CCP 10-27-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. ~ /]'\~ HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: October 22, 2003 Agenda Item 9.B. TO: Mayor and Council FROM: Michelle A. Wolfe, City Administrator riM SUBJECT: Arden Hills Library Branch: Update and Discussion Backl!round The Arden Hills branch of Ramsey County Libraries is facing possible closure due to a lack of funds for operating expenses. The County Board has requested Library Director Alice-Jo Carlson to attempt to find the necessary funds to keep the Arden Hills branch open and operating in 2004. The task must be accomplished by November 7, when the County Board will vote on . the 2004 Library budget. Discussion I met with Director Carlson on October 21. She indicated that the amount needed to keep the Arden Hills branch open in 2004 is approximately $131,000. She thinks she can find approximately $31,000 through 2003 carry-overs, but any additional cuts in the rest of the budget would result in cuts to library services system-wide. Therefore, she is trying to identify alternate sources for this funding gap. The $100,000 "shortfall" represents the cost to optimally maintain the libraries collection (i.e. books, periodicals.) The library needs a minimum of$55,000 to provide the collection necessary to keep the services at the Arden Hills Library viable. Some ideas for raising these funds could include fund raising events, marketing campaigns, and requests to local businesses. However, the November 7 deadline does not provide enough time for most fund-raising activities of this magnitude. The purpose of this agenda discussion is two-fold: 1. Allow for the Council to receive a current update regarding the status of the Arden Hills Library branch. 2. Discuss possible opportunities for funding the 2004 funding gap. . \l.Earth14dmin\City Administralor\Memo\2003\lO-23-03 Memo to Council RE Library Update.doc