3.5. SR 04-21-1997ity of
ver
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
ITEM 3.5.
MEMORANDUM
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City Admi~j~r
April 21, 1997
Public Access Internet Workstations at
the Library
During the Library Annual Report presentation on April 7, 1997, the City
Council received information on the Great River Regional Library (GRRL)
matching grant program for libraries to obtain public access Internet
workstations. Attached for your review is the material that was handed out
on April 7, 1997, which reviews the grant program. Staff has discussed and
reviewed this issue with Librarian Mick Stoffers and everyone strongly
supports obtaining these workstations in the Elk River Library. Space is
available for these workstations and funds are also available in the Library
maintenance reserve. This is not a 1997 budgeted item, but is an appropriate
use of the reserves.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the expenditure of
approximately $4,200 for three public access Internet workstations under the
GRRL matching grant program as outlined in the February 27, 1997, memo
from Ken Behringer.
XXelkriverksysXshrdocXcouncil\libintrn.doc
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
~o~ ST. G~
$~. ~OUD, M~$OTA
TEL, 320-2Slo7282 - FAX
SE~G ~S~ OF ~NI'O~. ~N, B~~, S~S, TODD · ~IG~ ~OUNT~S
L~Y D~R
Date: ~ebma~ 27, 1997
City Council Mem]~erlkin GILKL Hranch Libnu'Y Conununitics
City Administrat~s/,~.ity Clerks in OP, KL Branuh Library Communities
Ken
PiIblic lnterfiet A~..es~ Computers
From:
Subject:
At its ]'anuary meeting the et'cat River R¢$ionai Library (GR.RL) Board authorized the
establishment of a matching grant program that would assist Sherbume ~d Wright County branch
libraries in obtaining public auoess Intcrnet workstations, GRR.L h~s set aside su~cient fimds to
provide a match of $1,400 for any city that provides $1,800 toward the Interact computer, related
computer equipment and necessary furniture. GR.P,L budgeted enough fi]nds to provide up to tht'cc
workstations in Buffalo, ]Elk B, iver and Monticello, two in St. Michael and one in the other She~'burno
and Wrilght County branch library communities.
The local match under this progr~n should be. made payable to Oreat Riv~' Regional Library.
Since GB.RL contribution to this program includes state and f~eral funds, all intricated communities
must notify GRRL of their intent to participate in the program before Scptomb~l 1, 1997 ired provide
thc Icom match funding before November I 5, 1997. Fcr ¢onsis~enoy ne~;¢~i'y to ~upport equipment
in many remote sit~s, GRR.L. will purchase all computer txtuipmcnt hi this project.
Interact work.~tations for tho public have bccn very popular at thc St. Cloud Public Library
and oth~ public libraries nationally. Th~ae t~l'uiinala have been of great asaistance to both staffand
use. r.~ in meeting information nee. da tl, ough ac.g~s$ to the wide v~,riety of resources on the World
Wide Web. OKRL also icl;curly signed a contract with Information Access Company tbr access to
fidl text periodical databax~ tlu'oul0~ thc Internot. Library users will find that the addition of an
Interact terminal will si.Knifk~tly ~lum8e local inform~tlon resource~ ~t branch libraries, partioular;y
to information contained in a large variety of popular periodicals.
The local matullil~g funds could come from city support, Friends groups, n cash re,rye held
by the libr~¥, private donation or fund-raising. The $3,200 per work station will be sufficient tO buy
an Internet computer workstation, primer, n~r, essary soi~ware and supplies far nne year, cables, a
omputer desk and a ~hair. The furniture that GP, RL would provide as its part ofth{~ match would bc
a standard computer table and wooden chair.
Some librarian.~ in Wright and Sherbume Counties indi<atext that thoy may not need the
thmiture planned within the program. In that case, die local match may be reduced from $1800 to
$14o0. Other librarilms lndlcat~ that they may wish to order speoial furniture to match e×i~tin8
tables and chairs. In that ~s~, th~ uity should provide $1400 for the local match to GRILL along with
an invoice copy showing that the fumishin$$ to handle the Interact operations hav~ be~.n ordered.