Organization
The San Mateo County Library is
a Joint Powers Authority comprised of the cities of Atherton, Belmont,
Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae,
Pacifica, Portola Valley, San Carlos, and Woodside, as well as unincorporated
areas of the County represented by the County of San Mateo. These
eleven cities and the County govern the Library though a joint exercise
of powers (JPA) over library services.
Our small to medium sized libraries specialize in meeting the individual
needs of each community as well as offering popular and current
interest materials and opening the world of information to each
user.
JPA -
Joint Powers Authority
San Mateo County Library JPA Documents
Financial Overview
The San Mateo County Library was
set up in 1912 as a Special District Library serving the unincorporated
County areas and the Cities which choose to be member libraries.
A dedicated property tax collected only from the areas the Library
serves was instituted in 1915 and remains the Library's primary
source of income, providing 80% of its revenues.
Other Library revenues come from
the State, fines and fees, gifts and grants, interest, County
contributions, and other small sources.
The State provides motor vehicle in-lieu fees and in addition,
the State Library administers payments to libraries from programs
such
as the Public Library Fund and literacy grants. State revenues
account for approximately 6% of the Library's revenues. On the
other hand,
since the 1992-93 recession, each year the State has been transferred
approximately 20% of the Library's historic property taxes via
the Educational
Revenue Augmentation Fund to help meet the statewide obligation
to the schools. In 2003-04 the amount taken from the Library
for
this fund was over $2.9 million.
The County contributed approximately
2%, and library fines and fees accounted for approximately 3%
of library
revenues in 2003-04.
The Library Fund supports 40 open
hours at libraries in cities with 10,000 or fewer residents, and
60 hours for larger cities. Cities may choose to enhance local
service by providing supplementary funding for extended hours
of service
or other activities at their libraries. Three cities currently
pay for such extended service.
The Library has applied for and
received substantial grant funding for innovative projects in recent
years. The successful "Raising a Reader" book bag program,
which promotes early literacy for young children in daycare centers,
has been very generously supported by the Peninsula Community Foundation;
other granting organizations also support special programs in our
libraries.
Also importantly, the Library receives
many gifts of money, library materials and time from Friends of
the Library and other organizations and individuals in our communities.
Cash contributions are usually in excess of $200,000 annually and
reflect our residents' generous commitment to their Library.
2006-2007 Annual Accomplishments Report
Our Mission
and Service Goals
Our
Policies
Information about Policies and procedures for San Mateo County Library
Use
Our Computers for the Internet
The Internet is fast and free at our libraries. Check us out for
your business information, movie reviews, tax forms or other topics.
Listed here is the number of stations at each library and telephone
numbers for more information on this valuable service.
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