Library

FY 2023-25 PROPOSED POLICY BUDGET


SERVICES

External Services

Safe and Comfortable Access to Facilities

Maintain 18 libraries for Oakland residents that offer a range of services and programs.


Circulation and Information Services

Provide service to customers to allow them to check out materials, return materials, obtain or replace library cards, place-holds, update account information, ask questions and receive help.


Technology Access

Provide free Wi-Fi, PCs, high-speed internet, printing, scanning, faxing, circulating hotspots and Chromebooks.


Free Online Resources

Provide e-services such as, e-books/magazines, e-audiobooks, online programs, streaming music and movies, Discover and Go, online tutoring, and subscription databases.


Social Services Resources and Information

Facilitate access to social service support for employment, taxes, housing, food, legal, education, health, etc.


Public Communication

Engage with residents and keep them informed about Library services and all the exciting activities.

PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Service Title: Library Services


Council Priority: Clean, healthy, sustainable neighborhoods


Service Description: Provides service to patrons to allow them to check out materials, get a library card, place holds, ask questions and receive help. Provides free Wi-Fi, PCs, high-speed internet, printing, scanning, faxing, hotspots and laptops. Facilitates access to social service support for employment, taxes, housing, food, legal, education and health. Improves literacy. Engages with patrons and keep them informed about Library services and all the exciting activities.


Service Type: External


Output Measure: Number of patrons who visit Oakland Public Library in a fiscal year.


Number of in-person programs offered by Oakland Public Library in a fiscal year.


Objective Description: Increase by an average of 3% the number of patrons who visit libraries each year in equity neighborhoods by creating welcoming spaces.


Decrease by 10% the number of incidents due to staff being better trained in nonviolent conflict resolution and restorative justice practices.


Increase library programs developed with a racial equity and community engagement tool by 5% annually in equity neighborhoods to reflect strengths-based understanding of BIPOC communities and better support entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency of BIPOC communities.


Success Measure: Percent increase of patrons who visit OPL locations each year in equity neighborhoods.


Percent increase of programs developed using a racial equity and community engagement tool annually in equity neighborhoods.


Percent increase in the number of patrons utilizing library meeting spaces annually in equity neighborhoods.


Percent decrease of incidents reported by staff in OPL’s incident tracking software.

Service Title: Collections, Acquisitions and Cataloging Units


Council Priority: Clean, healthy, sustainable neighborhoods


Service Description: Supports OPL employees, purchases and maintains the collections that patrons borrow and the technology and facilities that customers use.


Service Type: External


Output Measure: Number of physical items borrowed in a fiscal year.


Objective Description: Increase book collections that meet BIPOC representation in order to increase number of books borrowed by 5% in equity neighborhoods.


Success Measure: Percent increase in the number of books borrowed annually in equity neighborhoods.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Organizational Chart for Oakland Public Library

BUREAUS/DIVISIONS

African American Museum & Library At Oakland

This program represents the programs, collections and archives provided at the African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO) on the culture and history of African Americans in Northern California and the Bay Area.



Branch Library Services

This program represents the services provided by the 16 Branch Libraries located throughout Oakland.



Library System-Wide Support

This program represents the system-wide services provided by Administration, the Finance and Administrative Unit, Teen Services, Children’s Services, Community Relations, Materials Unit, Computer Services Unit, and the Acquisitions and Cataloging Unit.



Literacy Programs

This program represents the literacy services provided by the Second Start Adult Literacy Program.



Main Library Services

This program represents the public services provided at the Main Library. These include General Reference services, the Oakland History Center, Magazines and Newspapers Room, Children’s Room, Computer Lab and Circulation.

DEPARTMENT FACTS

The Oakland Public Library (OPL), founded in 1878, is the second-oldest public library in California. In addition to its Main library, 16 neighborhood branches and African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO), the Oakland Public Library is expanding its effort to engage people in the community by making resources available online. The library provides free public access to technology - computers, high-speed Wi-Fi, hotspots, and laptops - to help bridge the digital divide. Facilities, programs and services include:



  • 1 main library and 16 neighborhood branches
  • Second Start Adult Literacy Program
  • Tool Lending Library
  • African-American Museum and Library at Oakland
  • 2,051,503 million items in collection
  • 2.38 million physical items checked out
  • 490,869 e-materials checked out
  • 4,549 live and virtual programs held
  • 127,934 attendees to live and virtual programs
  • 168,467 uses of public internet computers
  • 1,947,657 virtual visits to the library website