COMMUNITY

Patron Needs

2000 U.S. Census Data

Seniors are a significant group within AALS 14.25% in AALS vs. 9.9% in Texas.

Children under 5 represent 7.03% of the total population (2,104,802) yet preschool enrollment is only 6.2% of the population. The difference between the two (1,747) suggests that many children do not attend preschool and may not receive any educational opportunities before they begin Kindergarten. Additionally, preschool enrollment is 6.45% less than the state's average. However, Kindergarten enrollment is equivalent to the state's average.

There is a clear need for GED (13.83% of adults do not have a diploma) and adult basic education classes.

Median household income in AALS is 20% lower than the state average.

Families living in poverty are 43% higher than the state's average.

Texas Economic Data

According to the Texas Workforce Commission (November), the unemployment figures reached 8.0% for Texas and 6.8% for San Antonio. Obviously, workforce development continues to be a major issue in AALS libraries.

Future trends for the AALS region have been identified by Texas in Focus: Alamo Region which reports employment should rise by 23% for the years 2003-2013. Employment in the AALS region for educational and health services will rise 44% through 2013, largely due to positive growth in the home health care services. While these figures look promising, growth in home health care services typically do not translate into well-paying jobs with upward mobility. There is still a great need for post-secondary school training and AALS staff is concerned with technology training demands that will be made on our libraries.

The City of San Antonio created an action plan that leverages the second-largest cluster of cyber security operations (Rackspace, Inc.) with the U.S. Air Force's cyber command center that will be located in SA. The IT industry forecasts that the economic impact from this plan will generate $8,000,000,000 for the city and the surrounding area according to the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. The critical need for training/online support for tech jobs and support services will put further strain on library computers and networks.

AALS Library Data

Patrons are demanding more of libraries and their services: According to the TSLAC annual report data for AALS libraries from 2000-2008, visitors increased 81%, circulation increased 78%, hours open increased 511%, total income 62%, total expenditures 69% and computer users rose 31% for 2006-2008.

AALS staff surveyed member library directors (14 responded out of 45). The trends were overwhelmingly consistent: patrons want meeting rooms; free Internet; help with online job applications; online courses and distance education; free programming for adults and children; and downloadable audio and e-books.

International/National Consumer Trends

The Gartner Forecast, a market research company, predicts that by 2013 there will be more mobile phones (1.82 billion) than PCs (1.78 billion).

More than 3 billion people will bank and shop online by 2014 (Gartner).

There will be 6.5 billion mobile connections by 2014 (Gartner).

Forrester Research forecasts that in 2010 there will be 10 million e-readers available through Amazon's Kindle, Barnes & Noble's Nook and Sony's E-Reader among others.

Digital audio downloads accounted for 21% of all audio sales in 2009 according to Publisher's Weekly.

Library Services:

Overview

The Hill Country consists of 18 libraries in 7 counties. This region tends to have the highest library income/expenditures; the most educated library staff members; most items per capita; highest collection turnover rates; and often is at the forefront of library technology.

The Brush Country consists of 16 libraries in 6 counties. Brush Country is often in the median of any statistical counts. The libraries are very similar in size, collection quality and staff. Funding is often an issue in these libraries which affects the quality of library service. However, many of these libraries have formed into either federated or county systems in order to strengthen their funding levels.

The Western Group consists of 12 libraries in 8 counties. This region has a high percentage of non-profit library corporations; many serve very large Hispanic populations; and many are the lowest funded libraries in AALS.

Collections:

After collecting annual report data on each library from 2000 to 2008, a startling statistic began to emerge. While circulations increased 78% in nine years, the number of total volumes decreased 2%. This trend suggests that three major collection management techniques are in use by most AALS libraries: successful weeding programs are done on a regular basis; purchasing popular materials that are circulating; and providing better access to materials through automated catalogs with vendor-enhanced MARC records.

Facilities:

AALS libraries have seen several building projects started in the last two years such as Schertz, Bulverde and Boerne along with several major renovations projects in Brackettville and Karnes County. There are more building projects planned for Canyon Lake, Kerrville, Pleasanton, Floresville, Seguin, Poteet and Charlotte by 2013, but that seems to be the end of any new building cycles. After several discussions during the Geographic meetings, members generally agree that new services will be found on the library's Web site or e-branch and not in large building projects.

Technology:

The Coordinator and Department Systems Supervisor attended the Online Opportunity Summit in October 2009 along with several AALS library directors. During that meeting, the need for upgrades to broadband delivery services began to emerge as a top priority for AALS libraries in the coming years. The AALS staff began to concentrate on funding issues, specifically e-rate. AALS staff coordinated a successful workshop with Henry Stokes of TSLAC, the El Progreso Memorial Library (Uvalde) and participants in December 2009 on e-rate forms, filing deadlines and tech plans. The DSS now strongly encourages libraries to apply for e-rate in order to improve funding for technology which resulted in 7 additional libraries who will be filing for e-rate in 2011.

In November, the AALS Geographic meetings focused on broadband issues for all participants. The Department Systems Supervisor presented an introductory program on broadband definitions, ISPs, costs associated with broadband and the differences in transmission systems such as T1 lines, DSL, cable, T3, fiber optics and satellite. The pros and cons of each was discussed by the group. Each participant was strongly encouraged to consider the future needs of patrons in terms of the demands on bandwidth for video content, gaming and virtual applications.

In December 2009 and January 2010, the Coordinator visited with each library director. A customized brochure was created with annual report statistics (presented in graphs) from data years 2000-2008 over 8 categories: total income, total expenditures, total collection development expenditures, total number of volumes, number of visitors, number of Internet users, number of circulations and the number of hours open. Directors also marked out their place on an AALS-created consulting continuum that charted 32 library services in 8 separate categories - collection management, public service, technical services, programming, outreach, public image, administration and technology. The 2010 continuum is baseline data and increases/decreases in future years will be evaluated annually in order to show what the libraries are actually accomplishing and how services are improving.

Some of the data from the brochures and continuums along with professional observation yielded:

There is a tremendous change in upgrading integrated library systems to web-hosted services. In the last 2 years, 29 (64%) have upgraded their ILS - most from basic Athena systems - to a web-hosted ILS and have remote access available to their patrons while 8 (18%) are seriously considering an upgrade.

All 45 AALS libraries have access to the TexShare databases with 11 libraries offering additional Web services/products such as online homework help, additional databases, downloadable audios and others.

15 AALS libraries currently receive e-rate funds and 7 additional libraries will apply next year (almost 50% of all libraries by 2011).

37 out of 45 libraries (82%) offer WIFI.

AALS staff have observed increasing numbers of patrons with laptops are using WIFI networks in libraries.

AALS staff surveyed library directors and found that the majority (98%) of broadband delivery comes from T1, DSL, satellite or cable. One library (Marion) uses a T3 line. One library (Rocksprings) is transitioning to fiber this year. Although these broadband services are able to deliver Internet sites that patrons need, they will not be sufficient in the years ahead as sites become more sophisticated with virtual interaction, heavy graphics/video files and substantial data.

System Services:

The Consulting and Continuing Education programs will remain top priorities for the AALS office due to the need for library improvements that are evident from the annual report statistics, consulting continuums and continued requests for support from library staff members. AALS library staff and Advisory Council members were surveyed on 18 different services provided by the System office in the fall of 2009. 34 surveys were submitted. Consulting on general library topics rated an average of 4.87, out of a possible 5. Consulting on technology scored a 4.36. Continuing education for face-to-face workshops rated an average of 4.31.

The Consulting program will continue to improve and expand library services in the AALS libraries. Although all aspects of library service are included in consulting, technology will be targeted for particular improvement after feedback from the Online Opportunity Summit, the AALS Geographic Meetings and data derived from annual reports and the continuums. The priority objectives for Consulting focus on the need for increasing bandwidth for all libraries: first, ensuring librarians understand and improve broadband for Internet services including e-rate funding; second, optimizing Web sites for downloadable products and remote access for patrons; and third, funding and creation of a distance education center in some libraries.

The Continuing Education program will train and encourage librarians to stay current on the latest library resources and technology. This program has a solid reputation of providing several workshops per year on a wide variety of library and technical topics. The AALS office trains all persons involved in the library community - library directors, staff, volunteers, trustees, Friends, Board members and academic/school librarians - in order to improve local library service that will lead to significant improvements in schools, cities and counties. Continuing education will continue to offer training in face-to-face workshops on library topics, but the priority workshops will focus on technology. First priority: AALS will continue to offer one workshop on e-rate and broadband issues each year; second, an electronic "vendor fair" on the online products that are available for libraries; and third, a workshop on online service providers for distance education.

Current Collaborations:

The collaboration between El Progreso Memorial Library (Uvalde), the Val Verde County Library (Del Rio), Southwest Texas Junior College (Uvalde and other campuses), Sabinal Public Library and Utopia Memorial Library on a joint automation system (TLC) is probably the largest collaboration within AALS. AALS staff assisted by reviewing the TSLAC grant application.

AALS staff and several library staff members (Uvalde, Castroville and Del Rio) participated on a joint broadband project that listed all current ISPs, broadband services and costs that was presented at the 2010 Geographic Committee meetings.

AALS is working with Palo Alto College's Learning Resource Center on the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) project which provides math/science programming to member libraries.

AALS and the University of Texas Health Science Center's Library have agreed to partner in providing consumer health information to AALS libraries including face-to-face workshops on medical reference and consumer health resources. AALS is also promoting member libraries to join the National Network of Libraries of Medicine's South Central Region for free consumer health information that will be available to their patrons.

AALS and CTLS were awarded a TSLAC Systems Collaboration grant that upgraded 13 AALS libraries from Athena systems to a web-hosted OPAC (Biblionix).

AALS staff are now partnering with PATH (Postsecondary Awareness: Transition to Higher Education) on literacy activities and awareness in the AALS area. PATH members represent school and academic adult literacy groups. AALS represents public libraries within the PATH region.

AALS works with library staff from ESC 20 on continuing education and adult basic education activities. AALS also works with personnel from the Seguin, Comal and Kendall counties' Adult Basic Education Cooperative and Southwest Texas Junior College's Adult Education Department on GED and ESL classes in the AALS region. AALS' Web site lists all GED/ESL classes from these cooperatives.

AALS already works with the multi-type Bexar Library Association on providing workshops to area public, school and academic librarians.

AALS is a member of Literacy San Antonio which serves as a clearinghouse for all literacy events in the San Antonio area.

AALS staff is working with the San Antonio Public Library Foundation on their Mejor Futuro scholarships. These IMLS scholarships fund ALA-approved MLIS programs. AALS is promoting these scholarships to all member library staff.

Program Income/Competitive Grants/Intra-System Collaborations

AALS does not anticipate participating in generating program income or applying for competitive grants at this time. However, this may change due to further funding restrictions or opportunities. AALS does intend to continue working with other Systems in joint workshops, podcasting and possibly other technical projects. AALS staff will continue to apply for future collaborative SYNG grants, but we do not anticipate allocating any significant administrative costs or staff time.

Transitioning to Multi-Type:

AALS offers TEA-approved CPE credit hours for school librarians attending AALS workshops.

The North East Independent School District's libraries are considering System membership. NEISD is the second largest school district in AALS.

Northside Independent School District Library/Textbook Center is considering joining AALS as a member. NISD is the largest school district in AALS.

The University of Texas Health Science Center's Library in San Antonio has agreed to join AALS.

San Antonio College (part of the Alamo Community College District) has agreed to consider becoming a member library.

Southwest Texas Junior College is considering becoming a member.

The Catholic School Librarians Association (AALS region), which is a consortium of private Catholic school librarians, has agreed to consider becoming a System member. AALS provides a biennial workshop to this group.

The military libraries at Randolph Air Force Base and Lackland Air Force Base have agreed to consider joining AALS. Staff from these libraries have attended several AALS workshops in the past two years.

AALS staff anticipate working with the following: all campuses of the Alamo Community College District campuses, school districts outside of San Antonio and other special libraries such as the DRT's Alamo Library.

Plan Participation

AALS staff began discussions on the FYs 2012/2013 Long-Range Plan during the FY2010 Geographic Meetings (Quemado, Devine and Universal City) held in November 2009. All attendees (60) discussed their needs which were considered during the plan development. Attendees included library directors and staff, Advisory Council members, volunteers, trustees, Friends and others. The completed plan will be available to members on the AALS web site.