comprehensive plan amendment staff report …

Item: C.3.

21-B2 Amendment Staff Report 1 Library Services Element Updates

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT STAFF REPORT AMENDMENT ROUND 21-B2

DEO TRANSMITTAL REPORT, JULY 28, 2021

I. General Data

Project Name: Library Services Element Updates

Element: Library Services Element, PBC Library System Map LS 1.1

Project Manager: Inna Stafeychuk, Planner II Douglas Crane, Library System Director

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval based on the findings and conclusions presented in this report.

II. Item Summary

Summary: This is a County Initiated amendment requested by the Library Department. The amendment proposes to revise and update the Library Services Element and Map Series of the Comprehensive Plan to:

Update the Assessment and Conclusion section to reflect current conditions, namely the completion of Library Expansion Program Phase II and ongoing capital project status.

Update Objective 1.1 to align with the Library System’s restructured strategic plan and mission statement.

Update Objectives 1.2 through 1.5 to reflect changes in library standards.

Replace the Library Services Map, LS 1.1, to reflect the addition of newly constructed libraries, add a planned library, and municipal libraries that are not within the Library Cooperative of the Palm Beaches, and to remove Library Annex support Facility.

Assessment: As demonstrated in this report, the proposed amendment to the Library Services Element are housekeeping in nature and serve to update and more accurately reflect certain information in the Element. The proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and revisions will not result in any changes to the ULDC. This amendment was requested by the Library Department to update the Library Services Element to adjust levels of service, update dates and timeframes that have expired, to update the Assessment and Conclusion section to reflect current conditions, namely the completion of Library Expansion Program Phase II and ongoing capital project status. Objective 1.1 will see updates to align with the Library System’s restructured strategic plan and mission statement. Finally, this round will also include smaller updates to Objectives 1.2 through 1.5 to reflect changes in library standards.

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III. Hearing History

Local Planning Agency: Approval, motion by Eric Royal, seconded by Barbara Roth, passed in an 11 to 0 vote at the June 11, 2021 public hearing. Under discussion, the Chair questioned the staff of Level of Service calculation for new Full Time Equivalent (FTE). Douglas Crane, Library System Director explained that the new metric is the percentage of total permanent FTE positions. There was no public comment. Board of County Commissioners Transmittal Public Hearing: Transmit, motion by Commissioner McKinlay, seconded by Vice Mayor Weinroth, passed in a 7 to 0 vote at the July 28, 2021 public hearing. There was minimal Board discussion and no public comment. State Review Agency Comments: Board of County Commissioners Adoption Public Hearing: T:\Planning\AMEND\21-B2\Reports-Agendas\3-DEOTranPacket\C-3_21-B2_Library-Rpt.docx


IV. Intent

This proposed amendment would revise the Library Services Element of the Comprehensive Plan at the request of the Library Department. The proposed amendments reflect current conditions and changes in library standards, and in keeping with the regular updating of this element and may be considered “housekeeping” in nature. The last substantial update to the Library Services Element was in 2012 and was adopted on July 23, 2012 by Ordinance 2012-021. Specific changes are shown in strike out and underline in Exhibit 1-A, and the map changes are depicted in Exhibit 1-B, and are summarized below:

Updates to the Assessment and Conclusion section to reflect current conditions, namely the completion of Library Expansion Program Phase II and ongoing capital project status.

Updates to Objective 1.1 to align with the Library System’s restructured strategic plan and mission statement.

Updates to Objectives 1.2 through 1.5 to reflect changes in library standards.

Replacement of the Library Services Map, LS 1.1, to reflect the addition of newly constructed libraries, add a planned library, and municipal libraries that are not within the Library Cooperative of the Palm Beaches, and to remove Library Annex support Facility.

V. Background

As detailed in the Introduction of the Library Services Element, the purpose of the Element is to ensure the provision of library services to residents. This Element is optional, as it is not required by Chapter 163, Florida Statutes. The standards set in this Element will guide the future development of the Palm Beach County Library System (Library System). The County is responsible for the funding and operation of the Library System through the Palm Beach County Library District. The Library System is the community's primary agency for storage and retrieval of information. The Library System is an institution available to all residents regardless of economic or educational level, physical handicap, race, creed or national origin. It provides access to information, ideas and cultural expression objectively and is dedicated to representing all viewpoints on issues. The Library System is instrumental in developing a sense of community and local pride in the County by providing a forum for discussion of issues important to the community as a whole. The Library Services Element includes one Goal which states: “It is the GOAL of Palm Beach County to provide a Library System that serves the informational, educational, and recreational reading needs of residents of all ages, interests, and circumstances, thereby promoting the broad dissemination of knowledge.”

V. Data and Analysis

This section provides data and analysis, including an examination of consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. A. Proposed Amendment This amendment is comprised of several components, each of which is discussed separately below and corresponds with the specific strike out and underline changes to the Comprehensive Plan shown in Exhibit 1-A.


Introduction, B. Assessment and Conclusions. The proposed amendments to the Assessment and Conclusions reflect current conditions and ongoing capital project status. The second phase is indicated as completed in 2015. Also revised were the number of amount of added facility square footage from 170,965 sf to 189,063 sf and total square feet per capita was reduced from 0.49 to 0.44 based on the estimated population figures for 2015. A reference to a future library building in West Boynton is proposed to be added.

Objective 1.1, Implementation. The proposed changes under this objective are to Policy 1.1-a to align with the Library System’s restructured strategic plan and mission statement. These changes are required to bring this element in line with our updated strategic plan.

OBJECTIVE 1.2, Adequate Library Collection. The proposed changes under this objective include extending the 2020 timeframe with a new timeframe of 2030. Revisions to Policy 1.2-are proposed to reduce new holdings per capita from 2.5 to 2.0, and extend the timeframe from 2020 to 2030. The change from 2.5 to 2.0 holdings per capita stems from the Florida Public Library Outcomes & Standards 2015, Outcome 6.1: “for populations of more than 25,000 people a minimum of two items per capita.” There are no implications to this change. The sentence on expenditures is included to reflect the Florida Public Library Outcomes & Standards 2015, Outcome 10.4: “Expenditures on materials in all formats are between ten and fifteen percent of the library’s operating budget…” Policy 1.2-b includes proposed revisions to internet accessibility conditions to reflect changes in technology and updated standards. Both policies proposed to replace the reference to Standards for Florida Public Libraries with reference to the updated Florida Public Library Outcomes & Standards.

OBJECTIVE 1.3, Levels of Service: Staff. Proposed changes under this objective include revisions to Policy 1.3-a to modify the current staffing standard of one Full Time Equivalent (FTE) professional library staff person per 7,500 people with a new metric of 0.3 of the Library’s permanent full time equivalent (FTE) positions. This change was made to reflect changes in library standards. Changes are proposed to Policy 1.3-b to replace the standard of 3.88 of FTE non-professional library staff per professional FTE librarian, with a new metric of 0.6 staff positions per 1,000 population. This change was made to reflect changes in library standards. The 2020 timeframe in both policies is proposed to be extended to 2030 for internal consistency throughout this amendment.

OBJECTIVE 1.4 Level of Service: Facilities. Proposed changes under this objective

include revisions to Policy 1.4-a are housekeeping in nature. Proposed changes eliminate

the sentence regarding the second phase of capital expansion by 2013 which is now obsolete,

extend the timeframe and the reference to the Florida Public Library Outcomes & Standards

for internal consistency. Proposed changes to Policy 1.4-b to replace the wording “automation

applications” with “evolving standards on access to public computing resources and online

resources” to update outdated language to that used in the Florida Public Library Outcomes

& Standards 2015, Outcome 7.4.

Map Series, Library Services Map, LS 1.1. This proposed amendment will update the map to add one new Acreage Branch library and one future library located in West Boynton Beach; to add six existing municipal libraries that are not within the Library Cooperative of the Palm Beaches; and, to remove the Library Annex support facility located in West Palm Beach from the map since it is not a publicly accessed building.


B. Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan The proposed amendments will provide needed updates to expired portions of the element and are consistent with the Goals and Objectives of the Library Services Element to accurately reflect the impact of our services on the community. C. Unified Land Development Code Implications This proposed amendment will not require subsequent revisions to the Unified Land Development Code.

VII. Public and Municipal Review

Intergovernmental Plan Amendment Review Committee (IPARC): Notification was sent to the County’s Intergovernmental Plan Amendment Review Committee (IPARC), a clearing-house for plan amendments, on Thursday, May 20, 2021. At the time of the printing this report, no calls or written requests for information or objections to the amendment had been received. Correspondence received is added to the exhibits throughout the amendment process.

VIII. Assessment and Conclusions

As demonstrated in this report, the proposed amendment to the Library Service are housekeeping in nature and serve to update and more accurately reflect certain information in the element. The proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and revisions will not result in any changes to the ULDC. This amendment was requested by the Library Department to update the Library Services Element to adjust levels of service, update dates and timeframes that have expired, to update the Assessment and Conclusion section to reflect current conditions, namely the completion of Library Expansion Program Phase II and ongoing capital project status. Objective 1.1 will see updates to align with the Library System’s restructured strategic plan and mission statement. Finally, this round will also include smaller updates to Objectives 1.2 through 1.5 to reflect changes in library standards. As such, staff recommends approval of this amendment.

Attachments

Exhibit 1 – Proposed changes in strike out and underline format E - 1

Exhibit 2 – Correspondence E - 5

21-B2 Amendment Staff Report E - 1 Library Service Element Updates

Exhibit 1

A. Library Service Element, Library Service Element Updates REVISIONS: To revise and update the Library Service Element. The added text is

underlined, and the deleted text struck out.

1. REVISE I. Introduction, B. Assessment and Conclusions

In 2002, voters overwhelmingly approved the issuance of bonds to help fund the Library Expansion Program II (LEP II). The $104.7 million program was funded with income from the sale of bonds, impact fee revenues, and operating budget transfers. Scheduled for completion Completed in 20135, the second phase will bring brought the number of branches to seventeen, added 170,965 189,063 square feet, and raise the facilities level of service was raised to 0.449 square feet per capita. Despite these efforts, the Library System remains far below the nationally accepted service level of 0.60 square feet per capita. Similarly, additional increases in the holdings, information technology access, and professional and other staff levels are necessary to achieve State-recognized standards and to keep pace with growth. A Phase III of the Library Expansion Program (LEP III) will be necessary to address these concerns. In the meantime, construction of a new 33,000 square foot library building in the West Boynton area is scheduled to begin in early 2022 and is projected to open in 2023.

OBJECTIVE 1.1, Implementation

2. REVISE Policy 1.1-a: The Library System shall provide the following programs of service

based upon the following components of its Mission Statement:

Circulation

Reference

Children’s Programs

Community Enrichment

Connect Communities: The Library connects communities by enhancing the role of the library in

the community, by promoting inclusivity and embracing diversity in all that we do, and by providing opportunities for community members and organizations to become involved with the Library.

Inspire Thought: The Library inspires thought by providing the public with free access to

library materials and resources, in a variety of formats, to meet the community’s borrowing and research needs, and by providing a welcoming environment to spark creativity, stimulate thoughtful conversation and encourage collaboration.

Enrich Lives: The Library enriches lives by providing educational opportunities to learn

and grow for people of all ages.


3. REVISE OBJECTIVE 1.2, Adequate Library Collection

The Library System shall adopt Level of Service Standards in order to provide residents with a collection of library materials that will serve their informational, educational, and recreational needs by the year 202030.

4. REVISE Policy 1.2-a: The Library System shall provide a minimum of 2.05 holdings per

capita by the year 202030 to reach the enhanced service standard for populations of more than 25,000 people as stated in the revised Standards for Florida Public Libraries Florida Public Library Outcomes & Standards. Expenditures on materials in all formats are between ten and fifteen percent of the library’s operating budget.

5. REVISE Policy 1.2-c: The Library System shall conform to the Standards for Florida

Public Libraries Florida Public Library Outcomes & Standards by providing access to the internet via a wireless connection at all times, including outside access on library property during hours when the library building is closed. and the Florida Electronic Library. The Library will subscribe to or contract for online resources equal to a minimum of $1.00 per capita.

OBJECTIVE 1.3 Levels of Service: Staff

6. REVISE Policy 1.3-a: The Library System shall maintain the professional librarian

staff at .3 one of the Library’s permanent full time equivalent (FTE) per 7,500 people

positions through 202030.

7. REVISE Policy 1.3-b: The Library System shall maintain all other staff positions at .6

3.88 FTE per professional librarian FTE 1,000 population through 202030.

OBJECTIVE 1.4 Level of Service: Facilities

8. REVISE Policy 1.4-a: At the completion of the second phase of capital expansion in

2013, the Library System shall provide 0.49 square feet of library facility space per capita.

The Library System shall provide 0.60 square feet per capita of library facility by the year

202030 to reach the basic standard as stated in the revised Standards for Florida Public

Libraries Florida Public Library Outcomes & Standards.

9. REVISE Policy 1.4-b: The Library System shall monitor evolving standards on access to public computing resources and online resources automation applications in the library community and make adequate provision in its annual budget to support changes in technology.


B. Map Series, Library System Map LS 1.1, Library Service Element Updates REVISIONS: To update and replace the Library System Map LS 1.1. Map to be deleted.


REVISIONS: To update and replace the Library System Map LS 1.1. Map to be added.

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Exhibit 2

Correspondence

comprehensive plan amendment staff report …

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