DEPARTMENT: Library
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ramiro S. Salazar, Library Director
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 for reimbursement of a portion of costs for Interlibrary Loan services offered by the San Antonio Public Library System. Additionally, provides approval for the Director of the San Antonio Public Library or his designee to accept supplemental grant funds in an amount up to 20% of the total amount awarded that do not require a change in City cash match or personnel. The grant amount is contingent on both the number of items loaned and the reimbursement rate to be set by the State. State will pay the city an estimated $9.00 per item loaned in this program. Library estimates that 10,000 items will be loaned resulting in a grant reimbursement of approximately $90,000.00. City is authorized to accept all funds offered by the State in connection with this grant program. Library will coordinate with Finance to ensure proper accounting of all such funds when delivered. The reimbursement is from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the period of September 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
San Antonio Public Library (SAPL), in a partnership with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission since 1972, is part of a state-wide program for reciprocal use of library materials. SAPL loans SAPL owned materials to public, school and academic libraries in other jurisdictions through the Interlibrary Loan Program and, in turn, can borrow materials from these other libraries for the benefit and use of San Antonio Public Library System customers. [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 FY2018, San Antonio Public Library customers borrowed over 10,000 items from partner libraries across the county and SAPL loaned more than 10,000 items to partner library customers. The reimbursement amount in FY2018 was $106,000.
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 Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the City’s participation in the statewide Interlibrary Loan services. Funds will be received by the City’s General Fund. There is no negative impact to the City’s General Fund. From July 31, 2018 to July 31, 2019 the City is estimated to spend $130,000 for this program.
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.