To: Mark R. Hafner, City Manager
From: Jana Prock, Library Director
Subject:
Title
Consider a resolution approving an Interlocal Agreement with the Cities of Burleson, Haltom City, Richland Hills, Watauga, the Benbrook Library District, and the Forest Hill Library District for Reciprocal Lending of Library Materials; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents relating thereto, on behalf of the City of Keller, Texas.
Action Requested:
Consider approval for a proposal for public libraries to cooperate in circulating library materials for the mutual advantage of library customers in Keller and surrounding communities.
Background:
The Keller Public Library was a member of the MetroPAC Consortium with the Public Libraries of Fort Worth, Burleson, Haltom City, Richland Hills, and Watauga. On the recommendation of the Library Board and a Special Advisory Committee, the Keller Public Library did not renew the agreement in 2021. The libraries of the Cities of Burleson, Haltom City, Richland Hills, Watauga, and the Library Districts of Benbrook and Forest Hill have joined together to share the costs associated with implementing a new Integrated Library System (ILS), the open source Koha system, managed by Bywater Solutions, Inc The City of Keller IT Department is aware of and prepared to fully support acquiring this system. The new group will be called METROSHARE: a community of libraries.
The Koha ILS and library partnership will improve service by providing library staff with greater control and access to customer and resource information. In addition, the highly customizable system will enable staff to create an online or an onsite visit to the library tailored to their own information needs and user preferences, and the reciprocal borrowing agreement will expand customers’ borrowing options.
Financial Impact:
The previous contract with the Fort Worth Public Library System included ILS access and courier service, at a $21,666 annual cost. The current contract with ByWater Solutions, Inc. for the ILS management and support is at a $9,950 annual cost. Amigos Library Services will provide a courier service for a $4,067 annual cost. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSCLAC), has also approved a grant for the METROSHARE libraries, which will be awarded in August 2021 and will cover 100% of fees associated with our new ILS and courier service.
Citizen Input/Board Review:
The Keller Public Library Advisory Board unanimously recommended proceeding with this new consortium.
Legal Review:
The proposed agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney
Alternatives:
City Council has the following alternatives:
- Approve as submitted
- Approve with changes
- Denial