BUENA PARK : Council OKs Study on City Library Plan

A study to consider consolidating the Buena Park Library District with the city received the City Council’s approval Monday.

The council unanimously voted to enter into an agreement with BSI Consultants Inc., in association with the Buena Park Library District, to conduct the study.

The $10,000 study will be paid for by the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit group that raises money for library programs.

The library, a special district founded in 1919 that operates independently, is funded primarily through property taxes.

Library trustees voted last month to hire the consultants because they had to seek options in the face of continued budget cutbacks.

The study, expected to be completed by January, will examine the financial impact of becoming a city library, analyze alternative revenue sources, look at the cost savings of consolidation and include personnel issues.

“The study will give us the data necessary to determine whether it is financially feasible to deliver library services through a municipal approach,” said Colleen McGregor, library director.

Council members also suggested that the study include a look at the library district consolidating with the county.

Mayor Arthur C. Brown said he would like the library to remain an independent district. “But if it came between the city and the county, I want the city to take it over to keep the same level of service the library district now provides to the city,” Brown said.

Despite the unanimous vote, some council members voiced concerns about estimated costs if the library becomes part of the city.

City officials said there could be up to an estimated $16,600 in additional costs once the study by BSI Consultants is completed.

Such costs could include hiring a labor attorney and a personnel consultant, conducting an audit to verify funding assumptions and paying the city attorney to review documents.