[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6319531,"mediaKeyId","2361095-ce13c71f19493dc3eae5f82a7d68709d","parentId",2361095,"title","Trustees press city to address library collection shortfall; suggest raising annual budget and indexing future increases","audioSeconds",1366,"startMs",4145000,"endMs",5511000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2361095-ce13c71f19493dc3eae5f82a7d68709d&start=4145&end=5511","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2361095-ce13c71f19493dc3eae5f82a7d68709d/thumbnail_4145000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6319531/Escondido/San-Diego-County/California/Trustees-press-city-to-address-library-collection-shortfall-suggest-raising-annual-budget-and-indexing-future-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319531-a742b0bd461b02c83884d678cf16cb9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771038155&Signature=QuXQLTw0Y39~5a8~XAZjW-FYivQ0Gl92t-FK8kQmJIwh6LQIoeKd-AggtNMYNAeZbCu0L8MSZUgQ-7S1bPC1Y5xFYjoC3Ore8frNlnurCjUTuw88R~o3Hipp0~HgO48wBgP3PGPr8OqU4M~-4nr4D-fnma3hfT9N6-vQcFKpYXy1Iq1rN3Uh7GAYFEtZ20O4TzZJrhyieglWnDYAgCJgXIWf3bLyTB27WZ7eGJy47S3z0A2M5MVGKHkxp3R1W3G5eiO9suUIpttAorVbfsUDgK~ypmZEuPAQSoMgAhqMapYQRDw2m0noSN4MSCJP1OKouRi2C7YtBD98MWT8vA~iQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Escondido","date","2025-01-09T00:00:00Z","article","Trustees at the Jan. 8 Escondido Public Library Board meeting highlighted a persistent shortfall in the library’s collection budget and asked staff to notify city management ahead of a council workshop.

A board presentation said the collection budget has stayed at $250,000 annually since the contract with LSS began in 2017. The presenter reported that, had the collection budget been indexed at 2.5% or 3% annually since 2017, the fund would now be roughly $297,000–$309,000. The board reviewed comparative data showing the library’s current collection budget equates to about $1.65 per capita, compared with an average of about $2.31 per capita among a 64‑library sample.

Trustees discussed possible remedies. One suggestion was to set the collection budget for fiscal 2025–26 at $300,000 and adopt an annual index (for example 2.5%–3%) to avoid repeated shortfalls. Trustees noted that contract terms with the library operator (LSS) extend through June 30, 2026; any change to the operating contract or permanent budget allocations would involve the city manager’s office and possibly council review.

Board members agreed it would be appropriate to make city management aware that trustees consider the collection budget underfunded. The transcript records a trustee volunteering to notify the city manager and for trustee attendance at an upcoming city budget/workshop meeting on Jan. 29 so trustees can raise the concern publicly.

Trustees also debated timing and competing priorities. Some trustees said they preferred to prioritize the library renovation project and its $2.5 million running deficit first when considering where new or reallocated funds should go; others said documenting the collection shortfall now would put the issue on the city’s radar ahead of contract negotiations and future budgeting.

No formal board motion to change the collection budget was recorded. Trustees asked staff to prepare a draft letter for future consideration and to notify the city manager’s office so the board’s concern appears on the workshop agenda; several trustees said they would attend the Jan. 29 workshop to present the case for a longer‑term funding plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Audio - Library Board of Trustees - January 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees reviewed a report showing the library's collection budget has remained $250,000 since 2017 and falls below peer averages. Trustees discussed options, proposed sending the city manager a notice of concern, and agreed to be present at an upcoming council workshop to raise the issue.","taxTitle","Escondido, San Diego County, California","taxId",2842,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6319536,"Escondido library renovation moves to permitting and bidding stage; relocation options narrowed",1783,84000,1867000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2361095-ce13c71f19493dc3eae5f82a7d68709d&start=84&end=1867","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2361095-ce13c71f19493dc3eae5f82a7d68709d/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6319536/Escondido/San-Diego-County/California/Escondido-library-renovation-moves-to-permitting-and-bidding-stage-relocation-options-narrowed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319536-4d51875fbd12217eebf8b6ba0f7ac116/orig.mp4?Expires=1771038155&Signature=D7miDLB7R56zdUGexepISn5BOOlHbYVBgPCbBsgeswV38OpTHP9fUUFgxJ17qqEHf43IuESlk0i10q1kCP0OvIWfLVgXMVZxCfMFrPB7xrwFObT40YU2jamA9orwLCkijC0pAiNcoRow9URQzCxJdSf~zdqbDr9hJ4pRZoYkKFRL2JIaJOwvMPRzQ3Tu6bdsj-1OMdFO1Yk1gSnqXAPOYXA~TrOu57Mleqy4kCM4JOMX1FQ09kTnTR8SOSQ6J-GzpT2dSpcHq-nrgvQ0fgqqr74rCnJO6jMyBk6RUoVO9AdByKPKnK2GrMC2MOazPmHBYhj4Tjk9oyOryBMX08RuGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Escondido Public Library Board Jan. 8 that the renovation project has advanced to formal plan review and is on a path toward bidding, while staff work to arrange interim library services as construction begins.

Ed Vasquez, identified in the meeting as the project manager, said the project’s 100% plans submittal was filed Dec. 16 and the city is in the formal multi‑department review period through Jan. 17. \"We've already received first initial set of comments from the fire department, the building department, engineering, and planning,\" Vasquez said. He said the project had roughly 50 discrete review comments across a 100‑sheet set of drawings and that consultants were already working on revisions.

Vasquez presented a construction cost estimate he called an engineer’s estimate of about $8,700,000 but warned that actual bids would likely be higher; he also flagged a running project deficit against a $10,000,000 grant. \"This projected cost still is coming in at 8,700,000.0 for the overall project,\" he said, noting that consultants and early soft costs have already consumed roughly $200,000.

Staff described other budget items the board asked about: an estimated $250,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) and ongoing work to determine how to fund ADA access work on the site. Vasquez said the ADA improvements for exterior access may be handled separately by Public Works staff or as a smaller contracted project.

On schedule, Vasquez said staff expect to resubmit corrected plans shortly after the review period and to issue the project for bid in March, with a recommended council contract award targeted for the April 16 council meeting. If that schedule holds, construction procurement and award would follow soon afterward.

Trustees also discussed interim relocation for library services during construction. Staff said they had identified two potential temporary locations: a storefront on Grand Avenue (the primary option) and museum space at the California Center for the Arts (the secondary option). Staff said the Grand Avenue storefront requires code upgrades; an inspection report was expected the following day. The California Center museum space was reported as \"move‑in ready\" and available beginning March 31, and staff planned a walkthrough with the center’s executive director.

Robert (director) and other staff told trustees the city manager and council know a relocation will incur rental and moving costs that are not covered by the construction grant; staff said those costs will be addressed by the city manager’s office. The board scheduled a public library renovation workshop for Feb. 7 at 11:30 a.m. so the community, Friends of the Library and the foundation can discuss furniture and other support items.

Staff emphasized that project documents must be reviewed by the city attorney before issuing the solicitation and that change orders can be the only post‑award negotiation on contracted price. Vasquez said some project scope items — such as restrooms, plumbing and electrical systems — cannot be eliminated if the project proceeds, though alternate bid items may be used to reduce cost if necessary.

Next steps described to the board were: finish addressing plan review comments, coordinate city attorney review of bid documents, prepare to advertise in March, solicit bids, and present a contract award to council on April 16. Staff also committed to continuing relocation negotiations and to notify the board of the preferred interim site once inspection and negotiation details are completed.","City staff and project managers told trustees plans for the Escondido library are in building‑department review after a 100% plans submittal. Staff said the project’s engineer’s estimate is about $8.7 million, noted a running deficit against the $10 million grant, and outlined two short‑term relocation options for services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6319541,"Escondido trustees vote 5-0 to limit Hoopla access to verified physical cards beginning March 1",2206,1895000,4101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2361095-ce13c71f19493dc3eae5f82a7d68709d&start=1895&end=4101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2361095-ce13c71f19493dc3eae5f82a7d68709d/thumbnail_1895000.jpg","/articles/6319541/Escondido/San-Diego-County/California/Escondido-trustees-vote-5-0-to-limit-Hoopla-access-to-verified-physical-cards-beginning-March-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319541-3595188f756df43e844c89d2255720f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771038155&Signature=mS~pp6HKeCNjBfz6aHx2ncHdWObsqg5praeQlmDdHsWZojoNlcnfeBIgiXBnLQztZu8DRCeV0ZsewIvJp07Mhr6gqOgMWG2W8QQQgKX4KW6vJs4iupSFWPbwiuw~qlFSrmZMab8Y30sDJSMKm3h~irN69EV6TsktdKVhxcyyYhaErR~3rj2B6dybwc5RyywHGC9eHgyC-YDl6dw1KPEyB~gSZ5paLmy3JQwpdZyOuYlYE4FT3sWfugy1LLozg4tpe5jdwOTuzl8e-jGBAGr~~j5JiEQtPLzgR0bFDZzLrImqnG-hR6Imyh0LBK9y1EIXdmYmUgN0Zt-0c3iBP7F3QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Escondido Public Library trustees voted 5-0 at their Jan. 8 meeting to restrict access to the Hoopla digital content service to patrons with verified physical Escondido library cards, with the change to take effect March 1.

Board members and staff said the decision responds to a per-download budget cap and usage data showing significant nonresident use. Reno (library staff member) told trustees the library has a monthly Hoopla budget cap of about $1,300 and that the system recently reduced the monthly checkout allowance from five to three per user to limit costs. \"The cap right now is 3,\" Reno said during the presentation, describing how daily downloads were being exhausted shortly after midnight.

Reno presented three technical ways the service could be limited—by card prefix, by home library, or by patron type—and said staff recommended methods that would prioritize verified Escondido residents. Reno told trustees that, based on Hoopla and the library’s ILS records for the previous three months, roughly 500 unique accounts used Hoopla and that a majority of online-only (non‑physical) card users were located outside of Escondido. Reno said the average cost per Hoopla circulation in the dataset was about $2.27, which informed the board’s concern about how quickly the monthly cap is consumed.

Trustees discussed alternatives, including additional remote verification for residents unable to visit the library in person. Reno said staff can contact affected online-only users by email and offer a time-limited conversion to a verified physical card or an individually verified account: \"We can certainly contact them directly via email,\" Reno said. Trustees agreed the library should provide exceptions where needed and that other digital services (such as Libby and shared databases) would remain available to users.

The board made a motion to restrict Hoopla access to verified physical cards effective March 1, with a two-month transition period for notice and direct outreach. The motion passed 5-0; the transcript records the vote as \"approved five-zero\" but does not record the mover/second by name.

Staff said they will contact Hoopla to schedule the vendor-side filter and begin direct outreach to affected users. Reno told the board staff will notify online-only account holders by email and public notices and will provide an accommodations process for Escondido residents who cannot visit in person.

Trustees framed the move as prioritizing limited local funds for city residents while preserving other free or lower-cost digital offerings for users who remain ineligible for Hoopla.

The board’s action will be implemented administratively; staff indicated they expect to complete vendor coordination and begin patron notifications in the two-month window before the March 1 effective date.","The Escondido Public Library Board voted unanimously to restrict Hoopla access to patrons with verified physical library cards, citing cost pressures and data showing many online-only users live outside Escondido. The board set a transition period and directed staff to notify affected users and coordinate with the vendor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trustees press city to address library collection shortfall; suggest raising annual budget and indexing future increases

Escondido library renovation moves to permitting and bidding stage; relocation options narrowed

Escondido trustees vote 5-0 to limit Hoopla access to verified physical cards beginning March 1