Description:
On Monday, March 21, 2011, the Future of the Library Task Force presented its final recommendations to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board of Trustees. At a special joint meeting, Task Force Chair Dr. Jim Woodward presented a detailed report of the findings of the 17-member Task Force, a group of volunteer citizens charged with providing recommendations to ensure a sustainable future for the Library.
Using data collected over six months, the Task Force developed recommendations which are included in the final report and attached presentation.
As part of its data collection process the Task Force studied 13 peer communities identified by the County and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, and 55 peer Library systems serving communities in the same size range as Mecklenburg County. They also conducted phone surveys of local residents and Library users.
At large Task Force members were appointed by the Task Force Chairman in consultation with the Library Board of Trustees Chair, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners Chair, and other stakeholders. Nearly 90 people applied to join the Task Force.
The Task Force was first proposed during the spring 2010 County budget cycle, when stakeholders began discussing the need to create a stable funding platform for the Library in response to the economic challenges seen by Mecklenburg County and across the nation. At their budget straw vote, the Board of County Commissioners made the creation of a task force part of its contingency for library funding for FY2011.
The Task Force was primarily funded by a $150,000 grant from the Foundation For The Carolinas Catalyst Fund. Additional funding totaling $75,000, as well as in-kind services, has been provided by Mecklenburg County and the Library.
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