2016.01.13 Parks Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MULTI -USE FACILITIES AND LIBRARIES — Library research does not show a clear direction of pros or cons for building libraries in multi -use facilities or in partnership with other entities. It is successful in some cases, and less so in others, depending on the community and service needs. Nonetheless, placing libraries in multi-purpose centers, or in partnership with other organizations has been a strong trend in libraries in recent decades. Common types of these facilities are combining libraries with other government service centers, with park or recreational facilities, with housing developments, or in business or market centers. The R.H. Stafford and Hardwood Creek libraries are excellent examples of these types of libraries. COMBINING PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARY FACILITIES — A special category of public libraries in multi -use facilities are joint public and school libraries. While broad and deep cooperation between schools and public libraries is desired, and can be highly successful on many fronts, these types of joint facilities have proven more difficult. According to a 2000 article in School Library Media Research, positives for a joint public/school library may include: a broader collection, longer hours, better trained staff, better use of the building at lower cost, and closer relationship among parents, schoolchildren and librarians. However, the negatives are more extensive, and include: inconvenience for public patrons of a library in a school setting, difficulty in promoting the library as a public library, inadequate collections to serve a diverse set of user groups, inadequate training for staff to serve in the dual role, difficulties with dual administrative and governance structures, school and public library service areas that are not contiguous, and security and privacy issues. The article found that joint public/school libraries were most likely to be successful in small communities of under 5,000 population, where resource sharing was necessary and diversity of access was less of an issue. While worth exploring, with the large and growing population of Washington County and the complexity of the school districts within the County, joint facilities may be a less successful approach than other types of school collaborations for the Library. INNOVATIVE, NON-TRADITIONAL MODELS — Many different types of library service models have emerged for libraries in recent years. A common example, present in three locations in Washington County, are the use of express locker systems for delivery of materials. But other innovative library models also exist, such as 24/7 self-service libraries, small libraries focused only on one or two services (such as children's services or technology), and technology -only libraries. As with express libraries, Washington County's diversity of communities may lead it to exploring the use of other creative and innovative facilities trends in public libraries. 10