DEPARTMENT: Library
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ramiro S. Salazar
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds upon award in an amount up to $90,000 for reimbursement of a portion of costs for Interlibrary Loan services. The reimbursement is from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the period of September 1, 2017 - August 31, 2018.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
San Antonio Public Library (SAPL), in a partnership with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, has provided resource sharing with multi-type libraries in the Interlibrary Loan Program since 1972. [By participating in the statewide Interlibrary Loan Program, San Antonio Public Library will retain its accreditation status which allows the Library to apply for specific grants such as e-rate.]
In FY2017, San Antonio Public Library customers borrowed over 10,000 items from partner libraries across the county and SAPL loaned more than 9,750 items to partner library customers. It is anticipated that the Texas State Library and Archives Commission will reimburse at a rate of $5.99 per item loaned by SAPL.
ISSUE:
This action is consistent with City Council guidance to accept appropriate State/Federal grant funds to defray the cost of services for area residents. Benefits to Bexar County residents are access to additional library materials that are not owned by San Antonio Public Library. Library customers have access to a variety of materials through partner libraries that support a variety of activities such as scholarly research; business and economic support; leisure pursuits; and education. In this way, highly specialized materials valuable to individual customer needs can be borrowed in an efficient and cost- effective manner.
ALTERNATIVES:
No other grant funding is available to support reimbursement of a portion of the cost of this service. If reimbursement funds are not to be accepted, the City of San Antonio’s General Fund will assume a the full costs associated with the Interlibrary Loan program rather than recovering a portion of the program cost.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the City Council to accept up to $90,000 in grant funds from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the City’s participation in statewide Interlibrary Loan services. Funds will be received in the City’s General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval to accept the reimbursement in an amount up to $90,000 in order to defray costs of the Interlibrary Loan program.