National Conference on Asian Pacific American Librarians

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• National Conference on Asian Pacific American
  Librarians
• San Francisco, California
• June 13-15, 2001

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The Birth of a New Library in Silicon Valley
Communitya Commissioners Perspectives

• Yuhfen Diana Wu
• dwu_at_email.sjsu.edu
• San Jose State University Library
• San Jose, California 95192-0028
• June 15, 2001

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Background

• Library and the Community
• Cupertino Library
• the Community
• Planning
• In 1997, Library Commission recommends library
  expansion to City Council
• In 1998, needs assessment was conducted
• In late 1999, City Council wanted the community
  to decide

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Public Process

• Initial Planning Stage
• Needs assessment, analysis
• Town hall meetings
• Evaluation Stage
• Library services and alternatives debate
• Evaluation, and recommendations
• Public Decision
• Inform the public
• March 2000 ballot Measure A

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Supporting Data

• Statistics
• July-Dec 79 1988/1989 1998/1999
• High circulation 261,176 570,000 items
  1,530,000 items
• High traffic N/A 1,201 per capita 2,859
  per capita
  (1600 visit/day)
• Floor space 24,000 SQ-FT 37,000 SQ-FT
  37,000 SQ-FT
• Inefficient floor plan
• an octagon shape, multiple levels with a
  mezzanine

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Annual Items Circulated
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Items Checked out Per Capita
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Numbers from the Polls

• 87 had visited the library in the past year
• 84 are eager to have seating for quiet reading
• 76 wish to have shorter check-out lines
• 66 felt the library should be expanded
• (13 undecided)
• 77 felt the City money should be used for
  expansion

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Proposed Solutions

• 1. To expand the existing building
• 2. To build a branch
• 3. To build a larger new library

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Pros and Cons to expand the existing one

• CONS
• Doesnt have much option in changing the floor
  plan
• Costs for re-location during construction
• Costs to bring the whole building to the current
  codes
• cost 16-20 millions

• PROS
• preserve city owned land
• remain in the centralized location

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Pros and Consto build a new branch

• PROS
• may serve more people in surrounding neighborhood
• ease the crowded conditions in the main library

• CONS
• location
• costs to purchase a new land
• duplicated collection
• high operation cost
• cost 20 millions

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Pros and Consto build a new library

• PROS
• land is available
• optimum design for current and next 15 years
  infrastructure needs
• retain the existing building for other uses
• will become the signature building for the city

• CONS
• may lose open space
• cost 18-22 millions
• (whether underground parking is included)

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City Government of Cupertino
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Concerns raised

• Impact of Technology
• Remote access may reduce traditional services
• Full-text database will become popular and may be
  free of charge from Internet providers
• Is new library the best option?
• Public Support
• Would the community support the idea?
• Resolution
• Let voters decide
• Put on March 2000 election ballot

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Other Priorities

• Affordable Housing for Public Service
  Employees
• Open Space, Parks, Walking Trails
• Skateboard Park

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Tasks for Library Commission

• Prepare information for the community
• FAQ Sheet
• Citys website
• Citys media (newspaper, magazine, TV)
• Reach out to the community - voters awareness
  campaign
• Contacted different community groups
• Presented to different community groups
• Brought library services awareness to public
• Presented at city-wide activities (festivals,
  commissions meetings)

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Victory for The Community

• Voters approved by an overwhelming margin 71
• Move on to next phases
• selection of an architect
• construction
• New library to be open in fall 2003

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Thank You for Coming!
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Questions Answers