Area of Impact: Buildings, Technology & Sustainability
As our buildings and technologies age, we must develop a long-term, sustainable approach to maintain and enhance them. At the same time, we must ensure they are flexible, adaptable and accessible in design to serve multiple roles for our communities, and meet our sustainability goals as the climate continues to change.
Our Goal
Implement sustainable maintenance and upgrade practices for our buildings and technologies. Decrease our carbon footprint. Develop a strategic initiatives plan for information technology that improves the patron experience in-person and online.
How We Will Make an Impact
We will:
- Be innovative in our approach to capital improvements, facilities management, accessibility and beautification of library buildings.
- Reduce our carbon footprint by meeting or exceeding the City’s carbon reduction goals annually.
- Use new technologies to assess and improve the effectiveness of our systems.
- Maintain secure, safe and welcoming spaces in our buildings and on our digital channels.
- Ensure patron confidentiality and privacy through enhancements to cybersecurity technologies.
2025 Accomplishments
- Achieved LEED Gold certification status for the renovation and seismic retrofit of the Green Lake Branch.
- Hired a cybersecurity analyst to improve and expand Library readiness and responsiveness to digital security threats.
- Hired a Library Environment and Security Services Manager to improve security coordination and training across the system.
- Launched a responsive and accessible Mobile App – downloaded over 25,000 times from the Apple App and Google Play stores – letting patrons explore the Library right from their phone or tablet.
- Conducted a thorough needs assessment, developed an RFP, and oversaw competitive bidding process for a new integrated library system (ILS) that powers management of core Library services – such as patron account and holds management – to replace our current system, which is outdated and no longer supported by the vendor.
2026 Priority Activities
- Conduct a security audit, upgrade physical security tools, and enhance training for Library security staff.
- Expand implementation of cybersecurity tools and formalize new cybersecurity policies and procedures, including a data governance program and updated cybersecurity incident response plan.
- Launch a new ILS to improve functionality of the Library’s core service system.