Library advisory committee recommends council review as San Ramon library hours set to return

The Library Advisory Committee presented its 2024 annual report to the San Ramon Parks and Community Services Commission on Feb. 12, recommending the commission forward the report to the City Council for consideration.

The committee’s chair, Dinesh Govindrao, and staff advisor Steve Cox reviewed seven goals the committee set for 2024 and reported progress on library performance measures, hours and programming. The presentation noted the San Ramon Library will regain 10 operating hours previously cut because of county staffing and budget constraints, and that two sound‑proof “Zoom booths” are being added to the San Ramon Library within a few weeks.

Why it matters: the report summarizes use and capacity at San Ramon’s libraries, flags a facilities metric that falls below the city’s standard and recommends continued collaboration with Contra Costa County Library to restore services and pursue improvements. The committee’s recommendations and the commission’s endorsement will be forwarded to the City Council for policy consideration and potential budget implications.

Library capacity and hours: The committee reviewed the city’s library performance standards and reported it met or exceeded several metrics — including seats, power outlets and meeting room availability — but fell short on square footage per resident. The report said the city’s standard is 0.5 square feet per resident; based on current population figures the committee reported 0.44 square feet per resident and projected that figure could decline to about 0.39 per resident under a mid‑range population projection.

County decisions and hours reinstatement: Committee members and staff clarified that Contra Costa County operates the libraries and set countywide hours (including eliminating Sunday service system‑wide for staffing reasons). City staff said the City Council approved funding to restore 10 hours at the San Ramon Library and staff expect the county to implement the restored Monday and a few weekday hours within about two months, with an early‑to‑mid April target for implementation.

Programming and facilities: The committee highlighted StoryWalk book selections, program attendance, and a planned pair of sound‑proof booths for private video calls and meetings at the San Ramon Library. Committee members said the county selected San Ramon as one of three countywide locations for the Zoom booths because of demand from patrons who use the library to work outside the home.

Public comment and Q&A: Commissioners and the Student Commissioner pressed for details about operational logistics — reservation method, bandwidth for Zoom booths, and whether reservations would be online. Library staff and the committee said reservations for the booths likely will be managed at the library desk on a first‑come, first‑served basis and that the county manages library Wi‑Fi and had assessed capacity for the booths. Commissioners also asked about outreach, marketing of services like the public 3‑D printer and study rooms, and whether the county and city will develop a formal process for gathering patron feedback; the committee said that goal remains a priority for 2025.

Formal action: The commission voted to accept the Library Advisory Committee’s 2024 annual report and forward it to the City Council with a recommendation for consideration. The motion carried 6‑0.

What’s next: The committee said it will request an updated presentation on Contra Costa County’s library strategic plan implementation in San Ramon and will continue refining performance benchmarks, monitoring hours of operation and working with county staff on operational details for the Zoom booths and room reservations.