Sacramento Library Master Plan

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Martin Luther King

Date: April 5, 2000

On April 5th, 20 people participated in a community workshop at the Martin Luther King branch library to have input into the library master planning process. There were participants from two branches. They worked as members of three planning teams. The teams mapped their communities and the role of their libraries, imagined the type of services and place the library would be in 20 years, identified their immediate needs, and potential community partners.

Workshop Summary

The participants acknowledged the large size of their services areas for both the Martin Luther King and Walnut Grove branches. For Martin Luther King, participants felt the branch needed to adapt to the changes in the community by providing a greater variety of offerings, more children's services, literacy programs and transportation to schools. Participates estimated there were as many as 19 elementary schools and two high schools in the Martin Luther King service area. For Walnut Grove the long-term objective included continuing its long-standing tradition as a quality branch library at the "heart" of the Delta. In the next five years participants recommended pursuing partnerships with schools and funders to position their libraries for success. In addition to increasing the hours, staff and collections at the library branches, participants wanted to enhance their capacity to provide Internet access and computers for their communities. Important partners included schools and universities, technology businesses, community organizations, local businesses, and families and volunteers.

Team 1: Martin Luther King

Exercise #1: Envisioning the 2020 Community Library
Imagine the future of library services.
 
What three things will your library be famous for in 20 years?
1. Greater technology
2. Expanded diversity of offerings
 
What do we need to do in the next five years to move towards your vision?
1. More space
-for meetings
-for holdings
-for technology (Computer Room?)
2. More "child friendly", w/racks, chairs
3. School outreach increased and w/families
4. Increased staff, hours
5. Literacy program for adults w/college-high school volunteer mentors
6. Greater land needs (eminent domain?)
7. Partner w/non-profits, wealthy donors
8. Publicity & outreach
 
Exercise #2: Current Library Services
In your community, what are the three greatest needs for library services?
1. More space, hours, staff
2. Community Partnerships (schools, churches, colleges, orgs. businesses
3. More comfortable chairs and child friendly!
4. Workshops of community interest
5. $$$
6. Staff more representative of users
 
Exercise #3: Community Partners
Who are potential partners for improving library services in your community?
Dream Partners
1. Tech firms
2. Schools/colleges
3. Home Depot, other businesses
4. Chamber of Commerce
5. Community agencies serving diverse community

Team 2: Martin Luther King

Exercise #1: Envisioning the 2020 Community Library
Imagine the future of library services.
 
What three things will your library be famous for in 20 years?
1. Adapting to the needs of the community
2. Extending hours: 24/7 with staff
3. Transportation from the schools to the libraries
 
What do we need to do in the next five years to move towards your vision?
1. Id. partners: Legislators, businesses, schools
2. Marketing, outreach
 
Exercise #2: Current Library Services
In your community, what are the three greatest needs for library services?
1. Meeting space
2. Parking space
3. Extended hours
4. More computers
 
Exercise #3: Community Partners
Who are potential partners for improving library services in your community?
1. Publishing industry
2. Bill Gates/Microsoft
3. Home Depot

Team 3: Walnut Grove

Exercise #1: Envisioning the 2020 Community Library
Imagine the future of library services.
 
What three things will your library be famous for in 20 years?
1. The delta boat mobile
2. "Heart" of the delta
3. Best library in the smallest community
 
What do we need to do in the next five years to move towards your vision?
1. Double the size of library
2. Triple the size of staff
3. Open every Saturday and five evenings a week
4. Full partnership w/w.g. elementary school (k-8)
5. Total technology integration
 
Exercise #2: Current Library Services
In your community, what are the three greatest needs for library services?
Right now! $
1. Staff
2. Hours
3. Facility space
4. Collection: high quality that reflects community
5. Wiring! Technology infrastructure
 
Exercise #3: Community Partners
Who are potential partners for improving library services in your community?
1. School district
2. Ag (e.g. Delta pear growers)
3. Families
4. Volunteers
5. Guilt grants (from outside delta)
6. Wildlife refuge and Consumnes preserve