ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: March 25, 1998

Author/Local: RHaas/VPL

CC File No. 1380

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Vancouver Public Library
SUBJECT:	Vancouver Public Library Staffing - New Positions/Consolidation of Hours

RECOMMENDATION

A.THAT Council approve the establishment of a new position of Library Assistant 1 for the Collingwood Branch Library. The estimated annual cost of this position (midrange including fringe benefits) is $29,200.00 with funding provided from the current, approved Vancouver Public Library budget.

B.THAT Council approve the establishment of one new position of Library Assistant I in the Language & Literature Division of the Vancouver Public Library. The estimated annual cost of this position (midrange including fringe benefits) is $29,200.00 with funding provided from the current, approved Vancouver Public Library operating budget.

C.THAT Council approve the establishment of a new position of Marketing and Development Director for the Vancouver Public Library. The estimated annual cost of this position (midrange including fringe benefits) is $68,800.00 with funding provided from the current, approved Vancouver Public Library budget.

D.THAT Council approve the establishment of a new position of Support Desk Assistant for the Vancouver Public Library, Systems Department. The estimated annual cost of this position (midrange including fringe benefits) is $37,200.00 with funding provided from the current, approved Vancouver Public Library budget.

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of A to D.

COUNCIL POLICY

City Council approves the establishment of new positions and has directed, whenever possible, that they be funded from existing budgets.

BACKGROUND

·In 1996, the Collingwood Branch Library was reduced from a full service to a storefront branch as the result of the 1996 Budget Management Program. Staffing was reduced at that time. In 1997, the Vancouver Public Library began to implement its Area Services model. Two branch Libraries became Neighbourhood branches and funds became available for reallocation. Given the increased use of the Collingwood Branch and in keeping with the Vancouver Public Library’s Area Service Model, it is appropriate for this Branch to be staffed at the Neighbourhood Service level. This would involve the establishment of one additional Library Assistant 1. The position will be funded by reallocation of funds within the existing budget as the result of restructuring which occurred in 1997.

·The Language & Literature Division of the Vancouver Public Library has several blocks of part time hours to a total of 35 hours per week. The hours are at the Library Assistant 1 level. The regular scheduling of the hours would indicate this situation is ongoing. It is appropriate to consolidate the hours and regularize the position.

·The Library has had a contract position of Marketing and Development Director for two years. A recommendation of the reorganization report carried out by KPMG was that a regular position be established for a Marketing, Development and Communications Director. This recommendation was approved by the VPL Board as part of the reorganization, to be funded by funds available as a result of the reorganization.

·Vancouver Public Library has been re-organizing the administrative support area including Computer Services. The current arrangement of part-time hours is difficult to manage to maximize staff efficiency. This proposal consolidates 35 hours per week part time to create a new full time Support Desk Assistant.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The Director of Finance, Vancouver Public Library, has advised that these positions can be funded from the existing operating budget.

CONCLUSION

The creation of these four positions is needed to meet the needs of the Vancouver Public Library. No additional funding is required as there are sufficient funds currently in the Library’s operating budget.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver