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File Number: 23-251 start doing services, programs, collection types, etc. Facility Gaps = what do residents need from the facility in order for the library to best serve their needs. By identifying these gaps, a strategic plan will be developed that will provide areas of focus to close those gaps. The strategic plan will provide the big picture direction to best serve the community. A library services vision and mission will be created to guide staff who will come up with the tactical services, programs, collections, etc. to execute on the strategy. To ensure as many diverse voices as possible are heard, the process will involve 24 focus groups of 8 participants each, representing a rich qualitative data collection set. These focus groups represent different age segments (Teens, Younger Adults, Parents with Current Children, and Seniors) as well as library users and non-users. The library wants to find out what it does well and where to improve for those who use the library, and to find out what’s holding people back from using the library for non-users. This contract also makes efforts to ensure the City captures the voices of different multicultural segments. While most focus groups will be a diverse mix of cultural backgrounds, a specific set of African American/Black cohort of focus groups will also be conducted, led by a culturally appropriate facilitator, to make as much effort as possible for people to be comfortable to speak freely. Furthermore, in recognition that we have a very diverse population, focus groups will be held in Mandarin and Spanish to capture the voices of our residents who don’t speak English. Analysis Staff recommends the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute this Consultant Service Agreement with RTL to ensure that the strategic plan is in place within FY2024 and actions to achieve the strategy can be put in motion during FY2024, FY2025, and beyond. Staff investigated other options including doing the research and plan in-house, but it was decided that there was too much room for a biased outcome, and even if it were not, the optics of it might be perceived as biased, which would erode staff and/or community trust in the outcomes. Staff also explored other firms. The specialization of focus group recruitment, qualitative research, and ability to understand libraries is limited. Only one other firm at a similar price was found in the Bay Area to have the understanding of libraries and communities, the capabilities to execute, and the capacity. RTL understood the challenges best and provided the focus group recruitment and facilitation, as well as, the output of the final strategic plan report as a deliverable. Applicable General Plan Policies ·Policy CSF-3.1 Library Expansion and Upgrades. Support the expansion and upgrading of public library facilities and services to keep pace with changes in information technology and community needs. §Action CSF-3.1.A: Library Modernization Continue to pursue the modernization Page 2 City of San Leandro Printed on 5/31/2023