Budget Overview
FY19 Budget vs. FY18 Budget
FY19 Budget- $161M
- (including one-time $19.8M for Mission Branch Renovation)
- $138M
- 16.5%
FY20 Budget vs. FY19 Budget
FY20 Budget- $150M
- $161M
- (including one-time $19.8M for Mission Branch Renovation)
- -6.5%
Three Year Budget Comparison by Program
Budget Priorities
San Francisco Public Library continues its commitment to providing welcoming facilities and service excellence as premier urban library through the following strategic areas:
Premier Urban Library
- Fosters a connected community through shared experiences, equitable access to quality resources, an inclusive environment
Literacy & Learning
- Initiatives provide robust collections, resources, services, and programs that support reading and address the changing literacy and learning needs of the 21st century
Youth Engagement
- Enriches the City’s youth with early literacy programs, summer learning activities, homework help, outreach to schools, and expanded teen services with emphasis on technology access and media literacy
Organization Excellence
- Creating personnel capacity to meet service goals, and overall labor/non-labor service optimization
Digital Strategies
- Ensure equitable access to public technology and resources
Facilities Maintenance & Infrastructure
- Keeps our assets in the state of good repair and enhances our facilities & infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of our public
Investing in the Future
Three branch libraries renovation
In FY 2016-17, the Library began its planning process to renovate the Chinatown, Mission, and Ocean View branch libraries with a feasibility study to provide an initial needs assessment. The completed feasibility study recommended a phased renovation program beginning with the Mission branch library, given the building’s systems are at the end of their service life. The study also recommended additional exploration of project scope for Chinatown and Ocean View branch libraries through community meetings. As such, the Library’s FY 2018-19 budget includes monies to fully fund the Mission branch library renovation at an estimated $19.8 million. The next step in the Mission renovation will be to engage the community in a service needs assessment and design development, incorporating user-experience analysis into the project. The FY 2019-20 budget allocates $3.8 million to continue scoping and design efforts to further develop the budgets for the Chinatown and Ocean View branch library projects.
Radio Frequency Indentification Technology (RFID)
The modernization of the Library’s collection management system to radio frequency identification technology (RFID) will enhance patron experience by improving how library materials move throughout the system so that collections will be shelved faster and holds will arrive at patrons’ branches sooner. Patrons will also enjoy a quicker checkout process as they will be able to scan multiple items simultaneously. In addition, with RFID the Library will capture operational efficiencies, freeing up staffing capacity for more direct public service. With the full implementation of RFID by 2020 the Library will join 75 percent of Bay Area libraries that use RFID technology.
Strong Library Collections
The Library commits approximately 12 percent of its operating budget each fiscal year to collections in various formats and multiple languages to support our diverse community. Enhancements are responsive to usage data and community requests.
- 11%-12% on average of annual operating budget
- Collection in various formats and multiple languages
- Substantial budget increase in eResources
- Reintroduction vinyl records collection
Investing in Information Technology
The Library’s digital strategy priority focuses on ensuring public access to technology and the Internet. In FY 2017-18 the Library introduced the Tech’d Out program that allows patrons to check out a laptop and mobile hotspot (MiFi device) for three weeks. The proposed budget expands on the Tech’d Out program by funding an additional 170 MiFi devices and Internet services for the public, helping address access and bridge the digital divide.
Equity, Inclusion, and Shared Prosperity
Starting in mid-June 2017 the Library added 85 weekly hours to the system, allowing all public libraries to be open seven days per week, improving access for citizens. With all the extra hours, there is increased opportunity to meet community demands for programming. In response to growing demand, the Library built $75,000 into its budget for systemwide programming and $100,000 to create learning and work experience pathways for youth.
The City’s continued investment in a strong library system ensures that San Franciscans not only have equal access to information, but also free educational and recreational opportunities that make San Francisco a more affordable place to live.
- Library Commission Budget Discussion