DIXON LIBRARY: 1999 - 2003
A FIVE-YEAR PLAN

DIXON PUBLIC LIBRARY: A HISTORY

Once dedicated in 1912 as a special district library, the Dixon Union High School District Library, as it was formerly called, was governed by a five-member Governing Board of Library Trustees who were also the elected school board members for the Dixon Unified School District. Under the Trustee's guidance, the town of Dixon was well served by its library for over forty-five years. However, by the mid-fifties it became obvious that additional space was needed to better serve the expanding community. By late 1957, the Trustees agreed that a new wing which would provided separate areas for Children's and Reference services should be added onto the original Carnegie building. Construction work to accomplish that goal was completed in 1958.

By the mid-sixties, in a further attempt to increase library service levels for Dixon residents, the Dixon Library had contracted for certain library services to be provided to Dixon by the Solano County Library System. By 1968, Dixon Library decided to terminate this agreement, but the concept of increasing the availability of library services and materials for the people of Dixon was not abandoned. By the mid-seventies, Dixon Library once again acknowledged the benefits of resource sharing by joining the Mountain Valley Library System (MVLS). The MVLS is a network of neighboring libraries to the east, north-east and south-east of Dixon which acts cooperatively to share library resources among library system members. The MVLS association affords the people of Dixon Interlibrary Loan privileges with all member libraries: fourteen public, including Sacramento, Yolo County and Roseville, nine academic, one of which is U.C. Davis, and six special, including the California State Library.

As Dixon Library continued to grow and to increase its service levels, the responsibility of overseeing the library took on a new dimension. Therefore, in 1970, the Trustees decided to create an advisory body, the library commission, to act as its representative. These five commissioners serve staggered three-year terms, are responsible to the Trustees, and oversee library policies and operations. The Library Trustees still retain the powers for final budget approval and land acquisitions. The District Librarian is responsible for the implementation of commission decisions and with the day-to-day administration of the library. Since 1913, there have been ten District Librarians.

In mid-1987, the commission had to once again evaluate library service needs and funding levels. Library space was at a premium, and funds were not adequate to provide for facility maintenance, expansion, and increases in library service levels. Therefore, in November of 1987, a ballot measure with a five year limit was offered to the people of Dixon which would enable the library both to rehabilitate and expand the facility and to increase library services. The measure passed, and construction on the new wing, which now serves as the library's entrance, was completed in April of 1990. In 1992, the original Carnegie Library was renovated. As a result of this expansion program, today's library provides more than 6,000 square feet of usable space.

The years from 1992 to 1996 proved to be real financial challenges not only to the Dixon Library but to all libraries in California. As a counteractive action, legislation passed in 1997 provided all California counties with the potential for voter-approved sales tax generated revenue to fund their local libraries. In June 1998, voters of Solano County passed such a measure to provide revenue for all libraries in Solano County over the next sixteen years. Funds secured from Measure B will allow the Dixon Library not only to restore lost services but to use this revenue in ways which will enhance the library's value to the community along with the quality of life for all Dixon residents.

Current library holdings include over 30,000 volumes, 60 magazine titles and 4 newspapers, including the Dixon Tribune on microfilm back to 1874. The library also offers non-print materials such as recorded books, language instruction cassettes, video cassettes, and educational CD's. Technology has come to the library in the form of several computer terminals which provide INTERNET, word processing, and educational software capabilities for public use. The Dixon Public Library is now beginning to implement an automation plan to computerize its records thereby enabling faster, better, and more accurate services to its patrons both in the library and from home.

THE CITY OF DIXON: A HISTORY

Dixon was incorporated in 1878. In its early years, Dixon was known for grain and, later, for alfalfa and dairy farming. Today Dixon, a town still rich in its agricultural roots, supports a population of almost 14,000 and has a terrain and climate that seem more like the flat Central Valley than its North Bay Area county location. Home to the annual August Lambtown Festival, Dixon has a well-deserved national reputation as a sheep industry leader. Dixon is also the home of the May Fair, the oldest state affiliated fair in California.

THE CITY OF DIXON: A DESCRIPTION

DIXON CITY GOVERNMENT

CITY OF DIXON DEMOGRAPHICS

MEDIAN AGE = 30.7

The Dixon Library offers print and non-print collections which contain extensive information on a myriad of subjects which are accessible to all age groups. Dixon Library also employs technological links for patron access to many on-line resources.

The Dixon Library operates in accordance with the principles of professional librarianship and is committed to the tenets of the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read statements.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A COMMUNITY PUBLIC LIBRARY'S MASTER PLAN

• a study of future informational trends,

• an assessment of the impact which city demographic projections will have upon library services

• an invitation for public recommendations regarding future library service needs

• implementation of an automated computer system equipped to meet current and future technological trends and developments

• the provision of materials in various formats to promote the quality of life along with an opportunity for self-enrichment and the continuation of life-long learning to Dixon residents of all ages

WHY JUST A FIVE YEAR PLAN

GOALS

• ACCESSIBILITY
• COMMUNICATION
• FUNDING
• LIBRARY PROMOTION
• NETWORKING
• PARTNERSHIPS
• PROFESSIONALISM
• PUBLIC SERVICE
• TECHNOLOGY

OBJECTIVES

1. EXPANSION OF PUBLIC SERVICES
   
   More accessibility to library (hours and days open), more print and non-print materials, more programs, special collections, specialized services, senior services, and technology to meet current and future on-line informational needs and services.

2. FULLY INTEGRATED HISTORICAL RECORD'S COLLECTION
   
   Fully cataloged, public accessible historical record's collection either as hard copy or automated. Provide staff member to maintain collection and to serve public.

3. GREATER PATRON/STAFF INTERACTION
   
   An increase in the number of professional staff members will allow for more individualized patron assistance to provide quality patron assistance.

4. OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT
   
   Offer more cultural programs, workshops, classes, and enrichment materials for all age groups.

5. TUTORIAL AND REMEDIAL PROGRAMS
   
   Develop a tutorial program. Provide tutor time in library, make computer tutorials available for in-house use and check out.

6. DEVELOP SOUND FISCAL STRATEGIES
   
   Explore Library Foundation, grants, and plans to attract donations. Do budget projections.

7. ESTABLISH A SAFE LIBRARY ENVIRONMENT/DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT
   
   Periodic evaluation of building condition, equipment, and accessories to provide a well maintained and hazard-free environment.

8. DEVELOP THE LIBRARY'S IMAGE IN THE COMMUNITY
   
   Publicize the library in newsletters, articles, and through public speaking. Invite business people to do seminars. Sponsor activities, open houses, and cultural events.

9. REVISE PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL
   
   Revise current policy manual to reflect equity with neighboring library jurisdictions' policies.

10. EXPANSION OF THE LIBRARY'S PRINT AND NON-PRINT COLLECTIONS
    
    Evaluate collection. Establish needs Consider special collections development.

11. ESTABLISH PROGRAMS AND CREATIVE EVENTS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
    
    Contact neighboring libraries for suggestions. Ask teens what they would like. Contact the Leadership Class and other clubs at the local high school. Offer speakers and programs on topics of special interest. Provide adequate staffing to serve this age group.

12. EXPANSION OF CHILDEN'S SERVICES
    
    Staff with a full-time Youth Services Coordinator. Youth Services Coordinator can be in with contact neighboring libraries. Develop more varieties of activities for children. Provide adequate support staff for this age group.

13. EXPANSION OF REFERENCE SERVICES
    
    Staff with a full-time professional librarian. Business collection development, more INTERNET searches, provide more on-line resources and a full-text magazine database. Evaluate and develop Reference collection.

14. ESTABLISH A NETWORK FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY/PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF INTERACTION
    
    School technicians and Dixon Library Staff work toward collection development, resource sharing, and technology links. Devise more creative ways to attract teacher cooperation with public library. More visits by public librarians to schools.

15. PROVIDE ACCESSIBILITY FOR ON-LINE RETRIEVAL OF INFORMATION FOR STUDENT USE
    
    Research on-line utilities available to assist in student research and assignment needs. Ask School District for suggestions.

16. EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPANSION OF COLLECTIONS AND SERVICES IN PRESENT LIBRARY LOCATION AND ASSESS IF THERE IS A NEED FOR ANOTHER LIBRARY FACILITY IN DIXON
    
    Evaluate current library's growth and service life potentials. Work with the School District to determine school expansion plans, patterns, and locations. Determine the most advantageous area for a new library facility.

17. STRENGTHEN AVENUES OF COMMUNICATION WITH LIBRARY TRUSTEES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, NEIGHBORING LIBRARY JURSIDICTIONS, AND LOCAL MEDIA.
    
    Use newsletters, news articles, public meetings, and civic club presentations for communications.

18. EXPLORE NETWORKING POSSIBILITIES WITH MOUNTAIN VALLEY LIBRARY SYSTEM AND NEIGHBORING LIBRARY JURISDICTIONS
    
    Investigate MVLS catalog-link project.

• FUTURE INFORMATIONAL TRENDS
• ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT WHICH CITY DEMOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS WILL HAVE UPON LIBRARY SERVICES
• PUBLIC SURVEY REGARDING FUTURE LIBRARY SERVICE NEEDS
• IMPLEMENTATION OF AN AUTOMATED COMPUTER SYSTEM EQUIPPED TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS
• PROVISION OF MATERIALS IN VARIOUS FORMATS TO PROMOTE THE QUALITY OF LIFE ALONG WITH AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF-ENRICHMENT AND LIFE-LONG LEARNING TO DIXON RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES

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