Agenda - 02-17-2005-6c - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orange Counry Library Long-Range Paciliry Planning Orange County archival repository and determine resources that would be housed in such a repository, Findints The 2001 Task Force identified inequities in service in the various areas of the county and noted that the funding level from the County was significantly below the state average, ft endorsed minimum standards for public library service and recommended policies to guide library development. Specific recommendations included the following: • That the operational funding For Orange County public libraries be increased to the state average level of funding by 2004 ^ That new library projects be initiated simultaneously in the northern and southern parts of the county and be viewed as complementing rather than competing • That the Boards of the Hyconeechee Regional Library and Chapel Hil] Public Library meet at least annually and explore areas of cooperation • That an Orange County Heritage Center be built to house historic and public records Since 2001, operational funding has increased but it still lags behind the state average, as noted below. A branch library has been opened in Cedar Grove and a cybrazy in Carrboro. Members of both the Hyconeechee and Chapel Hill Library Boazds are active members of the current Task Force. An Archival Task Force has been formed to pursue the establishment of the Heritage Genter. Although there has been progress, this study has found that significant inequities persist and funding remains a challenge. Specific findings are as follows: ^ The poprtlatiou of t/ie corurty as a rvGole values education arrrl is supportive of library services, but is coufrrsed by the ctrrreut systeur of librarygoveraarrce mrd frmdirrg responsibilities. This theme was reiterated a number of times in the planning meetings held with Task Force members and library staff. Residents of Orange County are served by three library systems: the Hyconeechee Regional Library, the Chapel Hill Pubiic Library, and to a minimal degree, the Central North Carolina Regional Library, which operates the Mebane Public Library serving both Alamance and Orange County residents of Mebane. As a result, library service planning for the county as a whole has been fragmented, there is great disparity in the level of services provided, and the public does not lave a clear understanding of library governance and funding responsibilities. The Orange County Library system is part of the Hyconeechee Regional Library system, which serves Orange, Caswell and Person Counties. As such, residents of Orange County have free access to the services in Caswell and Person Counties. The system receives funding from the County, the State, and a small appropriation from the Town of Carrboro. 7