies. A diversified work force is skills. The State Library could sponsor training, essential to our efforts to better understand and workshops, consultants and start-up grant monies connect with our communities. to begin this process in local communities. All The population of the 21st century will be funding is a local issuebut some start-up public- more diverse than at any time in history. In spite ity and marketing monies are needed. Finally, the of legislation, complaints or denial, diversity is a need to focus on change and the willingness to reality in California that will continue and grow.

California Stale Library CO01701%011 on Ike llsl Centffly 49 The diversity in our communities and work force community needs. goes beyond ethnicity. Class, race, gender, sexual In the 21st century there will be increased orientation, age, and religious and physical differ- interaction between those who are different within ences are reflected in the work force and in the the communities and within the work force. Even communities we serve. those communities that are geographically and Economic changes such as a major shift economically removed from diverse populations from jobs that require basic skills to those which will begin to experience change as the population require specialized training will continue to have a increases and space becomes more limited. major impact upon society, as we move from an California libraries have made significant economy based upon services to one based upon advances in the acquisition and application of the provision of information. Computer technol- technology to improve efficiency and access to ogy has had a major impact on libraries through- information and collections so as to meet special out the state. Staff often do not feel they have the population needs. They have also developed training or time necessary to adequately respond excellent programs to meet critical community to the questions of library users who expect needs such as homework assistance and adult technical assistance or those who question the literacy, which serve as models in spite of initial need for technology rather than books. Jobs are resistance by some librarians. Despite some less secure, loyalty to institutions is diminishing, progress, however, we continue to struggle in our and lifelong learning and flexibility are critical. efforts to connect effectively with diverse popula- The changes taking place in our society are tions and staff. played out in the workplace. The needs of the So where do we go from here? Change is work force mirror the needs of our communities. risky, often messy and usually uncomfortable, but Staff want more training, job security and recogni- strategic change is necessary as we enter the next tion within the organization. Attitudes regarding century. Given the diminishing resources and the haves and the have not, and the competition increased demands and complexity of the politi- for limited resources are reflected in our policies cal, technological and social environment, the and services. Library workers who find a link organizational structure of libraries must become between their personal values and those of the less rigid in order for us to respond quickly and organization are more enthusiastic, creative and effectively to changing needs. effective. Our response to staff needs will provide Such a shift will not be easy given the us with the clues we need to more effectively meet historical culture of most libraries, which is based

50 California Slate Library Convocation on the 2Isl Century 52 upon a class structure where formal education is Library administrators should encourage often the primary measure of ability and intelli- and recognize professional growth and community gence. We need to take a hard look at our struc- involvement as well as the creation of an environ- tures and at the skills needed to most effectively ment that encourages and supports diversity, serve our constituents. Changes may include lifelong learning, and broad participation from all learning to work effectively with partners, orga- levels of staff. Staff development should be part of nizing work remotely, examining power relation- each supervisor's work plan and each library's ships within the society and our institutions, policies and procedures. We must provide library involving more library support staff in manage- staff with the knowledge and skills needed to ment, and developing working relations with other remain effective and competitive in a rapidly agencies and groups who work with special changing environment and take advantage of the populations, thus building the skill level of our resources available from other departments or staff and identifying shared values. agencies. We need to train, retain and recruit staff The State Library should provide incen- who are willing and able to work effectively in a tives and tools for training, evaluating, identify- diverse environment, and who have the technical ing, recognizing and distributing information skills or cross-cultural knowledge necessary to about programs that work, functioning as a link move the library forward. Support staff must be between statewide goals and staff development included in the recreation of our organizations. and recruitment. Efforts by the State Library and Ironically, support staff are often more in tune systems to provide and support training are criti- with the leadership, values and perceptions of cally needed. local residents because they often represent our One of the most effective ways to encour- customers' diversity and the skills needed. age diversity within the profession is to provide We must find a nexus between our high support for library school students at the local and professional standards and the messy reality in state level. which we work. Training by itself is not sufficient As librarians, we are well aware of the to make a change. We must reject the perspective power that ideas and information have and how that refuses to acknowledge the existence of they determine who has the power in this world. inequity. The refusal to recognize the issue The knowledge-based society now evolving perverts any efforts by the organization. There presents challenges and opportunities. As a result must be a change in attitude and in behavior. of technology such as the Internet, for the first

California Stale Library Convotalion on the Ns! Century 51 53 time in history, the possibility of leadership is to create institutions in which more people may be open to all regardless of differences. We must successful institutions that will attract and work strategically to take advantage of the ideas, develop the staff who will lead us triumphantly information and human resources available to us into the 21st century.

52 California Stale MIR &Horan On the llst Century 5 4 Technology

Technology in Libraries: Preparing for struggling to keep abreast of these changes so that California's 21st Century Population they can make good economic decisions, train Perspective Paper No. 14 their staff to be effective in the use of these tools, and maintain their relationship with the larger by John Kallenberg, County Librarian, Fresno governmental organization(s) of which they are a County Free Library part. In this arena, the Internet and Intranets pose Change is occurring very rapidly, and new new challenges. As a public library offers its technologies are being added to support service in services, it must do so in a way that protects both all libraries. This change is adding new elements First Amendment rights of individuals and com- to service by increasing the diversity of formats munity standards of acceptability, and that also and hardware with which libraries must cope. provides access for multilingual and/or Public libraries in California must apply these multicultural needs. technologies as they respond to the diverse popu- One key issue for libraries is telecommuni- lations they serve. cations. The telecommunications policy of "uni- Specifically, the elements of change are: versal service" has entered library service through Faster computing and telecommunica- the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The public tions; library becomes a place where those who do not Larger capacity of computing; have access to this technology can have it. Over- Higher resolution in monitors; laying this new service for libraries is the very More format choices for purchasing rapid change in the types of telecommunication electronic materials; technology being deployed and the deregulation of Implementation of the Internet and all telecommunications services. The impact of Intranets; these elements is not yet clearly felt in the com- Increasing expectations of patrons for munities libraries serve. In California, funding and access to these new technologies; and legislative support are not yet completely in place. Global telecommunications to multilin- At the national level, support is not in place for gual, multinational resources. the services required. From the viewpoint of human relations Currently, public libraries are at the thresh- and organizational development, all libraries are old of these changes. A number, including Sacra-

California Stale Library Convocation on the list Century 53 mento Public Library, have been experimenting people to learn and learn at their own individual with various aspects of telecommunications pace. Technologies now available and those yet to technology. Members of Peninsula Library come in the 21st Century will add more choices to System and others are exploring on-line services this learning experience. Each library will need to for all of their members. The State Library and form more alliances and consortia to meet these Los Angeles Public Library are testing access to challenges. These alliances will range from several products and services to support system strategic to day-to-day. reference centers. The State Library, through its What will our patrons see and expect when Info People Program and the Virtual Reference visiting the public library? Center prototype, is providing platforms for experimentation and testing of strategies for High Speed InternetPatrons are re- accomplishment. In addition, many public librar- questing United States Geological Survey maps. ies and public library systems are conducting Patrons will be able to receive the desired maps planning and assessment to change their approach and three-dimensional biological illustrations at to the use of technology. the branch library where the request is made In the future, public libraries are going to because of access to high-speed, broad bandwidth be places where ALL technologies are in use, telecommunication lines. from books to on-line full text and graphics documents. They will be connected to both Global Multilingual Delivery System Intranets and Internets. They will have multilin- Visitors to the public library will be able to re- gual capabilities for their patrons via these tech- ceive information or materials in languages other nologies. Public libraries will be places intercon- than English or cultural material from around the nected with the world and places of independent world through global Internet connections. refuge for their patrons and their communities. Knowing that this is where public libraries Training for Staff and PatronsStaff are going, discussions should be held to figure out responding to patron inquiries will have the how to get there. Difficult choices will occur in background and understanding to make choices making buying decisions for new technology. between print sources and electronic on-line Staff training at all levels (top to bottom) will be resources. They will also have the skills to use essential and will ensure the best use of these and/or select services available via the Internet's tools. Libraries have always been places for World Wide Web and the ability to interpret these

54 California Staleiibrajy Convocation On lhe llst Century 5 6 services to their patrons. library service relevant to 21st century Califor- Lifelong learners will be using the library nians. Specifically, action should take the follow- to learn how to use new technology tools for their ing forms: learning and information needs. For an indefinite A. Support and fund the development of period, both patrons who have not touched a high-speed interconnections between libraries and computer keyboard and very sophisticated users the Internet. will ask to learn more about using the variety of B. Through an appropriate vehicle, pro- technologies available in the public library. Li- mote statewide licensing of on-line materials held braries will respond to these needs through indi- by the private sector and the supporting copyright vidual and group instruction. clearances. C. Provide training for existing and new On-line/CD Server/Stand-alone Elec- staff through courses or training sessions on tronic Materials DeliveryPatrons of public various topics that support the use of all technolo- libraries will use electronic materials via the gies in public libraries. Internet and networked CDs in the library from D. Act as an advocate for California's homes and offices. These materials will vary public libraries in the national and international from publicly available materials to proprietary arena to protect access to resources needed by materials. They will vary from those purchased California's diverse population, and to support locally to those used locally, but stored elsewhere. economic development of the state. They will vary from those purchased individually E. Develop local delivery capabilities for by the library to those purchased as a part of a global connection and effective use of multilin- consortia in which discounts/licenses are secured gual and multicultural information that will through a regional, state or national body. connect the diverse population of California to the The library community, including the State global community. Library and the California Library Services Board, F. Provide leadership in all arenas that must address technology needs as a part of its will develop all of our libraries as the "new responsibility to maintain and develop public California gold mines" ON TO 2049!

California Slate Library Convocation on the 2Ist Century' 55 57 Technology in Libraries: Preparing for number of other issues: California's 21st Century Population Books vs. ComputersShould libraries Perspective Paper No. 15 replace their collections with electronic resources? How would these resources be selected? Can by Mark Parker, Deputy Library Director, Sacra- mento Public Library technology provide enough "access points" to serve the public? In November, 1996, the Benton Founda- Haves vs. Have NotsShould scarce tion published Buildings, Books, and Bytes. The library resources be devoted to provision of study "compares library leaders' visions for the electronic access for people who do not have future with the public's prescriptions for libraries, alternative access to technology for cultural, social derived from public opinion research...." (Preface, or economic reasons? p. 1). The study notes: Buildings vs. "Virtual Libraries" "The public loves libraries but is unclear Can electronic library resources and services about whether it wants libraries to reside at the replace physical library buildings? How much center of the evolving digital revolutionor at the service should be channeled to the public through margins. Trusting their libraries and seeing them technology? as a source of comfort in an age of anxiety, Librarians vs. "Cybrarians" What is Americans support their public libraries and hold the role of the librarian in the information age? them in high esteem. They support a combined How much time should be spent supporting role for libraries that links digital and traditional technology? What is the impact on library staff- book and paper information resources. And they ing patterns? accord equal value to libraries as places where Selection vs. Open AccessMaterials people can read and borrow books or use comput- accessed through the Internet may never be "se- ers to find information and use online services." lected" by library staff. What responsibility do (Preface, p. 2) libraries have for the content of digital informa- The study notes that library leaders and the tion? public understand there is potential conflict Censorship vs. Intellectual Freedom between technology and the provision of tradi- How do libraries manage the issue of public tional library services. With the exception of demand for censorship of some forms of elec- adequate funding, this may be the key issue facing tronic information with the basic right of freedom libraries over the next decade. It underlies a of speech?

56 California Slate Library CollvoCall011 on Ihe list Century 53 Beyond these philosophical issues are a change and caution comes at a time when libraries host of operational issues. There is increased seem ill-prepared to handle them. Many Califor- demand for development of technology infrastruc- nia libraries have enduredand continue to tures. This includes high speed connectivity and enduredramatic budget reductions. In their networking, and the installation, support and efforts to keep the doors open, libraries have cut maintenance of sophisticated computer systems everything but the most essential services. and software applications. Given the challenges described above, The increased complexity of the electronic what needs to be done to meet the needs of library environment requires the training and California's population of library users and poten- recruitment of new staff and the reorganization of tial users? library staffing patterns to accommodate them. There is little public support for the aban- The dividing line between professional and donment of traditional library services. The non-professional staff will blur as electronic library in both popular imagination and reality is information resources are deployed closer to the more than a place where information is provided. public and are less under the control of profes- Libraries are held in high public esteem because sionals. All Sacramento Public Library branches, they meet a variety of needs, both "high-tech" and including those staffed and managed by "high-touch." Many communities see the library non-professional staff, have Internet terminals, as a vital part of the neighborhood, where people access to on-line magazine indices with full-text are free to learn, to find quiet and intellectual articles, and the Online Catalog, providing access stimulation, and to be entertained. to the entire library collection. With more power- At the same time, there is a growing public ful tools in hand, non-professional staff will play awareness that libraries must assume some role in an increasingly important role as information the provision and publishing of digital informa- providers. tion services. Programs like the State Library's Technology support staff will also have an InFo People project have helped many libraries. impact on library hierarchies. Many industry The development of an experience base is the only salaries are already higher than that of many way that libraries can understand the advocacy library directors. Moreover, the mobility inherent and public policy issues to ensure that they are not in the technology field will make it increasingly left behind in the public imagination. difficult to retain qualified technical staff. At the core of adequate library service is It is ironic that so much demand for adequate funding. Libraries may become increas-

Colifornid Sidle Liblriff Conv001011 on lbe 21s1 Century 57 53 ingly marginalized if they cannot afford to ies and the State Library must commit resources provide even the most basic traditional services. to accomplish the following: Technology cannot by itself be looked upon as an At both the state and local level, provide alternative to adequate materials, qualified staff adequate funding to meet the needs of public and sufficient hours of public access. library users. Beyond the funding issue are the following Develop demonstration projects to needs: implement new technologies and assess their Access to sufficient technology re- benefits. sources to enable libraries to install and maintain Participate in the development of public electronic access for their users. This includes policy as it relates to the telecommunications continuing education for staff, adequate training industry, seeking the most favorable pricing for new staff, and access to consultative assistance structures for libraries and making additional as well as access to the technology itself. funds available for development and installation Development of a favorable public of high-speed connectivity. policy environment providing low-cost, Link the demand for improved quality of high-speed access to the information superhigh- education to improved quality of library services. way. Emphasize the role that public libraries play in the Development of technology "models" educational process. that work in a library setting. Grants from both Provide for staff training in areas of public and private sources should be used to technology and public electronic access services. encourage experimentation and disseminate Seek the passage and implementation of information about both successful and unsuccess- legislation that benefits libraries and utilizes ful projects. technology. The Library of California (SB 409) is Awareness of applicable policy issues in a good example. the library and general public contexts. Libraries At the State Library Level, provide must participate in the public discussion of issues consultative services to manage the development that affect them. This dialogue must be shared of pilot projects, collect and disseminate informa- with public officials, elected representatives and tion pertinent to libraries and technology, and those responsible for funding and overseeing advocate on behalf of libraries and technology. public library services. Develop projects that demonstrate the To address these needs both public librar- usefulness of technology to the community and to

58 Coafnid Sidle Librajy Convocation On& list Cenlury

6 0 the general public. completed last Spring, 18.7 million computers in As partners, public libraries and the State Canada and the United Statesless than 10 Library can address issues of concern on both percentwere using the Internet at least once a local and statewide levels. The State Library can month." In less than one year, Internet usage has address issues that cross jurisdictional lines. more than doubled. The State Library and Cali- Local libraries are places where public policy fornia public libraries must address large and ultimately affects the library user. small issues as they struggle to achieve an appro- There is no question that the demand for priate balance between traditional services and electronic and digital resources is here now. technology-based services. The ability to accom- According to The San Francisco Chronicle plish this task will ultimately decide how impor- (March 13, 1997, p. B 1), "Nearly one-quarter of tant library services will be to a public with an Americans and Canadians over the age of 16or increasingly broad array of information options. 50.6 million peoplehooked up to the Net in December...When the first such study was

California Slate Library CONOCalion on Ine llsl Cenlog 59 61 Remarks of Dan Walters

Journalist and Syndicated Political Columnist May 22, 1997

WhenI was about 12 years old or so, I represented by his father's law firm, but that's lived in the Imperial Valley. Now the Imperial another story. So I wrote a column about this Valley, for those of you who don't know, is awful. strange juxtaposition of events. And the headline Particularly in the summertime when it's 115-120 on the column, which I'm very proud of, was degrees with 90-95 percent humidity from all the "Millions for bookies, nothing for books." It irrigation. My mother was a great believer in didn't make me too popular around the reading. In fact she's a former teacher and taught Governor's office for awhile. That's another story all of us kids to read at a young age. She taught us about libraries. so well, as a matter of fact, that I dropped out of The final story I'm going to tell you about high school, but that's another story. libraries is a non-political story but I think it's At any rate, when I was about 12 years really more on point about what we're talking old, I decided to read a book a day for the entire about here. A friend of my stepdaughter's came summer; and I did it, thanks to the local library. over to the house because she had been assigned I'd go down there once a week and get seven to write a school report on Malawi. I think that's books. They were very tolerant of that, I guess. how you pronounce it. Tiny little country in And a week later I'd take those seven back and Africa. And she'd gone to the Roseville City get seven more. I hit 100 books before the sum- Library near our home and she found virtually mer was over. I haven't read a thing since. So nothing on Malawi. You know, she could find it that's one of the library stories I'm going to tell. on a map. There may have been a little brief I will tell you this little political story reference to it in some book but it was really involving libraries. When Proposition 13 passed insufficient and she did not have a home computer in 1978, of course it was a big financial blow to at that time. So she came over to see whether she local governments, including libraries. Jim might tap into our computer and find something. Nielsen authored this bill to provide, as I recall, We first looked it up on the Internet. 40 million dollars from the State to support local Tagged into the Internet and pulled up one of the library services. And Jerry Brown vetoed the bill search engines, and just typed in Malawi. Wham. and used it as an example of "I've gotten the More Malawi than you'd ever need in your entire message," you know, smaller government, cutting life. I mean just thing after thing after thing, all taxes, and so forth. But in the same week that he these contemporary reports and statistical studies vetoed that bill, he approved another bill that and this and that. I mean I printed out half-dozen happened to also involve about 40 million dollars. things for her. It gave her what she needed. It was a 40 million dollar-a-year tax break for the I guess that's really the final message. horse racing industry who just happened to be That from the time I was 12 years old, the place of

60 California Slate artily CONOfillion on the 2Ist Century 6 2 the library has clearly changed in people's lives very real. We're evolving into an economy that is for a lot of reasons. That girl and her family in trade services, entertainment and communica- bought a computer and got Internet access after tions, in a dramatic way. seeing that demonstration. I know technology is There are more people employed in the one of those reasons. But the whole concept of a motion picture industry in Southern California library being an almost exclusive repository of now than in aerospace. Motion picture employ- information available to the public, clearly has ment has tripled since 1980 while that of aero- changed. Today, the library is only one of a whole space took a very bit hit maybe a half-million menu of information sources. The question that people in the early 1990s. Aircraft assembly you're pondering here is: what relevance will hangars are being converted into sound stages in libraries have as California moves into the 21st Southern California to make up for a shortage of Century? motion picture sound stages. All the major So with that little series of vignettes, I am studios are expanding film production dramati- going to launch into my description of what's cally. Not only does it service the American going to be happening in California for the rest of market but the worldwide market as well. It is a this decade, the rest of this century, the rest of this humongously powerful and growing industry. millennium and into the next one as well. The number of people employed in tire I think we all know that California is a factories in California has declined by 85 percent place of unending change. The only constant since the mid-1970s and there are more cars on about California is that it's constantly changing, the road. The number of vehicles in California is but there are periods in which the rates of change expanding rapidlymore rapidly than the number and the depth and breadth of that change is greater of drivers, nearly three times as fast as the number or lesser. I think that we are really blessed to be of drivers. We have 25 million vehicles and only living in probably the most interesting place in the about 19 million licensed drivers in California. world and probably in its most interesting period There's something weird about that. (laughter). a period of dramatic, far-reaching, deep, powerful, You could have one driver in every vehicleyou social and economic evolution. There are a lot of know one vehicle for every driver and you'd still specific things one could mention but I think they have about six million vehicles still parked some really can be categorized in three big areas of place. That's California, right? More vehicles, evolution. more tires, but they're not being built here, they're The first and probably the most important being built someplace else. There's only one tire is economic. California was an agrarian society factory left in California near Hanford. for most of its first century. It became an indus- But during that same period, employment trial society earlier in the 20th century and it is at hotels, like this one, has doubled in the last 20 now evolving economically into this very power- years. Look at it another way. In 1980 there were ful but also very complex post-industrial eco- 3.4 million Californians employed in what I call nomic mode. There's a lot of data to support that the basic traditional areas: manufacturing, utili- thesis but it's not merely a theory, it's realvery, ties, transportation like railroads, and so forth.

California Stale Library Convocation on the 2Ist Century 61 6 3 These are traditional activities. Today, if you take a port. Don't even have to be next to an airport. those same exact categories, there are 3.4 million Jobs can be anywhere. You take the computers, employed in them, 7,000 fewer since 1980. All of plug them in, you're in business. the growth in employment since thenabout When I was getting my health care through 30-35 percenthas been in the new economy, the Blue Shield not too many years ago, before I went trade service economy. Within the manufacturing to Kaiser, my insurance claims were being pro- area, we all know that's undergone a tremendous cessed in Grass Valley up in the Sierra Foothills. revolution in the high tech area. Health care is It's just as easy to process those insurance claims now the largest single industry in California. It's a in Grass Valley as it is in downtown San Fran- 100 billion dollar a year industry. It's twice of cisco. In fact, it's easier. what the defense industry is and growing. Look at So one of the effects of the economic all the new hospitals that are being built around evolution that's going on in California is that jobs the state. You've seen them all. There are two are being dispersed from the coastal cities into the new ones in my little community of Roseville a inland valleys. The land is cheaper, labor costs new Kaiser Hospital and a new Sutter Hospital. are cheaper, housing for workers is cheaper, so on This economic transformation of Califor- and so on. nia is real and it has myriad impacts unto itself. It Jobs are portable. They can be picked up. means that the requirements for work are chang- Look at the intense competition for that next Intel ing dramatically. It means a certain level of chip plant. If it can be in Albuquerque, it can be stratification. Some people believe California is anywhere. So there's an intense competition. becoming a two-tiered economy. A lot of expan- The second big thing that's happening is sion among what some people call the "cognitive population growth. The sheer numbers are abso- elite"among people who are symbol manipula- lutely overwhelming. Six-million more Califor- tors like you and like me. People who take words nians in the 1980s, 25 percent population growth and numbers, symbols, rearrange them in a com- in ten years. That's a very high rate of population puter, or on a piece of paper, and get paid to do it. growth, comparatively. To demonstrate that, Lawyers, accountants, computer programmers, California's population growth was one-fourth of software designers, multimedia mavens. They're all the population growth in the United States all symbol manipulators. during that period. The population growth alone And then, there is a lot of expansion down would have been equal to the thirteenth most there among the garment workers, in the low-tech populated state in the United Statesthe equiva- industry, the service industry, the ill-paid and the lent of adding a Virginia or a Massachusetts to our ill-trained. And there is a kind of squeezing out of population in just ten years. the middle. It's not certain. It may be happening, And you say, "Okay, that was in 1980s. possibly not. The data would indicate that per- Everybody left in the 1990s. Right?" We read all haps it is, but it's still too early to tell. the stories. U-Haul did not have enough trailers Today, jobs are portable. Jobs don't have for all the people who wanted to pack and leave to be on rail heads. They don't have to be next to California. And it was true as far as it went. We

62 California Slate Library Convocation on the llst Century 6 4 did lose a lot of people in the early 1990s. Well So now we've got 32.5, almost 33 million over a million, maybe two-million people, literally in California, up from 30 million in 1990. We're packed up and left and went mostly to other back to even on that, maybe we're even gaining a nearby states. But, what those stories did not tell little bit. We can expect six-million plus per you was that our population did not stop growing. decade, according to both the census bureau and It slowed, but didn't stop. Because the two most our State Department of Finance, for at least the important components of population growth in next two decades. We were 30 million and by the California are babies and foreign immigration and end of this decade we're going to be close to 35 they remained as high as ever during this period. million. We're going to be 41 or 42 million by the The numbers work out something like this, end of the next decade. We're going to be 47 and it's a very consistent pattern I might add. million by the end of the decade after that and First of all, and foremost, babies. We have a birth we're going to top 50 million somewhere around rate in California second only to Utah's which is a 2025. And that's going to be twice as many religious matter of some kind in Utah. Utah has people as we had in 1980. the lowest teenage pregnancy rate in the nation; Now think of the sheer impact of those we have one of the very highest teenage preg- numbers. It means more of everything. More cars nancy rates in the nation. California's high birth on the road, or at least more driving. We've rate produces almost 600,000 babies a year. doubled the amount of vehicular driving in Cali- That's more than one baby a minute. They're just fornia in the last 20 years. We've only increased popping out there like crazy. Pop. Every minute. the lane miles of highway by 7 percent in that Well, about every 45 seconds, pop here comes period. Want to know why there are traffic jams? another one. Think about that. Think of all the That's why there are traffic jamsmore cars on babies being born in California. In California, the road. Baby boom of the 80s, means school only about 220,000 people have the good manners boom in the 90s, right? Maybe it'll mean a to die every year. And contrary to popular belief, juvenile delinquency boom in the late 1990s, too. they are not all slaughtered on the LA freeways, We don't know that yet, but it's possible. either by auto accidents or bullets. Actually, only We need to be building the equivalent of a about 4,000 people are murdered in California pretty good sized school every 24 hours in this every year. state, 16 to 20 classrooms costing roughly 2.5 So births minus deaths, the so-called billion dollars a year, ad infinitum, as far as you natural increase, adds up really to about 350,000 a can see down the horizon. As long as those year. You add to that another 300,000 or so babies keep being born, that's going to be true. So foreign immigrants, two-thirds legal, one-third where are we going to get the 25 billion dollars illegal. So that's 650,000. That's kind of your we need to build schools in the next ten years? basic, built-in population growth in California. Anybody got any bright ideas? Nobody knows. Now you either add to that, people coming from They don't know down at the Capitol either. other states, or you subtract from that the net loss Believe me, they don't know. More cars on the to other states. road, more kids in school, of course more kids in

California State Library Convocation on the list Century 63 college after that. More of everything. Water. too numerous to list. Eventually they translate Houses. Jobs. Libraries? Maybe, don't know. into political terms, like where are you going to Computers? Don't know. find the money to build schools much less operate Third big thing that is happening is cul- them? Where's the money going to come for tural change. Lots of foreign immigration. transportation? What kind of transportation One-third of all the foreign immigration in should you build? and so forth. America comes to California and with that, lots of One way to look at politics: it's a side babies. The exodus of people in the early 1990s show. It's kind of fun sometimes, disgusting at in California was a white flight, by and large, and other times, but politics is the means by which a it accelerated the rate of cultural change. It also society identifies a consensus of social values and accelerated the relative decline of the white then somehow implements that consensus into population because of that. The decline of the programmatic or legalistic terms. We all agree white or Anglo population to below 50 percent that we shouldn't wantonly kill each other. I'm was not supposed to take place until sometime in not sure we have exactly, but if we had, then the next decade. Instead, it will occur in this politics is a means by which we define homicide, decade. It accelerated pretty dramatically. We're specify penalties for it, and so forth. It's that about 51 percent Anglo, non-Latino white today. consensus implementation process. But you first That will drop below 50 percent pretty soon. And look at California and you say, "What is the as everyone in this room knows, we're not just consensus? Is there a consensus on anything?" talking a few ethnic classifications here. We're Maybe it is as the range of valuesa wider and talking 110 languages in Los Angeles public wider and wider range. That consensus becomes schools. ever more elusive. This is the most ethnically and culturally What's clear is that all institutions, the diverse society that has ever existed in the history institutions you represent, the institution I am part of humankind. Nobody has every done this of, the institutions of politics, all of the mecha- before. Nobody has ever gone through what nisms that we have in this society to communicate we're experiencing in California; and that rever- with one another and interact with one another are berates out. Any one of these three big trends under challenge because of the inner mingling, would be traumatic, equivalent to an earthquake intertwined social economic and demographic or some other gigantic, cataclysmic event, albeit forces that are at play in this society. in slow motion. Instead of happening in seconds, As I said, the issues are almost limitless. it is happening over decades. But it's important Education, transportation, water where's the because it's changing the face of California water going to come from? Are we going to build sociologically and physically, environmentally and more dams, more reservoirs, more canals? Will all other ways. we reallocate the water that's already there - 85 You take all three of those trends and put percent used for agriculture, into non-agriculture them together and you create all these mutant uses? Think how enormously complicated it is to hybrid sorts of changes, issues, challenges, almost create the mechanisms. Is that water to be just

64 California Stale Library Convocation on rne 21st Century 6 6 simply reallocated? Is it to be sold? Is it to be em San Diego County, up through the Central marketed? One of the very intense controversies Valley. All the Central Valley counties, except in the Capitol right now is a plan by the San one are above the line. Yolo County is the only Diego Water Authority to buy water from the one that isn't above the line, but it's just barely Imperial Irrigation District, my old stomping below it. grounds, and use it in San Diego. But how do you On the other hand, the coastal metropoli- get it there? It has to go through the Metropolitan tan areas are not growing nearly as rapidly. That's Water District and they want to charge $246,000 particularly true of the San Francisco Bay Area. an acre foot to transport that water. San Diego While California is growing by 17 percent, San says that's usurious. Boom. Big political battle Francisco itself, pretty much built out, will only over water. Not over water per se, but how it's to grow by about eight percent. Marin County is be priced. Who is going to pay for it? Farmers only supposed to grow about four to five percent; want to sell it. People in San Diego want to buy half of those will be inmates of San Quentin it. How's it going to get there? Who is going to Prison. That's the one area of population growth pay for transporting it? How much are they going that Marin County does not controlinmates of to pay? Those are the sorts of issues that arise out San Quentin. As a matter of fact, in the decade of of these things. San Diego needs that water. It the 80s, Marin County only grew by about 7,000 wants water independence and that's the way it's people and at least half of them were inmates of chosen to get it. San Quentin Prison. Housing development patterns have Between 1980 and 1996, Riverside County changed, too. The jobs have shifted into the grew 108 percent. Its job base grew 134 percent inland valleys. So the people are shifting into the from the shift of jobs and there is a very, very inland valleys. I think you heard a little bit about close correlation, although not exactly precise. this earlier today. Population growth in this There are a few exceptions, but there is a very, decade will be 17 percent on average, according to very close correlation between the fastest growing the current projections. So any area that is grow- job areas and the fastest growing population areas, ing faster than 17 percent is above the line and as you might expect. It's a massive shift demo- then there are areas that are growing slower than graphically. Now it doesn't mean these coastal 17 percent, or below the line. Now where is the areas are losing population, per se. There's growth occurring? There are 29 counties that actually only one county that's even close to have above-the-line growth in this decade. There losing population, and that's a very small rural are three counties that are right on the mark of 17 county. percent and the others, 26 counties, are below the It's actually a two-pronged process, as near line. as I can figure. The basic components of popula- Those 29 counties, with a couple of small tion growth in California, i.e., foreign immigration exceptions, are inland counties in the inland valley and babies, are largely an urban phenomenon areas. Riverside County, San Bernardino County, not exclusively but largely. But there is this the Inland Empire of Southern California, North- off-setting shift, white-flight really, out to the

Califoinia Stale Library Convocation 00 the 2Ist Century 65 6 7 burbs, out to the edge cities. Not the close-in and Southern California is really erroneous. The suburbsnot the Orange Counties and the Contra two halves of the State have become more alike, Costa Counties and the San Mateo Counties. sociologically, even politically. What's really Those populations are rather stable. important is to think of California as these con- Sacramento is a perfect microcosm of centric belts. Those urban cores not growing very what's going on. You have the urban core, not rapidly but changing demographically and cultur- growing very much in population but its popula- ally, very rapidly. The older suburbs which are tion changing in ethnic and cultural composition. more settled, become job-centered in areas like Then you have the older suburbsCarmichael, Contra Costa County along the 680 corridor, or Fair Oaks, places like that, not growing very Orange County, near the Orange County Airport. much. Then you have the edge suburbs, where I Lot of jobs. Lot of commuters going into those live, Roseville, Placer County. Placer County is areas. It's funny, those people in Contra Costa the fastest growing county in Northern California County, San Mateo County, Orange County, think except for small counties that have prisons in they're getting a lot of growth because they see a them. Isn't that amazing, that these places get to lot of traffic. The truth is their populations aren't count inmates. It's just wonderful isn't it? I growing very much at all, but they've got a lot of wonder if the inmates get subtracted from where commuters coming in because they put controls they come from? Think about that for a minute. on population growth. They do not put controls on Placer County grew 76 percent since 1980. job growth. Kind of an interesting phenomenon. That's where NEC is located. That's where Four concentric belts is how to think of California Hewlett Packard is located. That's where Oracle accurately. is about to locateSilicon Valley East they call it. The prognosis for this state, demographi- And this phenomenon is replicated all around the cally, economically, and culturally, is more of the state. Then finally, beyond that, we have the same. The economy will continue to convert fourth beltthe rural outback county of Califor- itself. The old industrial economy will continue nia that's not growing very much. They still have to shrink. The new industrial economy, high-tech, resource economies, for the most part, except will continue to expand and the new symbol where they build those prisons. Prisons are the economy, the new service economy, will continue fastest growing component of California state to expand dramatically. The potential for eco- government. It's one growth area. The one thing nomic growth in California is almost limitless. that the state has done for rural economic develop- Think about where we exist. We exist ment in the last 20 years is build prisons. And where North America, Latin America and the that's true in Imperial County and Del Norte Pacific Rim intersect with one another. We are County, to use the two extremes. If it wasn't for the crossroads of much of the world. We have a those prisons, those places would have dried and diverse economy, a diverse population that has blown away a long time ago. cultural ties with much of that world so the poten- And that's what's really happening in tial for economic development in the new California. Thinking of California as Northern economy is absolutely limitless. The question,

66 California Sidle kW CO01'0611100 On the list Centuu 6 3 really, is whether we will be able to manage that middle to middle-upper class, home-owning growth, and the concurrent population growth and people. So all the changes that are going on in diversity in such way that we retain some identity society are not mirroring the body politic. In fact, as a state, some cohesiveness as a culture and do the characteristic gap is widening because the not degenerate into mutually warring tribes. And changes going on in society are much more rapid that's a great challenge. than what is going on with voters, which creates a You know we could become Bosnia on the political paradise. Who do politicians respond to? left coast of America without working at it too Constituents or voters? That dilemma permeates hard. The potential for that is there. And it will the Capitol. be the quality of our civic leadership and our civic And there are other structural impedi- institutions that will deterinines what happens. ments. We have created a structure of government You notice I haven't said much about that is almost indecipherable. We have not politics? That's because I don't think politicians changed it much. We have merely added to it. are terribly important in the scheme of things. I'll give you a very good example, because Politicians, despite what we say about them in the it's probably the single most important endeavor media, despite what they say about themselves, we havepublic education. Who is responsible are not really leaders. They are truly and more for public education in California? Will some- accurately reactors rather than actors. They react body please tell me? I don't know. I literally do to the problems presented to them by changing not know. I hear school boards pontificate, social and economic circumstances that are, in superintendents pontificate, the legislature pontifi- large measure, beyond their control. They react cates through several voices, the governor has in ways that the society essentially allows them to something to say. The state superintendent of react. It's rare that politics, on its own, deals public instruction has something to say and the effectively with some public policy issue. It's state school board has something to say and they only when we have achieved some sort of civic all say different things. When things go well, consensus about something, that essentially they're in there clamoring for credit. provides an atmosphere of a no-lose situation for When the test scores come in bad, the politicians, that they will finally act. So if we responses are: "Not me, that was that other guy leave it to the politicians to decide these things, over there. That was because this guy didn't do they probably won't deal with it. They will tend his job over here. My predecessor screwed up. to become bogged down in minutia, trivia. Not my fault." But, there are many impediments. There But who is responsible for public educa- are structural impediments to effective tion? I am very serious about this? Can anybody policy-making. There are cultural impediments. name who's responsible when the scores don't All the changes that have gone on in the society of come in, when the buildings are falling apart? California, the dramatic changes we've seen, are Who is responsible for that? It's a tremendous not reflected in the body politic. Voters are structure that encourages passing the buck and overwhelmingly white, like 75-80 percent white, pointing fingers. It discourages accountability and

Mink] Sidle ithrilff CO111'066111 On the 21st Celillify 67 63 that's true whether you're talking about education any more. We're more diverse. or almost all other forms of endeavor. Rapidly changing economic circumstances You know, I am hesitant to make predic- will compel people to constantly retrain them- tions about how all this is going to affect the selves to keep up with the changing economy. library business, the library profession. I think it And, finally, the sheer numbers, the incredible is going to be very challenging.I hate that word crush of the sheer numbers that present challenges challengingbut I think it's literally true in this for all institutions, in and outside of government, case. Libraries, like other institutions in Califor- that service the population of California. The best nia, are going to be dealing with an increasingly thing about this is, it gives me a hell of a lot to diverse population, not only just in ethnic terms write about. and linguistic terms, but in cultural terms as well. I've got it all figured out. If I just write You know, lifestyles, sexual orientation, you name about another 3,000 columns, on top of the 4,500 it. As Dorothy told Toto, "We're not in Kansas or so I've written already, I can retire. Thank you anymore." California isn't Kansas. A generation very much for your attention. or two ago, we were Kansas, but we're not Kansas

Dan Walters has been a journalist for more than 36 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. In 1981, Mr. Walters began writing the state's only daily newspaper column devoted to California political, economic and social events. In 1984, he and the column moved from The Sacramento Union to The Sacramento Bee. His column now appears in more than 50 California newspapers. In 1986, his book, The New California: Facing the 21st Century, was published in its first edition. The book has since undergone revisions and has become a widely used college textbook about socioeco- nomic and political trends in the state.

68 California Slate Library Convocation on tbe 2Ist Century Remarks of Richard Rodriguez

Journalist and Author May 23, 1997 Iask you to just look at me. I come from Columbus. They didn't run into the forest. They another part of the world. I come from South of came out to look. Columbus thought he was the border. My parents are Mexican immigrants headed for a good curry meal and the Indians and this is who I am. This man who has an Indian came out to look at this guy. A lot of time we face and a Spanish surname and an Anglo first portray the New World Indian as this victim of a name, Richard, who carries the voice that was European design, as someone whose whole given to me, shoved down my throat actually by history can be described purely as victimization. Irish nuns, who taught me unsentimentally, the But we had a moment in human history where Queen's English. You should wonder about the people who didn't beat each other, confront one complexity that creates Richard Rodriguez, the another and they are both equally curious. You centuries that have made this complexity. I am know, sometimes that happens when strangers not, in any simple sense, the creature of meet. Sometimes strangers don't simply go to the multiculturalism. I am the creature of something opposite sides of the room. Sometimes strangers much more radical and that's the penetration of are attracted by the foreignness, by their differ- one culture by another, one race by another. And ence. When I see you, I want to know who you so I stand here today, and I don't know which part are. That's my Indian side again. I'm not afraid is the Indian part speaking to you. Which leg is of you. Never have been. my Indian leg? Which leg is my Spanish leg? By the 18th Century in Mexico, the major- You are listening to the complexity of all ity population was mixed race, which means that of that. Do you understand? Mexico doesn't have there were more mixed race people in Mexico a notion of multiculturalism. In Mexico, most than there were either pure Indians or pure Euro- Mexicans are some blend of races, usually a blend peans. By the 18th Century in Mexico, the slave of the European and the Spaniard. But many of us had long been freed. And the intermarriage be- also are African. We are totally all thatwe are tween the Indian and the African in Mexico was that before anything else. so great, that it has never again been duplicated in Let me talk to you a little bit about the the history of the Americas. 15th Century. In 1492, we are told that Christo- José Vasconcelos, the great educator/ pher Columbus discovered the Americas. What philosopher of Mexico in this century, talked we are not usually told, of course, is that the about the Mexican as the cosmic race. The Indians discovered Christopher Columbus and European, the Indian, the African, and by the 19th literally so. On that day in October of 1492 when Century, there was also an Asian migration, the sight of Columbus appeared on the horizon, mainly Chinese, to the Western side of Mexico. the Indians came out of the forest to look at I remember a few years ago, I was on an

a.Clifornia Slate Libraly Convocation on the 21$1Centffly 6 9 interview show with Bill Moyers who is sort of start behaving like one another. You start sharing the conscience of public television when Julia an impatience. You start sharing a kind of Ameri- Child is not being the conscience of public televi- can genius. sion. And he gets that sort of very worried Baptist Now the Anglo-Saxon genius of the look that he gets. I think he's a trained minister, United States has always treasured the importance and in the presence of real chaos he sort of gets of the individual. As one who has benefited a that worried look. He pulled back in his chair in great deal from that Anglo-Saxon inheritance, I the middle of the discussion and he said, "Mr. would like to say that I am very grateful to the Rodriguez, let's see if we can clarify this. What British for having given the New World that idea are you trying to tell those nice people in Sacra- of the first person, singular pronounthe "I." I mento?" He said, "Are you Hispanic or are you am. I feel. I think. I want. I know. an American?" Interesting choice that, don't you The Latin-American genius, on the other think? And I said, "Mr. Moyers, I'm Chinese." hand, is the first person plural pronoun, the "we." I believe that, incidentally. I believe that That is what I want to talk about today because it you people have souls, as I have a soul. I don't seems to me, when I look at California these days think that's a metaphor. And I believe that we and the Hispanic future of California (which is change one another in contact with one another. I both demographic and real), what we are talking believe that if you get that chair too close to the about really, is a cultural influence that is quite chair next to you, you're going to end up looking new and quite shattering to the conventional like the person next to you. You're elbowspull notions of the eye. them in, because take a look at who is sitting next I would like to suggest to you, as an Indian to you (laughter). that has a Spanish surname, that this room consti- I remember being in England a few years tutes a "we." That for all of your physical differ- ago. I was being interviewed on the BBC, and ences, for all of your age differences, for all of this woman said, "Mr. Rodriguez is in favor of your cultural and religious differences, you have assimilation." extraordinary things in common and that you are And I thought to myself, I'm not in favor also responsible in various ways for making each of assimilation any more than I'm in favor of the other. That is, your story is part of her story. And Pacific Ocean. I didn't decide, when I was child it is the business of American libraries, it seems to walking down the streets, that I was going to me, to be attune to that fact. Blending. Mixture. become an American. I didn't decide, "Well Intermarriage. Have you ever looked inside of a today I'm going to become 40 percent Mexican burrito? Have you ever noticed how mixed up the and 60 percent Gringo." It doesn't work that way. burrito is? The thing we [Mexicans] shocked You end up walking like other people because America with was the notion that, in fact, we were that's what you end up doing. In a few minutes, not pure. We have never been pure. Our genius is you're all going to walk out of this room with the for contamination. We will contaminate you. same American slouch. You don't think about America keeps saying, "Well can't you that. You don't premeditate that, but in fact you stay on that side of the line? Can't you comprende

70 California Stale Library Convocation on the 21s1 Century 72 that? That's your side of the line." I keep telling any less a colonial word since it is, after all, a young Latinos, "You know, instead of worrying Spanish word. It refers to the bosom of the Medi- about how much you're assimilated or not assimi- terranean and to Rome ultimately, the Latin lated, if you really want to scare the United States World. So I'd like to use the word Hispanic just of America, all you would have to say to the because I'm not supposed to. My mother always United States of America is "I'm going to marry says, "Behave yourself," but I always liked the you. I'm going to start dating your son. You're word I'm not supposed to use. I think as an Aztec going to start eating my food, Neighbor." I would have used the Spanish just because I Richard Nixon invented me in 1973. wanted their language. I've always wanted your Actually in 1972 he asked Cap Weinberger, who language; never been afraid of it. And I like the was then at the Office of Management and Bud- idea too, that I would use an English word, His- get, to determine the major racial and ethnic panic, to describe myself as a descendant of the groups in this country. Richard Nixon sent all Spanish Empire which is, in some way, the great these bureaucrats off and they went to a hotel triumph of Queen Elizabeth over the Spanish room, much like this presumably, and they sort of Armada. The last triumph. Her caked face brooded over all your pictures and your phone cracking as she thinks about it. All of those ships books and they decided after one year, that there going down into the Atlantic and 400 years later are in fact five major racial and ethnic groups in there would be this Mexican-American who this country. Count themfive. The firstand would call himself, in the language of Queen this is no order of priority or preferenceis the Elizabeth, Hispanic. White, the second is Black, the third is Asian/ I should tell you that the majority of Pacific Islander (you know those people in Hono- Hispanics in the United States, the vast majority lulu), the fourth is American-Indian and the fifth of us, like 65 percent, are from Mexico. The ones is, ladies and gentlemen, coming up fifth but not you will see on television, most of them are from last, is the Hispanic. Cuba because they're prettier. The second largest The interesting thing about Hispanics, of number of us are Puerto Ricans and, if you think course, is that you can travel all over Latin about it, the fact that most of us are Puerto Rican America and never meet one. There are no and Mexican is interesting. Because I always Hispanics in Latin America. There are Bolivians, have to make clear to American audiences that Chileans and Mexicans. You have to come to there is no Hispanic race in the world. There is no Miami or Sacramento to meet a Hispanic. There Hispanic race. Most Americans think that there is a large controversy among us as to whether we are these brown people, somewhere on the float- are Latinos or Hispanics. Hispanics are nothing if ing Isle of Hispaniola who have little fingers and not people preoccupied by fathers and ceremony, whose women put roses behind their ears. And the and we worry a great deal about which is the right men are amorous but ineffectual lovers and that word for us. The argument against Hispanic is that we all wear a size 7B shoes. But I assure you that it gives too much of our identity to Spain. there is no race called the Hispanic race in the I have never understood why "Latino" is world.

California Slate klirall CONOCatiOn On the 21s1 Century 71 7 3 There is in Latin America, every sort of on in this country right now that we have not seen race that you can imagine. Every nationality is in before and it is part of what I consider the His- Latin America. There are Lebanese-Mexicans, panic future of the country. And that is that we there are Chinese-Mexicans, there are Black are looking for new ways to describe who we are Brazilians. One of my closest friends in Los because the old vocabulary not longer fits. Angeles is blonder than the sun. She considers I met a young girl in Oakland the other day herself a Mexican and she says, "Why is it when- who told me that her father is Mexican and her ever I say I'm Mexican, Americans never believe mother is African-American. I said, "What are me?" Indeed, why? Well, because we think you?" She did not have a word for it. You know people who live South of the Border are these what she told me? "I'm a Blaxican." little brown people. But I assure you, the most I raise these issues because it is your job, it revolutionary aspect to Hispanicity is not that we seems to me, to introduce California to itself, and are the third largest race. We are not comparable we don't have a vocabulary yet. You don't have a to Whites and Blacks because we are an ethnic vocabulary yet to even talk about what California group, not a racial group. You understand? is. This place is not simply this little neighbor- So what is really interesting is not that the hood over here and that freeway exit over there. census bureau reported last week that by the year Something else is going on here. 2005, Hispanics will outnumber Blacks. That is an Karl Marx wrote in the 19th Century that impossible statement, because many Hispanics are in the history of the world, the discovery of gold Black. in California, not far from here, would be a more By the year 2050, the projection is important event than the discovery of the Ameri- one-quarter of all Americans will be Hispanic. cas by Columbus. When Columbus found the The only sense that I can draw out of that fact is Indians off the West Indies, Europe met the that by the year 2050, one-quarter of all Ameri- Indian. But when gold was discovered in Califor- cans will identify themselves by culture rather nia in the late 1840s, the entire world met itself. It than by race and that is interesting. You already had never happened in human history before. have Black Dominicans, for example, who have Never. marked themselves as Hispanic. And this seems Suddenly you had African alongside of to be just the beginning of new ways of imagining Australian alongside of Malaysian alongside of who we are in this room. That not simply a racial Filipino, alongside of Peruvian alongside of identity is at stake here but our cultural identity. Indian alongside of Chinese, and they were all How many Mormons are there in this room? How looking for the same gold. Nothing would bring many gays are there in this room? How many man to a part of the world faster than gold. They widows are there in this room? How many South- were all at each other's necks, but it was the erners are there in this room? There are new ways beginning of California. You are the fulfillment of organizing the information about who we are, of that moment. Your libraries represent this that are cultural and not simply racial. extraordinary moment in human history that has I would like to say that something is going never happened before.

72 California Stale Librau Convocation 00 lbe 21sl Cenluu

7 4 I was in Merced, California recently and in biology, you're eating more salsa than you are Merced, the two largest racial ethnic groups are ketchup. Because they interest me so much, I've the Mexicans and the Laotian Hmongs. And I been following Jehovah's Witnesses, and I've was spending the day with these Laotian gang been going to some of the meetings around the kids and they were really down on the Mexicans. state. I want to tell you, this is considered work- But I kept thinking to myself, you know, in the ing class Christianity. But in those congregations, history of the world, Laotians have never lived there is a level of inter-racial participation that I alongside of Mexicans. This is pretty amazing. see nowhere else in this state, the very bottom of Well the Laotians were going on about how they the society. I say that also about certain forms of hated the Mexican kids, and that Mexican kids Evangelical Protestantism. It is amazing to me were always getting in their faces. They couldn't how racially mixed they are. At the bottom, there stand each other and so forth, and so on. And I is this thing going on. thought to myself, "What's not computing here. Here we are in 1997, and we do not know There's something that's not making sense to what to make of Tiger Woods. We don't know me." And then I realized it. You know what it what name should we give him? African. Yes. was? The Laotian kids were all speaking English Tiger Woods. Exactly. African. Asian. Indian. with a Spanish accent. European. He's Californian. (from the audience, We keep talking about how California is "He's a golfer.") And he's a golfer. breaking apart. We cannot stand each other. It On page 8 of his autobiography, Colin strikes me as at least important to notice that Los Powell says, that he is African, but he is also, by Angeles, the capital of this union in our state, has birth British, Scottish, Irish. And then he says three times the national average of miscegenation, what every African-American friend of mine has of inter-racial marriage. What do you make of always said. Somewhere in the middle of our that? You know the city in this state that has the friendship, they say, "By the way, did you know highest number of inter-racial marriages? Guess? my grandmother was a Cherokee?" I don't have a Stockton. Blue-collar, bulky, good old boy, single African-American friend who does not country music, sweaty Stockton. have a grandmother who is a Cherokee? And I heard that Bill Clinton is going to have Colin Powell says to Barbara Walters, "I'm this meeting in a few weeks of people who call American-Indian." And she says, "That's nice racial relations in America and I know what it will dear, but what does it feel like to be the first Black be like. They will all tell us how terrible our race candidate for president?" relations in America are. And in many ways they I say this quite seriously because it's are terrible. But it'll be all the people from what I interesting me more and more, but the call the level of physics. Up here. Where they Indian-African marriage in the United States is a talk about society as this abstraction and then go story that has been rarely told in the American on to another conference. history books. It is one of the most astonishing At the level of biology, something remark- stories and it is truly the contra-story for all of our able is going on in America. At the level of separation. These two races were getting together

California Stale Library COINOlatiOn on the llst Century 73 with shared suffering. I don't know what brought insight. That is not a New York insight. That's a them together. But it is an extraordinary story. California insight. To understand the way lives There's a moment in the de Tocqueville are interconnected and the way, in fact, my life is journey across America when he, the Great Euro- part of your life. pean on his horse, comes upon these two women On March 17th, which is St. Patrick's Day, walking together. This is in a Southern state in have you ever heard anyone say that this is a great the 19th Century. He sees these two women day for Mexico? I'm going to say that. This is a walking together. One of them is Indian and the great day for Mexico. When the Irish started other is African. And at the moment in which the coming to this country in the 1840s, the argument women see him, they have opposite reactions. against allowing Irish immigration into the United The Indian, when she sees the European, runs into States was Mexico. Not too many people know the forest. The African waits for him to approach. that, but then not too many people know very And de Tocqueville says, "Well here is the fatal many versions of history. Whose fault is that, I mistake of both races, regarding the European. wonder, librarians? Whose fault is that, I wonder, The Indian is too haughty; she does not want to publishers? Whose fault is that, I wonder, teach- have a relationship with the European. The ers? Whose fault is that, I wonder, ministers? African is too docile; she cannot imagine herself In the 1840s, the argument against allow- except by reference to the European." ing the Irish into this country was Mexico. The But nowhere does de Tocqueville wonder native's argument went, if you let the Irish into about what the Indian and the African were this country, they would unite with their fellow talking about. Or why they were easy in each Catholics, the Mexicans, and overturn the Protes- other's company. tant State. I've always thought that was a pretty You know, one of the things we need to do good argument. But in fact it's an extraordinary or understand as librarians is that some cultures story. In fact there was real worry because a large are not simply separate entities, but they overlap. number of Irish immigrant boys ended up in the That by the year 2007, the world population of Mexican-American War fighting on the American Mormons is going to become the majority popula- side. General Scott, in fact, would go to Mass tion. And the majority population is going to be with these boyshe was a Protestantjust to Spanish-speaking (that was predicted, by the way, ensure that they understood that he was with by Mormon prophesy). them. A large number of Irish recruits changed One of the things that we should under- sides. You will never hear their story in the stand is that people are not simply separate from American history books. They became known in one another but that her history is also his history Mexico as San Patricios, the St. Patrick's Brigade, and vice-versa. And that whenever we try to and they fight for Mexico against the United celebrate a historythis week is Hispanic History States of America. There were a number of them Month we must also show other races, other who were apprehended by U.S. troops and hung peoples, other nations as participating within that on the Zocolo of Mexico City. It is on the Zocolo history. It seems to me that that's a California of Mexico City on March 17th, every year to this

74 Cdornia Slate Lib WI W0011011 On !he 21s1 Cenliu

7 6 day, that the Mexican President salutes the Irish He sucked in on his cigarette and he said, Ambassador. "What do you make of that? You know, are we all And we think to ourselves, well this is the going to speaking Spanish in ten years?" It has Irish Week now, and we can't talk about anybody taken me about ten years to figure it out, or at else, because this is Ireland's week. I keep saying least to have an answer. What my answer would to myself, "You know, there is no one in Califor- be, would be my nephew. nia who is innocent of anyone else's story." I am My nephew who has a Scottish surname Filipino. I am Chinese. I live in an Asian City. I who I recently was watching rehearse Hamlet. live in San Francisco. In the same way that He's a teenager. He's caught in Hamlet some Sacramento changed me and turned me into a extraordinary adolescent quality. You know we Valley Boy 40 years ago, San Francisco is making always get these middle-aged Lawrence Olivier's me Asian. That's not a conceit. That is a human to play Hamlet and we forget just how juvenile fact. Hamlet is. How wonderful it is to hear Hamlet's Art Sadenbaum, when he was still alive at voice changing because suddenly he's in the the LA Times, was a good friend of mine. I love middle of an adult world and he doesn't know smokers by the way. I don't like smoking; I don't what to do about it. smoke myself, but I love smokers just because So there he was up on the stage in tights; they're so abused in our society. this kid who is the result of a conspiracy of the I was at this college in Colorado over the Dutch, the Scottish and Mexicoall of whom weekend and I was talking to these undergradu- have created this boy who looks Italian, who's a ates and it was amazing. There is nothing you can pretty good actor, who is pretending that he's a do to offend their moral sensibility. You can get Danish prince in English. an abortion or not have an abortion. You can take And I think to myself, "That's what it drugs or not take drugs. You can do almost any- means to be Hispanic. That's what it means to thing in society but one thing and that's, "Don't live in the Hispanic State of California." Some- smoke in my room." thing like that is going on in human history and Anyway, I remember that at the LA Times, it's even more miraculous. It's not even and not there is a tiny balcony where all these smokers only that we are sharing our identities with one have to go to smoke and so you meet the most another, which is the easiest way of talking about interesting people there. Everyone else has clear this. The more interesting thing is that we are lungs inside but the people outside have really becoming one another. interesting ideas. And I remember I was with Art Shirley MacLaine is under the impression on that balcony overlooking Civic LA one after- that she is a 14th Century Peruvian Indian. At the noon. This was ten years ago maybe. And he had moment it is the Peruvian Indians that are becom- seen the numbers. He had seen the statistics that ing Protestants. So you have all these grand- said that California was about to become a His- daughters of the pioneers who killed off the panic State, that LA is a Hispanic City and so Indians communicating with dead Indians while forth. the Indians are working at the Holiday Inn making

California Slate Libraiy Convocation on the lIsl Century 75 7 7 you your lunch. It's really quite extraordinary. remind you that the libraries that I used as a child, It's almost as though you know there are only a the libraries that I still use, do not simply give me certain number of possibilities in human history information. I want to tell you quite plainly that and once one group gets that, then the other group all the things that information is not. Information has to become them. is not an idea. Information is not a feeling. Infor- About three years ago I was on the border mation is not an insight. It is true that you need between the United States and San Diego... I information many times to have a good idea, but mean the United States and Tijuana. And I met information itself does not provide a good idea. these three guys from Victory Outreach, which is Information is not wisdom and there ain't much an evangelical church that works with kids with wisdom around these days. serious drug problems and gang problems along Our president and various other politicians the border, on both sides of the border. You know are wiring up our classrooms so that all these kids Victory Outreach? It's a terrific group!. These are on the 'Net. We have e-mail now to communi- boys were coming up to the United States of cate with each other instantly. You know, actually America, like 503 years after Columbus, to con- can you Fed Ex it to me because I need it tomor- vert the United States of America back to Protes- row. Well actually, UPS has an 8:00 a.m. service, tantism. if you can send it to me. You know, actually I And I thought to myself, "That's kind of needed it yesterday. What do you need yesterday? interesting, the Indians are coming this way to What are we communicating over e-mail that is so convert us back to Protestantism." This year, in valuable? Have you noticed? No one is saying 1997, Victory Outreach is sending missionaries to anything, but we're saying it quickly. (laughter). Europe. I didn't see that noted anywhere in the What you gave me, librarians, was a history books. I see that Columbus made it over library that was so confusing. It was not separated onto this side, on his Holiday Cruise with dis- by ethnicities and race. You gave me a library that patch, but I don't see that we are noting that the gave me James Baldwin when I was about nine Indians are going to Europe this year to France, to years old. I remember reading, Nobody Knows Paris, to London, to Frankfurt, to Amsterdam, to My Name. I remember reading about growing up convert Europe back to Protestantism. Isn't that in Harlem and I thought to myself, "This life is so interesting? different from mine. But why is it that my gut There's one word which I saw on your feels so tight with it. Why do I feel connected to brochures which I just want to protest and that's this man?" the word "information." I speak to a lot of library And I remember reading My Antonia by groups these days. I'm one of the last remaining Willa Cather and thinking to myself, "Hell, I've writers, people who make their living as writers. I never even seen snow and I'm standing there on a live in the age of Bill Gates and I know we're all train station on a snowy night and these immi- supposed to sort of bow down at the Great Alter grants from a place called Bohemia. What is this? of Information but I don't. I find information Who is she? And why do I care so much about interesting and I find it useful but I just want to her? Why is her life mine?" That is what you

76 California Stale Library Convocation on the llst Century

7 3 gave me. You didn't give me information. You parents. That mystery when you look into your gave me the deepest intuitions of a life and that is child's eyes and realize that separation. that we are connected to each other at some I have come to speak of the other knowl- deeply human level. edge, the Hispanic knowledge. And that is that we There will always be ways in which I am are constantly making each other, creating each one, single, I. And I deeply am grateful to this other. We are constantly eating each other's food, country, especially its Anglo-Saxon judicial hearing each other's music. There is no one in system, for honoring my I-ness, for honoring all this room who does not speak Black English. the ways in which I am separate from you. Sepa- There is no one in this room who is not Filipino. rate even from the people who love me. Separate There is no one in this room, Compadres, who is even from my family. Those incredible subtle not Hispanic. Thank you very much. ways in which a child is always separated from its

Richard Rodriguez is a graduate of Stanford University and spent two years in a religious studies program at Columbia University. Hunger of Memory, Rodriguez's autobiography, was greeted with great acclaim upon its publication in 1982. The book won several awards, including the Gold Medal for non-fiction from the Commonwealth Club of California, the Christopher Prize for Autobiography, and the Ansfeld-Wolf Prize for Civil Rights from the Cleveland Foundation. His second book, Days of Obligation: An Argument with my Mexican Father, was published in 1992 and was one of three finalists for a Pulitzer Prize in the non-fiction category in 1993. Rodriguez is an editor with Pacific News Service in San Francisco, an essayist for the MacNeil/ Lehrer News Hour, and a contributing editor for Harper's Magazine, U.S. News and World Report and the Sunday Opinion Page of The Los Angeles Times. Rodriguez has produced two documentaries for the BBC, and was the subject of a two-part profile on Bill Moyers' "World of Ideas" television program. His articles appear in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The American Scholar, Time, Mother Jones and The New Republic.

California Stale library Convocation on me lls! Century 77 73 Recommendations by Assignee

The recommendations below are listed by assignee and are prioritized (in each assignee category) according to votes by Convocation participants. Recommendations to more than one assignee are re- peated. A complete listing of all recommendations by category, as developed in the Convocation, can be found in Appendix A.

Recommendations to Public Libraries Public libraries, the State Library, and the California Library Association should 1. The State Library and public libraries address the issue of disparities in funding. should develop collections and programs for ages 10-18 years, beyond homework assignments Public libraries should address the lack of (Collection Development). public transportation, inadequate parking, and poor access to parking at the local level. 2. The State Library and public libraries should establish LSTA' minigrants for promoting Public libraries should respond to the local libraries and community awareness activities language needs of their service areas. (Promoting the Value of Libraries). Public libraries and the State Library should 3. Barriers to access should be addressed as work together to improve the literacy level follows (Access): of all Californians.

All public libraries, library schools, and the Public libraries should promote their ser- California Library Association, should work vices to non-users who have no previous together to address and improve staff atti- experience/knowledge of public libraries. tudes, lack of skills, and staff's need for training. Public libraries and the California Library Association should address the lack of Public libraries should address the issue of policy/legislation ensuring every fees for non-resident's library cards. individual's right to library services.

Public libraries should work to improve Public libraries should work to eliminate unsuitable library buildings and facilities that electronic barriers (e.g., getting voice mail don't meet ADA2 requirements, their lack instead of a person). of equipment, and services for special needs.

iThe Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), a federal grants-in-aid program for local libraries, is the successor to the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), and is administered in California by the State Librarian. Each year the California State Librarian awards approximately $10.6 million for local assistance awards on a competitive basis in response to locally initiated proposals which meet the purposes of the Act. The program extends LSCA in the area of information services to special populations, expands the emphasis on technology in libraries, and encourages resource sharing and interlibrary networking and cooperation. 2Americans with Disabilities Act.

78 California Slate Library Convocation on me 2Ist Century 80 Public libraries should provide adequate 9. Public libraries should develop adequate training for the public in use of new technol- resources in terms of staff, material and hours ogy. (Lifelong Learning).

Public libraries should work to improve 10. Public libraries and the State Library library rules (such as fines) and policies should expand the PFC methodology to include (such as hiring criteria). children, young adults, aging baby boomers, seniors, etc. (Community Collaboration) 4. Public libraries should provide technology and information literacy training for the public in 11. All public libraries should reexamine and group and individual instruction with support redefine staff duties and expectations so that being from the State Library and library schools (Tech- flexible, adapting to change, and being creative nology). with the community equals success (Staffing).

5. All public libraries and the State Library 12. Public libraries, the State Library, the should support and facilitate community-based California Library Association, and library planning to determine their individual schools should recognize and respond to the need community's priorities for access (Access). for continuing education in the areas of managing technology (Technology). 6. Public libraries, the State Library, the California Library Association, and library schools should publicize the library's unique role Recommendations to the in lifelong learning, both to the profession and to California Library Association the public (Lifelong Learning). 1. The California Library Association should 7. Public libraries, the State Library, and the take a leadership role (with the State Library California Library Association should provide providing funding) to develop opportunities for training for all library staff in customer service, internships, models and programs that develop technology, and working with diverse communi- managers into directors. This would include ties, particularly but not exclusively ethnic com- release time grants to go to school plus tuition, munities (Staffing). while working to remove local restrictions (Staff- ing). 8. Public libraries, the State Library, and the California Library Association should develop 2. The California Library Association should bilingual, bicultural staff and work to empower a establish minimum levels of technology standards "feminine" profession (Lifelong Learning). for public libraries in order to ensure equity of

California Stale Library Convocation on the ilst Century 79 81 access. This should also include an assessment of communities, particularly but not exclusively current technology levels in California public ethnic communities (Staffing). libraries (Technology). 7. The California Library Association, the 3. Barriers to access should be addressed as State Library, and public libraries should develop follows (Access): bilingual, bicultural staff and work to empower a "feminine" profession (Lifelong Learning). The California Library Association, library schools, and all public libraries should work 8. The California Library Association, the together to address and improve staff atti- State Library, library schools and all public librar- tudes, lack of skills, and staff's need for ies should recognize and respond to the need for training. continuing education in the areas of managing technology (Technology). The California Library Association, the State Library, and public libraries should address the issue of disparities in funding. Recommendations to Library Schools The California Library Association and public libraries should address the lack of 1. Barriers to access should be addressed as policy/legislation ensuring every follows (Access): individual's right to library services. Library schools, the California Library 4. The California Library Association, the Association, and all public libraries should State Library, and library schools should continue work together to address and improve staff to develop tools for organizing the World Wide attitudes, lack of skills, and staff's need for Web to support language and cultural diversity in training. California (Technology). 2. Library schools and the State Library 5. The California Library Association, the should provide comprehensive technology train- State Library, library schools and all public librar- ing in a "train the trainers" format (Technology). ies should publicize the library's unique role in lifelong learning, both to the profession and to the 3. Library schools, the State Library, and the public (Lifelong Learning). California Library Association should continue to develop tools for organizing the World Wide Web 6. The California Library Association, the to support language and cultural diversity in State Library, and all public libraries should California (Technology). provide training for all library staff in customer service, technology, and working with diverse

80 California Stale Library Convocation on the 2Ist Century 82 4. Working with the State Library, library Recommendations to the schools, should train all library staff on the value California State Library of community joint ventures, using regional workshops, a manual, and a "train the trainer" 1. The State Library should take a leadership approach (Community Collaboration). role (working with the California Library Associa- tion and membership, ALA' , CALTAC5 , Friends, 5. Library schools and the State Library and partners) to develop a statewide public rela- should survey Partnerships for Change (PFC)3 tions campaign. This would include a grant to libraries to determine the extent of impact on develop a 3-5 year plan of ongoing activities, and communities and library services and share a millennium conference. The campaign should findings statewide. This should be done with the tap major metropolitan areas of San Francisco, idea that it may result in future grant projects San Diego and Los Angeles and include messages (Community Collaboration). that could be replicated locally, with a cost/benefit analysis (Promoting the Value of Libraries). 6. Library schools, the State Library, the California Library Association, and all public 2. The State Library and public libraries libraries should publicize the library's unique role should develop collections and programs for ages in lifelong learning, both to the profession and to 10-18 years, beyond homework assignments the public (Lifelong Learning). (Collection Development).

7. Library schools should sponsor research 3. The California Library Association should on the implications of lifelong learning on collec- take a leadership role (with the State Library tion developmente.g., career and job changes, providing funding) to develop opportunities for welfare reform, the technologically illiterate internships, models and programs that develop (Collection Development). managers into directors. This would include release time grants to go to school plus tuition, 8. Library schools, the State Library, the while working to remove local restrictions (Staff- California Library Association, and all public ing). libraries should recognize and respond to the need for continuing education in the areas of managing 4. The State Library and public libraries technology (Technology). should establish LSTA6 minigrants for promoting local libraries and community awareness activities (Promoting the Value of Libraries).

3The Partnerships for Change (PFC) Program was designed to help public library staff to reach out to their changing communities, to better understand them and their information and recreation needs, and then to restructure their library service plans to meet the needs of these changing populations. The California State Library worked with 26 public libraries between 1989 and 1995 and provided grants and training to assist libraries in creating public library services that were meaningful and relevant for their communities. °American Library Association. 5California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners. 6The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), a federal grants-in-aid program for local libraries, is the successor to the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), and is administered in California by the State Librarian. Each year the California State Librarian awards approximately $10.6 million for local assistance awards on a competitive basis in response to locally initiated proposals which meet the purposes of the Act. The program extends LSCA in the area of information services to special populations, expands the emphasis on technology in libraries, and encourages resource sharing and interlibrary networking and cooperation.

California Slate Library Convocation on the &I Century 81 83 5. The State Library should implement a develop tools for organizing the World Wide Web grant program for organizational joint ventures to support language and cultural diversity in (institutional) to raise awareness of libraries in the California (Technology). community (Community Collaboration). 10. The State Library, working with library 6. The State Library should establish and schools, should train all library staff on the value maintain an Internet site that includes core lists of of community joint ventures, using regional selected multicultural resources, plus hard-to-find workshops, a manual, and a "train the trainer" materials, collection development policies, etc. approach (Community Collaboration). (Collection Development). 11. The State Library should expand Internet 7. Barriers to access should be addressed as access in local public libraries through the follows (Access): InfoPeople project and other appropriate initiatives (Technology). The State Library, the California Library Association and public libraries should 12. The State Library and all public libraries address the issue of disparities in funding. should support and facilitate community-based planning to determine their individual The State Library should address the inequi- community's priorities for access (Access). ties of TB1V subsidies. 13. The State Library should repeat the Immi- The State Library and public libraries should grant Grant Program8with small, work together to improve the literacy level easy-to-implement grants (Collection Develop- of all Californians. ment).

The State Library should address the prob- 14. The State Library and library schools lem of "haves/have nots" in technology should survey Partnerships for Change (PFC)9 ownership by potential patrons. libraries to determine the extent of impact on communities and library services and share 8. The State Library and library schools findings statewide. This should be done with the should provide comprehensive technology train- idea that it may result in future grant projects ing in a "train the trainers" format (Technology). (Community Collaboration).

9. The State Library, the California Library 15. The State Library, the California Library Association and library schools should continue to Association, library schools and all public librar-

7The Transaction Based Reimbursement (TBR) program reimburses local libraries for a portion of the costs they incur when they extend lending services beyond their normal clientele. There are three types of loans supported: equal access, universal borrowing, and interlibrary loans, Equal access and universal borrowing are loans made directly to individuals who are not residents of the jurisdiction of the lending library; interlibrary loans are loans made from one library jurisdiction to another in order to fill a patron's request made at the borrowing library. 8From FY 1990/91 to 1993/94, the State Library's Immigrant Grant Program provided training and 85,000 grants to public libraries for collection development to enable them to better serve their immigrant populations. 9The Partnerships for Change (PFC) Program was designed to help public library staff to reach out to their changing communities, to better understand them and their information and recreation needs, and then to restructure their library service plans to meet the needs of these changing populations. The California State Library worked with 26 public libraries between 1989 and 1995 and provided grants and training to assist libraries in creating public library services that were meaningful and relevant for their communities.

82 California Stale Library COMM on the lls1 Cenlury

8 4 ies should publicize the library's unique role in training for all library staff in customer service, lifelong learning, both to the profession and to the technology, and working with diverse communi- public (Lifelong Learning). ties, particularly but not exclusively ethnic communities (Staffing). 16. The State Library should introduce at a public library directors' forum the concept of 22. The State Library should bring library managing organizational change, followed by a schools and public librarians together for discus- series of targeted programs that would enable sion of core competencies (Staffing). libraries to receive customized assistance (Com- munity Collaboration). 23. The State Library, the California Library Association and public libraries should develop 17. The State Library should create and fill a bilingual, bicultural staff and work to empower a principal librarian position that specializes in "feminine" profession (Lifelong Learning). development, public relations, networking and fundraising (Promoting the Value of Libraries). 24. The State Library should develop a needs assessment template for collection development 18. The State Library should provide technol- and distribute it to all California public libraries ogy consulting services to public libraries, includ- (Collection Development). ing a list of qualified consultants Technology). 25. The State Library and public libraries 19. The State Library should develop "Recom- should expand the PFC methodology to include mendations for Effective Library Service to Asian children, young adults, aging baby boomers, and Pacific Island Americans to complete the seniors, etc. (Community Collaboration) recommendations series on serving California's major ethnic populations" '° (Collection Develop- 26. The State Library should fund internships ment). for high school students at local public libraries (Staffing). 20. The State Library should encourage the formation of a task force to create new perfor- 27. The State Library, the California Library mance measures for electronic library services Association, library schools and all public librar- (Technology). ies should recognize and respond to the need for continuing education in the areas of managing 21. The State Library, the California Library technology (Technology). Association and all public libraries should provide

wThe State Library has already published recommendations for African-Americans (Keeping the Prmnise). and Spanish-speaking communities (Ade !ante).

California Stale Library COHOCalion 011 lhe 21sl Ceiba 83 65 Recommendations by Priority

The recommendations below have been prioritized according to votes by Convocation participants, with the top priorities listed first. A complete listing of all recommendations by category, as developed in the Convocation, can be found in Appendix A.

1. The State Library should take a leadership 5. The State Library should implement a role (working with the California Library Associa- grant program for organizational joint ventures tion and membership, ALA', CALTAC, Friends, (institutional) to raise awareness of libraries in the and partners) to develop a statewide public rela- community (Community Collaboration). tions campaign. This would include a grant to develop a 3-5 year plan of ongoing activities, and 6. The State Library should establish and a millennium conference. The campaign should maintain an Internet site that includes core lists of tap major metropolitan areas of San Francisco, selected multicultural resources, plus hard-to-find San Diego and Los Angeles and include messages materials, collection development policies, etc. that could be replicated locally, with a cost/benefit (Collection Development). analysis (Promoting the Value of Libraries). 7. The California Library Association should 2. The State Library and public libraries establish minimum levels of technology standards should develop collections and programs for ages for public libraries in order to ensure equity of 10-18 years, beyond homework assignments access. This should also include an assessment of (Collection Development). current technology levels in California public libraries (Technology). 3. The California Library Association should take a leadership role (with the State Library 8. Barriers to access should be addressed as providing funding) to develop opportunities for follows (Access): internships, models and programs that develop managers into directors. This would include Library schools, the California Library release time grants to go to school plus tuition, Association, and all public libraries should while working to remove local restrictions (Staff- work together to address and improve staff ing). attitudes, lack of skills, and staff's need for training. 4. The State Library and public libraries should establish LSTA3 minigrants for promoting Public libraries should address the issue of local libraries and community awareness activities fees for non-resident's library cards. (Promoting the Value of Libraries).

'American Library Association. 2California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners. 3The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), a federal grants-in-aid program for local libraries, is the successor to the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), and is administered in California by the State Librarian. Each year the California State Librarian awards approximately $10.6 million for local assistance awards on a competitive basis in response to locally initiated proposals which meet the purposes of the Act. The program extends LSCA in the area of information services to special populations, expands the emphasis on technology in libraries, and encourages resource sharing and interlibrary networking and cooperation.

84 California Rale Library COIIINdlion On the list Ce1111117 8 6 Public libraries should work to improve Public libraries should work to eliminate unsuitable library buildings and facilities that electronic barriers (e.g., getting voice mail don't meet ADA' requirements, their lack instead of a person). of equipment, and services for special needs. All libraries should provide adequate train- The State Library should address the inequi- ing for the public in use of new technology. ties of TBIV subsidies. Public libraries should work to improve The State Library, the California Library library rules (such as fines) and policies Association and public libraries should (such as hiring criteria). address the issue of disparities in funding. 9. The State Library and library schools Public libraries should address the lack of should provide comprehensive technology train- public transportation, inadequate parking, ing in a "train the trainers" format (Technology). and poor access to parking at the local level. 10. The State Library, the California Library All public libraries should respond to the Association and library schools should continue to language needs of their service areas. develop tools for organizing the World Wide Web to support language and cultural diversity in The State Library and public libraries should California (Technology). work together to improve the literacy level of all Californians. 11. The State Library, working with library schools, should train all library staff on the value Public libraries should promote their ser- of community joint ventures, using regional vices to non-users who have no previous workshops, a manual, and a "train the trainer" experience/knowledge of public libraries. approach (Community Collaboration).

Public libraries and the California Library 12. All public libraries should provide tech- Association should address the lack of nology and information literacy training for the policy/legislation ensuring every public in group and individual instruction with individual's right to library services. support from the State Library and library schools (Technology). The State Library should address the problem of "haves/have nots" in technology 13. The State Library should expand Internet ownership by potential patrons. access in local public libraries through the

4Americans with Disabilities Act. 5The Transaction Based Reimbursement (TBR) program reimburses local libraries for a portion of the costs they incur when they extend lending services beyond their normal clientele. There are three types of loans supported: equal access, universal borrowing, and interlibrary loans. Equal access and universal borrowing are loans made directly to individuals who are not residents of the jurisdiction of the lending library; interlibrary loans are loans made from one library jurisdiction to another in order to fill a patron's request made at the borrowing library.

California Sidle Library CONOraliOn On the list Cenlury 85 8 7 Info People project and other appropriate initia- fundraising (Promoting the Value of Libraries). tives (Technology). 20. The State Library should provide technol- 14. The State Library and all public libraries ogy consulting services to public libraries, includ- should support and facilitate community-based ing a list of qualified consultants Technology). planning to determine their individual community's priorities for access (Access). 21. Library schools should sponsor research on the implications of lifelong learning on collec- 15. The State Library should repeat the Immi- tion developmente.g., career and job changes, grant Grant Program6 with small, easy-to- welfare reform, the technologically illiterate implement grants (Collection Development). (Collection Development).

16. The State Library and library schools 22. The State Library should develop "Recom- should survey Partnerships for Change (PFC)7 mendations for Effective Library Service to Asian libraries to determine the extent of impact on and Pacific Island Americans to complete the communities and library services and share recommendations series on serving California's findings statewide. This should be done with the major ethnic populations"8(Collection Develop- idea that it may result in future grant projects ment). (Community Collaboration). 23. The State Library should encourage the 17. The State Library, the California Library formation of a task force to create new perfor- Association, library schools and all public librar- mance measures for electronic library services ies should publicize the library's unique role in (Technology). lifelong learning, both to the profession and to the public (Lifelong Learning). 24. The State Library, the California Library Association and all public libraries should provide training for all library staff in customer service, 18. The State Library should introduce at a technology, and working with diverse communi- public library directors' forum the concept of ties, particularly but not exclusively ethnic com- managing organizational change, followed by a munities (Staffing). series of targeted programs that would enable libraries to receive customized assistance (Com- 25. The Library of Congress should continue munity Collaboration). to maintain standards for Spanish and Asian languages subject headingsand other language 19. The State Library should create and fill a subject headingse.g., Bilindex (Collection principal librarian position that specializes in Development). development, public relations, networking and

6From FY 1990/91 to 1993/94, the State Library's Immigrant Grant Program provided training and $5,000 grants to public libraries for collection development to enable them to better serve their immigrant populations. 7The Partnerships for Change (PFC) Program was designed to help public library staff to reach out to their changing communities, to better understand them and their information and recreation needs, and then to restructure their library service plans to meet the needs of these changing populations. The California State Library worked with 26 public libraries between 1989 and 1995 and provided grants and training to assist libraries in creating public library services that were meaningful and relevant for their communities. 8The State Library has already published recommendations for African-Americans (Keeping the Promise). and Spanish-speaking communities (Adelante).

86 California Sidle Library COnvOrdliOn On the 21s1 Century 26. The State Library should bring library should expand the PFC methodology to include schools and public librarians together for discus- children, young adults, aging baby boomers, sion of core competencies (Staffing). seniors, etc. (Community Collaboration)

27. The State Library, the California Library 31. The State Library should fund internships Association and public libraries should develop for high school students at local public libraries bilingual, bicultural staff and work to empower a (Staffing). "feminine" profession (Lifelong Learning). 32. All public libraries should reexamine and 28. All public libraries should develop ad- redefine staff duties and expectations so that being equate resources in terms of staff, material and flexible, adapting to change, and being creative hours (Lifelong Learning). with the community equals success (Staffing).

29. The State Library should develop a needs 33. The State Library, the California Library assessment template for collection development Association, library schools and all public librar- and distribute it to all California public libraries ies should recognize and respond to the need for (Collection Development). continuing education in the areas of managing technology (Technology). 30. The State Library and public libraries

California Slate Library Convocation on the 2Ist Century 87 83 APPENDIX A

Recommendations by Topic

(#) indicates number of votes received from participants Access

(1) 1. The State Library should take a leader- The State Library, the California Library ship role to develop a library card for statewide Association and public libraries should use. address the issue of disparities in funding. (1) 2. All libraries and vendors should work to increase the user-friendliness of on-line tech- Public libraries should address the lack nology with multiple languages and the use of of public transportation, inadequate graphics and icons. parking, and poor access to parking at the local level. (12) 3. Barriers to access should be addressed as follows: All libraries should respond to the language needs of their service areas. Library schools, the California Library Association (the California Library The State Library and public libraries Association), and all libraries should should work together to improve the work together to address and improve literacy level of all Californians. staff attitudes, lack of skills, and staff's need for training. Public libraries should promote their services to non-users who have no pre- Public libraries should address the issue vious experience/knowledge of public of fees for non-resident's library cards. libraries.

Public libraries should work to improve Public libraries and the California unsuitable library buildings and facilities Library Association should address the that don't meet ADA' requirements, lack of policy/legislation ensuring every their lack of equipment, and services for individual's right to library services. special needs. The State Library should address the The State Library should address the problem of "haves/have nots" in technol- inequities of TB122 subsidies. ogy ownership by potential patrons.

1Americans with Disabilities Act. 2The Transaction Based Reimbursement (TBR) program reimburses local libraries for a portion of the costs they incur when they extend lending services beyond their normal clientele. There are three types of loans supported: equal access, universal borrowing, and interlibrary loans. Equal accessand universal borrowing are loans made directly to individuals who are not residents of the jurisdiction of the lending library; interlibrary loans are loans made from one library jurisdiction to another in order to fill a patron's request made at the borrowing library.

88 California Stale G&W &Malik 00 Ihe BSI Cell/11ff 9 0 Public libraries should work to eliminate reading groups, book selling trends and the electronic barriers (e.g., getting voice "Oprah Factor." mail instead of a person). (7) 2. The State Library should repeat the All libraries should provide adequate Immigrant Grant Program4 with small, training for the public in use of new easy-to-implement grants. technology. (12) 3. The State Library should establish and Public libraries should work to improve maintain an Internet site that includes core lists of library rules (such as fines) and policies selected multicultural resources, plus hard-to-find (such as hiring criteria). materials, collection development policies, etc.

(0) 4. All libraries and vendors should facili- (5) 4. Library schools should sponsor re- tate gateways between on-line catalogs. search on the implications of lifelong learning on collection developmente.g., career and job (1) 5. All libraries should provide front line changes, welfare reform, the technologically staff and volunteers with customer service and illiterate. conflict resolution skills; and make it a priority to hire people with these skills. (1) 5. Library schools should research how and why underserved populations do or don't use (8) 6. The State Library and all public librar- information resources; and recommend how this ies should support and facilitate community-based research might be used to improve public library planning to determine their individual services. community's priorities for access. (0) 6. Library schools and the State Library (0) 7. The State Library and public libraries should conduct research to demonstrate the should provide CORE-type3 training for the benefits of resource sharing. public on how to use the library, and tailor it to the needs of their communities in terms of languages (4) 7. The Library of Congress should con- and formats. tinue to maintain standards for Spanish and Asian languages subject headingsand other language Collection Development and subject headingse.g., Bilindex.

Resource Sharing (0) 8. The State Library and library schools should develop evaluation tools for multiformat, (0) 1. The State Library and the California multilingual materials. Library Association should revisit/research how libraries market their collections by learning from (12) 9. The State Library should review

3Califomia Opportunities for Reference Excellence (CORE) is a federally funded grant project targeted at improving the quality of library reference services in the state through the provision of a series of statewide workshops focusing on improvement of reference skills and increased knowledge of reference tools. 4From FY 1990/91 to 1993/94, the State Library's Immigrant Grant Program provided training and $5,000 grants to public libraries for collection development to enable them to better serve their immigrant populations.

Mink Rale Librag Convocation On the llst Centug 89 multicultural grant programs5 to develop a list of communities and library services and share what was purchased and distributed to all libraries findings statewide. This should be done with the throughout the state. idea that it may result in future grant projects.

(22) 10. The State Library and public libraries (9) 2. The State Library, working with library should develop collections and programs for ages schools, should train all library staff on the value 10-18 years, beyond homework assignments. of community joint ventures, using regional workshops, a manual, and a "train the trainer" (4) 11. The State Library should develop approach. "Recommendations for Effective Library Service to Asian and Pacific Island Americans to com- (15) 3. The State Library should implement plete the recommendations series on serving grant program for organizational joint ventures California's major ethnic populations"6 (institutional) to raise awareness of libraries in the community. (2) 12. The State Library should develop a needs assessment template for collection develop- (6) 4. The State Library should introduce at a ment and distribute it to all California public public library directors' forum the concept of libraries. managing organizational change, followed by a series of targeted programs that would enable (1) 13. The State Library should develop libraries to receive customized assistance. strategies for dealing with the impact of school library inadequacies. (0) 5. Public libraries should promote and publicize the value of joint ventures with the (1) 14. The State Library should promote library on an on-going basis. cataloging of resources in all California public librariesfor example, targeted grants for cata- (2) 6. The State Library and public libraries loging non-English language or non-traditiona1 should expand the PFC methodology to include materials. children, young adults, aging baby boomers, seniors, etc. Community Collaboration Lifelong Learning (7) 1. The State Library and library schools should survey Partnerships for Change (PFC) 7 (0) 1. Public libraries should develop strate- libraries to determine the extent of impact on gies for customized lifelong learning.

5It is not possible to implement this recommendation because: (1) core collections were distributed only in the first year of the Immigrant Grant Program, and are therefore dated; and (2) State Library philosophy recommends that collection development issues be addressed at the local level, based on the information and language needs of the library's service area population. 6The State Library has already published recommendations for African-Americans (Keeping the Promise), and Spanish-speaking communities (Adelante). 7The Partnerships for Change (PFC) Program was designed to help public library staff to reach out to their changing communities, to better understand them and their information and recreation needs, and then to restructure their library service plans to meet the needs of these changing populations. The California State Library worked with 26 public libraries between 1989 and 1995 and provided grants and training to assist libraries in creating public library services that were meaningful and relevant for their communities.

90 California Stale Library Convocation 011 tbe Ilst Century 92 (0) 2. Public libraries should identify and (0) 10. All public libraries should work to collaborate with competitors and partners, espe- create a welcoming environment that includes cially other education providers. sufficient physical space. (7) 3. The State Library, the California Li- Promoting the Value of Libraries brary Association, library schools and all public libraries should publicize the library's unique role (41) 1. The State Library should take a leader- in lifelong learning, both to the profession and to ship role (working with the California Library the public. Association and membership, ALA8, CALTAC9, Friends, and partners) to develop a statewide (1) 4. The State Library, the California Li- public relations campaign. This would include a brary Association, library schools and all public grant to develop a 3-5 year plan of ongoing libraries should create techniques for developing activities, and a millennium conference. The individual learning plans using appropriate tech- campaign should tap major metropolitan areas of nology on and off-site. San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles and include messages that could be replicated locally, (0) 5. Public libraries should train staff to be with a cost/benefit analysis. facilitators/readers advisers. (5) 2. The State Library should create and fill (0) 6. Public libraries should identify staff a principal librarian position that specializes in that have particular subject strengths and work to development, public relations, networking and improve them. fundraising.

(0) 7. Public libraries should make customer (0) 3. The State Library should develop service a priority by providing a friendly, welcom- integrated training and strategies for simultaneous ing environment, top to bottom. use at the local level. (3) 8. The State Library, the California Li- (17) 4. The State Library and public libraries brary Association and public libraries should should establish LSTA'° minigrants for promoting develop bilingual, bicultural staff and work to local libraries and community awareness activi- empower a "feminine" profession. ties. (3) 9. All public libraries should develop adequate resources in terms of staff, material and hours.

tAmerican Library Association. 9California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners. 1°The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), a federal grants-in-aidprogram for local libraries, is the successor to the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), and is administeird in California by the State Librarian. Each year the California State Librarian awards approximately $10.6 million for local assistance awards on a competitive basis in response to locally initiated proposals which meet the purposes of the Act. Theprogram extends LSCA in the area of information services to special populations, expands the emphasis on technology in libraries, andencourages resource sharing and inter-library networking and cooperation.

&Vilna Slate king Convocation 00 Ihe ilst Century 83 91 Staffing (4) 8. The State Library, the California Li- brary Association and all public libraries should (1) 1. The State Library and the California provide training for all library staff in customer Library Association should develop a statewide service, technology, and working with diverse model of groups of job skills for library staff. communities, particularly but not exclusively ethnic communities. (2) 2. All public libraries should reexamine and redefine staff duties and expectations so that (1) 9. The State Library should coordinate being flexible, adapting to change, and being training with greater emphasis on including all creative with the community equals success. libraries and library systems, by providing state dollars for release time for staff to attend training. (1) 3. All public libraries should redefine hiring habits and job qualifications that have been (0) 10. All libraries should match job skills based on traditional fields of librarianship. This and job classifications to redefine them. Library could include non-traditional employment meth- schools and all public libraries should redefine ods such as contracting for short term needs or library education via a dialogue between library outsourcing. faculty and public libraries.

(3) 4. The State Library should bring library Technology schools and public librarians together for discussion of core competencies. (5) 1. The State Library should provide technology consulting services to public libraries, (19) 5. The California Library Association including a list of qualified consultants. should take a leadership role (with the State Library providing funding) to develop opportuni- (11) 2. The State Library and library schools ties for internships, models and programs that should provide comprehensive technology train- develop managers into directors. This would ing in a "train the trainers" format. include release time grants to go to school plus tuition, while working to remove local restric- (9) 3. All public libraries should provide tions. technology and information literacy training for the public in group and individual instruction with (2) 6. The State Library should fund intern- support from the State Library and library schools. ships for high school students at local public libraries. (8) 4. The State Library should expand Internet access in local public libraries through the (0) 7. All public libraries should establish InfoPeople project and other appropriate initia- internal mentoring systems. tives.

92 California Slate Library Convocation on the lig Century 3 4 (1) 5. The State Library, the California Li- implementation of technology in their region. brary Association, library schools, the library community, and other intellectual freedom organi- (10) 8. The State Library, the California Li- zations should provide assistance (e.g., forums, brary Association and library schools should clearinghouse, conference, etc.) and support to continue to develop tools for organizing the World local libraries on intellectual freedom in the Wide Web to support language and cultural on-line, digital environment. diversity in California.

(12) 6. the California Library Association (4) 9. The State Library should encourage the should establish minimum levels of technology formation of a task force to create new perfor- standards for public libraries in order to ensure mance measures for electronic library services. equity of access. This should also include an assessment of current technology levels in Cali- (2) 10. The State Library, the California fornia public libraries. Library Association, library schools and all public libraries should recognize and respond to the need (0) 7. Public libraries should continue to for continuing education in the areas of managing explore and expand cooperating on the technology.

California Slate artily Convocation on the list Century 93 8 5 APPENDIX B

Partidpants

Jose Aponte, Library Director, Oceanside Public Steven Cady, Senior Librarian, San Francisco Library Public Library, Mission Branch

Alyce J. Archuleta, Supervising Librarian, San Barbara J. Campbell, library supporter Diego Public Library Jean Carpenter, Kaiser Permanente Counseling & Geoff Armour, Assistant Library Director, Learning Center Carlsbad City Library Judith A. Castiano, Branch Manager, San Diego Martha Arroyo-Neves, Circulation Manager, San Public Library, Tierrasanta Branch Francisco Public Library, Mission Branch Jorge F. Castillo, Librarian II/Children's Lead and Gregg Atkins, President, California Library Bilingual Services, South Chula Vista Library Association & College of San Mateo Library Kristie Coons, Head of Adult Services, Kern Sandra Rios Balderrama, Supervising Librarian, County Library Recruitment, Staff Training and Retention, Oak- land Public Library Bonnie Crell, Principal Librarian, Department of the Youth Authority Deborah Barrow, Library Director, Watsonville Public Library Marilyn Crouch, Library Director, San Diego County Library Henry E. Bates, County Librarian, Mendocino County Library Olivia Cueva-Fernández, Vice-president, Board of Library Commissioners, Los Angeles Public Christopher Berger, Resource Sharing Specialist, Library California State Library Jay Cunningham, LSTA Coordinator, California Mae Bolton, Library Services Manager, Berkeley State Library Public Library Billie Dancy, Director of Library Services, Oak- Barbara Bowie, Principal Librarian, Riverside land Public Library City/County Public Library, Palm Desert Library Susan Denniston, Administrative Librarian, Richard Bray, Community Information & Internet Public Services, Sunnyvale Public Library Librarian, Pasadena Public Library

94 California Stale Libra!! Convocation On the list Century Henry Der, Deputy Superintendent, External Emma B. Harris, Branch Manager, Anaheim Affairs Branch, California Department of Educa- Public Library, Canyon Hills Branch tion Elizabeth Hope Hayes, Administrative Director of Ramon A. Diaz, City Manager, City of Palm African American Museum & Library at Oakland Desert Luis Herrera, Director, Pasadena Public Library Diane Rhea Duquette, Director of Libraries, Kern County Library Vineca Hess, County Librarian, Mono County Library Ofelia E. Escobedo, library supporter Susan Hildreth, Planning Consultant, California Mary Sue Ferrell, Executive Director, California State Library Library Association Cordelia Howard, Director, Long Beach Public Grace Francisco, Hispanic Services Librarian, Library Oceanside Public Library Albert W. Johnson II, Senior Librarian, Young Jose P. Galvan, Young Adult Librarian, Los Adult Services, Los Angeles Public Library Angeles Public Library, Wilshire Branch Maggie L. Johnson, Senior Librarian, Los Angeles Henry L. Gardner, Managing Partner, Gardner, Public Library, Memorial Branch Underwood & Bacon Sharon Johnson, Community Library Manager, Liz Gibson, Bureau Chief, Library Development County of Los Angeles Public Library, Compton Services, California State Library Library

Anne Marie Gold, County Librarian, Contra Costa Lynda L. Jones, Literacy Coordinator, Carlsbad County Library City Library

Rafael M. Gonzalez, Regional Collection Coordi- John K. Kallenberg, County Librarian, Fresno nator, County of Los Angeles Public Library, East County Library County Region Terry Kastanis, Professor, Library Technology, Sandy Habbestad, CLSA Program Analyst, Cali- Sacramento City College fornia State Library Shelly G. Keller, Convocation Coordinator and Richard Hall, Library Construction Bond Act Facilitator Manager, California State Library

California Stale Library Convocation on the 21s1 Century 95 97 Rose-Marie Kennedy, Deputy County Librarian, Margaret Miles, County Librarian, Plumas County Branches & Extension Services, Contra Costa Library County Library Geoffrey Miller, Audio-Visual Librarian, Rich- Ed Kieczykowski, County Librarian, San Bernar- mond Public Library dino County Library Al Milo, Library Director, Fullerton Public Library Richard M. Killian, Library Director, Sacramento Public Library Regina Minudri, Library Director Emerita

Lydia Kuhn, Fresno County Free Library Effie Lee Morris, library supporter

Maureen Kwok, Senior Librarian, Multicultural Charlotte Nolan, Associate Dean, School of Services, San Jose Public Library Information Management & Systems. University of California, Berkeley Mary Jo Levy, Director of Libraries, Palo Alto City Library, Downtown Branch Julie Odofin, Library Program Coordinator, Adelia Lines, Director of Library Services, Berke- Oakland Public Library ley Public Library Diane Olivo, Children's Librarian, Los Angeles Suzanne Lo, formerly Oakland Public Library, Public Library Asian Branch Julia M. Orozco, Library Director, Salinas Public Angie Lopez, Branch Manager, Monterey County Library Library, Soledad Community Library K.G. Ouye, City Librarian, San Mateo Public Elias Lopez, Research Program Specialist, Cali- Library fornia Research Bureau Mark Parker, Deputy Library Director, Sacra- Kathleen Low, Convocation Chair and Ethnic mento Public Library Services Consultant, California State Library Josefina Patria, Member, California Library Gerald Maginnity, Coordinator, Mountain Valley Services Board Library System Francisco Pinneli, County Librarian, Nevada Penny S. Markey, Assistant Library Administrator, County Public Library Youth Services Coordinator, County of Los Angeles Public Library Terry Preston, Chairman, Oakland Library Com- mission

96 California Sidle Librdfy COMUlion On the Ng CeIlluff 93 Natalie Rae Rencher, Branch Manager, San Diego Jeanne Thivierge, Local History Specialist, Red- Public Library, Malcolm X Library & Performing wood City Public Library Arts Center Shawna Saavedra Thorup, Senior Librarian, Brian A. Reynolds, Director, San Luis Obispo Torrance Public Library, Southeast Branch City-Co. Library Bessie Condos Tichauer, Children and Youth Daniel Robles, District Librarian, Blanchard Services Consultant, California State Library Community Library, Santa Paula Public Library District Rita A. Torres, Senior Librarian, San Jose Public Library, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Main Library Jae Min Roh, Senior Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library, Pio Pico Koreatown Branch Albert Tovar, Assistant Regional Administrator, Central Region, County of Los Angeles Public Richard Serrato, Supervising Librarian, Berkeley Library Public Library Virginia A. Walter, Associate Professor, UCLA, Jackie Siminitus, Stakeholder Relations, Pacific Bell Library & Information Science Department

Leslie Jean Simmons, Branch Manager, San Judy Weedman, Associate Professor, San Jose Diego Public Library, University Heights Branch State University, School of Library & Information Science Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of California Barbara Will, Networking Coordinator, California Mary L. Stephens, County Librarian, Yolo County State Library Library Patricia M. Wong, Supervising Librarian, Berke- Janice Cesolini Stuter, Principal Librarian, De- ley Public Library, Southeast Branch partment of Corrections Linda M. Wood, County Librarian, Alameda Carole Talan, Family Literacy Specialist, Califor- County Library nia State Library Kenneth A. Yamashita, Library Division Manager Sandra Tau ler, City Librarian, Camarena for Central Library & Technical Services, Memorial Library Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library

Richard Terry, CLSA Program Coordinator, Linda Yao, Library Director, Upland Public California State Library Library

California Stale Library Convocation on the llst Century 97 93 APPENDIX C

California State Library's Convocation on Providing Public Library

Services to California's 21st Century Population

May 20-21, 1997 Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, Sacramento AGENDA

Tuesday, May 20 7:00-8:00 am Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:00-8:25 am Welcome Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of California 8:25-8:45 am Introduction to Convocation Liz Gibson, Bureau Chief, Library Development Services 8:45-9:00 am Review Convocation agenda and packet Kathy Low, Library Development Services 9:00-9:15 am UpdateLibrary Services and Technology Act and Funding Implications Jay Cunningham, Library Development Services 9:15-9:45 am Participants' Convocation Goals and Expectations Shelly Keller, Convocation Coordinator 9:45-10:00 am California's 21st Century Demographics Elias Lopez, California Research Bureau 10:00-10:15 am BREAK (sign up for Breakout Sessions) 10:10-11:45 am Review of Issues and Process of Identification Bessie Condos Tichauer, Library Development Services Perspectives Paper Presentations on Issues (3-5 minutes each): 1. Access Diane Duquette Margaret Miles 2. Collection Development & Resource Sharing Hope Hayes Brian Reynolds 3. Community Collaboration & Outreach Luis Herrera Penny Markey Francisco Pinneli

98 California Slate Ding Convocation 011 the 2Ist Century 1G0 11:10-11:45 am 4. Life-long Learning Martha Arroyo-Neves Henry Der 5. Promoting the Value of Libraries Regina Minudri Linda Wood 6. Staffing to Serve California's 21st Century Population Marilyn Crouch Billie Dancy 7. Technology John Kallenberg Mark Parker 11:45-1:15 pm Lunch In John Q Ballroom, 16th floor 1:15-1:30 pm Participants sign up for 2 Breakout Sessions 1:30-1:45 pm Instructions for Breakout Sessions Shelly Keller 1:45-3:00 pm Breakout Session 1 (by topics listed below) 1. Access 2. Collection Development & Resource Sharing 3. Community Collaboration & Outreach 4. Life-long Learning 5. Promoting the Value of Libraries 6. Staffing to Serve California's 21st Century Population 7. Technology 3:00-3:15 pm BREAK 3:15-4:45 pm Breakout Sessions report back to group for comment 4:45-5:00 pm Identify other relevant issues 5:15-6:30 pm No-host Bar in John Q Ballroom on 16th floor 6:00-7:30 pm Dinner and Keynote Address in the John Q Ballroom, 16th floor Dan Walters, Syndicated Political Columnist The Sacramento Bee

Wednesday, May 21 7:00-8:00 am Hotel check-out (please check out before 1:00 pm) Continental Breakfast 8:00-8:10 am Regroup; review instructions for Breakout Session 2 Shelly Keller

California State Library Convocation on the ilst Century 99 I 0 8:10-9:30 am Breakout Session 2 (by topic) 1. Access 2. Collection Development & Resource Sharing 3. Community Collaboration & Outreach 4. Life-long Learning 5. Promoting the Value of Libraries 6. Staffing to Serve California's 21st Century Population 7. Technology 9:45-11:25 am Breakout Sessions report back to group for comment 11:25-11:30 am Funding Library Education Kathy Low 11:30-11:40 am Instructions for Breakout Session 3 Shelly Keller 11:45 am-1:15 pm Lunch and Keynote Address in the John Q Ballroom, 16th floor Richard Rodriguez, author and journalist 1:15-2:25 pm Breakout Session to Develop Plan for Implementation 1. Front line public library staff and middle managers 2. Library policy makers 3. Library educators 4. Public library supporters 2:30-3:30 pm Breakout Sessions report back; group gives comment and feedback on each 3:30-3:45 pm Suggestions for Library Services and Technology Act Funding Jay Cunningham 3:45-4:00 pm Next steps; wrap-up Shelly Keller and Kathy Low 4:00 pm Adjourn

100 California Sidle Library COlivOlaliOn On the list Century 102 APPENDIX D

Convocation Packet Contents

Contents of the Convocation Packet included:

1.Selected pages from Entering the 21st Century: California's Public Libraries Face the Future, Institute for the Future, published by the California State Library in April 1996.

2.Final recommendations from the State of Change Conference Proceedings, published by the California State Library in 1988.

3. Public Library Organization in California, compiled by Linda Wood, Alameda County Librarian, and edited by Beverly Simmons, Project Director.

4.Buildings, books and bytes: Libraries and communities in the digital age, prepared by the Benton Foundation and funded by W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

5.Perspective Papers contained in this publication.

California Slale Library Convoralion on Ihe 11s1 Century 101 1 3 Summary

of Input Received from the Public Forums

on the

California State Library's Convocation

011

Providing Public Library Service to California's 21st Century Population

November 411997

104 Summary of Convocation Forums

Background Nine public forums to review conferee recommendations from the May 20-21 Convocation (Providing Public Library Service to California's 21st Century Population) were held around California from August 26 to September 19, 1997 in the following locations: Yolo County Public Library, Davis Branch (August 26) Corona Public Library (September 3) San Diego Public Library, Scripps Ranch Branch (September 4) Teharna County Library Headquarters (September 5) Santa Barbara Public Library (September 10) Salinas Community Center (September 11) Fresno County Library, Central Library (September 12) San Francisco Public Library (September 16) Los Angeles Public Library (September 19) co-hosted by the County of Los Angeles Public Library

Forum speakers were selected from the list of Convocation participants who volunteered to take part in the forums and included: Francisco Pinneli, Virginia Walter, Barbara Bowie, Ramon Diaz, Judith Castiano, Margaret Miles, Grace Francisco, Brian Reynolds, Richard Bray, Diane Duquette, Jose Galvan, Maggie Johnson and Luis Herrera. Each forum had two speakers as well as a State Library consultant (Susan Hildreth, Kathy Low and Bessie Condos Tichauer) to flip chart comments and answer questions.

272 attendees, 196 Comment Forms returned Public forum attendees numbered 272; 196 Comment Forms were received at the forums or by mail. San Diego (with 65 attendees) and Los Angeles (with 56) had the highest attendance. San Francisco (with7 attendees) had the lowest attendance. It should be noted that the San Francisco forum was held one day after the end of the BART strike. Shelly Keller, Convocation and Forum Coordinator, worked with forum hostsand speakers, providing promotional materials (media release, public service announcements, flier copy, agendas and overhead transparencies). Forum dates and locations were also listed on several library listservs.

Positive library publicity Forums were coordinated and promoted at the local level with hosts and coordinators determining the level of promotional support they would provide. Nearly all libraries promoted their forums using fliers intheir local libraries and library systems. Yolo County Public Library, Salinas Public Library and Fresno County Library took advantage of publicity opportunities that the forum provided and secured media coverageboth before and after their forums.

Tabulating forum attendees' top priorities During the May Convocation, participants were asked to note their top 3 priorities (each vote counted as 1 point in the final tallying). Any recommendation thatreceived fewer than 2 votes was not included in the final list of Convocation Priority Recommendations (see pages 3 -6 in this report). It should be notedthat in the voting on priorities at the Convocation, "Barriers to Access" were listed as one recommendation with 14points.

Carnid Sidle lihrdry COMMIliOn On the 2Isl Century 1 105 During the Forums, participants were asked to votefor their top 5 priorities, noting which was number I, which was number 2, etc. Each number 1 priority vote wasgiven 5 points; each number 2 priority vote was given 4 points, each number 3 priority vote was given 3 points, etc.Comment Forms were tabulated using this rating system. It should be noted that on the Forum CommentForms, each item under "Barriers to Access" was treated as a separaterecommendation for purposes of voting on priorities. As a result, in theConvocation Priority Recommendations, all "Barriers to Access" are listed as onepriority, whereas the Forum Priority Recommendations treat each of the recommendations under "Barriers toAccess" as individual recommendations. That also explains why there are 47 Forum Recommendationsand 33 Convocation Recommendations.

Concurrence on the Number 1 Priority A tally of the Forum Comment Forms reveals that forumattendees concurred with Convocation participants on the Number 1 priority by an overwhelmingmargin (385 points versus 158 points for Priority Number 2). That recommendation states: The State Library shouldtake a leadership role (working with the California Library Association and membership, ALA, CALTAC, Friends andpartners) to develop a statewide public relations campaign that could be replicated locally. The second highest forum priority received 158 points.That recommendation states: The State Library, the California Library Association and public libraries shouldaddress the issue of disparities in funding. The third highest forum priority received 108 points.That recommendation states:The State Library and public libraries should develop collections and programs for ages 10-18, beyondhomework assignments. A complete listing of Forum Priority Recommendations is inAppendix A, pages 7-11.

Revisions to Recommendations Based on input from the forums, two revisions have been made to thelanguage of the Recommenda- tions. The first change is to Priority Number 1 and involved deletinginformation on the length of the campaign plan, and specific cities. That recommendation now reads:

The State Library should take a leadership role (working with theCalifornia Library Association and membership, ALA, CALTAC, Friends, and partners) todevelop a statewide public relations campaign that could be replicated locally.

The second revision involves Convocation Priority RecommendationNumber 27. In that recommendation, "bilingual, bicultural" has been changed to "multilingual,multicultural." In addition, the word "feminine" has been deleted from the phrase "to empower a feminine profession." Thatrecommendation now reads:

The State Library, the California Library Association and public librariesshould develop multilingual, multicultural staff and work to empower the profession.

Additions to Recommendations Based on input from the forums, several recommendations have beenadded to the Convocation Priority Recommendations. While these recommendations did not make the list ofpriorities at the Convocation, their high ranking by the forum participants qualified them to be added tothe Convocation Priority Recommendations.

For a comparison of the Forum Priority Recommendations and theConvocation Priority Recommenda- tions rankings, see pages 3-6. Those pages list the ConvocationPriority Recommendations with the Forum Priority ranking given in the column preceding each recommendation.

California Sidle Library Convocation on the 21s1 Cenlury 2 106 Convocation Recommendations by Priority

The recommendations below have been prioritized according to the votes by Convocation participants (each participant was given 3 votes). Rankings of the Forum Recommendations by Priority are given in the space preceding each recommendations-

. Forum Forum Results Results Priority # Priority # 1 1 The State Library should take a leader- (institutional) to raise awareness of libraries in ship role (working with the California Library the community (Community Collaboration). Association and membership, ALA', CALTAC2, Friends, and partners) to develop a statewide 20 6. The State Library should establish and public relations campaign that could be repli- maintain an Internet site that includes core lists cated locally. (Promoting the Value of Libraries). of selected multicultural resources, plus hard-to-find materials, collection development 3 2 The State Library and public libraries policies, etc. (Collection Development). should develop collections and programs for ages 10-18 years, beyond homework assign- 7. The California Library Association ments (Collection Development). tieshould establish minimum levels of technology standards for public libraries in order to ensure 10 3. The California Library Association equity of access. This should also include an tieshould take a leadership role (with the State assessment of current technology levels in Library providing funding) to develop opportuni- California public libraries (Technology). ties for internships, models and programs that develop managers into directors. This would 8. Barriers to access should be addressed include release time grants to go to school plus as follows (Access): tuition, while working to remove local restrictions (Staffing). 21 a. Library schools, the California Library tie Association, and all public libraries should 14 4. The State Library and public libraries work together to address and improve should establish LSTA3 minigrants for promoting staff attitudes, lack of skills, and staff's local libraries and community awareness activi- need for training. ties (Promoting the Value of Libraries). 42 b. Public libraries should address the issue 4 5 The State Library should implement a of fees for non-resident's library cards. grant program for organizational joint ventures

Cd1110111th Sidle Librdry CO111'0001 011 the list Century 3 1 0 Forum Forum Results Results Priority # Priority # 8. Barriers to access should be addressed as follows (Access): continued 45 1. Public libraries should work to eliminate tie electronic barriers (e.g., getting voice mail 38 c. Publiclibraries should work to improve instead of a person). tie unsuitable library buildings and facilities 37 that don't meet ADA4 requirements, their m. All libraries should provide adequate tie lack of equipment, and services for special training for the public in use of new needs. technology. 46 5 d. The State Library should address the n. Public libraries should work to improve tie tie inequities of TBIV subsidies. library rules (such as fmes) and policies (such as hiring criteria). 2 e. The State Library, the California Library Association and public libraries should 259. The State Library and library schools address the issue of disparities in funding. tieshould provide comprehensive technology training in a "train the trainers" format (Technol- 26 f. Public libraries should address the lack of ogy). tie public transportation, inadequate parking, and poor access to parking at the 41 10. The State Library, the California Library local level. tieAssociation and library schools should continue to develop tools for organizing the World Wide 34 g. All public libraries should respond to the Web to support language and cultural diversity tie language needs of their service areas. in California (Technology).

19 h. The State Library and public libraries 11 11. The State Library, working with library tie should work together to improve the schools, should train all library staff on the value literacy level of all Californians. of community joint ventures, using regional workshops, a manual, and a "train the trainer" 5 i. Public libraries should promote their ser- approach (Community Collaboration). tie vices to non-users who have no previous experience/knowledge of public libraries. 15 12. All public libraries should provide technology and information literacy training for 7 j. Public libraries and the California Library the public in group and individual instruction with Association should address the lack of support from the State Library and library policy/legislation ensuring every schools (Technology). individual's right to library services. 13 13. The State Library should expand 27 k. The State Library should address the tieInternet access in local public libraries through tie problem of "haves/have nots" in technology ownership by potential patrons.

4Americans with Disabilities Act. 5The Transaction Based Reimbursement (TBR) program reimburses local libraries for a portion of the costs they incur when they extend lending services beyond their normal clientele. There are three types of loans supported: equal access, universal borrowing, and interlibrary loans.Equal access and universal borrowing are loans made directly to individuals who are notresidents of the jurisdiction of the lending library; interlibrary loans are loans made from one library jurisdiction to another in order to fill a patron's request made at the borrowing library.

Calif01111d Sidle Librory C0111'0011011 011 lhe 2Isl Cehlury 4 103 Forum Forum Results Results Priority # Priority # the InfoPeople project and other appropriate fundraising (Promoting the Value of Libraries). initiatives (Technology). 820. The State Library should provide 17 14. The State Library and all public libraries technology consulting services to public librar- tieshould support and facilitate community-based ies, including a list of qualified consultants planning to determine their individual (Technology). community's priorities for access (Access). 2921. Library schools should sponsor re- 24 15. The State Library should repeat the search on the implications of lifelong learning on Immigrant Grant Program6 with small, easy-to- collection developmente.g., career and job implement grants (Collection Development). changes, welfare reform, the technologically illiterate (Collection Development). 23 16. The State Library and library schools should survey Partnerships for Change (PFC)7 4722. The State Library should develop libraries to determine the extent of impact on tie"Recommendations for Effective Library communities and library services and share Service to Asian and Pacific Island Americans findings statewide. This should be done with the to complete the recommendations series on idea that it may result in future grant projects serving California's major ethnic populations" (Community Collaboration). (Collection Development).

13 17. The State Library, the California 3923. The State Library should encourage the tieLibrary Association, library schools and all formation of a task force to create new perfor- public libraries should publicize the library's mance measures for electronic library services unique role in lifelong learning, both to the (Technology). profession and to the public (Lifelong Learning). 1624. The State Library, the California Library Association and all public libraries should 30 18. The State Library should introduce at a provide training for all library staff in customer tiepublic library directors' forum the concept of service, technology, and working with diverse managing organizational change, followed by a communities, particularly but not exclusively series of targeted programs that would enable ethnic communities (Staffmg). libraries to receive customized assistance (Community Collaboration). 4625. The Library of Congress should con- tietinue to maintain standards for Spanish and 17 19. The State Library should create and fill Asian languages subject headings and other tie a principal librarian position that specializes in language subject headingse.g., Bilindex development, public relations, networking and (Collection Development).

6From FY 1990/91 to 1993/94, the State Library's Immigrant Grant Program provided training and $5,000 grants to public libraries for collection development to enable them to better serve their immigrant populations. 7The Partnerships for Change (PFC) Program was designed to help public library staff to reach out to their changing communities, to better understand them and their information and recreation needs, and then to restructure their library service plans to meet the needsof these changing populations. The California State Library worked with 26 public libraries between 1989 and 1995 and provided grantsand training to assist libraries in creating public library services that were meaningful and relevant for their communities. 8The State Library has already published recommendations for African-Americans (Keeping the Promise), and Spanish-speaking communities (Adelante).

1 0 3 Californid Role UM' Conrocolion on the list Century 5 Forum Results Additions to Recommendations Priority # 2526. The State Library should bring library Based on input form the forums, the following tieschools and public librarians together for recommendations have been added to the final discussion of core competencies (Staffing). Recommendations because of their high ranking by forum participants. 4527. The State Library, the California Library tieAssociation and public libraries should develop 1. The State Library should take a leadership role to develop a library card for statewide use bilingual, bicultural staff and work to empower a (Access). "feminine" profession (Lifelong Learning).

2. The State Library should develop strate- 628. All public libraries should develop gies for dealing with the impact of school library adequate resources in terms of staff, material inadequacies (Community Development and and hours (Lifelong Learning). Resource Sharing). 3829. The State Library should develop a 3. Public libraries should make customer tieneeds assessment template for collection service a priority by providing a friendly, wel- development and distribute it to all California coming environment, top to bottom (Lifelong public libraries (Collection Development). Learning). 3430. The State Library and public libraries 4. Public libraries should promote and tieshould expand the PFC methodology to include publicize the value ofjoint ventures with the children, young adults, aging baby boomers, library on an on-going basis (Community seniors, etc. (Community Collaboration). Collaboration). 4131. The State Library should fund intern- 5. Library schools should sponsor research tieships for high school students at local public on the implications of lifelong learning on collec- libraries (Staffmg). tion developmente.g., career and job changes, welfare reform, the technologically 2832. All public libraries should reexamine and illiterate (Collection Development and Resource tieredefine staff duties and expectations so that Sharing). being flexible, adapting to change, and being creative with the community equals success 6. All public libraries should redefine hiring (Staffmg). habits and job qualifications that have been based on traditional fields of librarianship. This 3133. The State Library, the California Library could include non-traditional employment tieAssociation, library schools and all public methods such as contracting for short term libraries should recognize and respond to the needs or outsourcing (Staffing). need for continuing education in the areas of managing technology (Technology).

California Sidle Libraly COINOCaliOn on the 21s1 Century 6 110 Appendix A

Forum Priority Recommendations

Points Points 385 1. The State Library should take a leader- 75 7. Public libraries and the California Library ship role (working with the California Library Association should address the lack of policy/legisla- Association and membership, ALA' , CALTAC2, tion ensuring every individual's right to library ser- Friends, and partners) to develop a statewide vices. Access public relations campaign that could be replicated locally. Promoting the Value of Libraries 73 8. The State Library should provide technology consulting services to public libraries, 158 2. The State Library, the California including a list of qualified consultants. Technol- Library Association and public libraries should ogy address the issue of disparities in funding. Access 68 9. The State Library should take a leadership role to develop a library card for statewide 102 3. The State Library and public libraries use. Access should develop collections and programs for ages 10-18 years, beyondhomework assign- 64 10 tie. The California Library Association ments. Collection Development andResource should take a leadership role (with the State Sharing Library providing funding) to develop opportunities for internships, models and programs that 95 4. The State Library should implement develop managers into directors. This would grant programs for organizational joint ventures include release time grants to go to school plus (institutional) to raise awareness of libraries in tuition, while working to remove local restric- the community. Community Collaboration tions. Staffing

92 5 tie. The State Library should address the 64 10 tie. The California Library Association inequities of TBR3 subsidies. Access should establish minimum levels of technology standards for public libraries in order to ensure 92 5 tie. Public libraries should promote their equity of access. This should also include an services to non-users who have no previous assessment of current technology levels inCali- experience/knowledge of public libraries. Access fornia public libraries. Technology

79 6. All public libraries should develop adequate resources in terms of staff, material and hours. Lifelong Learning

American Library Association. 2California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners. 3The Transaction Based Reimbursement (TBR) program reimburses local libraries for a portion of the coststhey incur when they extend lending services beyond their normal clientele. There are three types of loans supported: equal access,universal borrowing, and interlibrary loans. Equal access and universal borrowing are loans made directly to individuals who are not residentsof the jurisdiction of the lending library; interlibrary loans are loans made from one library jurisdiction to another in order to fill a patron's requestmade at the borrowing library. lii California Slate LibraryCOINOCalioll onlbe 21s1 Conlon' 7 Points Points

63 11. The State Library, working with library 49 16. The State Library, the California Library schools, should train all library staff on the value of Association and all public libraries should provide community joint ventures, using regional workshops, training for all library staff in customer service, tech- a manual, and a "train the trainer" approach. Com- nology, and working with diverse communities, munity Collaboration particularly but not exclusively ethnic communities. Staffing 62 12. The State Library should develop strategies for dealing with the impact of school 46 17 tie. The State Library and all public library inadequacies. Community Development libraries should support and facilitate and Resource Sharing community-based planning to determine their individual community's priorities for access. 57 13 tie. The State Library, the California Access Library Association, library schools and all public libraries should publicize the library's 46 17 tie. The State Library should create and unique role in lifelong learning, both to the fill a principal librarian position that specializes in profession and to the public. Lifelong Learning development, public relations, networking and fundraising. Access 57 13 tie. The State Library should expand Internet access in local public libraries through 45 18. Public libraries should make customer the InfoPeople project and other appropriate service a priority by providing a friendly, welcom- initiatives. Technology ing environment, top to bottom. Lifelong Learning

56 14. The State Library and public libraries 44 19 tie. The State Library and public libraries should establish LSTA4 min igrants for promoting should work together to improve the literacy level of local libraries and community awareness activi- all Californians. Access ties. Promoting the Value of Libraries 44 19 tie. All libraries should provide front line 50 15. All public libraries should provide staff and volunteers with customer service and conflict technology and information literacy training for resolution skills; and make it a priority to hire people the public in group and individual instruction with these skills. Access with support from the State Library and library schools. Technology 41 20. The State Library should establish and maintain an Internet site that includes core lists of selected multicultural resources, plus hard-to-find materials, collection development policies, etc. Collection Development and Resource Sharing

°The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), a federal grants-in-aid program for local libraries, is the successor to the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), and is administered in California by the State Librarian. Each year the California State Librarian awards approximately $10.6 million for local assistance awards on a competitive basis in response to locally initiated proposals which meet the purposes of the Act. The program extends LSCA in the area of information services to special populations, expands the emphasis on technology in libraries, and encourages resource sharing and inter-library networking and cooperation.

Ca/1fmk Sidle Library Convocall011 on the Ai Century 8 1 1 Points Points 37 21 tie. Library schools, the California 26 26 tie. All libraries and vendors should Library Association, and all libraries should work work to increase the user-friendliness of on-line together to address and improve staff attitudes, lack technology with multiple languages and the use of of skills, and staff's need for training. Access graphics and icons. Access

37 21 tie. Public libraries should identify and 26 26 tie. Public libraries should address the collaborate with competitors and partners, especially lack of public transportation, inadequate parking, other education providers. Lifelong Learning and poor access to parking at the local level. Access

32 22. Public libraries should promote and 25 27 tie. The State Library should address the publicize the value of joint ventures with the library problem of "haves/have nots" in technology owner- on an on-going basis. CommunityCollaboration ship by potential patrons. Access

31 23. The State Library and library schools 25 27 tie. The State Library and the California should survey Partnerships for Change (PFC)5 Library Association should revisit/research how libraries to determine the extent of impact on com- libraries market their collections by learning from munities and library services and share findings reading groups, book selling trends and the "Opran statewide. This should be done with the idea that it Factor." Collection Development and Resource may result in future grant projects. Community Sharing Collaboration 23 28. All public libraries should reexamine and 30 24. The State Library should repeat the redefine staff duties and expectations so that being Immigrant Grant Program6with small, flexible, adapting to change, and being creative with easy-to-implement grants. Collection Development the community equals success. Staffing and Resource Sharing 77 29. Library schools should research how 27 25 tie. The State Library should bring library and why underserved populations do or don't use schools and public librarians together for discussion information resources; and recommend how this of core competencies. Staffing research might be used to improve public library services. Collection Development and Resource 27 25 tie. The State Library and library schools Sharing should provide comprehensive technology training in a "train the trainers" format. Technology

5The Partnerships for Change (PFC) Program was designed to help public library staff to reach out to their changing communities, to better understand them and their information and recreation needs, and then to restructure their library service plans to meet theneeds of these changing populations. The California State Library worked with 26 public libraries between 1989 and 1995 and provided grants and tj assist libraries in creating public library services that were meaningful and relevant for their communities. 6From FY 1990/91 to 1993/94, the State Library's Immigrant Grant Program provided training and $5,000 grants to public libraries for collection development to enable them to better serve their immigrant populations.

California Stale Library Convocation 011 the llsl Century 9 113 Points Points 20 30 tie. The State Library should introduce 16 34 tie. All libraries should respond to the at a public library directors' forum the concept of language needs of their service areas. Access managing organizational change, followed by a series of targeted programs that would enable libraries to 15 35. The State Library should coordinate receive customized assistance. Community Col- training with greater emphasis on including all librar- laboration ies and library systems, by providing state dollars for release time for staff to attend training. Staffing 20 30 tie. The State Library, the California Library Association, library schools, the library 14 36 tie. Public libraries should continue to community, and other intellectual freedom organiza- explore and expand cooperating on the implementa- tions should provide assistance (e.g., forums, clear- tion of technology in their region. Technology inghouse, conference, etc.) and support to local libraries on intellectual freedom in the on-line, digital 14 36 tie. The State Library, the California environment. Technology Library Association, library schools and all public libraries should create techniques for developing 19 31. The State Library, the California Library individual learning plans using appropriate technology Association, library schools and all public libraries on and off-site. Collection Development and should recognize and respond to the need for Resource Sharing continuing education in the areas of managing technology. Technology 12 37 tie. The State Library and public libraries should provide CORE-type training for the 18 32. Library schools should sponsor republic on how to use the library, and tailor it to the search on the implications of lifelong learning on needs of their communities in terms of languages and collection developmente.g., career and job formats. Access changes, welfare reform, the technologically illiterate. Collection Development and Resource Sharing 12 37 tie. All libraries should provide adequate training for the public in use of new 17 33. All public libraries should redefine hiring technology. Access habits and job qualifications that have been based on traditional fields of librarianship. This could include 10 38 tie. Public libraries should work to non-traditional employment methods such as con- improve unsuitable library buildings and facilities tracting for short term needs or outsourcing. Staffing that don't meet ADA8 requirements, their lack of equipment, and services for special needs. Access 16 34 tie. The State Library and public libraries should expand the PFC methodology to include children, young adults, aging baby boomers, seniors, etc. Community Collaboration

7California Opportunities for Reference Excellence (CORE) is a federally funded grant project targeted at improving the quality of library reference services in the state through the provision of a series of statewide workshops focusing on improvement of reference skills and increased knowledge of reference tools. 5Americans with Disabilities Act.

CA/kid Sidle Librdry Con vocdiion Oil the 21s1 CP111111.1 10 114 Points Points 10 38 tie. The State Library should develop a 3 45 tie. Public libraries should work to needs assessment template for collection develop- eliminate electronic barriers (e.g., getting voice mail ment and distribute it to all California public libraries. instead of a person). Access Promoting the Value of Libraries 3 45 tie. The State Library and library schools 9 39. The State Library should encourage the should develop evaluation tools for multiformat, formation of a task force to create new performance multilingual materials. Collection Development and measures for electronic library services. Technology Resource Sharing

8 40. Public libraries should develop stategies 3 45 tie. Public libraries should train staff to be for customized lifelong learning. Lifelong Learning facilitators/readers advisers. Lifelong Learning

7 41 tie. The State Library should fund 3 45 tie. The State Library, the California internships for high school students at local public Library Association and public libraries should libraries. Staffing develop multilingual, multicultural staff and work to empower the profession. Lifelong Learning 7 41 tie. All public libraries should establish internal mentoring systems. Staffing 3 45 tie. All libraries should match job skills and job classifications to redefine them. Library 7 41 tie. The State Library, the California schools and all public libraries should redefine library Library Association and library schools should education via a dialogue between library faculty and continue to develop tools for organizing the World public libraries. Staffing Wide Web to support language and cultural diversity in California. Technology 2 46 tie. Public libraries should work to improve library rules (such as fines) and policies (such 6 42. Public libraries should address the issue as hiring criteria). Access of fees for nun-resident's library cards. Access 2 46 tie. he Library of Congress should 5 43 tie. The State Library should develop continue to maintain standards for Spanish and Asian integrated training and strategies for simultaneous use languages subject headings and other language at the local level. Promoting the Value of Libraries subject headingse.g., Bilindex. Collection Devel- opment and Resource Sharing 5 43 tie. The State Library and the California

Library Association should develop a statewide 1 47 tie. All libraries and vendors should model of groups ofjob skills for library staff. Staff- facilitate gateways between on-line catalogs. Access ing

1 47 tie. The State Library should develop 4 44. The State Library should promote "Recommendations for Effective Library Service to cataloging of resources in all California public libraries Asian and Pacific Island Americans to complete the for example, targeted grants for cataloging recommendations series on serving California's major non-English language or non-traditional materials. ethnic populations"9. Collection Development and Promoting the Value of Libraries Resource Sharing

9The State Library has already published recommendations for African-Americans(Keeping the Promise).and Spanish-speaking communities (Adelante).

California Slate Wary Convorallon on the 2Isl Century 11 1 1 5 This publication was supported in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education under the provisions of the Library Services and Construction Act, administered inCalifornia by Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of California. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of either the California State Library or the U.S. Department of Education and no official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Educationshould be inferred. Published by the California State Library, Sacramento California, July 1997. 116 Reproduction Release http://ericfac.piccard.csc.com/reprod.html

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