CITY COUNCIL LIBRARY STUDY COMMITTEE

Library Service Proposal Urban
League Facility Mason Square

Funding for the following services will be covered by the Annie Curran Endowment:

Deposit Collection

Springfield Library will supply a rotating deposit collection of library materials that may be loaned to Urban League visitors. Loans will not be tracked using the Library's automated circulation system, but will be managed by Urban League volunteers, with training and support of Library Outreach Staff. Size of collection to be determined by the amount of space available, but will likely be in the range of 3,000 -5,000 items that are selected based on a collection profile developed in conjunction with the Urban League.

Library Staff

Library will provide a part-time Youth Services Outreach Librarian, who may provide any or all of the following services:

• Programming for neighborhood preschool and school groups by appointment. Actual program schedule will be determined in consultation with the Urban League.

• Coordination of special programs conducted in conjunction with regular Library programs (summer reading club, for example) or programs planned in collaboration with the Urban League

• Coordination of the Urban League deposit collection (above), including providing training for volunteers who oversee the service on a day-to-day basis.

• Provide training for the general public on use of Library electronic resources if the Urban League chooses to make Internet access available to its visitors.

Special Programs

Library will allocate funds to provide special programs for Mason Square residents. Programs could include storytellers, musicians, etc. and may be held in conjunction with citywide library events (National Library Week) or may be a component of an Urban League program series. All planning for special programs will be in collaboration with the Urban League.

Literacy

Library will continue to provide adult literacy services through its READ/WRITE/NOW Learning Centerr. A family literacy component will be added to READ/WRITE/NOW's existing services to provide services which could include programs for and home visits to Mason Square residents with young children with the goal of increasing residents' family literacy skills. In order to enable these services, the Urban League will provide READ/WRITE/NOW with space to operate that is roughly equivalent to its existing space.

Evaluation of Services

The Library will undertake an annual evaluation of services in conjunction with the Urban League. Services provided by the Library may be adjusted based on preferences of both parties and/or the capacity, of the endowment to support such services.