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Approve overdue library material fine waivers for all Solano County Library customers who are military veterans from May 1 - 31, 2017 to bring awareness to the grant funded Veterans Resource Center located at the Vacaville Public Library-Cultural Center
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Library Services (Library) recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve fine waivers for overdue materials for all County Library customers who are military veterans from May 1 - 31, 2017 to bring awareness to the grant funded Veterans Resource Center located at the Vacaville Public Library-Cultural Center.
SUMMARY:
The Library, in partnership with the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and the California State Library, offers a free Veterans Resource Center that is available to all residents of Solano County. This pilot program will be located at the Vacaville Public Library-Cultural Center and managed by the branch manager. Both the branch manager who oversees both Vacaville Libraries and the supervising librarian of the Vacaville-Town Square Library are veterans. To bring awareness to the Veterans Connect @ the Library program, the Library recommends offering all County Library customers who are military veterans the opportunity to have their overdue library fines waived during the month of May 2017.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to the County General Fund. The Library is funded primarily through property and sales tax revenue. The projected loss of revenue from waived overdue fines for the Library’s FY2016/17 budget would not exceed $1,600 if this recommendation is accepted.
DISCUSSION:
Libraries represent a proactive, cost-effective solution for extending outreach and services to veterans. California initiated a statewide effort to increase use of veteran benefits by improving information and outreach to its veterans through public libraries. Veterans Connect @ the Library is a program that allows library staff and volunteers to assist veterans and their families in their time of need. The Library is one of 50 grant funded libraries across the state to offer a Veterans Resource Center as part of the Veterans Connect @ the Library program. Considering roughly 33,000 veterans live in Solano County, this is a critical service that works one-on-one with veterans and their families to get them assistance and resources for which they are eligible. Approval of this recommendation from the Board of Supervisors will bring greater awareness to the Veterans Resource Center, and will facilitate greater access for military veterans to Library resources by waiving veterans’ overdue fines.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve this proposal; however, this alternative is not recommended by the Department. This recommendation supports the Board’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the Library remains relevant, provides services tailored to community needs, and offers free programs and resources for county residents, including local veterans.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Library worked in partnership with California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and the California State Library to connect veterans and their families to library benefits and services for which they are eligible. The Department of Veterans Services was consulted and supports this program.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION