New and Replacement Equipment
Prior to Measure B, funding was not available to replace worn office equipment;
equipment for facilities maintenance; purchase new equipment to house,
preserve and secure collections; and improve the productivity of staff.
Library Facilities Maintenance and
Operations
To operate and maintain the current 33 Library buildings and three bookmobiles
at the doubled hours of operation, appropriations for services, supplies
and maintenance staff were increased. These refurbishing projects are
complete:
Mendota (1999), Sanger (1999), Clovis - partial (2002), Fig Garden (2002),
Riverdale (2002), Pinedale (2003), Children's Room in the Central Library
(2003), exterior improvements to the Central Library (2004), completion
of Young Adult spaces in the Central (2004), San Joaquin (2004), Bear
Mountain (2004) and Clovis (2005) Libraries. Other scheduled projects
include installation of a quiet room at Cedar-Clinton (2004-2005). Projects
also underway or partially completed in 2004/2005 include creation of
Young Adult spaces at Cedar-Clinton, Fig Garden and Reedley.
Under study and development at the Central Library is a partial reconfiguration
of and improvements to all floors (2005).
New and Remodeled Libraries
Funding was used to work on projects identified in the Long Term Facilities
Plan of 1990. In February 2002 the Board of Supervisors adopted a a
long range facilites plan and five principles for selecting projects.
The library rented larger facilities for Piedra, Kingsburg, and Sunnyside,
and established a Literacy Services Center. The new Kerman Library opened
in June 2002, and the new Caruthers Library opened in 2003. Laton underwent
a major refurbishing in 2003, including replacing the foundation,
new roof, addition of restrooms and handicap access. In October 2003
funding was approved from the Library Bond Act
of 2000 for two thirds of eligible costs for a new library in Mendota.
Land was purchased for future libraries in Fowler, Mendota, Orange Cove
and Millerton New Town. In November 2004 funding was approved from the
Library Bond Act of 2000 for new libraries in Orange Cove and Tranquillity.
The new Woodward Park Regional Library opened in 2004. Study of three
possible sites for a new Central
Library is underway. Study is underway for new libraries for Mosqueda
and Clovis. A new Senior Resource Center opened in June 2005.