Seattle Public Library - Libraries for All, Capital Plan, Operating Costs

Operating
Costs

Libraries for All
Proposed
1998 Capital Plan
for the
Seattle Public Library

Submitted March 13, 1998

The Library has identified all operating costs needed to support an expanded services and facilities plan. A 10 percent increase in operating budget is needed in the next biennium to bring the Library's operating hours, materials budget, and automation infrastructure up to acceptable levels. Another 15 percent increase will be needed over the next nine years, as new and expanded facilities are opened.

It is clear from talking with community groups and citizens from all parts of Seattle, as well as the user/non-user surveys, that demands for facilities improvements and services are intertwined. People want more open hours, a better materials collection, and more available computers that work, as much as they want the improved physical plant that supports these services.

The following plan for annual operating cost adjustments attempts to meet these needs and expectations.

Increased Operating Hours: The City took a significant step in 1998 by increasing neighborhood library hours. While this commitment provides for daily operating hours in all facilities, most facilities still remain closed some mornings or evenings. Beginning in the 1999 - 2000 biennium, sufficient funds are needed to bring all full-sized branches from a typical 48 hours/week schedule to a 60 hours/week schedule, and all small branches from a 40-hours/week schedule to a 48-hours/week schedule. Approximately $820,000 is needed to increase and maintain these hours annually.

Improved Collections: The Library's materials budget has fallen further and further behind inflation over the last decade. Achieving a goal of increasing the $2.5 million book budget by at least 60 percent will require the expenditure of an additional $1.5 million on materials and processing costs commencing in fiscal years 1999-2000. This addition would be supplemented by private fund raising that will yield an additional $500,000 per year. These improvements, together with an enhanced book delivery system that will ensure delivery of any book in the Library system to requested pick-up location within 24 hours, will provide the responsive service Seattle deserves.

Stronger Automation Infrastructure: In a two-year period, the Library needs to upgrade its network and computers so that all library outlets are served by a high speed network capable of delivering graphic, audio, and video data; all libraries have sufficient graphical interface networked computers for public and staff; and sufficient system management and staff training are in place to maintain this system with little or no downtime. This should provide an infrastructure sufficiently robust to grow with increasing demand and meet the needs of expanded facilities. Achieving this would require approximately $400,000 per year in operating budgets.

Building Costs Related to Capital Expansion: Added custodial, security, maintenance, and utilities costs will be incurred as new or expanded facilities are brought online. In projecting these costs, assumptions were made regarding economies of scale, reduced maintenance costs for new buildings and a 15 percent reduction in energy usage per square foot for new and renovated facilities. With a 77 percent increase in total physical plant after all capital projects are completed, a 50 percent increase in building operating and maintenance costs is projected.

Program Costs Related to Capital Expansion: Replacement or expansion of libraries and corresponding increases in patronage wll affect staffing, materials, equipment, and supplies costs, and add public service costs. Based on the experience of other urban libraries, the attraction of new facilities and collections as well as growing populations will stimulate significant increases in use. New central libraries in San Francisco, Vancouver B.C., and Denver have attracted 50 to 75 percent more use. By our own experience and that of the King County Library System, new Neighborhood Libraries should experience similar increases depending on scale of improvement. Projected costs in meeting this higher use represent two-fifths of the needed 25 percent increase in total operating cost. While budgeting for increased use, staff and the Library Board will work together to set realistic priorities in meeting the Library's core mission.