Charleston County Public Library:Our History and Our Future

Presentation toCharleston County Council Finance Committee

January 23, 2014

Janet SegalChairman, CCPL Board of Trustees

In 1986, members of Charleston County Council agreed to let local voters decide if they wanted more libraries and were willing to pay the additional taxes to expand the system and services. November 1986 – 76% of the voters said YES. That was 28 years ago

Times have changed. Council has changed. The question is the same –

November 2014 – Will you give residents the opportunity to decide if they want to build and pay for new libraries and library services?

Times have changed

1986 – County population was less than 290,000

2014 – County population is more than 370,00027 percent growth

1986 – CCPL circulation was 873,660 2014 – CCPL circulation is more than 3.4 million

289 percent growth

In 1986, no one had heard of the Internet.

How have things changed since 1986?

Library Board recognized the shortcomings and initiated year-long Strategic Planning Process to: Identify problems Gain community input Determine future needs

We found: Buildings are old, unable to handle current service

demands and modern technology. Building and service expansion hasn’t kept up with

county’s population growth. CCPL doesn’t meet minimum service standards set

for South Carolina libraries.

2011 Strategic Planning Process

County residents use their libraries 75% in past six months

County residents value their libraries 90% considered libraries VERY important to

community

AND

Majority support increased library funding Majority support designated line item on the

tax bill for library funding

Strategic Plan detailed public use/support

Independent telephone survey of both library users and non-users.

Our services don’t meet standards Despite public support for increased

services, CCPL falls below State Service Standards: Should have 1.25 sq. ft. public space per

capita CCPL has .43 square feet of public space per capita Current = 155,458 Needed = 452,772

Should have four print materials per capita CCPL has 3.1 print materials per capita Current = 1,118,192 Needed =

1,448,869 Should have three public computers per

1,000 residents CCPL has .9 public computers per 1,000 residents Current = 349 Needed = 1,086

Based on estimated 2012 population

What our libraries look like

West Ashley Branch

John’s Island Regional

St. Paul’s/Hollywood

Mt. Pleasant Regional

A 2013 U.S. Census Bureau study found: South Carolina ranks 47th in home computer

ownership, only above Mississippi and New Mexico.

A 2012 Connected Nation study found: 22% of South Carolina residents don’t own a

computer 34% don’t have broadband Internet access.

And, certain residents fall far below the state average. Residents not owning computers:

Low-income households – 47 percent African Americans – 37 percent Seniors 65 and older – 37 percent

Computer-Internet access a luxury in SC

In March 2012, Library Board presented the Strategic Plan’s major findings, including the need for: Facility improvements; Technology improvements: Service improvements; and Operational shortfalls.

County Council instructed county and library staff to work together to: Analyze the most efficient way to fund Library operations to

ensure library services stay up to date with population growth, technology and customer demands, and

Develop cost estimates for construction of new facilities and renovation of existing facilities for a future Bond Referendum.

Turned to County Council for help

Assessment looked at current needs, changes in technology, growth trends, service demands and future projections.

The extensive, combined effort resulted in a plan to: Construct four branches, including:

New facility in the Carolina Park area of East Cooper New facility along the Folly Road corridor

Replacing West Ashley and James Island branches New facility in the Pinehaven/Chicora area

Replacing Cooper River Memorial Branch New facility in the St. Paul’s community

Replacing St. Paul’s/Hollywood Branch

Renovate remaining 12 branches, including expansion of existing St. Andrews Regional.

Increase public space at the Main Library by relocating Support Services out of high-value downtown space.

Detailed study identified serious issues

CCPL Construction/Renovation Needs

New Construction continued on next page

System-wide Technology UpgradesAutomated Inventory Control Equipment-All Facilities - RFID technology/equipment for self check-out, self check-in and inventory control

2,218,178

Sub-Total RFID Technology/Equipment

$2,218,178

Renovation/Expansion of Existing FacilitiesNORTH AREA- Dorchester Road Regional 1,365,947- Otranto Road Regional 1,365,947CHARLESTON/SUBURBAN WEST ASHLEY- Main Library 9,151,658

- Support Services Building/Relocation

7,336,565

- St. Andrew’s Regional (includes 4,000-square-foot addition)

2,533,447

- John L. Dart Branch 492,365- Folly Beach Branch 157,607EAST COOPER- Mt. Pleasant Regional 1,681,654- Mt. Pleasant-Village 149,330- Poe/Sullivan’s Island Branch 307,138- McClellanville Branch

133,308WEST ISLANDS/SOUTH COUNTY- John’s Island Regional 1,003,907- Edisto Branch 199,916

Sub-Total Renovations $25,878,789

Estimated Costs for November 2014 Referendum

Construction/Renovation Needs (cont.) New ConstructionNORTH AREA- Pinehaven/Chicora 8,257,417

- Replaces Cooper River Memorial BranchCHARLESTON/SUBURBAN WEST ASHLEY- Folly Corridor 21,630,685

- Replaces James Island Branch/West Ashley BranchEAST COOPER- East Cooper/Carolina Park - New

23,256,165

WEST ISLANDS/SOUTH COUNTY- St. Paul’s 8,151,880

- Replaces St. Paul’s/Hollywood Branch

Sub-Total New Construction $61,296,147

SUB-TOTAL$89,393,11

4

County Estimate - Inflation Escalator and Construction Management

ESCALATED CONSTRUCTION COSTS- Calculated at 2.5%/year 13,219,882

ADDITIONAL COUNTY ENGINEERS/CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL/YEAR 1,191,390

ESTIMATED TOTAL $103,804,3

86

3.0 Mills

Library Additional Operating Costs

NEW CONSTRUCTION

-Folly Corridor (May 2018)   780,936

-Mount Pleasant - Carolina Park (May 2018)   1,707,264

-Pinehaven (October 2017)   327,036

-St. Pauls (October 2017)   640,008

SYSTEMWIDE

-Support Personnel   508,368

-Computer Leasing   119,040

-Library Materials 95,004

Total Library Additional Operating Costs $4,177,656

1.4 Mills

If referendum passes, issue debt and increase millage in FY2016.

Cost for a $100,000 owner-occupied home: $89.39 million = Construction/Renovation Cost for 17 buildings

2.6 mills or $10.40 $14.41 million = Estimated Inflation Escalator/Construction

Mgmt. 0.4 mills or $1.60

Total 3 mills for construction and renovation bond debt= $12 on $100,000 owner-occupied home

or $1 per month total for the entire household.

Additional operating costs once new facilities are open 1.4 mills or $5.60 or 47 cents per month

They get 17 new and renovated library facilities that touch every community in Charleston County from McClellanville to Edisto to North Charleston.

What does this mean to taxpayers

Charleston County residents used services valued at nearly $94 million in FY2013.

What does that mean? $1 in county tax dollars = $6.61 in actual services 661% Return on Investment $267 in services per county resident

Libraries are a good investment of tax dollars.

Libraries are a good investment in our community.

Based on national values used to calculate cost if residents paid for services individually.

Libraries are a proven investment

Libraries are a catalyst for economic development. Early literacy programs Small business information Employment and career resources Training and computer education

Libraries are the heart of vibrant, livable communities. Open and accessible to everyone Provide education, technology, and cultural

resources Community and neighborhood anchors Promote community collaboration Provide community meeting spaces

Libraries build strong communities

What our libraries CAN look like

Even if the question is on the 2014 ballot and approved by voters: Construction and renovation must be staggered

over several years so library can continue providing services.

2017-2020 – new and renovated buildings open 2020 population estimate – 429,000

139,000 more than 1986 – date of last referendum. 60,000 more than current population.

And, things just keep moving faster: Metro area is 12th fastest growing community nationwide. Charleston and North Charleston are ranked in the

Top 100 Fastest Growing Cities

We can’t put this off any longer

County residents need yourleadership and support today.

Put this issue on the November 2014 ballot so area residents can be

heard.

They deserve that opportunity.

It’s time

Approve placing a question on the November 2014 ballot, allowing voters to consider a bond referendum of up to $103.8 million for the construction and renovation of Charleston County Public Library facilities, which may include:

Construction of four new libraries; Renovation of 12 existing facilities, including expansion of

St. Andrews Regional; and Relocation of current support staff from existing high-value space

in the Main Library to a separate location, freeing up existing support staff space for public use.

Instruct County and Library staff to: Complete a detailed review of all costs to confirm final numbers;

and Return to Council by June with the final construction plan and costs

plus the wording for the proposed referendum question that will be sent to the Board of Elections and Voter Registration for placement on the November 2014 ballot.

Action requested of County Council