orangevale library - Sacramento Public Library

Transcription

COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
ORANGEVALE
LIBRARY
COMMUNITY
NEEDS
LIBRARY
ASSESSMENT
20440 (d)(2)
JANUARY 2004
California Reading
and Literacy Improvement
and Public Library Construction
and Renovation Bond Act
of 2000 Funds
Prepared By:
Group 4 Architecture,
Research + Planning, Inc.
211 Linden Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................... i
2.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...................................................1
A. Overview of Methods............................................................. 1
B. Summary of Community and Relevant Demographic
Information............................................................................1
C. Summary of Library Service Needs......................................... 2
D. Summary of Space Needs...................................................... 2
3.
METHODOLOGY...........................................................3
A. Executive Summary................................................................3
B. Community Involvement........................................................4
C. Demographics.....................................................................10
4.
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS ............................................ 13
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
5.
COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS................................ 25
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
6.
Executive Summary..............................................................13
Government Agencies and Key Individuals...........................14
Public and Private Schools to be Served............................... 15
Community Organizations................................................... 16
Demography........................................................................17
A Community of Families, Friends, and Neighbors...............25
A Community of Workers..................................................... 25
A Community of Lifelong Learners....................................... 26
A Community of Nature Lovers............................................ 27
A Community of Library Patrons...........................................28
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY SERVICE NEEDS....................... 29
A. Executive Summary.............................................................. 29
B. Expanded General Libray Services: Collections, Seating,
and Reference Services........................................................ 30
C. Enhanced Technology to Empower Residents........................ 32
D. Learning Support.................................................................34
E. Services and Programs for Children, Teens, Adults,
Seniors, and Special Constituencies..................................... 36
F. A Gathering Place for the Community.................................. 42
G. Improved Operational Efficiency.......................................... 45
7.
SERVICE LIMITATIONS OF EXISTING LIBRARY...............49
8.
PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS OF EXISTING LIBRARY............ 51
Orangevale Library: Community Library Needs Assessment
Section 20440(d)(2)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
9.
SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT........................................ 53
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Library Collection Allocation and Space Needs.....................55
Reader Seating Needs..........................................................60
Space for Technology........................................................... 62
Staff Offices and Workstations..............................................66
Meeting Room Requirements................................................67
Special Purpose Spaces........................................................ 69
Non-Assignable Space......................................................... 71
Other Special Needs and Features....................................... 72
APPENDICES
A. Patron Survey Instrument.................................................... A-1
B. School Survey Instrument....................................................B-1
C. Survey Results.................................................................... C-1
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Although Orangevale, an unincorporated area of Sacramento County, has had libraries in various forms since the early
1900s, library service has been intermittent and transient, moving frequently and occasionally closing down for months
or even years at a time. The Orangevale Library’s current space, a grossly undersized rented storefront in a small shopping
center, simply cannot meet the needs of Orangevale residents. As a result, members of the community have turned to
other libraries or even bookstores to provide materials and services – or simply go without.
This Orangevale Community Library Needs Assessment study found that the community of Orangevale needs a new
library and the comprehensive library services it now lacks. A wealth of information collected via community input,
along with analysis of demographics and current library use patterns, shows that Orangevale’s library needs include an
appropriate collection of sufficient size to serve a community currently approaching 35,000 residents, as well as learning
support, increased operational efficiency, and tools that allow patrons to use the library independently. Orangevale
residents also have a strong need for a place where they can come together as a community in order to share information
and ideas.
To meet these needs, a new 15,000 square foot library with a collection of 50,000 volumes is needed. Major library space
needs include a large community room for 80 attendees, 59 computers for public use, seating for 107 readers, two small
group rooms for meetings and study, a distinct children’s area, a discrete teen space, and efficient work areas for staff.
A. Overview of Methods
This Orangevale Community Library Needs Assessment was commissioned by the Sacramento Public Library (SPL),
which operates branches in most of the cities and unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. This highly participatory
study gave Orangevale residents the opportunity to discuss their library service needs. Community input was collected in
May and June, 2003, via an open community meeting; six focus groups with teens, seniors, Rotary, Friends of the
Library, library staff, and frequent library users; more than 200 written questionnaires completed and returned by both
users and non-users of the library, including 35 students from the local middle and high schools; and interviews with
representatives of local service providers such as a preschool, alternative charter school Visions in Education, and the
local Catholic church. Participation from the community was supplemented with interviews of representatives of SPL
and local schools, and data collected from a variety of sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the California Department
of Education, the Employment Development Department, and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. The
process also benefited from the participation and direction of a project Working Group comprising Orangevale community
members, representatives of the Orangevale Recreation and Park District, SPL staff, and an experienced team of library
consultants, planners, and architects.
B. Summary of Community and Relevant Demographic Information
Out of this effort arose a clear portrait of Orangevale as a community with a long history. The formerly agricultural
community known originally as “Orange Vale” has actively resisted the forces of rapid development and dense urbanization
experienced by its neighbors, actively working instead to maintain its semi-rural character and small town feel. While
successful in their attempts to maintain the community’s lower density and semi-rural feel, Orangevale residents are
without a civic center or significant business district. Significant organizations in the community include the County
Board of Supervisors, the Orangevale Recreation and Park District, the local Rotary chapter, the Community Planning
Advisory Council, and the Friends of the Library.
The population of the Orangevale Library service area was 34,316 in 2000, and is projected to reach 37,281 by 2020.
Children and people age 40 to 64 make up significant portions of the community. U.S. Census data suggest that Orangevale
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
residents tend to have slightly higher income and property value levels than the average elsewhere in Sacramento County,
the state, or the nation. However, Orangevale residents are less well-off than members of neighboring communities.
Focus group participants reported that seniors, families, and other community residents living on a tight budget do not
have the money to buy books. Approximately one out of every 10 Orangevale residents lacks basic literacy skills. Nearly
two-thirds of the population have less than a college degree, including 10% who never graduated from high school.
Students in Orangevale are fortunate to have access to schools that perform well compared to California averages, but
state budget uncertainties are already resulting in cutbacks to academic services such as school libraries.
Orangevale is a self-described “eclectic” working-class community made up of people who value family, friends, and
neighbors. Residents are held together by a shared love of nature, outdoor recreation, and the physical beauty of northeastern
Sacramento County. Community members also place high value on education, working to instill a love of learning and
reading in their children from the very youngest ages. However, the current Orangevale Library simply cannot meet the
community’s needs for library services.
C. Summary of Library Service Needs
Currently, library service in Orangevale is limited to a branch operated by SPL out of a tiny leased storefront unit in a
strip mall. The crowded conditions prevent the offering of all but a very small collection and only the most basic
services. Library service needs in Orangevale include:
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Expanded general library services, including an appropriately-sized, targeted collection featuring reference,
educational, and recreational reading materials for all ages; ample seating in a variety of environments; and
improved reference support.
Enhanced technology, including increased public access to computers and computer training. Residents also
need excellent online access to the library, not only for finding and placing holds on collection items, but also to
access reference databases and general information about the community.
Learning support for all ages. K-12 students – including homeschoolers – need access to computers, academic
materials, programs on research and information literacy, and appropriate places to study. Adults also need
computer training and access to materials for classes and ongoing self-education.
Strengthened services and programming for all patron constituencies, including children, teens, adults, and
seniors as well as patrons with literacy, language, or other special needs.
A community gathering place to complement the Orangevale Community Center, providing a much-needed
“heart” for the community and a place for neighbors to come together.
Improved operational efficiency. Orangevale needs a library with modern operating practices, clear signage,
and effective wayfinding strategies that minimize patrons’ confusion and need for frequent staff assistance.
D. Summary of Space Needs
Orangevale’s need for library materials, programs, and services through 2020 indicates a need for approximately 15,000
square feet of library space (25% non-assignable). Major components of the need include:
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§
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A collection of 50,000 books, periodicals, and audiovisual/multimedia materials, and reader seating for 107
people in a variety of environments appropriate for quiet study, conversation, and family reading;
59 public access computers, in a computer lab as well as in adult, teen, and children’s areas;
Meeting space for large and small groups in a community room for 80 people and two small group rooms;
Spaces for children and teens that are distinct from other library areas as well as discrete from each other; and
Efficient staff work areas, including a circulation/reference service desk and a well-organized work room.
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3. METHODOLOGY
A. Executive Summary
The methodology behind this Orangevale Community Library Needs Assessment was a highly participatory one. The
Sacramento Public Library actively sought the input of current library customers, volunteers, and staff, as well as members
of the community in general. Public input was critical in order to ensure that the requirements of the Orangevale community
were clearly understood.
The process relied heavily on strong community participation at many levels:
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ongoing project oversight by a Working Group comprising members of the community, representatives of local
organizations such as Rotary and the Orangevale Recreation and Park District, and staff of the Sacramento
Public Library (including the current Orangevale Library);
§
a public meeting, in which members of the community described their vision of Orangevale, its residents, and
the community’s library needs;
§
six focus groups with teens, families, seniors, Friends of the Library, the local chapter of Rotary, and library
branch management;
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interviews with individuals from various local organizations and service providers, including the San Juan
Unified School District, a local preschool operated by the Orangevale Recreation and Park District, and the
Divine Savior Catholic Church in Orangevale;
§
written surveys returned by more than 200 community members, including a number of Orangevale middle and
high school students; and
§
a patron mapping study of library branch use among residents of Orangevale and neighboring communities
during one week in spring of 2003, based on circulation and home address data supplied by the Sacramento
Public Library.
In addition to strong participation by the Orangevale community, this study used demographic information collected
from a number of sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, the California
Department of Education, and the state’s Employment Development Department.
A number of key themes emerged from community participation and data collection. Time and again, community members
described the need for access to improved library services in Orangevale, an unincorporated area without a civic center
or major downtown “hub.” One major component of this need is an expanded collection that addresses Orangevale’s
interest in non-fiction and self-education/improvement topics as well as fiction and recreational reading materials.
Materials, services, computer access, and study spaces to support the academic needs of children also were identified as
an important need in the community, especially as local public school budgets are cut in response to state deficits.
Children and teens each need their own separate areas in the library with appropriate collections, seating, and computers.
The community also expressed the need for increased access to meeting space where larger groups can congregate for
library-sponsored programs, public activities, and social gatherings alike. Staff reported the need for a new facility that
would promote independent use among patrons as well as increased staff efficiency and effectiveness.
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METHODOLOGY
B. Community Involvement
Time and again, the Sacramento Public Library has demonstrated its commitment
to providing excellent library service to communities in the Sacramento area.
In fact, a crucial part of the Library’s mission is to “enhance community life.”
The Library understands that a needs assessment is a critical tool for
understanding each community and its service requirements.
The Library also recognizes the value of public participation in library planning
as the best way to foster understanding of each community’s particular service
needs. When the Library knows the community’s needs, it can set about meeting
them in a focused manner. However, without a clear understanding of its target
population’s needs, the Library may have only intermittent success at providing
appropriate services, and will likely see its patronage dwindle.
As such, the process by which this Community Library Needs Assessment was
developed was strongly participatory in nature. A wide range of community
members played a part, including Orangevale residents of all ages.
Project Working Group
Work on this Community Library Needs Assessment was directed by a project
Working Group composed of key community members, representatives of the
Orangevale Recreation and Park District and the Sacramento Public Library,
and the planning and architectural consultants. The Working Group made
strategic decisions regarding data sources and participation strategies, and met
regularly to review progress and confirm the information that had been gathered
to date. It acted as a liaison to the community and SPL, working together to
identify the needs or Orangevale residents and develop strategies to meet those
needs. Working Group members included:
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Jane Wise, a longtime Orangevale resident who is highly active in the
community. She is an active member and former president of the
Orangevale chapter of Rotary, and was instrumental in forming the
local chapter of Friends of the Library. Her breadth and depth of
community involvement contributed greatly to the Working Group’s
understanding the needs of Orangevale residents. In addition, Jane’s
years of experience as an educator in the San Juan Unified School
District was invaluable in getting to the heart of the needs of local
children, students, and families.
§
Joshua Harrison, an Orangevale resident and the Working Group’s
teen representative. As a student at Casa Roble High School, Joshua
helped ensure that the needs of local children and teens were fully
considered. His experience as an active volunteer at the Orangevale
Neighborhood Library also provided valuable insight not only into the
Section 20440(d)(2)
METHODOLOGY
needs of traditional library volunteers, but also about potentially new
volunteer roles and opportunities for teens at the library.
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Tim Mero, District Administrator of the Orangevale Recreation and
Park District. For six years, Tim has overseen operations, programs,
and services at Orangevale’s extensive parks and recreation facilities.
Tim brought his thorough knowledge of local service and program needs
to the project, including the need for gathering and meeting space for
the community.
§
Manuel “Manie” Meraz and Mike Stickney, who have each held
seats on the board of directors of the Orangevale Recreation and Park
District for more than six years. Manie and Mike are highly active in
committees and projects regarding other issues in the community,
including regional trail access and the preservation of open space in
Orangevale. Their familiarity with local needs and concerns and their
vast network of contacts made them immensely valuable to the team.
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Coral Procter, Branch Manager of the current Orangevale Library.
As the only full-time staffer in the tiny leased storefront library, Coral’s
knowledge of the library needs of the Orangevale community is
unparalleled. In addition to her contributions to the team’s understanding
of the community’s needs, Coral played a key role in the success of
community participation for this study. She was instrumental in the
distribution and collection of the patron and student surveys, as well as
in promoting the public meeting and identifying participants for focus
groups.
§
Alison Landers, Deputy Director of Public Services for the Sacramento
Public Library. Alison joined SPL in 2003, bringing a fresh perspective
regarding the Library’s role in providing service to communities and
the way that library facilities should support that role. Drawing upon
her knowledge of SPL as well as her experience with other library
systems in California and Texas, Alison played a significant role in
analyzing the library needs of the Orangevale community within the
context of the mission, goals, and operations of the entire library system.
§
Cindy Cantin, Regional Program Manager for the Sacramento Public
Library. Cindy contributed her knowledge of communities and library
patrons in the northeastern area of Sacramento County, as well as her
expertise with branch operations and staffing. In particular, she brought
a focus on Orangevale’s need for access to a collection of increased
breadth and depth, as well as on how branch facilities can better engage
the community. Cindy also was instrumental in developing a partnership
between SPL and the San Juan Unified School District to improve access
to resources for students and families in Orangevale.
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A patron browses the collection
at the current Orangevale
Library.
METHODOLOGY
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Lois Casement Ross, Facilities Project Manager for the Sacramento
Public Library. Lois’s extensive knowledge of library operations, staff
needs, and library facilities, combined with her enviably efficient project
management skills, made her an outstounding resource for the Working
Group. Lois played an integral role in all phases of the project, from
initial goal-setting and development of strategies for community
participation, to coordination of the team’s efforts in developing
appropriate and effective responses to the community’s needs through
the partnership with local schools.
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Joyce Johnson and Russ Sunahara from the Sacramento County
Architectural Services Division. Joyce and Russ worked with the
Sacramento Public Library in commissioning and administering this
study. Their in-depth knowledge of development procedures and their
experience with working with SPL made them invaluable resources to
the team.
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A team of experienced consultants, including planners from Group 4
Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc.; library consultant Leslie
Nordby; and architects from Kodama Diseno Architects and Planners.
Among other accomplishments, the Working Group developed the plan for
eliciting community input. The team strove to reach a broad cross-section of
Orangevale, including frequent users of the current leased storefront library
branch as well as community members who either used libraries in neighboring
communities (such as Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, or Folsom) or rarely used any
library at all. At the Working Group’s direction, a number of focus groups and
interviews were conducted with organizations and individuals such as school
representatives, local service clubs, library users, and Orangevale residents of
all ages. Written surveys were also distributed to and collected from patrons
and local middle and high school students. These and other methods to gain
community input are described in further detail later in this chapter.
Project Management Team
A Project Management Team (PMT) was assembled to coordinate and direct
work on the needs assessment. The PMT met regularly to direct and facilitate
the needs assessment process, ensuring that progress was on track with respect
to project goals and scheduling. PMT members included: Alison Landers, Cindy
Cantin, Lois Casement Ross, and Coral Procter from the Sacramento Public
Library; Tim Mero, Manie Meraz, and Mike Stickney from the Orangevale
Recreation and Park District; and planning, library, and architectural consultants
Group 4, Leslie Nordby, and Kodama Diseno.
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Public Meeting
In mid-May 2003, a public meeting was held at the Orangevale Community
Center in order to foster a dialogue with the community about its library needs.
The meeting was well-attended by members of the community and
representatives of organizations and entities such as the Orangevale Rotary
chapter, Friends of the Library, and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.
A lively discussion about community library needs ensued, covering collection,
service, technology, and facility needs.
Focus Groups
At a public meeting, the
community voiced its needs for
library service.
During May 2003, a series of focus groups was held in order to explore the
particular needs of significant segments of the community. These groups were
selected by the Working Group to ensure that all aspects of the community had
a voice in the needs assessment process. Focus group attendees were, without
exception, generous and thoughtful in their analysis of the needs of not only
their own respective groups, but also the Orangevale community in general. As
such, each focus group contributed to the Library’s understanding of the
community as a whole as well as the of the particular community groups
represented by attendees.
§
A group of frequent library users met one morning to discuss their
library needs. Participants in this focus group included a family of
homeschoolers as well as two other frequent library visitors who also
had homeschooled their children. Topics included ease of library access
for all ages and the need for the facility to encourage use by families,
with particular emphasis on the needs of the community’s significant
homeschooling contingent.
§
A group of Orangevale’s Friends of the Library gave a thorough
overview of the community in general as well as of the various services
and collection needs of Orangevale residents. Attendees also discussed
the role of the Friends of the Library in the offering and promotion of
library services in Orangevale, such as their need for sufficient work
and storage space to support their monthly book sales.
§
Teens from Pasteur Middle School, Casa Roble High School, Bella
Vista High School, and American River College convened to discuss
the library needs of young adults in the community. Major topics of
discussion included teens’ academic and social needs, including a
discrete teen space in the library, collection and study area resources to
support school projects and preparation for college, and a variety of
opportunities to volunteer at the library.
Teen focus group participants
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METHODOLOGY
Public meeting participants
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Both the outgoing and incoming presidents of the local chapter of
Rotary, as well as several other club members, attended a focus group
to discuss programs and services needed by the community. The
Orangevale Rotary has taken on the challenge of addressing local
literacy problems, operating literacy and after-school tutoring programs
in the community. At the focus group, Rotarians discussed ways that
the Orangevale Library could support the organization’s current literacy
programs and meet other community service needs.
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As Orangevale’s “bubble” of baby boomers continues to age, the library
needs of seniors will only increase in importance. A small group of
seniors came together to discuss ways that the Library should support
the needs of older community members. They described the need among
seniors, who tend to live on limited or fixed incomes, for access to
special collections and alternative formats for readers with vision
difficulties. They also stressed the importance of providing opportunities
to volunteer at the library, such as through book mending programs or
helping children learn how to appreciate reading and take care of books.
§
Staff of the current leased storefront Orangevale Neighborhood Library
participated in interviews as well. The branch manager and her
supervisor, who manages the library branch in neighboring Fair Oaks,
spoke about the community’s needs for an increased collection, more
reader seating, a separate children’s area, sufficient meeting and program
space, and improved access to computers. They also discussed the need
for library facilities to support modern operations so that staff can spend
more time helping patrons, and less time trapped behind the circulation
desk or in the workroom.
Interviews
Individual interviews, whether in person or by phone, were conducted with the
following:
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Kathleen Wade, Reading First Coordinator/Coach of the San Juan
Unified School District, discussed the needs of Orangevale children in
general and the effects of the state’s budget troubles on local schools.
Kathy also met with media techs from the local schools, who indicated
the need for the library to provide a collection appropriate for all levels
– from children struggling to read, to young recreational readers who
seem to live and breathe books. They also reported that as school library
hours and resources are being cut back due to financial difficulties, the
public library must take an even greater role in supplying academic
materials and attracting children to the world and wonders of reading.
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§
Vince Candido, Associate Program Administrator for SJUSD charter
school Visions in Education, described the needs of students enrolled
in alternative and homeschooling programs. The need for access to
computers and an excellent library collection is great among
homeschoolers, especially for those families who cannot afford to
purchase PCs, Internet access, or the range of books needed to educate
their children. Regardless of socioeconomic situation, families who
homeschool have a great need for places where they can gather for
mutual support, such as by sharing curriculum ideas, teaming up for
group projects, and helping children build social relationships.
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Suzanne McKarley, director of Kids Korner, the local preschool
operated by the Orangevale Recreation and Park District, gave valuable
insight into the needs of pre-kindergarten children and their parents in
the community. She noted in particular the inability of the local library
branch to accommodate large groups of children for regular storytime
programs; instead, she takes her charges to children’s programs at
bookstores.
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Richard Maddox, with the Code Enforcement division of the
Sacramento County Planning Department, discussed issues related to
growth in Orangevale as well as in neighboring areas of the county,
including the anticipated effects on community composition and
residents’ needs for transportation and municipal services. Richard also
informed the PMT about issues relating to the identification of potential
sites for library development, such as zoning.
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The importance of faith-based organizations in the community was
noted on several occasions by the Working Group and focus group
attendees. Rev. Tom Tureman of the Divine Savior Catholic Church
in Orangevale discussed ways the library could serve the community.
He described the need for educational support in the community,
including an appropriately-equipped space for distance learning classes
offered through local community colleges.
Surveys
A printed two page questionnaire was developed in order to elicit information
from the Orangevale community-at-large about library use patterns, service
needs, and facility issues. The questions were primarily multiple choice and
open-ended items, and took only a few minutes to complete, on average. Copies
of the patron and student survey instruments are attached as appendices to this
report.
Copies were made freely available at the current Orangevale Neighborhood
Library from approximately May 7, 2003 until July 3, 2003. A copy of the survey
was published in the May 16-29, 2003 issue of the local weekly newspaper, the
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Surveys were completed by
library patrons and local middle
and high school students...
METHODOLOGY
OrangeVale News. In addition, copies of the survey were distributed to students
at two local schools: Casa Roble High School and Pasteur Middle School.
Completed surveys were collected by staff of the current Orangevale
Neighborhood Library. To preserve their anonymity, patrons were given the
option of returning completed surveys by fax or mail. They also could return it
to the library in person. Student surveys were collected in the classrooms in
which they were distributed.
...as well as by readers of the
local newspaper that kindly
printed a copy in one of its
weekly issues.
A total of 203 surveys were completed and returned, including 35 (17%) by
students. Although the sample was not randomly selected, the survey’s
publication in the local free weekly newspaper helped it reach a wider audience
than just current library users. Ten percent of returned surveys originated in the
OrangeVale News. Tabulation and analysis were completed using Microsoft
Access. Results of the survey are attached to this report as Appendix C.
Patron Mapping
“Snapshot” data of materials checked out at all branches in the Sacramento
Public Library system during one week in March 2003 were collected. The
address of each person who checked out materials was plotted on a map in
order to better understand the geographic area from which each branch draws
its patrons.
The resulting patron map confirmed that visitors to the current leased storefront
library branch in Orangevale tend to come from within the community. It also
showed that a number of Fair Oaks residents living just west of the Orangevale
border are drawn to the current Orangevale Library as well. Input from the
community supports this finding, through reports that residents of this area
often identify more strongly with the community of Orangevale than with Fair
Oaks, despite living within the latter’s boundaries. Reasons for this include
similar housing densities, comparable land usage, and access to shared major
traffic thoroughfares. As a result, the service area for the Orangevale Library
was drawn to include this portion of Fair Oaks.
C. Demographics
A range of demographic data was collected to confirm and enrich the information
gained through public participation. Sources included:
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The patron mapping study
confirmed the service area for the
Orangevale Library.
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U.S. Census 2000, which provided data on distribution of age, race,
ethnicity, household language, educational level, occupation, income,
and poverty status in the Orangevale community. Data were accessed
primarily through the Census American FactFinder website at
factfinder.census.gov. As determined by the patron mapping study
(described above), the Orangevale Library service area is represented
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by Sacramento County, California Census Tracts 81.44, 82.03, 82.04,
82.06, 82.07, 82.08, and 82.11, plus the following block groups or
fractions thereof in Census Tract 81.45: 100% of Block Groups 4-7,
and 50% each of Block Groups 1 and 2, which straddle the line between
the City of Citrus Heights and the Fair Oaks CDP.
§
Population projections were obtained from the Sacramento Area Council
of Governments at sacog.org. SACOG projects growth based on U.S.
Census data, with adjustments to reflect local housing conditions (such
as household size and vacancy rates) and information from the
Demographic Research Unit of California’s Department of Finance.
SACOG data are organized not by U.S. Census tract, but by SACOG’s
own “minor zone” units (some of which do correspond with census
tracts). The Orangevale Library service area comprises Minor Zones
682310, 682210, 682220, 681912, 681922, 682300, 682200, 682230,
682400, 682410, 682600, 682610, 682700, 682710, 681932, and
681921, as well as approximately 25% of Minor Zone 681921, which
straddles the border between Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks.
§
Portland State University’s estimates of literacy rates in Orangevale,
Sacramento County, and the State of California were obtained via the
CASAS web site at www.casas.org.
§
Unemployment rates were obtained through the California Employment
Development Department at www.calmis.ca.gov.
§
Data related to the academic performance of public schools in the
Orangevale Library service area were obtained from the California
Department of Education, via its web site at www.cde.ca.gov.
§
Information on private schools in Orangevale were obtained from the
National Center for Educational Statistics, through the website
www.greatschools.net.
Section 20440(d)(2)
11
METHODOLOGY
12
Section 20440(d)(2)
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
4. COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
Orangevale is a community of children and families, with a self-described “eclectic” population made up of people from
all walks of life. According to U.S. Census data, the Orangevale library service area had a population of 34,618 in 2000.
This includes a “baby boomer” population that will continue to form a significant portion of the population as it ages
over the next 20 years. The Sacramento Area Council of Governments projects that the library’s service area population
will grow to approximately 37,281 by the year 2020. SACOG projects that the number of school-age children in the
community will also grow, reaching approximately 9,207 by 2020.
Orangevale residents tend to have slightly higher levels of income, property value, and employment than their county,
state, and national neighbors. The majority of the working population of Orangevale are occupied in management,
professional, and sales/office professions, although the community has a significant service and blue-collar worker
population as well. There are no major employers in Orangevale, where residents report that commutes to and from work
continue to get longer as development to the east and north continues; this is supported by U.S. Census data showing that
more than 40% of the community must travel for a half hour or more to get to work each day.
However, Orangevale residents are less well-to-do, on average, than their neighbors in Fair Oaks or Folsom. The latest
data from the California Employment Development Department indicate that as of October 2003, more than 5% of
Orangevale residents were unemployed. This is consistent with information collected from Orangevale community
members, some of whom reported that they live on tight budgets, without sufficient disposable income to purchase all of
the books and materials required to support their educational, reference, and recreational reading needs.
Demographics show that on average, Orangevale residents have a slightly higher level of education than other areas of
the county, state, or nation. However, one-third of the population have no education beyond the high school level, and
11% are estimated to have problems with basic literacy skills such as reading and writing. This confirms what the needs
assessment team heard from Orangevale residents about the need for academic and ongoing educational support as well
as literacy services and materials for all ages in the community. Compared to national levels, there also is a relatively
large contingent of homeschooling families in the community – a contingent that is expected to continue to grow.
Orangevale is an unincorporated area of Sacramento, and as such does not have any government agencies of its own.
Important government and service organizations in the community include the County Board of Supervisors, the
Community Planning Advisory Council, the Orangevale Recreation and Park District, and the local Rotary chapter.
Orangevale is served by 11 public elementary and secondary schools, which tend to perform well despite larger-thanaverage class sizes and shrinking budgets. Orangevale students also can choose from more than 15 local private, religious,
and alternative schools.
Even though the first library in Orangevale opened its doors in 1912, Orangevale has never had a permanent library of its
own. Despite the Sacramento Public Library’s commitment to providing excellent service, periodic funding difficulties
have taken their toll on the Orangevale branch. As a result, the Orangevale Library has had a history of moving frequently,
with intervals of shutting down entirely. One community member dubbed it a “library on wheels.” Although the branch
has been in its current location, a 3,300 square foot leased space in a small shopping center, for about two years, a
number of community members have given up on it, choosing instead to frequent libraries in other communities. Others
abandon the library altogether in favor of bookstores, browsing and attending programs there even if they cannot afford
to purchase books.
Section 20440(d)(2)
13
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
B. Government Agencies and Key Individuals
Orangevale, an unincorporated
community, is located in
northeast Sacramento County.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is the primary governing body
of unincorporated areas of the county. Orangevale is part of District 4, the
supervisor of which currently is Roger Niello. Supervisor Niello is dedicated
to ensuring that his constituents receive excellent library services, and serves
on the Sacramento Public Library Authority Board. Along with District 4 Chief
of Staff Tim James, Superivsor Niello has provided invaluable assistance and
support for this study, including excellent publicity for – and his attendance at
– the public meeting in which Orangevale residents shared their thoughts about
the need for library services in the community. Supervisor Niello regularly
receives feedback from community residents and discusses their concerns at
monthly “town hall” meetings held at the Orangevale Community Center; these
meetings typically are very well attended. He is also active with respect to a
number of issues of high interest in Orangevale, including environmental
concerns such as air quality and flood control.
Orangevale also has a Community Planning Advisory Council (CPAC) that is
active in the effort to preserve open space in the community as well as the
semi-rural characteristics that residents value so much. The CPAC is a panel of
seven people, appointed by District 4 Supervisor Niello, who meet monthly to
advise county officials and agencies about issues related to the quality of life in
Orangevale, such as zoning, transportation, and open space. One major issue is
the development of access to and from regional trails. There is high interest in
the community in providing direct links from local recreational parks and
facilities, such as the Orangevale Community Center, to the American River
Trail system, which would allow pedestrians, equestrians, and bicyclists from
other areas of the region to enjoy the amenities in Orangevale, and vice versa.
The Orangevale Community
Center is operated by the
Orangevale Recreation and Park
District.
A central force in the provision of service in Orangevale is the Recreation and
Park District, which operates the Orangevale Community Center, located on
Hazel Avenue in the very center of the community. ORPD manages the
community’s many outdoor recreation areas, which include a world-class disc
golf course, a public equestrian facility, and a number of family parks. Programs
offered by ORPD run the gamut from athletics to classes to social events. Local
residents can get certification in baby sitting skills, learn ballroom dancing or
cake decorating, participate in ski trips to Lake Tahoe or tours of the Bay Area,
or have breakfast with the Easter Bunny. ORPD’s programs are very well
attended, and are highly valued by the community.
14
Section 20440(d)(2)
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
C. Public and Private Schools to be Served
Youth in Orangevale can choose from a number of schools in the community.
The 12 public schools in Orangevale are operated by the San Juan Unified
School District, which serves a 75-square mile area in northeastern Sacramento
County and is the ninth largest school district in the state. Feeling the crunch of
the state’s recent fiscal woes, the SJUSD has had to make some difficult
decisions, including severe cutbacks in Orangevale school library resources
and personnel. Such cutbacks will make it even more challenging for the schools
to provide children with the literacy and research tools they need to chart a
successful course through their academic and professional lives.
PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
1980
2000
Enrollment
Enrollment
Elementary Schools
Coleman
Green Oaks
Oakview
Orangevale (K-8)
Ottomon Way
Pershing
Roberts
Trajan
Twin Lakes
439
393
595
321
543
499
553
404
437
426
432
426
561
400
559
735
Middle Schools
Carnegie
Pasteur
973
950
876
930
High Schools
Casa Roble
1,524
1,833
Total
6,790
8,019
2020
Student
Population
9,207
Sources:
1980 - California Department of Education
2000 - San Juan Unified School District
2020 - Sacramento Area Council of Governments
Orangevale children have a number of alternatives to the local public schools.
Visions in Education, a charter school within the San Juan Unified School
District, provides guidance and resources for parents who choose to homeschool
their children, as well as independent study programs for different age groups
and educational needs. Based in neighboring Citrus Heights, Visions has been
serving students throughout Sacramento County as well as from eight other
counties in central and northern California since the late 1990s. SJUSD reports
that enrollment has been growing since the Visions program began in the late
1990s, with 121 students from Orangevale enrolled as of the beginning of the
2003-2004 academic year.
Section 20440(d)(2)
15
Public elementary, middle, and
high schools in Orangevale.
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
ORANGEVALE PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Grades
Enrollment
Religious? Special program(s) (if applicable)
Almondale Academy
Bright Horizons
Compass Rose
K-12
Pre-K
7-10
23
19
8
No
No
No
Faith Lutheran Elem.
Family Christian Academy
Freedom Christian
Gateway Christian Life
HIS Kids Academy
Kaplan Foundation
Kwest Academy
Odyssey Learning Center
Orangevale SDA Elem.
Regency Baptist Academy
Sacramento Waldorf Sch.
St. Benedict
St. Mel
Victory Christian
K-8
K-12
K-12
K-12
K-12
None
1-12
K-12
K-8
K-12
K-12
2-12
K-8
K-8
112
100
138
65
7
25
40
26
99
37
410
9
321
211
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Disabilities, emotional disturbance;
boarding school; boys only
Learning disability
Disabilities
Alternative school
Autism, developmental delays
Source: California Department of Education (2002) and the National Center for Education Statistics (2001) (via www.greatschools.net).
Orangevale also offers a range of private schools, some of which are secular
while others are church-affiliated. Several schools in Orangevale focus on
programs for children with emotional disturbances, developmental delays, or
other special education needs.
D. Community Organizations
The Orangevale chapter of
Rotary is highly active in local
service projects such as
community literacy.
Orangevale has a number of service organizations, including Rotary, the Lions,
and the Soroptimists. Of these, the local chapter of Rotary has the highest
membership. The Orangevale Rotary is particularly committed to increasing
literacy in the community and helping children succeed in school. For a number
of years, Rotarians have operated literacy programs in various elementary
schools in the community. They also have helped pair students from Casa Roble
High School with elementary school students who needed additional tutoring –
a situation which benefits all participants. The Orangevale Rotary currently is
developing a library introduction program in which local elementary school
students would receive assignments that require the use of the library in order
to complete. Rotary has a particular need for meeting and group study space in
which to operate such programs. Currently, they beg for space from local schools,
whose shrinking budgets will likely reduce the availability of school facilities
outside of the regularly-scheduled academic day. For their own weekly meeting
needs, Rotary members have little choice but to turn to local restaurants, where
they often strain to hear each other with the hustle and bustle of kitchen
operations and other diners’ conversations.
16
Section 20440(d)(2)
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
The Friends of the Library is an active group in Orangevale. They hold monthly
book sales on the sidewalk outside the current Orangevale Neighborhood
Library, as well as a large annual sale. Friends members report that the “people
of Orangevale are good about donating books” – so good that the Friends have
had to borrow space at a member’s business to store upwards of 150 or more
boxes at a time. There is no space at the current leased storefront branch in
Orangevale to sort books, either when books are donated or in preparation for
book sales. The Friends must also scrounge for meeting space wherever they
can find it, as the very small meeting room at the current facility has a capacity
for only six people due to competing uses in the space such as storage for
library supplies and materials waiting to be reshelved.
E. Demography
Demographics were collected for the Orangevale library service area, which
includes the unincorporated county area known as Orangevale plus a portion of
the east end of the Fair Oaks CDP. For the purpose of this study, all demographics
reported herein for “Orangevale” include data for this eastern portion of Fair
Oaks as well, except where noted otherwise. See the Methodology chapter for
more information on methods, data sources, and service area definition and
boundaries.
Community members report that Orangevale’s population is an “eclectic” group
of people from, as one resident put it, a “tremendous spectrum” of socioeconomic
backgrounds and situations. It is an educated, working class community with a
large population of “baby boomers” who will become seniors in the next two
decades. At the same time, there is a growing number of children in the
community. While most are enrolled in the nine elementary schools, two middle
schools, or one high school in Orangevale, more than 2% are being
homeschooled – a rate higher than the national level of 1.7%. Despite having
slightly higher levels of education than many of their county, state, and national
neighbors, Orangevale residents still count among them those with literacy
problems. Although they are somewhat less likely to be unemployed, they also
make less per capita than other Sacramento County residents.
In general, Orangevale community members take pride in the fact that people
from all walks of life have chosen to make Orangevale their home. Their
differences strengthen the community rather than divide it, giving Orangevale
a unique flavor.
Section 20440(d)(2)
17
“There’s a lot of people in
Orangevale, but it’s still a
small town.”
– Orangevale Rotary member
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
Population and Projected Growth
TOTAL POPULATION
Orangevale Library
Service Area
Sacramento County
Year 2000 (actual)
Year 2020 (projected)
34,316
37,281 8%
1,223,499
1,646,045 35%
California
33,871,648
45,448,627 34%
USA
281,421,906
324,927,000 15%
Source: year 2000 actual data by U.S. Census Bureau; 2020 projections by SACOG; CA Dept. of Finance; and U.S. Census Bureau
According to U.S. Census data, Orangevale’s population totaled 34,618 at the
turn of the 21st century, making up approximately 3% of the total population of
Sacramento County. Growth in Orangevale since 1990 has been slower than
that experienced by Sacramento County, California, or the U.S. in general.
U.S. Census data show that Orangevale’s 2000 population was just 1% higher
than its population in 1990 (32,314), compared to 18% for the county overall,
and between 13%-14% for the state and nation.
However, SACOG projects increased population growth in Orangevale during
the next two decades, to approximately 37,281 (8% over the 2000 U.S. Census
count) by the year 2020. This growth is somewhat lower than the projected
growth of Sacramento County, which SACOG expects to grow approximately
35% in the next 18 years. Based on 1990 census data, the California Department
of Finance has projected that the state’s population will grow approximately
31% by 2020. In 2000 (also based on 1990 census data), the U.S. Census Bureau
estimated that the nation’s population will grow between 7% and 26% by the
year 2020, depending on the extent of international immigration (the number
shown in the chart above represents 15% growth, the middle of the Bureau’s
estimate range).
Age of Population
Age Group
Under 18
18-24
25-39
40-64
65+
AGE OF POPULATION
Orangevale Library Sacramento
Service Area
County
26%
8%
20%
33%
11%
28%
9%
23%
29%
11%
California
USA
27%
10%
24%
28%
11%
26%
10%
22%
30%
12%
Source: U.S. Census 2000
18
Section 20440(d)(2)
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
As in many other areas, the “baby boom” generation – defined by many sources
as individuals born between approximately 1946 and 1964 – represents a
significant proportion of the Orangevale community. In 1990, over 36% of
Orangevale residents were between the ages of about 25 and 44 years old, and
thus could claim membership in the baby boom generation. By 2000, the
proportion had dropped slightly, but these residents, from 35 to 54 years old,
still formed over one-third of the total Orangevale population. In both 1990
and 2000, the proportion of “boomers” in Orangevale exceeded that of their
counterparts countywide, statewide, and even nationwide.
Demographic analysis supports reports from residents that Orangevale is a
community of families with children. In 2000, just over one-fourth of the
population of Orangevale were under the age of 18 – 7,221 were school age.
This is generally consistent with the pattern elsewhere in Sacramento County,
the state of California, and the nation as a whole. For the past 25 years, baby
boomers across the country have been having children of their own – and the
residents of Orangevale have been no exception. An increase in the number of
young residents in Orangevale will require growth in the materials, programs,
and services available at their local public library.
Some trend-watchers have further dubbed the baby boomers the “sandwich
generation,” as they are increasingly caring for their own aging parents at the
same time they are raising their children. Whether or not this is the case in
Orangevale, the population has definitely been aging. In 1990, nine percent of
Orangevale were age 65 or older; the senior population grew to 11% by 2000.
By 2020, Orangevale’s significant baby boomer population will themselves be
in their mid-50s to mid-70s. The aging of the population coupled with the
continued rise in the average life expectancy can be expected to result in a
larger proportion of seniors in Orangevale in the future. Orangevale’s public
library branch will need to accommodate the increased demand for appropriate
library materials, services, and programs that can be expected as a result of
growth in this segment of the population.
Education
Orangevale residents are comparatively well-educated. Although U.S. Census
data show that the rate of college degrees (from associate degrees to doctorates)
in the community is generally consistent with rates observed elsewhere in
California, Orangevale residents without degrees are more likely to have attended
at least some college than their counterparts in other areas of the county, state,
or nation. In 2000, just 10% of Orangevale residents age 25 or older reported
having less than a high school education (or equivalent), compared to 17% of
Sacramento County residents, and 23% statewide.
Section 20440(d)(2)
19
Students at Orangevale SeventhDay Adventist Elementary
Academy.
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
HIGHEST EDUCATION LEVEL ATTAINED (POPULATION AGE 25+)
Orangevale Library
Sacramento
Education Level
Service Area
County
California
No school completed
0.4%
2%
3%
Nursery to 8th grade
2%
4%
8%
9th-12th grade, no diploma
8%
10%
12%
High school or equivalent
Some college, no degree
23%
33%
11%
17%
6%
0.4%
22,581
Associate degree
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s/prof’l degree
Doctorate
Total
23%
27%
9%
17%
7%
0.7%
772,488
20%
23%
7%
17%
6%
1%
21,298,900
USA
1%
6%
12%
29%
21%
6%
16%
8%
1%
182,211,639
With statewide financial uncertainties trickling down to the local district, public
schools in Orangevale will likely have an even more difficult time meeting
performance targets. Children will have an even greater need for access to
materials, computers, and study space to support their academic lives.
Academic Performance Index
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX
2002
2003 API Actual School
(Growth) Growth wide
Met Growth Target?
Comparable
Both
Improvement
Schoolwide
(CI)
and CI
2002
API
(Base)
2002
Target*
Growth
Elementary Schools
Coleman
Green Oaks
Oakview
Orangevale (K-8)
Ottomon Way
Pershing
Roberts
Trajan
Twin Lakes
769
895
804
835
732
848
773
802
846
2
A
A
A
3
A
1
A
A
808
919
806
847
757
879
784
809
837
39
24
2
12
25
31
11
7
-9
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Middle Schools
Carnegie
Pasteur
776
727
1
4
769
747
-7
20
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
High Schools
Casa Roble
703
5
699
-4
N
N
N
N
Awards
Eligible?
Source: California Department of Education, 2003
* A=no growth target was set, as the school met or exceeded the statewide interim performance target of 800 in 2002.
20
Section 20440(d)(2)
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
Especially at the elementary school level, public schools in Orangevale tend to
do well in comparison to statewide means on the Academic Performance Index
(API). Only two elementary schools in the community, Ottomon Way and
Roberts, scored less than the statewide target of 800 in the 2003 API rankings.
All but one elementary school, Twin Lakes, achieved positive growth over their
2002 base API levels.
However, as Orangevale students move into middle and high schools, their API
performance tends to drop. Neither Carnegie nor Pasteur Middle Schools have
yet achieved an API rank of 800 or better; Carnegie even experienced a 7 point
decline from its 2002 base API score. In 2003, not only did Casa Roble High
School fail to achieve its five-point growth target, it also slipped four points to
699.
Language
LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME (HOUSEHOLDS)
Orangevale Library
Service Area
Sacramento County
California
USA
Language
Total
Linguistically
Isolated
English
Spanish
86%
6%
—
0.1%
75%
11%
—
2%
62%
22%
—
6%
81%
10%
—
2%
Other IndoEuropean
5%
0.6%
6%
1%
6%
1%
5%
0.8%
2%
0.4%
7%
2%
9%
3%
3%
1%
0.4%
0.1%
0.6%
0.1%
1%
0.2%
0.8%
0.1%
Asian/Pacific
Islander
Other
Languages
Total
Linguistically
Isolated
Total
Linguistically
Isolated
English is the predominant language spoken in the Orangevale community.
U.S. Census 2000 data reveal that 86% of households in the community speak
primarily English, while 6% speak Spanish, 5% speak other Indo-European
languages, and 2% speak Asian/Pacific Island languages. Just one percent of
the community is linguistically isolated (i.e., has difficulty communicating in
English), compared to 6% for Sacramento County, and 10% for the state of
California.
2
Note that the CDP (“Census Designated Place”) does not include the portion of eastern
Fair Oaks included in the Orangevale Library service area as defined in this study.
Section 20440(d)(2)
21
Total
Linguistically
Isolated
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
Literacy
COMMUNITY LITERACY
Orangevale
Sacramento
CDP
County
Literacy at or below Level 1
Literacy at or below Level 2
11%
30%
20%
40%
California
24%
46%
USA
N/A
N/A
Source: Portland State University
A study of literacy rates conducted by Portland State University in 1996
estimated the mean literacy proficiency in the Orangevale CDP 2 at 293.
Approximately 11% of the population is estimated to read at or below Level 1,
while 30% read at or below Level 2. While literacy in Orangevale may be
higher than that of Sacramento County or California, these data suggest that at
least one in 10 people in Orangevale has trouble reading or writing. The need
for literacy assistance in the community is significant enough that a major focus
of the Orangevale chapter of Rotary is its after-school literacy program. On the
survey conducted as part of this needs assessment study, 17% of respondents
said that basic literacy programs should be provided at the Orangevale Library.
Employment, Income, and Poverty Status
EMPLOYMENT (POPULATION AGE 16+)
Orangevale Library
Sacramento
Occupation
Service Area
County
California
Management, Professional
36%
36%
36%
Service
16%
15%
15%
Sales & Office
29%
30%
27%
Farming, Fishing & Forestry
0.2%
0.4%
1.3%
Construction, Extraction &
11%
9%
8%
Maintenance
Production, Transportation
8%
10%
13%
& Material Moving
USA
34%
15%
27%
0.7%
9%
15%
Orangevale has a significant service and blue collar contingent, although the
majority of working community members hold “white collar” type positions.
In 2000, over one-third of the population of Orangevale over the age of 25 held
management or professional type occupations, which is generally consistent
with corresponding rates in the county, state, and nation. Another 29% of
Orangevale residents held sales/office positions. Within Orangevale, there is
little industry, and no major employers; instead, most Orangevale residents
must commute outside of the community to work each day. U.S. Census 2000
data indicate that 92% of Orangevale workers over the age of 16 drive to work,
and 40% travel for 30 minutes or more each way.
At the turn of the 21st century Orangevale residents tended to be in a slightly
better financial position, on average, than their neighbors elsewhere in
Sacramento County. This is not to say, however, that Orangevale is the most
22
Section 20440(d)(2)
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
AVERAGE INCOME AND MEDIAN PROPERTY VALUE
Sacramento
Orangevale
County
California
Average per capita income
Median property value
(owner-occupied units)
$24,078
(service area)
$159,300 (CDP)
USA
$21,142
$22,711
$21,587
$141,100
$198,900
$111,800
affluent community in the area. The average per capita income in Orangevale
in 2000 was $24,078, and 93% of Orangevale residents lived above the poverty
level. The median property value of owner-occupied units in Orangevale was
$159,300. Compare this to Orangevale’s immediate neighbors on the east and
west; residents of the City of Folsom had an average per capita income of
$30,210 (125% of Orangevale residents) and a median property value of
$223,300 (142% of Orangevale homes), while Fair Oaks had an average per
capita income of $31,874 (132% of Orangevale residents) and a median property
value of $224,100.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY
Sacramento
Orangevale
County
California
USA
Below poverty level
6% (service area)
14%
14%
12%
Unemployment Rate
5.1% (CDP)
5.5%
6.4%
5.6%
Source: U.S. Census 2000 (poverty level); Employment Development Department, October, 2003 (unemployment)
However, California’s Employment Development Department reports that in
2000, the unemployment rate in the Orangevale CDP was approximately 3.7%.
The latest figures published by EDD indicate that the unemployment rate in the
Orangevale CDP has since risen, most recently to 5.1% as of October 2003.
U.S. Census 2000 data indicate that 6% of Orangevale residents were living
below the poverty level in 2000 – just before the slide that has characterized
the state’s economy over the past few years. Census 2000 data also indicate
that approximately 20% of Sacramento County residents between the ages of
21 and 64 have some sort of disability, which can make it even harder for
people to find work, especially in the current employer’s market; although the
data do not provide specific figures for Orangevale residents with disabilities,
it can be assumed that the proportion is similar to the overall county figure. As
such, the average per capita income in Orangevale may have dropped since the
U.S. Census collected its data in 2000, and more residents may be struggling to
remain above the poverty line.
In focus groups and community meetings, a number of Orangevale residents
reported that they did not have sufficient disposable income to purchase all of
the books and computers they felt were necessary to support their families, and
looked to the library to provide these services.
Section 20440(d)(2)
23
COMMUNITY ANALYSIS
Home Schooling
In 2002, Kurt J. Bauman of the U.S. Census Bureau published the results of his
study of homeschooling in the United States. Based on his analysis of data
gathered by the National Center for Educational Statistics and the U.S.
Department of Education, Bauman concluded that “home schooling seems to
be taking place on a larger scale than many other educational innovations....
Although other institutional innovations in the educational system have grown
in recent years, home schooling is probably the largest change in the sheer
number of students involved.” Bauman estimated that in 1999, approximately
790,000 children between the ages of 6 and 17 in the U.S. (about 1.7% of
children nationwide) were being homeschooled – an increase of approximately
8% per year over the estimated 636,000 being homeschooled in America in
1996. Bauman also concluded that growth in home schooling would continue;
although sampling limitations prevented him from projecting growth with a
great degree of specificity, Bauman said that annual growth in the homeschooling
ranks could be as much as 15%.
According to Bauman, households with “moderate to high education and
income...located in the rural or suburban West” were more likely to participate
in homeschooling than other demographic groups. The demographics of
Orangevale indicate that it is a community likely to have a higher-than-average
percentage of homeschoolers – and indeed, this appears to be true. During focus
groups and interviews conducted as part of this Needs Assessment, Orangevale
residents and SJUSD educators alike reported the existence of a growing
contingent of homeschoolers within the community. Visions in Education, a
San Juan Unified School District charter school for independent study and
homeschooling families in the greater Sacramento area, reports that
approximately 121 students from Orangevale were enrolled in its program in
2003, representing more than 2% of the population of children in the community.
Growth in the population of children in Orangevale may mean an accompanying
growth in the number of children in the community who are homeschooled.
24
Section 20440(d)(2)
COMMUNITY
CHARACTERISTICS
5. COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS
A. A Community of Families, Friends, and Neighbors
Orangevale’s population is made up of people from, as one resident put it, a
“tremendous spectrum” of socioeconomic backgrounds and life situations.
Another focus group participant described Orangevale residents as an “eclectic”
group. People from all walks of life have chosen to make Orangevale their
home, a fact in which residents take great pride. Orangevale residents are drawn
together by a number of common values, one of which is the high worth they
place on community, family, and friends.
At over one-fourth of the population in 2000, children make up the heart of the
Orangevale community. The local Kids Korner preschool program reports that
parent participation in the program is strong, despite the heavy demands placed
on their time by jobs and long commutes. Several public schools in the
community, including Casa Roble High School, have parent participation
components as well. A growing number of parents in Orangevale are choosing
to home school their children, as much for the additional time it allows them to
spend with their kids as for the opportunity to provide a unique, individualized
educational experience.
The Orangevale Community Center is at the center – literally – of community
life in unincorporated Orangevale, which has no downtown, business district,
or civic center. Operated by the Orangevale Recreation and Parks District
(ORPD), the Community Center offers a wide selection of programs and
activities for local residents. On a daily basis, families use the Community
Center for sports, recreational, social, educational, and community gatherings
and activities.
Orangevale also has a number of service organizations and groups dedicated to
helping others in the community. The Orangevale chapter of Rotary International
is a very active group whose service projects include tutoring at a local
elementary school. The Friends of the Library operates monthly and annual
book sales that not only provide additional funding for library operations, but
also promote community awareness of and interest in the library. Other local
service groups include the Lions and the Soroptimists.
B. A Community of Workers
Orangevale is also a community of people who work. The majority of the
working population of Orangevale are occupied in management/professional
and sales/office professions. The community has a significant service and bluecollar worker population as well, with representation among trades such as
construction and manufacturing. Even in the last few years of economic hardship,
Orangevale residents have enjoyed a slightly lower unemployment rate than in
other areas of Sacramento County, California, or the nation as a whole.
Section 20440(d)(2)
25
The pool at the Orangevale
Community Center is a popular
gathering spot in the community.
COMMUNITY
CHARACTERISTICS
Despite comparatively good employment rates, however, Orangevale residents
on average are not as well-to-do as residents in some neighboring communities.
In focus groups and community meetings, many Orangevale residents reported
that they did not have sufficient disposable income to purchase all of the books
and computers they felt were necessary to support their families’ needs. Instead,
they look to the library to provide a range of recreational, educational, and
technological resources to meet the needs of all age groups in the community.
Orangevale residents are
interested in the continuing
education opportunities offered
at institutions such as Folsom
Lake College.
Orangevale also offers few opportunities for employment within the community.
As an unincorporated area, it lacks a government of its own; the only quasigovernmental agency offering employment within the community is the
Orangevale Recreation and Park District. Orangevale also lacks a significant
center of industry or commerce. The few small-scale shopping centers and
retailers available within the community cannot meet all of the community’s
needs for goods services, let alone residents’ needs for employment.
As a result, most Orangevale residents must commute to work. The majority of
employment in the county is found to the southwest of Orangevale, in and
around the City of Sacramento. Commute times for Orangevale residents often
run upwards of 30 minutes, due not only to the basic distance from home to
work, but also to the sheer numbers of people who share the same route to
work. The two major arterials through the community, Greenback and Hazel
Avenues, provide access to US-80 and CA-50 highways, respectively, both of
which are major commute routes for people living in eastern/northeastern
Sacramento County as well as in Placer County to the north.
Orangevale’s commuters have some distinct library needs. Drivers have a need
for an increased collection of materials on tape and CD – books as well as
music – to enjoy while in the car. Individuals who carpool or use public
transportation to work need access to a wide range of recreational reading and
other high-interest materials to help them pass the time during their commute.
Many commuters also cannot easily access the library during normal business
hours, as they are either at work or en route. Improved remote access to library
services is an important need for these Orangevale residents.
C. A Community of Lifelong Learners
Orangevale residents value education and opportunities for lifelong learning.
California Academic Performance Index data show that schools in the
community tend to have above-average performance. According to U.S. Census
data, more than two-thirds of residents over the age of 25 have attended at least
some college, with over half having received at least an associate’s or
baccalaureate degree; this rate is higher than elsewhere in the county, state, or
nation.
Orangevale youth enjoy a wide
variety of outdoor sports.
26
Section 20440(d)(2)
COMMUNITY
CHARACTERISTICS
In focus groups and interviews, community members discussed not only their
own love of ongoing education and self-improvement, but also their hopes to
instill similar values in their children from the very youngest ages. The strong
parent-participation programs at local public schools and preschools are evidence
of families’ commitment to providing the best education for the children. A
number of parents reported that part of the appeal of homeschooling is to
experience and encourage education as a learning activity for the whole family.
However, Orangevale still has a range of educational needs. One is for library
services to support both the interests and the academic needs of elementary,
middle, and high school students in the community, especially as school library
resources are being scaled back as a result of budget uncertainties.
Orangevale parents work to
instill a love of reading and
learning in their children from a
very early age.
Another need is basic literacy services, which are needed by as many as 11% of
Orangevale residents, according to data from Portland State University. Literacy
is one of the service goals of the Orangevale Rotary, which provides tutoring
services at local elementary schools on a rotating basis annually. However,
almost one in five survey respondents reported that basic literacy programs
should be provided at the Orangevale Library, indicating that literacy services
in the community currently are inadequate.
Adults in the community also enjoy the opportunity to continue learning
throughout their lives. Toward this end, Orangevale residents look not only for
reading and reference materials at the library, but also for programs and classes
in which they can learn new skills or improve existing abilities. There is interest
in the community in increased access to curriculum and extension courses offered
through local educational institutions such as nearby Folsom Lake College.
Currently, however, it is difficult to offer such programs locally due to the lack
of available public meeting space in the community. While the Orangevale
Community Center does have meeting rooms, the considerable demand for
space limits the variety and size of programs that can be offered.
D. A Community of Nature Lovers
Inhabited by native tribes long before settlers began planting orange groves
there in the 1800s, the community known originally as “Orange Vale” has
resisted the rapid urban development embraced by its neighbors. Instead,
Orangevale residents actively work to maintain the characteristic semi-rural
quality and small town feel of the community. Residents speak with pride of
the natural beauty of the area – the heirloom trees, the American River, and the
views of the mountains. Some community members reported that even the
weather is better in Orangevale, with cooler temperatures in the summer than
in other, more densely-populated areas of Sacramento County.
Orangevale residents enjoy participating in outdoor activities. The community
has an active equestrian contingent, with more than 6,000 registered horses
living within its boundaries. The Orangevale Recreation and Park District
Section 20440(d)(2)
27
“Orangevale runs a brisk
cowboy boot business.”
– focus group participant
Community members gathering
in a local park gazebo.
COMMUNITY
CHARACTERISTICS
operates the Community Horse Park Arena – complete with spectator, judging,
and concession facilities – that is open to the public when not in use for formal
events. Orangevale residents report that is not uncommon to see people riding
their horses through the community, either on the regional Class 1 trail system
or along the streets. Some residents even suggested that a new library in
Orangevale should have hitching posts for equine forms of transportation as
well as parking for automobiles.
The Community Horse Park
Arena in Orangevale.
The Orangevale Recreation and Park District offers a number of other recreation
facilities in addition to the Horse Park, including parks, trails, and a worldclass Frisbee golf course. ORPD is also participating in a local campaign to
extend the regional Class 1 trail system into Orangevale, which would allow
residents to access the trails directly by foot, hoof, or bicycle, rather than having
to drive to the trailhead.
E. A Community of Library Patrons
Orangevale residents have faithfully supported their library throughout its
itinerant history. The Sacramento Public Library reports that the Orangevale
Library has, on occasion, been targeted for closure during periods of systemwide
budget difficulties. However, each time, Orangevale community members have
launched an intense campaign of letters and telephone calls protesting the
closure. As a result, the library has often moved from tiny facility to tiny facility,
but has rarely closed for long.
Through focus groups, interviews, public meetings, and written surveys,
Orangevale residents made clear the high value that they place on their library.
But many fear that large bookstores, online booksellers, and other competitors
– as well as the inability of the Orangevale Library to provide a sufficient
collection or array of services in its current leased facility – will further erode
the Orangevale Library’s patronage, possibly leading to its permanent closure.
“I am very grateful for libraries.
They are to be treasured.”
– survey respondent
One survey respondent summarized the sentiment of the community particularly
well, saying “We deserve a large, proper place at last.” Such a place, for
Orangevale, would be a new library with sufficient space to accommodate a
wide range of programs, services, collection materials, and technology. It would
be a place for residents to gather, for social and community pursuits as well as
for educational and recreational activities.
28
Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
6. ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY SERVICE NEEDS
Orangevale’s strong need for comprehensive library services was emphasized by community participants in every public
meeting, focus group, interview, and survey conducted for this study. The small leased storefront unit currently inhabited
by the Orangevale Library simply does not support the provision of library service at the level required by the community’s
size, demographics, interests, and needs. Although its current location is reported to be quite luxurious compared to its
immediate predecessor in the same strip mall, the single open room provides no separation for different uses such as
computer use, quiet reading, group study activities, and children who browse actively. There also is a lack of seating for
reading or working, a bare minimum of public access computers, and no meeting space for groups larger than six.
Orangevale residents report that the inconveniences of the current branch, coupled with its history of frequent moves
from facility to facility and its inconspicuous location, have resulted in the exodus of many patrons to other library
branches, or even to bookstores. As such, Orangevale currently is underserved by its public library branch.
In thinking about the needs of their community, Orangevale residents recommended that the library should provide a
wide range of services. Community participation and demographic analysis revealed the following major library service
needs, all of which have implications for the Library Plan of Service.
§
Expanded general library services. Orangevale residents of all ages described the need for an expanded collection
that features educational and recreational materials, increased seating in a variety of environments, and improved
reference and readers’ advisory services.
§
Enhanced technology. Community members reported the need for improved access to computers as well as
computer training. Improved remote access to the library via the Internet would be of particular benefit to the
large commuter population of the community who may have difficulty accessing the library during open hours.
§
Learning support. Orangevale is a community that values education. Children and teens need academic materials
and computers to supplement the instruction received in the budget-challenged public schools. Homeschoolers
have particularly strong academic needs, including access to a diverse collection, computers, and meeting space.
Adults look to the public library to provide computer training and other lifelong education resources.
§
Services and programs for all constituencies. Community members of different ages and ability levels, including
children, teens, adults, seniors, and disabled patrons, have a variety of program and service needs that should be
met at the Orangevale Library.
§
A community gathering place. Although Orangevale residents share a strong sense of neighborhood and values,
there are few places for neighbors to come together, socialize, and share ideas; demand for meeting and program
facilities in the existing Orangevale Community Center frequently exceeds availability. The community needs
meeting space where they can participate in the civic and social events that maintain and improve the quality of
life in Orangevale. Teens, in particular, have a special need for an easily accessible place to “hang out.”
§
Improve operational efficiency. The Orangevale Library needs a combination of patron education and modern
operational practices, including rough sorting and self-checkout, to promote independent use of the library,
allow staff to provide assistance throughout the library rather than being “trapped” behind the desk, and get
materials back on the shelf more quickly.
Section 20440(d)(2)
29
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
B. Expanded General Library Services: Collections, Seating, and
Reference Services
Residents of Orangevale need expanded library service. With nearly 35,000
people at the turn of the 21st century, Orangevale’s library service area is larger
than many California cities. It is also larger than several other communities in
Sacramento County with large, permanent libraries of their own. As a community
made up of people from all walks of life, Orangevale has a wide range of library
service needs, including improved access to an expanded collection, a wider
variety of seating, and enhanced reference services.
General Collection
A patron browsing the small
collection at the current leased
storefront Orangevale Library.
The collection is very important to Orangevale residents and library patrons.
Books topped the priority list for materials among survey respondents (64%),
followed by audiovisual materials at 43%. Orangevale residents who participated
in focus groups and the public meeting report that the library’s collection should
include a variety of topics, with particular emphasis on “fun” reading, with
enough copies of new releases to allow more people to borrow titles in high
demand instead of heading to the bookstore, which many residents may not be
able to afford. The community has a strong interest in non-fiction as well,
including local history, biography, and “do-it-yourself” topics.
Some specific collection needs and requests from Orangevale residents are
listed below, and described in more detail in Section E (“Services and Programs
for Children, Teens Adults, Seniors, and Special Constituencies”) of this chapter.
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
30
Separate children’s, teen, and adult collections.
New books added to the collection more quickly after release.
Increased non-fiction collection that includes travel guides, law books,
and local history materials.
Foreign newspapers for a variety of perspectives on world events.
Better selection of fiction and high interest materials, such as westerns,
cowboy poetry, mysteries, and historical novels.
An up-to-date video and DVD collection, including PBS, BBC, “how
to,” and educational productions.
Unabridged audio books and large print items.
Enhanced collection of academic support materials for patrons from
kindergarten through college, including textbooks, homework assistance
(such as math, Cliff notes, and reference materials for research projects),
and college preparation and application resources.
Easy readers, media kits, and CD-ROMs for preschool children.
Larger parenting collection.
Materials to encourage recreational reading in children and teens.
An emphasis on pleasure reading materials for teens.
Access to materials in foreign languages such as Spanish and Russian.
Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
In addition to a range of topics, there is a need in Orangevale for a variety of
formats. While print materials will likely continue to be popular in the
foreseeable future, there is an increasing interest in unabridged “talking books”
on cassette or CD for patrons of all ages. Children like to follow along in a
printed book while listening to a story on audio. Teens also enjoy checking out
the audio version of books they are required to read for school. Adults listen to
books on tape during their commutes or while working on projects around the
house. And seniors whose eyesight “isn’t what it used to be” use audio books to
keep up with their reading. In addition to the various “reading” related formats,
patrons increasingly look to the library to provide reference, educational, and
entertainment materials on CD-ROM, video, and DVD. As the population in
Orangevale continues to grow, the demand for these materials will almost
certainly become even greater.
Seating
Orangevale residents need a library that provides enough seating – as well as
sufficient variety – for patrons to use while at the facility. Seating at the current
leased storefront facility in Orangevale is scarce, and its few chairs and tables
provide neither the peace and quiet needed by readers nor sufficient space for
group study. Most patrons do not even expect to be able to stay at the library to
work or read. In fact, a number of Orangevale residents reported that they and
their neighbors often head for the comfortable lounge, table, and café seating
offered by the nearest bookseller, even if they cannot afford to purchase books
there.
To accommodate the wide range of patron needs – from quiet reading to group
study to conversations among patrons – seating in the library should include:
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
A distribution of seating throughout the library – some in quiet areas
for reading or study, others where conversation can take place without
disturbing patrons who are trying to concentrate on work.
A mixture of seating types to accommodate different uses, including
task chairs for work or study at tables and carrels, comfortable lounge
seats for reading, seats of appropriate sizes for children, and counters
for tutoring.
A teen area, with a variety of seating appropriate for studying, working
with friends on school projects, and enjoying casual conversation with
friends – all of which can take place simultaneously with teens.
Tables to accommodate groups for work or study.
A family reading area, where parents can read aloud with their children
without worrying about disrupting other patrons.
Group study rooms with a capacity of four to six people for tutoring,
homeschooling, and teams of students working on school projects.
Listening/viewing stations where patrons can preview audiovisual
materials, or even sit and enjoy them within the library.
Section 20440(d)(2)
31
A child browsing the collection
at the current leased Orangevale
Library facility.
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
Reference and Readers’ Advisory Services
“We need and deserve
a new library.”
Through focus groups, interviews, and patron surveys, the community reported
its need for timely and accurate reference services. Parents and children of all
ages described their need for access to reference materials to support their work
on school assignments such as the Decades project required at Casa Roble
High School. High school and community college students communicated the
need for access to resources and information about preparing for and applying
to colleges, as well as about the variety of career training and job placement
opportunities. Adults and seniors reported the need for a wide range of reference
materials, including encyclopedias and dictionaries, job search databases, and
community, health, social service, and other resources. Currently, however, the
small leased Orangevale Library has a relatively small reference collection.
Patrons’ need for such materials at the Orangevale Library is equaled by their
need for help in identifying and navigating the wide variety of resources that
are available. Patrons reported that they enjoy working with the branch manager
at the Orangevale Library, who is responsible for managing and performing
most of the operational tasks on a day-to-day basis, leaving her little time to
provide detailed reference services to patrons. There is a strong need in for an
increased complement of staff who are skilled in providing reference services
to community members of all ages, supported by a larger reference collection.
Orangevale patrons also look to the library to provide suggestions for nonreference materials. For example, parents who want to instill a love of reading
in their children may ask for recommendations of quality, age-appropriate
reading materials. Book club members may seek advice on selecting classic or
contemporary works of fiction in a particular genre or centered around a certain
topic. New library users or those unfamiliar with the range of authors and topics
may also seek staff assistance in locating recreational reading or educational
materials.
Orangevale community members need access to readers’ advisory resources,
just as they need access to reference services. Orangevale Library patrons highly
value the personal relationships they form with their library staff, and many
enjoy discussing reading recommendations directly with library personnel; for
this reason, librarians need to be supported by operational staff and an efficientlydesigned facility so they can spend maximum time counseling patrons on
available reading choices. Nonetheless, commuters and other busy Orangevale
residents may not always be able to visit the library during open hours or have
the time to speak with staff; for such patrons, recommended reading lists –
available on-line as well as in more traditional formats – may be beneficial.
The layout of the eight computers
available to patrons at the current
Orangevale Library does not
facilitate computer training.
C. Enhanced Technology to Empower Residents
The Orangevale community needs increased access to technology. More than
one-fourth of survey respondents said that computers should be emphasized in
a new library for Orangevale, and “computer guidance or training” was the
32
Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
most requested service (35%). The need for computer access and training will
only increase in the future as the prominence of computers in modern life
continues to grow. Orangevale residents indicated that improved library service
for the community should include:
§
§
§
§
§
§
More computers with Internet access and a greater variety of software,
including word- and data-processing applications.
Instruction on specialized software applications such as PowerPoint.
More library services available online.
The ability to purchase and enjoy refreshments in the library.
Wireless technology.
Data and power access for patrons who wish to bring laptops.
Computer Access and Training
The growing prominence of computers in society has increased the demand not
only for computer access in Orangevale, but also for training in how to use
computers. For schools, one of the biggest challenges is making sure that all
students have access to computers and training in basic computer skills. Schools
must also balance the desire to use computers as a tool for teaching academic
subjects with the fact that not all students have equal access to computers outside
of the classroom. Teachers who once took their classes to computer labs in
school libraries, which are being scaled back due to state budget shortfalls,
may wish to bring their students to the public library for computer instruction.
Homeschoolers who do not have computers at home also have an especially
strong need for computer access.
The current Orangevale Library
occupies a leased storefront unit
in a small strip mall. It is too small
to accommodate many of the
programs and services needed
by area residents.
The need for computer access and skills is not limited to elementary and
secondary school students, however. It is becoming more and more difficult to
get along without computers in other arenas of life as well. Even the library is
becoming increasingly computer-based; patrons find that the online catalog
requires them to be more computer literate in order to find the materials they
want. A survey conducted in support of this needs assessment study found that
one of the top requests for library services among Orangevale residents was
computer guidance and training (35% of respondents overall, including 66%
of respondents age 65 or over).
Improved Remote Access to the Library
As discussed in more detail earlier in this chapter, Orangevale residents need
increased access to the library and its collection. Community members with
significant daily commutes to and from work may have difficulty finding the
time to visit the library during regular business hours. The small size of the
current leased storefront branch in Orangevale limits access, not only because
of the minimal collection that can be housed there, but also because it is not
prominent within the community. In fact, residents reported that some of their
neighbors don’t even know about the Orangevale Library.
Section 20440(d)(2)
33
“I love ordering online.”
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
The community would benefit from increased online access to library services.
The Sacramento Public Library system already offers free online access to its
“e-Library,” which provides searchable databases and electronic reference
materials as well as information about library locations and hours. The e-Library
also provides excellent online access to SPL’s entire collection. Through a simple
interface, library patrons can search the entire system catalog and ask to have
items delivered directly to their local branch for pickup. Patrons can log onto
the system either from public access computers within the library or their own
computers at work or home. However, because many people in Orangevale
may not be aware of this capability, or lack the basic computer skills necessary
to use it, there is a need in the community for a targeted program to educate
people about the online system.
D. Learning Support
Orangevale is a community of learners, where children, adults, and seniors
alike value education. From learning new languages to self-education about
do-it-yourself projects, environmental issues, or business goals, Orangevale
residents continue learning throughout their lives. Community residents and
educators alike report a dramatic need for the public library to reinforce learning
in the community.
Elementary and Secondary Schools
Public elementary and secondary schools in Orangevale are experiencing the
same financial woes plaguing schools throughout California. Library staff have
suffered cutbacks, and after-school programs are being scaled back, if not
eliminated entirely. Many students now need to find resources elsewhere, and
look to the public library. And even if budgets for school libraries improve in
the future, students will still need a public library with good materials and
study resources.
“Latchkey kids” and youth wanting help with homework look for places in the
community to go after school – places that are centrally located and appropriate
for doing homework. Nearly one-fourth of survey respondents indicated that
homework programs should be offered at the library. This was echoed by
participants in a public community meeting who reported the need for a place
for Orangevale children to go after school. The ability for children to purchase
snacks after school would also be of benefit.
Carnegie Middle School is one
of two middle schools in
Orangevale.
Although it varies from school to school, the use of computers in academics at
Orangevale schools continues to grow. Some coursework must be completed
on computers, including an increasing amount that must be done outside of the
classroom. It is estimated, for example, that 30% of students at Coleman
Elementary school do not have computers at home, but are required nonetheless
to submit papers in typed or word-processed form.
34
Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
Participants in focus groups, interviews, and the public meeting as well as survey
respondents reported that up to 30% of Orangevale residents either do not have
computers at home, or lack Internet access or sufficient software. Students
without computers at home or who lack the appropriate software to complete
their assignments have an important need for computer access at the library.
The library needs to provide sufficient computers for student use, both to reduce
wait times and to maximize time limits (if any) that need to be placed on them
so that students have enough time to complete their assignments.
Hand-in-hand with the need for computer access is the need for computer training
among students. For students with adequate skills, the computer becomes a
tool for learning. For students without skills, the computer can become a barrier.
Teachers and administrators from the San Juan Unified School District report
that as early as fourth grade, students are required to use references and other
resources – in both print and electronic formats – to complete projects and
homework assignments. In addition to their need for access to an appropriate
reference selection, Orangevale children need programs in which they can learn
how to use such resources, as well as to librarians with the knowledge and
training necessary to help children navigate the library and the materials it
offers.
There is also a strong need for teaching schoolchildren about information
literacy, especially with respect to computers and the Internet. As the ability of
individuals to post information on the World Wide Web becomes ever easier,
there is an accompanying need to teach children how to think critically about
the quality of data they access there. Educators increasingly report that while
the majority of students actually know very little about how to do research,
they think they know how to do research, based on the ease with which they
can get “hits” on a topic using web-search engines such as Google or Yahoo.
However, without knowing how to evaluate the quality of online sources,
students at all grade levels are at risk of taking “information” they find on the
Internet at face value.
There is a real opportunity for partnership between the schools and the
Orangevale Library to create a program to teach children the research and
information literacy skills needed to support a successful academic career.
Homeschoolers
Orangevale also has a contingent of active homeschoolers who rely on the
public library to supply learning materials, computers, and other resources to
support their studies. Homeschoolers interviewed as part of this study reported
visiting the public library multiple times per week. Library staff reported that
some parents check out up to 50 books at a time for their children.
Section 20440(d)(2)
35
Orangevale Elementary School
is the community’s only K-8
school. K-5 students at other
elementary schools move on to
the community’s two middle
schools.
“As a teacher, I suggest hiring
someone to help purchase
materials to support the
California framework in all areas.
These will be in demand for
research or support to those
struggling, especially in math and
English.”
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
“Please provide a homeschool
resource room and encourage
use by homeschool parents and
groups.”
In the wake of uncertain school budgets and resources, this cadre of dedicated
do-it-yourself educators and students is likely to grow, along with their need
for support from the public library. Homeschoolers in Orangevale report the
need for educational materials in the collection, including classical literature,
information on science and history, teaching games on CD-ROM, and the like.
Parents new to homeschooling are reported to need particular assistance in
finding the right materials. Library orientation and regular (for example,
monthly) instruction on library resources would benefit these parents immensely.
Homeschool families without computers at home often rely on the library to
provide access to computers and the Internet. Visions in Education, an SJUSD
alternative charter school that operates a homeschooling program, provides
some computer training for students. However, because Visions in Education
lacks a formal computer lab of its own, its trainers usually cannot teach groups
of students; instead, they often must give one-on-one instruction wherever a
computer can be found, a highly inefficient form of training delivery.
Homeschoolers looking for mutual educational and social support need access
to appropriate meeting space in the community. An appropriate space at the
library would allow students to come together for peer review of book reports
and other projects. Similarly, parents who homeschool their children need a
forum for sharing curriculum and project ideas.
Continuing Education
Orangevale residents report a commitment to lifelong learning. A survey of
community members revealed a strong need for the library to support adult
education, which was requested by approximately 22% of respondents. Residents
reported the need for the collection to cover a range of topics, including history,
biographies, and “how-to” materials in addition to just plain “fun” reading such
as mysteries and Westerns. Among survey respondents, local history/genealogy
(28%) and business/career information (12%) also were requested.
Folsom Lake College and other colleges in the area offer a variety of curriculumbased, extension, and recreational classes. Orangevale community members
would benefit from a classroom or lab equipped for distance learning, as well
as space for traditional classes led by an on-site instructor.
E. Services and Programs for Children, Teens, Adults, Seniors, and
Special Constituencies
Orangevale also needs an increased array of programs. To respond to residents’
needs, the library needs to accommodate art, educational, and entertainment
programs for all ages, from children’s story hours to family movie nights, teen
get-togethers to travelogues for seniors. In this section, the service and program
needs of Orangevale residents are described according to age level or other
special needs.
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Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
Services for Children
Orangevale residents have a need for increased access to age- and readinglevel appropriate materials for children. A growing body of research touts the
developmental and academic advantages children can gain through reading.
Even very young children who cannot yet read on their own – or even understand
words at all – benefit enormously from having others read to them. Whether for
developmental reasons or simply a love of books, parents in Orangevale value
the time they spend selecting and reading books with their kids.
Demographics and input from residents indicate that children form a large part
of the community in Orangevale, with an importance that exceeds mere numbers.
Community meeting participants and nearly 30% of survey respondents said
that the library in Orangevale should emphasize materials for children. Younger
children who participated in focus groups enjoyed topics including animals,
nature, and art. Older children requested more fiction series, such as “Hank the
Cowdog,” as well as materials on history, science, the military, and nature.
Children in Orangevale appreciate a variety of formats in addition to traditional
print materials. Younger children enjoy book/tape combinations that allow them
to read and listen at the same time; according to parents, audio tapes are better
for this purpose than compact discs, which can make it difficult for children to
find their place later if they are interrupted. Older children (“tweens”) enjoy
audio books, especially to listen to in the car along with the whole family. They
also begin to get interested in the popular music CDs that are likely to provide
the soundtrack for their teenage years. Age-appropriate videos on a variety of
topics are immensely popular.
There is also a strong need for children’s library programs. Due in large part to
the tiny size of the leased storefront facility of the current Orangevale Library
branch, a children’s story hour cannot be offered at a regular time. Children’s
programs that are offered take over the only large space in the tiny facility – the
area directly in front of the entrance – and all but completely block ingress and
egress. As a result, many Orangevale residents look to local bookstores for
story hours and related children’s programs. Even Kids Korner, a preschool
program located just a few blocks away from the current Orangevale Library,
takes its charges to the more distant Borders bookstore for its child-oriented
programs.
Although this is by no means a comprehensive list of children’s program needs,
specific program needs identified by the community through focus groups,
interviews, and public meetings include:
§
§
Programs to encourage children to read.
Instruction on library navigation and how to take care of library
materials.
Section 20440(d)(2)
37
Enjoying a story
Orangevale Library.
at
the
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
§
§
§
Programs for homeschoolers, such as library orientation and monthly
instruction on resources.
A closer partnership with local schools, with regular class visits to the
library and programs on developing study skills.
Story hour held at regular times, with more choices of time.
Services for Teens
Teens made up about 8% of the Orangevale population in 2000, and will increase
as a percentage of the community as the larger cohort of children under the age
of 12 (14%) grows older. Their needs include improved library access in general,
as well as an expanded collection, computers and computer skills training,
academic support, and a place to simply “hang out” with their friends.
“The library would be a really
cool place to go.”
– teen focus group participant
In a recent survey, only 30% of teen respondents (ages 12-17) reported that
they use the current public library in Orangevale once a month or more. Although
the survey was conducted in late spring 2003, a time when students typically
spend time in the library finishing school projects and studying for final exams,
58% of teens surveyed in Orangevale reported that they had not used the library
at all during the prior month. Of these teens, 40% cited a lack of time, while
nearly 30% reported a lack of transportation or the “inconvenient” location of
the current library branch. The distance and lack of safe pedestrian and bicycle
access between most of the middle and high schools and the current leased
storefront library branch may be a contributing factor.
As with adults and seniors, the most popular use of the library among teen
survey respondents was borrowing books. All teens who had used the Orangevale
Library within the prior month said that they borrow books. Teens’ collection
needs include materials for pleasure reading as well as for support of school
research and homework projects. Young adults in Orangevale have a strong
interest in music, including CDs by their favorite popular artists. Teens also
need materials related to college application and career preparation. Now that
more and more guidance counselors are being eliminated from local school
budgets, teens are increasingly “on their own” in terms of navigating their postsecondary education and career choices.
Most teens in Orangevale attend
Casa Roble High School.
A major need among teens in Orangevale is support for their academic lives.
Teen focus group participants reported that local school libraries are “small
and ill-equipped,” and that while Casa Roble High School has a relatively large
library, materials are scarce and/or “out-of-date.” However, only one-fourth of
surveyed teens said they use the Orangevale Library to do their homework;
19% said that they use reference materials at the public library, and 16% said
that they use the public library for research. At a public community meeting,
participants stressed the need for a place for students to go after school. This
need is likely to grow in the wake of California’s recent budget troubles, which
has led to cutbacks in funding, staffing, and hours of operation of school libraries
in Orangevale.
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Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
Increased access to computers is needed to support middle and high school
academics in Orangevale. Over 20% of teens who completed a survey said that
they use the library in order to access the Internet, and 44% said that the library
should emphasize computers. Teen focus group participants reported that their
middle and high school coursework includes a significant amount of work on
computers. Some students do not have access to computers outside of school, a
problem that will become more difficult to overcome as schools cut back their
library programs and after-hours access. Other students who do have home
computers may lack Internet access and/or the necessary software applications
for completing their schoolwork.
Along with access to computers, teens need training in computer skills. While
more and more teachers at the middle school level require papers and homework
to be typed or word processed, a class on computers and applications is not
available to all Orangevale students until freshman year in high school. One
teen focus group participant remarked that, “most kids go into high school with
only whatever [computer skills] they’ve managed to pick up along the way.”
Other teen needs include:
§
§
§
A teen volunteer program, for teens who need to fulfill volunteer
requirements for school as well as for those who simply wish to get
involved in their local library. Teens reported a particular interest in
helping patrons who need assistance using the computers or finding
resources in the library, and helping younger students with homework.
Standardized test-preparation programs for the SAT, AP, and ACT
exams.
Programs to encourage recreational reading among teens.
Last, but far from least, teens in Orangevale have social needs that have the
strong potential to be met in a new public library. Orangevale does not offer a
centrally located place that teens can call their own, where they can gather
informally and not be in the way of scheduled programs or conflicting uses.
While the Orangevale Community Center is well-located, it lacks an informal
lounge that teens (or community residents in general) can use on a drop-in
basis. When presented with the idea of a dedicated teen space, one high school
focus group participant replied that “a teen area [at the library] sounds really
good.”
Teens’ academic support needs are described in more detail in Section D of this
chapter. Needs and space requirements for a teen area at the library are discussed
in more detail in Section F of this chapter and Chapter 9 of this report,
respectively.
Section 20440(d)(2)
39
Teens hanging out at the
Orangevale Community Center.
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
Services for Adults
Very few Orangevale residents work within the community itself, which lacks
a significant business district or employment opportunities. The majority of
the working population has daily commutes to other areas of the Sacramento
metropolitan area. These commutes have gotten longer in recent years, because
traffic through Orangevale has increased as a result of the housing boom in
areas north and east of the community. Census 2000 data indicate that more
than 40% of Orangevale residents travel 30 minutes or more to work each day.
These commuters and other busy residents of Orangevale report that they have
particular needs for expanded library access.
The large commuter population indicates a need for access among working
adults in Orangevale to a wider selection of audio materials that they can enjoy
in their cars. Nearly 40% of survey respondents age 18-64 said that they borrow
tapes or CDs from the library. Adult library patrons in Orangevale also have a
strong interest in best sellers and videos to enjoy in their free time.
Adults who spend much of their time at work, or commuting to and from, also
need improved access to the library outside of regular business hours. Expanded
hours and days of operation was one of the most frequently requested service
needs among survey respondents (63%), and the need for improved evening
and weekend availability was expressed by participants at every opportunity.
Online access to the public library catalog and the ability to place holds and
have materials delivered to the local library branch is especially important for
busy adults who have little time to browse the shelves. A convenient way to
pick up holds as well as to easily return them is also needed. The community’s
need for improved remote access to the library is described in more detail in
Section C of this chapter.
Orangevale parents requested adult programs scheduled simultaneously with
children’s programs, so that they could enjoy the adult programs without
worrying about their children roaming the library unsupervised. Parents who
homeschool their children also reported that orientation programs to introduce
people to the library and available resources would be particularly useful for
families new to the area and/or new to homeschooling.
Services for Seniors
Seniors rely on the library to
provide a range of materials in
a variety of formats. Orangevale
seniors also need increased
programming,
volunteer
opportunities, and technology
training.
In 2000, seniors made up 11% of the Orangevale population, up from 9% in
1990. As the community’s significant baby boomer contingent moves into its
golden years, the number and proportion of senior residents in Orangevale will
only increase. The library needs to take special care to address the particular
collection and service needs of its older patrons.
40
Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
In focus groups and the public meeting, Orangevale seniors reported a strong
interest in “fun” materials, with particular emphasis on biographies, history
and historical fiction, Western novels, and educational and entertainment videos/
DVDs. While senior focus group participants reported that the library should
keep classic literature available, nearly half of survey respondents age 65 or
older reported that they regularly use the library to borrow best sellers. In fact,
seniors specifically requested that the library add more copies of new releases
and best sellers for people living on fixed incomes to enjoy. They also reported
that the library should add new releases to the collection more quickly. Seniors
(and others with vision difficulties) reported the need for more materials in
appropriate formats, such as large print or audio versions; nearly one-fourth of
senior survey respondents said that they use large print materials at the library.
Seniors in Orangevale also have an interest in meaningful activities that impart
a sense of purpose to participants. Several senior focus group participants had
taken great pleasure in repairing books at the branch library in Sylvan Oaks,
but the extremely limited space in the current leased storefront library branch
in Orangevale prevents them from continuing their repair work. They also
reported that seniors could be valuable resources for the library in teaching
children about books in general, including how to care for the physical volumes
and the joys of reading.
Seniors are interested in learning about the technologies that can open new
doors to information, recreation, and communication with distant friends and
relatives. Two-thirds of senior survey respondents said that the library should
emphasize computer training. Seniors and other residents of the community
with limited funds look to the library to provide computer access and skills
training.
Seniors in Orangevale also are interested in programs such as travelogues that
allow them to learn about places and cultures that they may not be able to
experience firsthand due to financial or mobility limitations. Book clubs would
offer another opportunity for socializing and sharing a lifelong love of reading.
Special Needs Patrons
Orangevale residents report a need for literacy and numeration help, with a
focus on increasing self-sufficiency and the chances of success among all
community members. A study of literacy conducted by Portland State University
supports the community’s assertion, indicating that 11% of Orangevale residents
have difficulty with basic reading and writing skills. The Orangevale chapter
of Rotary has been heavily involved with the local literacy effort, providing
both direct tutoring at the elementary school level and training for high school
students who wish to tutor younger children. Space appropriate for tutoring is
hard to find, especially as budget difficulties force schools to cut back on access
to their facilities outside regular school hours. Literacy efforts for adults and
older children also require materials on topics of high interest but written at
levels appropriate for less skilled readers.
Section 20440(d)(2)
41
“Orangevale should have its own
community library.”
“A big, attractive library would be
well-used and promote literacy.”
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
Also in need of increased self-sufficiency are the increasing numbers of foreignborn immigrants in Orangevale, some of whom have difficulty with English or
are entirely linguistically isolated. Residents with language issues have a need
for English language skills, and the library would be the most logical place
within the community to go for ESL tutoring and classes.
“Strengthen a section for the
blind, with help from the state
library.”
The community also has its share of residents with vision impairments and
other disabilities. Many of these residents would benefit from the large print,
audio materials, and other items needed by the Orangevale community in general.
Residents in wheelchairs have special requirements, including accessible
computers and counters for receiving staff assistance.
F. A Gathering Place for the Community
Although it is an unincorporated area of Sacramento County, Orangevale has a
strong sense of community and shared history that rivals that of many longestablished cities. However, the lack of a “downtown” business district or civic
center leaves the community without many places to gather.
A notable exception is the Orangevale Community Center, which is centrallylocated and offers a number of highly popular and well-attended educational
and recreational programs; meetings of local community and civic groups, such
as the Community Planning Advisory Council, are often held at the center as
well. The facility features a large gymnasium and several classroom and meeting
room spaces. For outdoor pursuits, the center offers extensive playfields, a
small open-air theater, and a swimming pool.
However, the Orangevale Community Center lacks a drop-in lounge or other
logical place where residents who are not participating in formal programs can
meet and socialize. While the Orangevale Library has the potential to meet this
need, its current small leased storefront facility limits its ability to be used for
mingling. Even at low levels, talking of any kind carries throughout the space,
disturbing the quiet concentration of patrons trying to read or study, and
discouraging easy conversation among neighbors and friends.
Orangevale needs a place for the community to gather that supplements and
strengthens the valuable resources found at the Orangevale Community Center.
A new library in Orangevale would be the ideal complement to the recreational
programs and services offered at the Community Center. To fulfill this role, the
library would need to be located adjacent to the Community Center, available
on a regular basis, provide space for the community to gather both informally
and for meetings, and offer food and drink.
The current Orangevale Library
occupies a leased storefront unit
in a small strip mall.
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Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
Meeting and Program Space
Ever-increasing demand for meeting and program space at the community center
has led the Orangevale Recreation and Park District to raise rental rates, and
rooms are reserved well in advance. As a result, local businesses, organizations,
and other groups are frequently left looking for alternate places to hold programs
and meetings. The Orangevale Rotary chapter often finds itself holding meetings
in a local restaurant, with members straining to hear each other over the noise
from the kitchen and conversation of dining customers. Demand also exists in
Orangevale for space that can accommodate distance learning courses offered
through local community colleges.
The community needs space to accommodate groups of up to 80 people for
meetings, classes, social gatherings, and other events. Because of the range of
program and gathering needs, this space would need to be flexible in terms of
its layout and furnishings. Many large group activities involve food, and small
kitchen facilities would be needed to support any large meeting space in the
library.
Teen Social Space
Orangevale teens, especially, need a place in the community to call their own.
Much of teenage life is spent looking for social activity that is easily accessible
without a car, as teens without a driver’s license are heavily dependent on adults
for transportation. Even teens who are old enough to drive may not have access
to a car at all times, and thus rely on public transportation, a bicycle, a skateboard,
or just their own two feet in order to get around. In a teen focus group, participants
said that the library would be an excellent place to meet and socialize, especially
for those who cannot yet drive.
Teen focus group participants identified a number of features that would make
the library attractive as a place to gather and meet with their friends. These
included a place of their own within the library – a separate space designated
just for teens, where they could congregate without disturbing other library
patrons. Ideally, the space would feel like a “cross between a living room and
an archive,” with information and computers in an open, informal environment.
Comfort is a critical component of an appealing teen gathering space. When
asked what qualities should be emphasized at the library, the number one answer
among teenage survey respondents was “lounge seating” (60%). Teen focus
group participants requested comfortable and flexible seating, such as bean
bag chairs or window seats, that would enable them to reconfigure the space as
needed to easily accommodate groups of different sizes for socializing or
studying – which can happen simultaneously with teens.
Section 20440(d)(2)
43
The meeting room at the current
leased storefront Orangevale
Library branch is also used for
storage and workspace for
shelvers.
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
Orangevale teens enjoying a
slice.
Music plays an important role in many teens’ social lives, and Orangevale teens
are no exception. Nearly half of teen survey respondents reported that the library
should emphasize audiovisual materials, including tapes and CDs. Teen focus
group participants said they enjoy sharing music with their friends, and felt
that the ability to play CDs would “definitely” enhance a teen area at the library,
and even attract teens who have not visited the library before. Some participants
also noted a need in the community for a place where teens could practice
playing musical instruments – from violins to electric guitars – either individually
or in groups; this may be a use that could be accommodated at the Orangevale
Community Center, if the current high demand for meeting room space there
could be alleviated through the provision of sufficient space for group gatherings
at the library. Access to a collection of sheet music also is of interest to teens in
the community.
Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Library is an important organization that promotes community
support for the library, fiscal and otherwise. Currently, the group’s most
prominent activities are its monthly sidewalk sales and larger annual sales of
books donated by the community. The Friends also operate a small kiosk of
sale items on an ongoing basis in the current Orangevale Library. In a focus
group, the Friends reported that Orangevale community members donate many
books – far too many to be kept in the small leased Orangevale Library facility.
One of the Friends’ members has generously allowed the group to store boxes
of books in a warehouse associated with his private business; however, this
requires a significant transportation effort at sale time. Because there is no
space at the current library facility for receiving or sorting the books efficiently,
boxes must be unpacked and packed repeatedly in order to arrange a good
selection for each sale. The Friends need both storage and work space in the
library to support their sales activities.
Refreshments
“We deserve a large,
proper place at last.”
Community members repeatedly expressed the desire for a place to purchase
and enjoy refreshments in the library. Nearly 30% of all survey respondents –
including 58% of teen respondents – said that a new library for Orangevale
should contain a café. Focus group and public meeting participants were very
enthusiastic about having a place in the library where they could sit and sip
coffee while reading, using the computer, or chatting with friends. While some
residents were hesitant due to the possibility of spills in the library or on its
materials, there was major support for the idea of an outdoor balcony or patio
where they could bring their drinks and snacks.
While teen focus group participants reported that they would enjoy access to
vending machines, they preferred the “human interaction” that a staffed coffee
or snack bar could provide. Adult community members reported that although
44
Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
a staffed coffee bar or coffee cart-type operation would be preferable, simply
having the ability to purchase snacks or beverages would be a welcome prospect.
Community Information
Another component of the need in Orangevale is for information about the
community, which was requested by more than one-fifth of survey respondents.
There is a strong opportunity for the library to step into the role of a central
source for information about the community, from available local services to
upcoming activities and programs. Of course, readily-accessible information
about the library’s own programs, services, and hours are needed as well.
G. Improved Operational Efficiency
Navigating the library can present a challenge for frequent and infrequent patrons
alike. Some Orangevale residents report that the Dewey Decimal system can
be a barrier for patrons who are unfamiliar with its classification structure or
the logic behind it. For those timid about using computers, the online catalog
system has left them wondering how to find the materials they need. Even for
people familiar with computers, using an online system to locate and place
holds on materials outside of the physical branch can be an intimidating prospect.
When presented with so many challenges to finding what they need, patrons
often turn to staff for answers. However, the current leased facility presents
many operational inefficiencies that reduce the amount of time staff have
available for helping patrons. This increased demand for staff time can cause
long lines and wait times for other patrons who need to check out materials or
ask questions of their own. Some patrons may end up frustrated; others may
choose to frequent a different library or even give up entirely. Making the library
as easy as possible to use for both staff and patrons is a critical part of providing
efficient, quality service to the Orangevale community.
Helping Staff Help Patrons
Staff are a key resource for educating patrons about the library and helping
them get the most out of each library visit. In an open-ended survey question
asking what patrons like best about the current library branch in Orangevale,
the top answer was the staff and excellent service they provide. One respondent
said, “I appreciate the help and support from the staff, even their accommodation
when we go in close to closing [time].”
Unfortunately, the leased storefront facility currently occupied by Orangevale
Library does not offer the modern operational efficiencies that would allow
staff to “get out from behind the desk” and help patrons find what they need.
Patrons currently cannot check out materials or access holds except at the staff
Section 20440(d)(2)
45
The lack of self check-out or other
operational tools to promote
independent use of the current
Orangevale Library keeps staff
“tied” to the desk.
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
desk. Thus, at least one staff member frequently must remain behind the
circulation desk, or very close by. Perhaps a “silver lining” of the tiny size of
Orangevale’s current library facility is that staff are prevented from ever getting
too far from the desk! Self check-out facilities, prominently located and with
clear instructions, would go a long way in freeing staff from the circulation
desk.
Educating Patrons About the Library
But even in a facility that maximizes the amount of time that library staff can
spend assisting patrons, it is unlikely that library staff – including in Orangevale
– would ever have enough time to be able to educate each and every individual
who walked through the door. Library patrons in Orangevale want to be able to
find what they are looking for easily, without feeling the need to “bother” staff.
“I appreciate the help and
support from the staff, even their
accommodation when we go in
close to closing [time].”
“Thanks for your nice,
friendly help.”
A system for training volunteers to help patrons find their way around the library
would be a valuable tool, not only for librarygoers but also for Orangevale
residents looking for rewarding volunteer opportunities in the community.
Participants in the teen focus group expressed special interest in learning how
to help others to use the library. They felt that helping patrons use computers or
teaching newcomers how to navigate the library would be attractive volunteer
opportunities for teens in the Orangevale community. Volunteers also could be
trained to help patrons learn to use a self check-out system.
Making sections, collections, and library components easily visible from the
entrance would contribute greatly to fostering independent use of the library. A
number of community members mentioned the potential benefits of the display
and organizational strategies currently used by popular large chain bookstores.
Grouping – and clearly labeling – the collection by topic or area of interest
(such as history, travel, “how-to,” and the like) would help many library visitors
quickly identify the section they wish to browse. Creative use of displays, such
as for new or high-interest items, also could help patrons find what they need.
A library orientation program to welcome people to the library would also be
beneficial. Participants would include people with relatively little library
experience as well as more sophisticated library users new to the branch. Such
a program would allow newcomers to learn about the library’s programs, meet
staff, and become familiar with the online catalog and methods of accessing
the greater library system’s collection.
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Section 20440(d)(2)
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
Staff Efficiency
The ease with which staff can receive, check in, sort, and reshelve returns is a
major component of staffing efficiency in libraries. The more steps required,
the longer it will take staff to process returns, and the longer patrons must wait
for items to be back on the shelves. At the current Orangevale Library, processing
returns is a multi-step process that consumes staff time, reducing their ability
to help patrons.
The single outdoor book drop bin and the lack of interior drops are one
shortcoming of the current Orangevale Library that reduces the ability of staff
to spend time helping patrons. Patrons who return books inside the library have
no option but to leave them at the circulation desk, which is small and crowded.
The outdoor bin not only requires staff to spend time collecting materials and
transporting them back to the work room for sorting, but also prevents the
implementation of any type of meaningful rough-sorting system. A book drop
with rough-sort capacity that deposited materials directly into the staff work
room would make the process of getting items back on the shelf much more
efficient. A good sorting strategy would be to provide separate drops for adult
and children’s materials, and a third drop for audiovisual materials.
In addition to rough-sorting capacity, Orangevale Library staff need access to
an appropriate and efficient work space for checking in and more-finely sorting
materials onto carts for reshelving. At the current facility, checking in takes
place either at the circulation desk or in the staff work room, both of which are
too small to handle any significant volume of returned materials. After checking
in, the library’s only meeting room is often pressed into service for sorting,
taking the room out of commission until sorting is completed.
A more efficient space and process for handling returns would not only free
staff to spend more time providing excellent customer service, but also provide
patrons with better access to the popular materials that might otherwise sit in
the back room, delayed and unavailable for customers.
Section 20440(d)(2)
47
The outdoor book drop bin at the
current Orangevale Library does
not allow for efficient sorting and
reshelving operations.
ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
SERVICE NEEDS
48
Section 20440(d)(2)
SERVICE LIMITATIONS
7. SERVICE LIMITATIONS OF EXISTING LIBRARY
The people of Orangevale have no permanent library of their own. The current
branch operates out of a leased facility that is not under the permanent control
of the Sacramento Public Library, the County of Sacramento, or the community
of Orangevale. The ability of facility management to change the terms of the
lease or deny its renewal altogether means that the current Orangevale Library
is only “on loan” to the community.
Space at the current leased
Orangevale Library facility is very
crowded. The Friends’ book sale
kiosk blocks access to the copier,
and both block access to the
adjacent collection shelving.
Section 20440(d)(2)
49
SERVICE LIMITATIONS
50
Section 20440(d)(2)
PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS
8. PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS OF EXISTING LIBRARY
The current Orangevale Library operates out of a small leased storefront facility.
Its small size prevents the provision of all but the most basic services. The lack
of a facility under the permanent control of the Sacramento Public Library has
caused the library to move frequently in the past; one community member
referred to it as a “library on wheels.” Whether due to the facility’s small size,
its lack of parking, or the historically transient nature of the branch, many
Orangevale residents have chosen to frequent libraries in other communities.
Others may not even know about the existing branch; according to one survey
respondent, “it’s possible that some people don’t know this library is here.”
Section 20440(d)(2)
51
What little seating is available at
the current leased Orangevale
Library is uncomfortably
crowded, and blocks access to
the collection.
PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS
52
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
9. SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Through focus groups, public meetings, interviews, and a survey of community
members, the need for a new, larger library for Orangevale was clearly
demonstrated. Based on the needs of the community and on system guidelines
approved by the Sacramento Public Library, it is estimated that approximately
15,000 gross square feet of library space will be needed to provide library
services to Orangevale through 2020. This chapter describes the major collection,
service, and space components of this total need.
This total facility size will provide space not only to meet the seating, meeting
space, technology, and workspace needs of Orangevale residents and library
staff, but also for the creation of the different service areas that the current
Orangevale Library simply cannot accommodate. The creation of distinct adult,
teen, and children’s spaces in the library, along with much-needed meeting,
technology, and staff space, will greatly enhance the provision of service to,
and better meet the needs articulated by, the Orangevale community.
“What is a community without
a thriving, fully functioning
public library? It’s a pretty
desolate, barren, totally uncool
place to be.” – Dawn Turner
Trice, columnist, Chicago
Tribune, March 31, 2003
Children’s Library
Currently, the leased storefront unit occupied by the Orangevale Library does
not provide enough space to allocate more than a corner to children. A separate,
dedicated space in the library for children was requested repeatedly by
community residents in focus groups, interviews, public meetings, and surveys.
When asked what qualities should be emphasized in a new library, 43% percent
of survey respondents selected “a dedicated children’s area” from a multiple
choice list; in an open-ended question asking what features or qualities they
would include in a new library, the number one response was a separate children’s
space. Clearly, a large children’s library area is needed for Orangevale, with
enough separation from other areas of the library so as to reduce the noise and
activity typically associated with younger patrons.
A separate volume, an entrance “portal,” or some other design element is needed
to communicate the transition between adult areas and children’s areas in the
library. The children’s library should emphasize display and other “fun” elements
that, along with books, instill a love of the library in children from the very
earliest ages. Within the space, there is a need for an area for preschool children
up to the age of six, and another area for children who are between seven and
12 years old. However, circulation and visibility between these two areas must
be clear and unobstructed, especially for families trying to supervise several
children of different ages. Both areas should be distinctively designed, scaled,
and furnished for use by children.
The children’s area at the current
leased storefront Orangevale
Library is simply one corner of
the main (and only) public space.
Section 20440(d)(2)
53
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
The children’s library should house the entire children’s collection, as well as
computers and seating appropriate for youth of all ages. Although it is anticipated
that large storytimes could be held in the community room, an open space within
the children’s area that could accommodate smaller storytimes would provide
added flexibility. The collection, seating, and technology needs associated with
the children’s library are described in further detail in Sections A, B, and C of
this chapter, respectively.
Teen Center
Teen focus group participants
Teens have a special need for a place of their own in the library. In focus groups,
teens reported that academics are a big part of their lives. They require access
to materials and space to support their homework, research, group project, and
study needs. On the survey conducted for this study, 40% of teen respondents
said that the library should provide study space, and over one-fifth of respondents
in general requested educational support for youth. Especially now that school
budgets are uncertain, materials and space at the school library may become
less available.
But teens in Orangevale are also in rather desperate need of a place “to go to”
in the community, which has no downtown or civic area. Many teens head for
the Orangevale Community Center, which is centrally located and close to many
schools. However, unless they are participating in specific programs, there is
little space at the Community Center for teens to congregate informally. In
pleasant weather, teens sometimes gather in the small open-air theater on the
Community Center’s north side.
Based on these needs and the desire of the Sacramento Public Library to provide
excellent service to teens in Orangevale, a discrete teen area within the library
is recommended. The space must be appropriate for a range of activities,
including reading, studying, browsing the Young Adult collection, using
computers and audiovisual viewing/listening stations, and socializing. Seating
is needed in a variety of styles: at desks or tables, at a high counter, and in
comfortable lounge chairs; bean bags were suggested by teen focus group
participants for maximum flexibility (refer to Section B for specific teen seating
needs). The teen area also should provide several public access computers (refer
to Section C of this chapter for more detail).
Adult Service Areas
Adults and seniors in Orangevale have significant collection, seating, and
technology needs that cannot be met in the current tiny Orangevale Library.
The materials must all be shelved together regardless of category, staff cannot
highlight new and popular materials, and none of the collection segments has
sufficient depth to meet patrons’ reference, research, academic, and recreation
reading needs. The layout of the facility limits seating to a small group of tables
54
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
and lounge chairs, located just a few feet from both the children’s section and
the circulation desk; no quiet seating is available. Demand for the few public
access computers is heavy; when all computers are in use, other patrons are
unable to search the online catalog.
The Orangevale Library must provide space not only for a collection of sufficient
size, but also to organize it in a clear, logical way that highlights segments such
as new and high interest materials, reference, non-fiction, and periodicals. Space
for adult and senior use must also accommodate a variety of seating, close to
the various collection segments, appropriate for different styles of library use –
from quiet reading to individual or small group work at tables. Public computers
must support patrons’ need to access the electronic catalog and other online
library services as well as their needs for software, database, and Internet
searching tools. The collection, seating, and technology needs associated with
adult and senior library services are described in further detail in Sections A, B,
and C of this chapter, respectively.
A. Library Collection Allocation and Space Needs
The message from Orangevale residents is clear: a larger collection is needed.
When asked what materials should be emphasized at the Orangevale Library,
survey respondents’ number one response – at 64% – was books, followed by
audiovisual materials at 43%. Participants in the public meeting and focus
groups repeatedly described their regrets that the small storefront currently
occupied by the Orangevale Library could not accommodate a larger collection.
Its present collection of just over 29,000 volumes severely limits opportunities
for casual browsing, and often requires patrons looking for a particular item to
place a hold on it and have it delivered to the branch. Community members
report that many of their neighbors (or even they, themselves) have instead
turned to bookstores to meet their browsing, research, listening, and reading
needs.
As the community continues to grow, so will its need for an appropriately-sized
and targeted collection. To meet the need for print, audiovisual, CD-ROM, and
research material needs through 2020, the Orangevale Library should increase
its collection to approximately 50,000 volumes. This is based on the system
guidelines approved by the Sacramento Public Library for new community
libraries, such as SPL’s recently-completed 50,000-volume Franklin Community
Library in Elk Grove. The proportions of collections within this total were
projected based on current use patterns, adjusted to reflect the needs expressed
by community members and to align the collection with current and projected
demographic trends (for example, the anticipated increase in the senior
population in the community by 2020).
Current and proposed collection allocations appear on page 57.
Section 20440(d)(2)
55
The current leased storefront
Orangevale Library is not large
enough to provide separate
areas for the children’s, teen, and
adult collections.
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
As important as it is for Orangevale residents to have an improved collection
that addresses their local needs, it is perhaps even more important that a new
Orangevale Library increase the community’s access to the shared resources of
the entire SPL system. The Orangevale collection would be primarily a popular
collection with some “core” titles, rather than a regional or system-wide resource.
Materials would be selected for high local use, tailored to the needs and interests
of the community, including high demand items such as bestsellers. The
Orangevale collection would be adjusted as needed to meet changing community
needs rather than simply continuing to expand over time. Orangevale residents
will also be able to supplement their local collection by accessing the collections
of all libraries in the SPL system, which currently holds a total of nearly two
million items. Therefore, it is anticipated that an in-house collection of 50,000
books, periodicals, and audiovisual materials will be sufficient to meet the longterm needs of the community of Orangevale.
It is not expected that the full complement of 50,000 volumes would be purchased
in time for the opening of a new library branch for Orangevale. Rather, a smaller
collection (albeit larger than the current collection) would be provided at the
opening of the new facility, and increased to the full 50,000 volumes over time.
The Sacramento Public Library has indicated that the budget for purchasing
books and materials for the Orangevale Library, currently at approximately
$29,000, will need to be increased to approximately $50,000 in order to purchase
an opening day collection for an expanded Orangevale Library facility.
Children’s Collection Needs
The Orangevale community values its children, and the Sacramento Public
Library is committed to supporting elementary and secondary students as well
as their preschool predecessors. Of the projected print collection, over 40%
(22,175 volumes) represent materials to meet the needs of children in the
community. The children’s section of the library must be sized to accommodate
the entire children’s collection.
There is a need to emphasize easy readers and juvenile non-fiction in the
children’s collection. Approximately one-fourth of children’s print materials
are expected to be in circulation at a time, on average. Although the children’s
multimedia collection needs are proportionately smaller than adults’ needs for
these materials, about 30% of the children’s AV collection is expected to be in
circulation at any given time.
Narrow aisles at the current
Orangevale Library are required
in order to fit as many volumes
as possible into the tiny space.
The collection simply cannot be
enlarged to meet the
community’s needs.
Adult and Teen Collection Needs
The adult collection at the Orangevale Library needs to increase by over 75%,
and the teen collection needs to nearly double in order to meet the needs of the
community through 2020. Both the adult and teen fiction collections should be
increased, with strong emphasis on the “fun” reading requested by so many
Orangevale residents – mysteries, science fiction and fantasy, short stories, and
56
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
CURRENT AND PROPOSED COLLECTION
CURRENT
Collection % Coll Circulation % Circ Turnover Collection
PROPOSED
% Coll Increase % Increase
ADULT COLLECTIONS
Miscellaneous
Languages
Languages-Paperback
Best Sellers/New Books-Face Out
Best Sellers/New Books
Paperback
Fiction Total
Large Print
Adult Non-Fiction & Biographies
Reference
Reference Total
AV
Cassettes-Music
CD-ROM
Spoken Word--Cassette or CD
DVD
Videocassettes (all ages)
CDs
AV Total
Adult Total
CHILDREN'S COLLECTIONS
J Fic Easy
J Fiction
J Non-Fiction & Biographies
Reference - Homework Support
J Languages (Inc. Paper)
J Paperback
Parent Collection
Audiovisual
Music Cassettes
Talking Books/Media Kits
Talking Books
Media Kits
DVD
CD ROMs
CDs
Audiovisual Total
Children's Total
TEEN COLLECTIONS
Teen Non-Fiction
Teen Paperback
Teen Fiction
CDs
Teen Total
TOTAL BOOKS/AV
135
7
128
2,624
4,300
490
6,258
0.46%
0.02%
8.87%
14.53%
1.66%
21.15%
222
12
128
1
14,950
1,589
11,941
0.30%
0.02%
0.00%
19.98%
2.12%
15.96%
1.64
1.71
400
0.80%
393
5614%
0.00
3.53
3.24
1.91
30
270
3,000
7,225
750
9,000
0.06%
0.54%
6.00%
14.45%
1.50%
18.00%
30
270
376
5,410
260
2,742
NA
NA
14%
128%
53%
44%
200
0.40% NA
NA
21
100
1,750
1,050
986
688
249
1,944
15,886
6.57%
53.25%
12,923
41,638
17.28%
55.66%
6.65
4,460
2,056
3,759
15.07%
6.95%
12.70%
19,124
5,763
5,343
25.56%
7.70%
7.14%
4.29
2.80
1.42
358
1,536
1.21%
5.19%
101
0.14%
0.28
300
12,469
1.01%
42.79%
1,886
32,217
2.52%
43.07%
750
3,650
24,525
4.18%
100.00%
952
74,808
1.27%
100.00%
6.29
0.77
2.53
PERIODICALS
Adult newspapers and magazines
Teen
Children's
Section 20440(d)(2)
137%
76%
12.00%
7.65%
15.50%
1,540
2,244
3,991
35%
109%
106%
0.60%
5.00%
0.40%
(58)
964
200
-16%
63%
NA
150
250
600
150
300
1,450
22,175
2.90% 1,250
42.25% 10,131
417%
106%
500
2,000
500
300
3,300
50,000
1.00%
4.00%
1.00%
0.60%
6.60% 2,102
100.00% 20,407
170%
69%
6,000
3,825
7,750
150
300
2,500
200
11
794
433
1,238
29,593
7.30% 2,656
49.05% 12,137
50
12
6
57
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
westerns, which enjoy the highest turnover rate (3.53) of Orangevale’s collection.
However, there also is a strong need for an increase in non-fiction materials,
such as biographies and history, which are just behind the fiction collection in
turnover rate (3.24).
A healthy multimedia collection also is needed, with particular focus on audio
books in CD format. The collection should increase its emphasis on music CDs
and films on DVD, which were requested many times by community members
– especially teens, who enjoy watching and listening to popular titles, and senior
adults, who reported that they look for documentaries, BBC and arts programs,
travelogues, and classic movies. Based on circulation rates for these materials
at the current Orangevale Library, it is anticipated that portions of the adult
print and multimedia collections would have circulation rates of up to 40% at a
time.
Orangevale residents suggested that a variety of shelving and display types
would not only make things easier to find, but also pique the curiosity of
librarygoers. Face-out display shelving, similar to that found in bookstores,
should be used to house new books and other high interest items. Flip-through
bins like those used in retail record and video stores would allow library patrons
to more easily browse through the CD and DVD collections.
Although the Orangevale Library should provide a separate teen center, the
teen collection need not be kept entirely separate from adult materials. The
primary purpose of the teen center is to provide a welcoming place to work,
study, and socialize for young adults, whose style of library use can differ
significantly from that of other user groups. The teen collection will also contain
materials of interest to patrons of many age groups; for example, younger patrons
reading at accelerated levels may look to the teen collection for certain academic
or recreational reading materials. As such, the majority of the teen collection
should not be entirely discrete from the adult collection, although items that
are of highest interest to teens (certain CDs, DVDs, periodicals, paperbacks,
and the like) may be offered within the teen center.
Collection Space Needs
“I think that one day all
libraries will be big and great!”
The table on page 59 shows the allocation of the projected collection need,
with the anticipated percent of materials in circulation, the number of volumes
expected to be on the shelf at any given time, and conversion factors for types
of shelving and amounts of square feet required for the collection. Square
footages associated with shelving include an allowance for circulation among
the stacks, and are based on data from Libris DESIGN.
58
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
COLLECTION SPACE NEEDS
Vol.
No.
% in
on
Vol./
Vol. Circ. Shelf
LF
Shelf Type
ADULT/TEEN
Books
Fiction
International Languages
Large Print
Mysteries
New Books
New Books (Face Out)
Non-Fiction
Paperbacks
Ready Reference
Reference
Short Stories, Science
Fiction & Westerns
Teen
Teen Paperbacks
Multimedia
Audio Book CD (CD ROM)
Audio Compact Disc (CD)
CD-ROM
DVD
Teen Audio Compact Disc
(CD)
Periodicals
Current Magazines
Current Newspapers
Teen Current Magazines
4,500
400
750
1,750
270
30
9,000
3,000
25
175
20%
25%
20%
25%
0%
0%
15%
40%
0%
0%
3,600
300
600
1,313
270
30
7,650
1,800
25
175
8
14
8
8
8
1
8
16
6
6
975 20%
1,000 40%
2,000 40%
780
600
1,200
1,750
750
100
1,050
20%
40%
25%
30%
1,400
450
75
735
300 35%
195
46
4
12
CHILDREN/JUVENILE COLLECTIONS
Books
Children's Easy Readers
6,000
Children's Paperbacks
2,500
Homework
150
Juvenile Fiction
3,825
Juvenile International
Languages
300
Juvenile Non-Fiction
7,750
Parent/Teacher Books
200
Multimedia
Audio Compact Disc (CD)
300
CD-ROM
150
Children's Audio Book CD
150
DVD
600
Media Kit (Audio Cassette
W/ Book)
250
Periodicals
Children's Current
Magazines
6
Sections
Needed
84"/10sh
66"/10sh
66"/4sh
84"/14sh
58" display
58" display
84"/12sh
66" rotor
45"/3sh
66"/8sh
SF/
Section
SF
11
1
7
4
3
2
27
7
1
2
20
20
12
20
23
23
20
12
12
20
220
20
84
80
69
46
540
84
12
40
8 84"/14sh
12 66"/10sh
16 66" rotor
3
2
3
20
20
18
60
40
54
25
25
25
25
5
2
1
3
12
18
0
18
60
36
54
1
18
18
6
1
2
14
22
14
84
22
28
66"/4sh
flip browser
flip browser
flip browser
25 66" rotor
0%
0%
0%
46
4
12
1 66"/3sh mag
1 66"/4sh news
1 66"/3sh mag
30%
25%
0%
30%
4,200
1,875
150
2,677
20
16
8
13
45"/6sh
66" rotor
45"/3sh
66"/10sh
12
7
3
7
18
12
12
20
216
84
36
140
20%
25%
25%
240
5,813
150
26 66"/10sh
13 66"/8sh
8 66"/8sh
1
19
1
20
20
20
20
380
20
30%
30%
30%
30%
210
105
105
420
25
25
10
25
1
1
1
2
18
0
12
18
18
12
36
30%
175
12 66"/8sh
1
20
20
0%
6
1 45"/2sh
1
12
12
flip browser
flip browser
66"/5sh
flip browser
TOTAL COLLECTION SPACE NEEDS
Section 20440(d)(2)
2,645
59
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
B. Reader Seating Needs
The Sacramento Public Library has approved a set of system guidelines
recommending that new community libraries provide a minimum of 100 reader
seats in addition to chairs in meeting rooms, small group rooms, or computer
stations. It is anticipated that a library for Orangevale will need approximately
107 reader seats to accommodate the wide range of activities identified by
community residents, such as reading, working, and studying. Community
members expressed the need for a variety of reader seating styles in order to
accommodate the need for different uses in the library, including family reading
as well as quiet reading, and work/study in small groups as well as individually.
Seating needs include tables for up to four persons, individual work/study carrels,
and comfortable lounge chairs and sofas. Counter seating may also be provided,
as it offers the flexibility to be used by one or many people at a time.
Input from the Orangevale community suggests that reader seating should be
distributed throughout the library rather than concentrated in one or two large
areas. Almost no one in the community complained about actually being
disturbed by others while trying to work or read quietly in the library; this may
be because patrons understand that the rented storefront library branch now in
Orangevale is too small to offer any acoustic separation for different uses, and/
or because those patrons who found themselves bothered by the noise simply
choose to go elsewhere to read. However, a number of focus group and
participants said that they worry about disturbing others, such as when browsing
books with their children or asking staff for assistance. Seating scattered
throughout the facility will address these concerns, making it easier for patrons
to find a place with the right amount of noise and activity.
Seating and tables distributed throughout the collection also will enable patrons
to enjoy the prospect of impromptu browsing, as the availability of seating
nearby is much more preferable to trudging off to find a seat in a single central
reading area with an armload of books. This also has the additional benefit of
allowing patrons to leave their unwanted items closer to the shelves from which
they were pulled, potentially reducing the number of books left piled on tables
and easing the burden of reshelving for staff.
There is a strong desire in the community for a place where patrons could sit
outside and enjoy the good weather and views, such as of the mountains to the
east. A deck, patio, or courtyard would provide outdoor seating where people
could read, sip coffee, and converse with their friends – a highly attractive
prospect for residents of Orangevale, who value both their neighbors and the
lovely environment that surrounds the community. The outdoor space should
be supplemented by a comfortable “living room” or lounge-type space within
the library where patrons can chat quietly. This space should be located away
from quieter areas so that socializing does not disturb those who are trying to
read or study. Preferably this space would be light, pleasant, and attractive,
with a central focal element such as a piece of art and/or good views to the
outside.
60
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
The total number of reader seats needed for a new library in Orangevale is
summarized in the table below.
Space
Adult Browsing
Adult Fiction
Adult Non-Fiction
Adult Periodicals
Children's Library
Lobby
Preschool Area
Teen Area
Total
READER SEATS
(not including meeting or computer seats)
Reader
Carrel
Table
Lounge
Seats
Seats
Seats
Special Seating
-
2
4
6
8
16
2
24
20
70
4
4
Total
Seats
2 juvenile lounge chairs
2 two person benches
4 juvenile lounge chairs
3 stools at high counter
13
4
2
4
18
4
12
18
6
30
4
6
27
107
The amount of space required for each type of seating includes the footprint of
the seat and an allowance for circulation around it. For seats at tables or carrels,
the space allocation is calculated for the table or carrel, including the associated
chair(s). Space allocation for seating at a counter is included in the allocation
for the counter itself. For freestanding seats such as lounge chairs and benches,
the amount of space needed includes the footprint of the seat as well as an
allowance for circulation around it. Applying the conversion factor to each
type of seating then results in the total amount of square footage needed for
reader seating in each area of the library. The following table describes the
square footage required for each type of seating, and the total space required
for reader seating in the library.
READER SEATS: SPACE NEEDS, BY TYPE
Conversion
Factor
No.
Type of Seat
Bench, two-person
Lounge chair
Lounge chair, large
Lounge chair, juvenile
Lounge chair, preschool
Reader's carrel, adult
Reader's carrel, juvenile
Reader's table, four-person
Reader's table, medium, four-person
Reader's table, large, four-person
Reader's table, one-person
Counter w/ stools
Total
14
30
35
25
20
40
30
80
85
100
35
60
Section 20440(d)(2)
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
2
4
14
2
4
2
4
10
3
4
2
1
Total
28
120
490
50
80
80
120
800
255
400
70
60
2,553
61
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
C. Space for Technology
Technology is an important component of the Orangevale community’s need
for library services. Many community members described the need for increased
access to computers with reliable Internet access and up-to-date software for
data and word processing, research, schoolwork, electronic communication,
and other uses. This section describes the amounts of space associated with the
public’s need for technology – including computers, printers, and photocopiers
– as well as the technology needs of staff.
Public Access Technology
Sacramento Public Library service guidelines recommend that new community
libraries provide a minimum of 40 public access computers, with at least 15 in
a computer lab or classroom. In focus groups and the public meeting, the
Orangevale community expressed the need for vastly increased access to
computers, for activities ranging from quickly checking e-mail to researching
information on the Internet, playing educational games on CD-ROM to
producing lengthy reports for school or work. More than one-fourth of survey
respondents also said that the library should provide more computers. The
community reported the need for sufficient computers to minimize wait times
and lengthen – or even eliminate – time limits that might need to be placed on
their use. In addition, Orangevale residents reported a strong need for computer
and technology training. To meet these needs through 2020, 59 public access
computers should be provided in the library.
Fifteen computers for patrons should be provided in a classroom-style computer
lab to be used for computer instruction and other technology-based
programming. Such a space would require acoustic separation from other library
areas in order to minimize the potential disruption from group instruction. It is
anticipated that for some classes, such as those offered in conjunction with
local elementary or secondary schools, pairs of students will share each
computer, for a total needed capacity of 30 to 32 seated students (including
stations accessible to students with disabilities).
For flexibility, some of the public access computers may be provided in laptop
form rather than as desktop units. Laptop computers can be quickly pressed
into service, such as when the number of students requiring their own machines
in the computer lab exceeds the number of available desktop units; each station
in the computer lab should accommodate sharing – through provision of space,
data feed, and power access – by one desktop computer operator and one observer
or laptop user. When not needed in the computer lab, the laptops could be taken
elsewhere in the facility, such as for technology-based programming in the
community room. At staff discretion, the laptops also could be checked out to
patrons for individual use, should the demand for public computers exceed the
number of computers available (such as during times when many high school
students are working on projects with similar due dates).
62
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
To support this flexibility for laptop use in the library, ample power connections
should be provided at as many seating areas possible. Wireless data access
should be provided throughout the facility, including in the community room.
Such provisions will also support the needs of patrons who wish to bring their
own personal computers, PDAs, or other technology devices to the library.
Up to three of the public access computers should be designated for short-term
use by patrons wishing to search the online catalog, reserve time on a public
computer, or quickly check e-mail. While one such “express” station must
accommodate patrons in a wheelchair, the others should be provided as standup stations to discourage patrons from parking themselves in front of these
express units on a longer-term basis.
The remainder of the public access computers should be generally available
for a variety of patron uses, including word processing, online catalog searches,
Internet research, and e-mail. As with reader seating, public access computers
and their associated printers should be distributed in strategic clusters throughout
the library rather than grouped together in one large area. When not in use for
instruction, the computer lab should be available to handle overflow demand
for public computer access.
All public access computers, including the laptops and express stations, should
provide patrons with standard software (such as office suites with desktop
publishing and spreadsheet applications), network/Internet connections, and
the ability to search the Sacramento Public Library’s online catalog, databases,
and other resources. Some stations may provide additional features, such as
software and headphones for listening to CDs or viewing DVDs.
To facilitate independent use of the library, patrons should be able to check out
their own materials as quickly as possible, without having to go through staff at
the circulation desk. Four self check-out machines should be featured
prominently near the circulation/reference desk, encouraging patrons to try the
machines while providing the reassurance of staff assistance if needed. Shelving
for holds should be adjacent to the self check-out machines. In the future, as
self check-out machines become smaller and more affordable, it may benefit
both patrons and staff to have additional self check-out units available in other
areas of the library, such as closer to the collection and reading areas. It would
therefore be prudent in designing the library facility to provide flexibility in
wiring and power to accommodate this.
The community room needs a ceiling-mounted projector and projection screen.
Technology needs in the community room also include audiovisual equipment
such as microphones, a TV monitor, a VCR, and a DVD player. Wiring for
cable TV and other videoconferencing equipment is needed in the community
room and the computer lab for programs such as distance education courses.
The community room should also be able to accommodate assistive hearing
and viewing devices.
Section 20440(d)(2)
63
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
Other elements of public access technology that would respond to patrons’
library service needs would be an online system, consistent with what is available
at other Sacramento Public Library branches, under which patrons could reserve
time in the meeting or group study rooms, sign up for programs, reserve time
on one of the public access computers, and access online databases and reference
sources.
The table below describes the distribution of public technology needed in the
library, along with the associated area conversion factors and the amount of
square footage needed for public access technology in each functional area.
The area conversion factors for computers and printers, taken from Libris
DESIGN, are associated with the furnishings (counters, technology carrels,
etc.) on which they rest, with an allowance for circulation. For copiers and selfcheck out machines, the area conversion factors are for the units themselves
plus an allowance for circulation.
PUBLIC ACCESS TECHNOLOGY AND SPACE NEEDS
Space
Adult Non-Fiction
Children's Library
Community Room
Small Group Room
Computer Lab
Reference
Express Terminals
Self Check-Out
Teen Area
Total
Computers
SF
Printers
SF
5 desktop
45
1
30
1 ADA desktop
6 desktop
45
40
2 ADA desktop
15 laptop
1 desktop
14 desktop
2 ADA desktop
5 desktop
45
30 (1 cart @ 30 sf)
65 on counter
1
45
2
50
45
30 (1 counter @ 60)
59 computers
30
1
30
-
-
-
-
1
8
64
30
+1 print
manager
300 sf
+1 print
manager
360 sf
30 sf
55
45
1 ADA desktop 45
2 desktop
35
1 ADA desktop 45
1 desktop
1 ADA desktop
2 countertop
2
Other
Technology SF Total SF
-
(included
on counter)
+1 print
manager
770 sf
+1 print
manager
300 sf
65 sf
115 sf
4 self check- 30
out units
30 sf
155 sf
(included
on counter)
4 self checkout units
2,125 sf
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
Staff Technology
Staff work areas will need a variety of equipment and technology, computers,
printers, a fax machine, security system desensitizer/resensitizers, and bar code
readers. Some of this equipment will be located at a circulation/reference desk,
which also needs a cash register.
Technology for staff should be planned and selected to support the community’s
need for independent use of the library. This will require a shift from the current
operational model, under which staff assistance is needed for all patron
transactions, to a new model under which patrons can do many things for
themselves, such as retrieving holds, checking out materials, reserving meeting
or group study rooms, and perhaps even getting a new library card. Rather than
reducing the need for staff in the library, this model will enable personnel to
spend more time helping patrons use the library and find the materials they
need.
Space
Computer Lab
Mobile Reference Station
Service Desk
Branch Manager's Office
Library Technician's Office
Staff Workroom
Telecommunications Room
Total
STAFF TECHNOLOGY NEEDS
Computers
Printers
Other Technology
1 desktop
1 laptop
2 desktop
1 desktop
1 desktop
6 desktop
-
12 computers
-
1
1
1
2
1 print manager
patch panels, computer
racks, routers/switches/
and other equipment
needed to support
technology in the facility
5
Staff technology to support this service goal will include wireless telephone
headsets, which would allow hands-free operation and enable staff to assist
patrons away from the desk without limiting their ability to answer the phone.
The self check-out machines described earlier will remove much of the demand
for staff to spend time checking out books (although staff will likely need to
spend time educating patrons about the equipment until patrons become better
familiar with it).
Power and Data
Power and data supply systems do not necessarily require dedicated space per
se, as they are typically included in the allowance for nonassignable space
(which is described in more detail later in this chapter). However, it must be
emphasized here that the infrastructure of a new library for Orangevale needs
Section 20440(d)(2)
65
Space Needs
Space needs for staff
technology are
associated with the
workstations for each
area. Refer to Section
D of this Chapter for
staff workstation
space needs.
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
to support maximum flexibility for growth and development in technology and
library service provision over time. The facility must allow future changes,
upgrades, and reorganization to occur with a minimum of disruption to library
services or overly intrusive construction. Raised floor systems, wireless data
capability, and minimum Category 6 cabling are all elements of providing for
maximum flexibility.
Patrons who wish to bring their own laptops to the library should be able to
access power and data connections easily. Not only will this increase the level
of service for patrons with their own portable computers, it may also reduce
wait times for the public access computers made available at the library. Tables,
work carrels, lounge chairs, and other furnishings should, wherever possible,
provide patrons with access to power and data connections. Wireless data access
points should be located strategically throughout the facility to ensure good
data access for patrons.
D. Staff Offices and Workstations
Based on the collection, space, and service needs of the community, a new
library in Orangevale would need a full-time branch manager, library technician,
a children’s librarian, and teen librarian, as well as several library assistants
and approximately 40 hours of shelving assistance per week. Sacramento Public
Library-approved guidelines for staff workspace provisions include one private
office for each supervisorial position, one workstation for each full-time staff
and every two part-time staff, and at least two additional flexible workspaces
for volunteer use or future staff growth. The staff workroom must accommodate
most of the staff technology and equipment (such as fax machines, bar code
readers, shared printers, and the like) required for library operations. An
associated storage/supply room is also needed.
Staff also require appropriate work space in public areas of the library.
Circulation and reference services should be provided together at a single public
service desk that can accommodate up to three staff at a time. A computer
workspace is needed in the computer lab for use by an instructor. A moveable
reference stand, with space for a laptop computer, would allow reference staff
to easily relocate and work wherever needed in the library.
The Friends of the Library need space in which to store and process the large
number of books donated each year by Orangevale community members. A
storage and work area is needed to accommodate 40 boxes of books plus shelves
for sorting and a work table. This Friends work area needs to be near the main
staff workroom, as library staff will likely be responsible for receiving and
initial processing of donated materials.
66
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
STAFF WORKSPACE NEEDS
Space
Computer Lab
Mobile Reference Station
Service Desk
Branch Manager's Office
Library Technician's Office
Staff Workroom
Friends Work Area
Delivery Area
Total
Furniture & Equipment
Conversion
Factor
1 instructor station w/chair
1 movable reference station w/stool
1 supply counter
1 45" shelf unit
1 circulation desk
1 reference desk
1 desk
1 credenza
2 66" shelf units
1 file cabinet
2 visitor's chairs
1 desk
1 credenza
2 66" shelf units
2 visitor's chairs
2 workstations, librarian
1 circulation check-in counter
2 clerical counter
3 workstations, clerical
1 supply counter
3 book bins, depressible
1 AV bin, depressible
3 45" shelf units
2 84" shelf units
10 book trucks
1 recycling bin
1 work counter
3 66" shelf units
storage space for 40 boxes
1 counter
50
50
55
12
80
80
65
30
12
20
15
65
30
12
15
60
65
60
55
55
20
20
18
12
10
15
40
12
40
60
E. Meeting Room Requirements
Community Room
Space to come together for meetings and public gatherings was one of the
major needs expressed by the community throughout the focus groups,
interviews, and public meetings. To meet this need, the Orangevale Library
should provide a large community room that can accommodate 80 meeting
attendees in auditorium-style seating. This is consistent with guidelines approved
by the Sacramento Public Library that require a large meeting room with a
minimum capacity of 70 people in each new community library.
Section 20440(d)(2)
67
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
Space
Total
50
50
227
169
149
798
116
60
1,619 sf
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
One critical characteristic of the community room in Orangevale will be its
flexibility – it must be appropriate for a variety of group sizes and uses, such as
meetings, book discussion groups, and genealogy forums as well as larger library
and community events. As the community room will likely be used for children’s
storytelling programs, a close relationship with children’s areas of the library
would be beneficial. The shape and orientation of the space needs to
accommodate the most likely configurations of chairs and tables. All furnishings
must be also easily movable – and removable – rather than fixed.
As use times may vary, the community room and its support spaces need to be
accessible outside of regular library hours. The design of the library must support
the operation of the community room even when the library is closed, with an
effective means of closing off library areas. The community room should be
accessible directly from the facility exterior as well as from within the library.
Restrooms and drinking fountains must also be accessible from the community
room without needing to enter the library proper.
Storage is needed to accommodate all community room furnishings, public
address system components, and audiovisual equipment. While full kitchen
facilities are not needed, a small kitchenette that is directly accessible from the
community room is also required, for preparation of coffee, staging of catered
events, etc. If the vending requested by the community is to be provided in a
new library, it would be beneficial to locate it near the community room, for
patron use during programs for which no catering or refreshments are formally
provided.
Group Rooms
Nearly 20% of survey respondents (including over one-third of teen suvey
respondents) said that the library should provide space for small groups. Focus
group participants described the needs for rooms to accommodate group work
on school projects, homeschooling activities, literacy tutoring, and other
activities requiring privacy, concentration, and acoustic separation from other
library areas. The community also described the need for appropriate space in
which to hold smaller meetings and programs.
The Sacramento Public Library has approved a set of system guidelines that
recommends the provision of at least two small group rooms at each new library.
At a new Orangevale Library facility, one of these two rooms should have a
work table, seating, and space to accommodate up to six people. Another, smaller
room with seating for four people should be provided for literacy tutoring or
other small group uses; seating could be provided either at a table or at a counter.
Either of these rooms could also be scheduled as a “quiet room” during certain
hours for individuals desiring acoustic separation from other library areas. It is
anticipated that these two group rooms, in concert with the decentralization of
reader seating as described earlier in this chapter, will meet the needs for small
group study, meeting, and work space in the Orangevale Library.
68
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
The following table summarizes the seating and space needs for the community
room and its associated support spaces in a new library for Orangevale. The
square footage per chair, or other piece of furniture or equipment, includes the
area of its footprint plus an allowance for circulation (source: Libris DESIGN).
MEETING ROOM AND SUPPORT AREA SPACE NEEDS
Space
Community Room
Community Room Storage
Kitchenette
Small Group Room A
Small Group Room B
Total
80 chairs (stacking)
8 tables (included in space for chairs)
4 chair dollies
2 table dollies
1 videoconferencing system
1 AV/technology equipment cart
1 AV equipment cabinet
1 food preparation counter
1 refrigerator
1 table, six-person
1 counter, 2 chairs
F. Special Purpose Spaces
Copy Center
Due to lack of space in the current leased library facility, the photocopier is
sandwiched behind the Friends’ sale kiosk, where it is hidden and difficult to
access. It is also coin-operated, which increases the burden on staff when patrons
ask if they can make change. When patrons cannot easily make copies of
reference items, periodicals, or other non-circulating materials, the collection
may be at increased risk for theft or defacement due to the tearing out of pages
containing the desired information.
The Orangevale community needs increased access to photocopying facilities
in a new library, which will both benefit patrons and help protect the library’s
reference and periodicals collection from mutilation and/or shrinkage. The copier
area should provide a flat workspace where patrons can set items down while
using the photocopy machine. If patrons will be required to pay for copies, the
area should also provide the equipment needed to provide change and/or
dispense/recharge copy debit cards, to minimize the number of requests to staff
for assistance with payment or making change.
The following table summarizes the seating and space needs for a public
photocopy area. The square footage per piece of furniture or equipment includes
the area of its footprint plus an allowance for circulation (source: Libris
DESIGN).
Section 20440(d)(2)
69
Conversion
Factor
12
15
15
25
10
15
30
20
145
65
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
Space
Total
960 sf
140 sf
50 sf
145 sf
65 sf
1,360 sf
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
Space
Copy Center
COPY CENTER SPACE NEEDS
Conversion
Factor
1
1
copier
preparation counter
Total
50 sf
30 sf
Space
Total
50 sf
30 sf
80 sf
Friends’ Booksale Area
The Friends’ booksale kiosk at
the current leased storefront
Orangevale Library does not
offer enough space to promote
the thousands of books donated
each year. It also blocks access
to the photocopier along the
back wall.
Activities sponsored by the Friends of the Library are an important source of
revenue and community outreach for the library. While the Friends’ monthly
and annual booksales can take place in a community room or other program
area, space is needed for the organization’s ongoing booksale. The Friends
need space near the building entrance to accommodate several shelving units
that display their sale materials. The ongoing sale area need not be staffed.
Rather, patrons should be able to purchase items without staff or Friends/
volunteer intervention, such as via a prominently featured, clearly labeled, and
locked cash box.
A close relationship with highly prominent library areas such as the self checkout
terminals would benefit the Friends sale, providing increased visibility for the
items on display. Depending on the methods selected for collecting sale funds
and copy charges, a close relationship with the Copy Center could also be
beneficial, as it may reduce the number of requests to staff to make change for
exact payment for sale items.
While the booksale area does not necessarily need to be near the Friends’ work
area and book storage space, it should be reasonably accessible so that Friends
can maintain the sale area efficiently. Reception and sorting of donated materials
can take place in the staff workroom, as long as sufficient space is provided so
that Friends activities do not significantly reduce the efficiency of staff
operations. Friends’ workspace and storage needs are included in the space
needs for staff operations, which are described in more detail in Section D of
this chapter.
The following table summarizes the seating and space needs for the Friends’
booksale area. The square footage per piece of furniture includes the area of its
footprint plus an allowance for circulation (source: Libris DESIGN).
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSALE SPACE NEEDS
Conversion
Space
Space
Factor
Total
Booksale Area
5 shelves (66", 5sh)
12 sf
60 sf
Total
60 sf
70
Section 20440(d)(2)
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
G. Non-Assignable Space
The net space needs listed in this chapter will form the bulk of a new library for
Orangevale. These net space needs are summarized in the following table.
SUMMARY OF NET SPACE NEEDS
Component
Collection
Reader Seats
Public Technology
Staff Work Areas
Meeting Room and Support
Copy Center
Friends' Booksale Area
Net Space Needs
SF
2,645
2,553
2,125
1,619
1,360
80
60
10,442
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
But more space will be needed for a new library than just the net space required
for bookshelves, reader seats, computers, staff workstations, a copy center, and
the Friends book sale area. Additional furnishings and features – such as displays,
casework associated with specific areas, and the like – are also needed. Space
for such elements often amounts to 5% to 10% of the net total; for Orangevale,
the middle of this range (approximately 7.5%) should be adequate. Adding this
to the net space needs total results in a projection of assignable space needed to
create a pleasant, functional library.
Also, an estimated amount of non-assignable square footage will be needed in
order to account for wall and material thicknesses, custodial and other nonassignable rooms, ductwork, and circulation throughout the facility. A new
library to meet the needs of Orangevale as described herein would be anticipated
to be a one-story facility with a single point of public entry and a relatively
rectangular shape. Circulation – which often has the largest impact on the netto-gross ratio – would therefore be expected to be more efficient in a new
Orangevale library than for a facility with multiple stories, several entrances,
or an unusual configuration. As such, non-assignable area needs for the
Orangevale Library are projected at 25% of the gross assignable area.
The following table shows the net space needs, an allowance for supplemental
furnishings and features, and the estimated amount of non-assignable area
needed to create a fully functional library facility for the Orangevale community.
NON-ASSIGNABLE AREA
Component
Net space needs
Allowance for additional features (7.5%)
Subtotal, assignable area needed
Non-assignable needs (25%)
(Total)
Total Area Needed:
Approximately
Section 20440(d)(2)
SF
10,442
800
11,242
3,750
14,992
15,000
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
sf
71
SPACE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
H. Other Special Needs and Features
Through surveys, focus groups, and community meetings, Orangevale residents
described a number of other services, spaces, and features that should be
incorporated into a new library. These ranged from suggestions for improved
library access and operations to issues of image, materials, and aesthetics.
Services, Spaces, and Library Access
§ Library operation six to seven days per week, with consistent hours.
§ Increased staffing.
§ A place to post information about community events.
§ Practice rooms for musicians (this could be accommodated at the
Orangevale Community Center, if not at the library).
§ Listening/viewing stations for audiovisual materials.
Image, Aesthetics, and Display
§ A warm, comfortable, inviting environment with wide aisles.
§ A simple, open building with good visibility for monitoring children.
§ Odd-shaped windows.
§ Slat-wall displays and literature racks for giveaways.
§ End-panel displays for collections of interest and merchandise books
§ Displays of local history materials, art, and photos. Displays can be
permanent or semi-permanent in order to reduce the need for frequent
maintenance by staff.
§ Incorporate community art, such as with tiles decorated by children.
§ Dioramas relating to local history, community interests, or holidays/
cultural events.
§ Highlight natural areas outside the library.
Specific Facility Requirements
§ Sufficient parking. A number of library patrons expressed significant
displeasure about the low availability of parking at the current
Orangevale Library, which shares a small parking lot with a restaurant,
a beauty salon, and other retail services. Few spaces are dedicated for
library use, and little street parking is available for overflow. Patrons
report that they often have trouble finding parking, and that some people
in the community choose to visit other libraries or bookstores rather
than deal with the hassle at the Orangevale Library.
§ Lighting appropriate for all shelf heights and with good color rendition.
§ Adequate drinking fountains.
§ Facilities for watering and tying horses and dogs, especially if the library
is accessible from regional trails. Watering facilities for animals should
not be provided trough-style, which risks the spread of disease.
§ Bicycle racks.
§ Changing tables in public restrooms.
§ Graffiti-resistant restrooms.
§ Easy access to book returns.
§ Zoned lighting and air conditioning.
72
Section 20440(d)(2)
APPENDIX A
PATRON SURVEY
Section 20440(d)(2)
A-1
APPENDIX A
A-2
Section 20440(d)(2)
APPENDIX B
SCHOOL SURVEY
Section 20440(d)(2)
B-1
APPENDIX B
B-2
Section 20440(d)(2)
APPENDIX C
SURVEY RESULTS
Sacramento Public Library: Orangevale Library Planning
Summary of Community Survey Results
May-June, 2003
Total Surveys Returned
168
35
203
83%
17%
Yes
No
Patrons
142
25
%
85%
15%
Students
12
23
%
34%
66%
Total
154
48
%
76%
24%
Less than once a month
Once a month
2-3 times per month
One or more times per week
Patrons
16
28
59
44
%
10%
17%
35%
26%
Students
9
3
3
-
%
26%
9%
9%
0%
Total
25
31
62
44
%
12%
15%
31%
22%
Patrons
129
59
57
49
38
36
29
25
26
22
14
19
13
14
8
9
7
3
2
10
%
77%
35%
34%
29%
23%
21%
17%
15%
15%
13%
8%
11%
8%
8%
5%
5%
4%
2%
1%
6%
Students
11
2
1
5
5
2
4
1
2
9
1
5
1
1
1
-
%
31%
6%
3%
0%
14%
14%
6%
11%
3%
6%
26%
3%
14%
0%
3%
0%
3%
0%
3%
0%
Total
140
61
58
49
43
41
31
29
27
24
23
20
18
14
9
9
8
3
3
10
%
69%
30%
29%
24%
21%
20%
15%
14%
13%
12%
11%
10%
9%
7%
4%
4%
4%
1%
1%
5%
Patrons
6
5
10
4
1
3
5
3
%
4%
3%
6%
2%
1%
2%
3%
2%
Students
8
9
2
7
7
3
1
5
%
23%
26%
6%
20%
20%
9%
3%
14%
Total
14
14
12
11
8
6
6
8
%
7%
7%
6%
5%
4%
3%
3%
4%
Patrons and Community Members
Students
Total
1.a. Have you used the Orangevale Library in the last month?
1.b. If yes, how often do you visit?
1.c. If yes, why do you use the library? (Choose all that apply)*
borrow books
best sellers
borrow tapes/CDs
borrow videos
do research
reference materials
browse magazines
Internet access
attend programs
sit and read
do homework
e-mail access
bring own work
large print
computer software/databases
meet friends/neighbors
word processing
community room
use language materials
other
1.d. If no, why don't you use the library?* (Choose all that apply)
not enough time
use my computer at home
hours aren't convenient
buy my own books
no transportation/location inconvenient
don't know what library has
doesn't have what I need
other
* Sum of responses may not equal 100%, as respondents may have selected more than one response or chosen not to respond at all.
Section 20440(d)(2)
C-1
APPENDIX C
May-June, 2003
2.a. Do you use other libraries?
Yes
No
Patrons
114
49
%
68%
29%
Students
25
10
%
71%
29%
Total
139
59
%
68%
29%
Carmichael
Central Library
Fair Oaks
Folsom
Rancho Cordova
Roseville
Sylvan Oaks
other
Patrons
8
11
66
21
4
5
11
17
%
5%
7%
39%
13%
2%
3%
7%
9%
Students
1
16
2
3
4
2
%
3%
0%
46%
6%
0%
9%
11%
6%
Total
9
11
82
23
4
8
15
19
%
4%
5%
40%
11%
2%
4%
7%
9%
car/truck
walk
bike
bus/public transportation
skateboard
taxi
Patrons
150
10
6
4
-
%
89%
6%
4%
2%
0%
0%
Students
26
8
6
1
-
%
74%
23%
17%
0%
3%
0%
Total %
176 87%
18
9%
12
6%
4
2%
1 0.5%
0%
Patrons
110
71
38
56
37
29
17
5
15
%
65%
42%
23%
33%
22%
17%
10%
3%
9%
Students
20
16
15
3
5
4
2
%
57%
46%
43%
9%
14%
0%
0%
11%
6%
Total
130
87
53
59
42
29
17
9
17
%
64%
43%
26%
29%
21%
14%
8%
4%
8%
Yes
No
Patrons
23
138
%
14%
82%
Students
14
20
%
40%
57%
Total
37
158
%
18%
78%
Spanish
German
French
Italian
Japanese
Russian
American Sign Language
Tagalog
other
Patrons
7
4
4
2
1
1
1
1
2
%
4%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Students
7
4
1
1
2
%
20%
11%
3%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
6%
Total
14
8
5
3
1
1
1
1
4
%
7%
4%
2%
1%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
2.0%
2.b. If so, which ones?* (Choose all that apply)
3. How do you usually get to the library? (Please circle one)
4. What materials should be emphasized at the library?* (Choose all that apply)
books
videos/tapes/CDs/DVDs
computers
children's/youth materials
audio books
community information
periodicals
language materials
other
5.a. Would you use materials in languages other than English?
5.b. If so, which languages?*
C-2
Section 20440(d)(2)
APPENDIX C
SURVEY RESULTS
May-June, 2003
6. What services should be emphasized at the library?* (Choose all that apply)
computer guidance or training
local history/genealogy
homework programs
arts programs
adult education
youth educational support
community information
basic literacy programs
business/career information
cultural/holiday programs
english language skills
consumer information
distance learning
other programs
other
Patrons
62
52
33
35
41
37
42
31
19
17
11
11
8
7
8
%
37%
31%
20%
21%
24%
22%
25%
18%
11%
10%
7%
7%
5%
4%
5%
Students
9
4
14
11
4
5
1
4
5
3
5
1
1
1
1
%
26%
11%
40%
31%
11%
14%
3%
11%
14%
9%
14%
3%
3%
3%
3%
Total
71
56
47
46
45
42
43
35
24
20
16
12
9
8
9
%
35%
28%
23%
23%
22%
21%
21%
17%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
4%
4%
7. What qualities should be emphasized at the library?* (Choose all that apply)
longer hours/more days
dedicated children's area
lounge seating
places for individual study
café
places for group study
meeting places
quieter areas
display areas
program space
connect personal computers
shorter lines
other
Patrons
106
84
56
56
37
24
31
16
8
9
7
2
8
%
63%
50%
33%
33%
22%
14%
18%
10%
5%
5%
4%
1%
5%
Students
15
4
21
14
22
12
4
6
4
5
4
4
1
%
43%
11%
60%
40%
63%
34%
11%
17%
11%
14%
11%
11%
3%
Total
121
88
77
70
59
36
35
22
12
14
11
6
9
%
60%
43%
38%
34%
29%
18%
17%
11%
6%
7%
5%
3%
4%
Section 20440(d)(2)
C-3
APPENDIX C
May-June, 2003
8. What are the three most important services the Orangevale Library provides?
access to books
computer/Internet access
staff/service
multimedia
children's programs/services
location/convenience
academic resources/learning support
programs
reference materials/services
interlibrary system/web-based loan
quiet
help finding information/materials
free access to materials
information
periodicals
books for children
place to read/study
community information/outreach/commitment
children's section
hours
literacy
comfort/cozy/nice
copiers
large print
meeting room
other
Patrons
85
49
24
21
15
16
8
13
13
11
7
9
9
5
5
6
5
5
4
3
2
2
2
2
1
8
%
51%
29%
14%
13%
9%
10%
5%
8%
8%
7%
4%
5%
5%
3%
3%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
5%
Students
12
6
1
2
1
6
4
1
1
1
4
%
34%
17%
3%
6%
3%
0%
17%
0%
0%
0%
11%
0%
0%
3%
3%
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
11%
9.a. Do you have computer access outside the library?
Yes
No
Patrons
142
16
%
85%
10%
Students
34
-
%
97%
0%
Total
176
16
%
87%
8%
home
school/work
other
Patrons
117
54
1
%
70%
32%
1%
Students
31
24
-
%
89%
69%
0%
Total
148
78
1
%
73%
38%
0%
9.b. If so, where?
Total
%
97 48%
55 27%
25 12%
23 11%
16
8%
16
8%
14
7%
13
6%
13
6%
11
5%
11
5%
9
4%
9
4%
6
3%
6
3%
6
3%
6
3%
5
2%
4
2%
3
1%
2
1%
2
1%
2
1%
2
1%
1 0.5%
12
6%
C-4
Section 20440(d)(2)
APPENDIX C
SURVEY RESULTS
May-June, 2003
10. What do you like best about the Orangevale Library?*
staff/service
close/easily accessible
atmosphere (e.g., "warm," "friendly", "cozy", "quiet")
location
selection/collection general (e.g., "lots of books")
convenient (nonspecific)
facility (e.g., size, lighting, layout, use of space)
selection/collection specific (e.g., "kids' videos")
computers/Internet
chairs/lounge chairs
"that it exists"
programs - kids
programs - adults
"good…considering" location, small size, limited hours
Saturday hours
"the whole package"
other
Total
47
41
24
21
16
8
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
7
%
23%
20%
12%
10%
8%
4%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
3%
11. What do you like least about the Orangevale Library?*
size (e.g., too small, crowded)
limited hours/days open
lack of parking
general collection (e.g., not enough, poor variety)
computers (e.g., too few, time limits)
specific collections
nothing ("like it the way it is")
lack of program/meeting space
staff/service/long lines
hard to see/find
noise
children's area (e.g., too small, no separation)
location
book drop
ugly
no café
doesn't have what I need
other
Total
50
40
23
17
10
7
7
5
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
3
%
25%
20%
11%
8%
5%
3%
3%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
1.5%
Section 20440(d)(2)
C-5
APPENDIX C
May-June, 2003
12.What features/qualities should a new Orangevale Library include?*
separate children's space
larger/more space
expanded general collection (e.g., "more books")
refreshments
add/expand specific collection components
computers and related technology
quiet reading/study
meeting/program space
hours/days open
parking
furnishings (e.g., comfortable seating, more tables/chairs)
other special spaces (e.g., music practice, kitchen, audio listening)
individual study
outdoor space/patio
other ambient/design (e.g., "comfortable")
lighting (e.g., good, bright, natural)
layout/flexibility
open/spacious/visibility
staff (keep existing, add more)
lounge/place to socialize/"hang out"
more of everything
group study
general study
automated services (e.g., self check-out)
teen space
display/places for art
other
13. Age Group
Total %
25 12%
24 12%
21 10%
20 10%
15
7%
15
7%
14
7%
12
6%
10
5%
9
4%
9
4%
6
3%
5
2%
4
2%
4
2%
4
2%
3
1%
3
1%
3
1%
3
1%
3
1%
2
1%
2
1%
2
1%
2
1%
1 0.5%
9
4%
1-12 years
12-17 years
18-25 years
26-39 years
40-65 years
65+ years
Patrons
6
10
6
21
87
29
%
4%
6%
4%
13%
52%
17%
Students
33
1
-
%
0%
94%
3%
0%
0%
0%
Total
6
43
7
21
87
29
%
3%
21%
3%
10%
43%
14%
Orangevale 95662
Fair Oaks 95628
Citrus Heights 95610, 95621
Folsom 95630, 95762
Roseville 95661, 95678
Carmichael 95608
Sacramento 95841, 95842
other
Patrons
98
22
15
9
3
2
1
8
%
58%
13%
9%
5%
2%
1%
1%
5%
Students
7
11
9
1
2
1
1
%
20%
31%
26%
0%
3%
6%
3%
3%
Total
105
33
24
9
4
4
2
9
%
52%
16%
12%
4%
2%
2%
1%
4%
14. Home ZIP code
C-6
Section 20440(d)(2)

orangevale library - Sacramento Public Library

Transcription

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