Recap: Future of the Library
Marcellus Turner, Executive Director and Chief Librarian, has invited everyone to join him at informal meetings at locations across the city to talk about the future of The Seattle Public Library. This Community Conversation was focused on our innovative services that meet the public's changing needs and interests, and our goals and priorities that support learning for everyone. The conversation was held at the Columbia Branch from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. About 30 people attended.
Strategic Direction
Turner shared an overview of our Strategic Direction, which guides planning and decision-making for the Library. The Strategic Direction focuses on three things: what we're doing to promote individual growth and learning, how we're impacting the greater community and how efficiently we're performing as an institution.
He then discussed increased Library services and resources made possible by the 2012 Library Levy: increased hours (including at the Columbia Branch), all Library locations open on Sunday, collections, technology and building maintenance. About the Carnegies like Columbia Branch, he said, "These buildings are an investment; they have been in the communities for many years." Turner also showed two financial charts: where Library funds come from, and how they are spent.
Partnerships
Turner acknowledged Minnie A. Collins in the audience, who participates in the African American Writers' Alliance group that meets at Columbia Branch, and mentioned other local partnerships like The Refugee Women's Alliance, The Rainier Art Center, The Rainier Chamber of Commerce, and the Dearborn After School program.
He asked if we should focus on any additional partnerships. The audience suggested the King County Legal Bar's free clinics, and Youthcare, an organization focused on serving insecurely housed youth.
Equitable Outcomes
Turner described how our Fresh Start program, funded by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, has helped 700 teens to have their Library accounts cleared of fines and fees.
Turner then addressed the recent South Seattle Emerald article about the Library’s Rules of Conduct (ROC) and youth excluded for inappropriate behaviors from libraries in the southeast region. He said that exclusions are a last resort, after many conversations. Librarians live in the communities they work in, and know the kids and their families.
Turner said that the Rules of Conduct are usually reviewed when we find that a specific rule isn't working for the Library anymore. This year, the Library is establishing a task force to look at all of our Rules of Conduct.
Collections
You can now walk into a library and pick up a bestselling book, thanks to our Peak Picks program – no holds, no wait.
Kanopy offers free streaming videos in a Netflix-esque service. The films are available 24/7.
PlayBack features free music by Seattle artists that you can stream or download.
Changing Needs
The Library now offers:
- FlexTech devices – tablets and laptops that are available for in-library use
- Free Wi-Fi at every location
- Wi-Fi hotspots that you can check out and take home for three weeks
Turner briefly mentioned other Library services, including the Museum Pass program, Lynda.com, access to Consumer Reports, language learning services, genealogy tools, and access to market research databases for your business.
Questions from Patrons
How can equity be a priority of the Library if children of color are excluded at a higher rate?
Turner said that we don’t ask the race of patrons when interacting in service to them or when we are dealing with disruptive behaviors in our libraries. Staff will note observational information for other staff to ensure continuity of service and approach. An article used this observational information to make the claim, but it is not reliable data. Regardless, the Library is concerned by those findings and will be undergoing a full review of our Rules of Conduct and their impacts beginning this fall.
If you aren't tracking race, how are you using racial equity to address issues?
Turner noted that the Library's commitment to patron privacy and intellectual freedom makes this issue difficult. However, we do use data from Library surveys to look at the Library's response to issues, and we are in a continuous state of engaging with community to understand their needs and experiences.
How can concerned citizens help to improve these situations?
Turner replied that we need to get everyone in a region together to talk about it. Community and Library perspectives need to align.
I've seen people in uniform at the Library. Are they police?
Turner said the people in uniform are Library security officers.
Hearing about the race discrepancy in the Library's exclusions was discouraging. Please go into the task force with an open mind, realizing that there are disproportionate impacts. And add community members to the task force so we are heard.
Turner said the Library would do all that. To put these exclusions in perspective, last year, the Library had 852 exclusions out of over 5 million successful visits. That's less than one-half of 1% of the visits.
Are the steps to exclusion on the website?
Turner said that the Library's Rules of Conduct are available on the website and in a brochure. The Library can look at adding the steps to exclusion to the website.
Who will be on the task force, and how will we know it'll make a difference? Will that include youth?
Turner said it will include Library staff and administrators, and members of the community -- both youth and adults.
Do Rainier Beach Branch staff have training on how to use the graphics/media studio there?
Wei Cai, regional manager, said no. Turner said that we can look into contracting with people so staff can learn how to use the studio.
Columbia Branch is outgrowing its space – we need more building space for programs and technology. How will you provide that?
Turner noted that Columbia is a Carnegie library and historical landmark, so there are lots of restrictions on what we can do. For instance, when the Library rebuilt the Queen Anne Branch's chimney, we had to take it apart and rebuild it with the exact same brick. It's possible that we might be able to expand Columbia in the basement area.
Can the Library carry its rules of conduct to the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) so that kids are pre-informed?
Turner introduced librarian Erica Sternin, who connects with schools around the Columbia Branch. He also said that he recently met the new Schools superintendent at the Broadview Branch, where they talked about how to enhance the school district’s relationships with the Library.
Me & my boys frequently use the library. Erica is doing a great job! She often checks in with the Seattle Stroller Brigade to promote library events. It works really well to connect us to the library. Also: where did the Seattle Opera and ballet events go? We saw opera at the Rainier Beach Community Center; it was amazing. Please expand these arts partnerships, for both parents and their kids.
Turner said that the Library's marketing department is encouraging staff to do more outreach with social media. Regarding opera and ballet, the Library is definitely interested in offering more of those programs.
Could the Library add a science/math component to toddler story time? Please expand the Library's early learning book collection to include more than counting and shapes. I also want us to introduce math vocabulary early, when kids are toddlers -- so that when kids get to algebra later on, it's not new to them.
Turner summarized her requests as: adding more non-fiction children's books on science and math; adding math vocabulary to story times; and expanding Summer of Learning programs with more science and math for kids.
Can there be a science lab library?
Turner said that we have to think about the Library's time and money, but can definitely look at hosting a pop-up science lab.
Please offer free printing!
Turner said that free printing is always a budgeting issue. He acknowledged that King County offers free printing, and said that it's something the Library is always revisiting.
Hi, I'm a Seattle Public School (SPS) librarian from up the road. I really appreciate the Library's Digital Access projects and Fresh Start program. We have dwindling resources in the schools – some have no library budgets at all, and kids are hungry to read.
Turner said that the Library is teaming up with Seattle Public Schools to discuss programs. Our focus is on informal learning, during after school times. We want kids and teens to come to the Library for learning after school.
Comments from Patrons
- I want to commend the Columbia staff for their great work!
- I'm a leader at the Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, and wanted to thank the Library and Erica S. for being a part of our annual Harvest Festival.
- As a "senior," THANK YOU! For: Wi-Fi hotspots, a way to suggest new materials, and the catalog recommendations for other choices/titles. For example: a DVD Title – includes lists of other similar subjects
- I want to see a program to register people to vote – not just adults, but high school students who will be of voting age for the next election.