Agenda - 04-18-2023; 7-a - Library Services Task Force Report

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2 Based on its work, the Task Force recommends that: 1) The County consider entering an MOU with the Town to fund library services based on a "Service Provider" model from FY 2024 — FY 2029. They recommend incremental increases be phased in over five years at a rate of$169,358/year with a final target amount calculated on (Total County funding for Orange County Library operating expenses) x (Percent of Orange County residents living with Town jurisdiction) = Annual County Funding to Town of Chapel Hill. 2) Orange County Public Library and Chapel Hill Public library do not pursue any formal efforts toward library system interoperability. Based on their analysis, the Task Force does not believe that expanded interoperability would result in cost savings or benefits to users. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The County appropriated $536,323 to the Town of Chapel Hill for operational costs of Chapel Hill Public Library in the Adopted FY2022-23 Orange County Budget. The Task Force recommends that the County consider increasing the appropriation by $169,358 per year between FY2023-24 — FY2028-29. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the Task Force's Report, consider the recommendations regarding County funding for the Chapel Hill Public Library and interoperability between library systems, and direct staff to schedule additional Board consideration at a future meeting as part of budget discussions.