HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaptop Computers for LibraryREQUEST:
SUBMITTED BY:
DATE:
CONTENTS:
Recommendation:
CITY OF PALM DESERT
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION
CITY CLERK OPERATIONS
STAFF REPORT
CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION BY THE LIBRARY
PROMOTION COMMITTEE TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF LAPTOP
COMPUTERS IN ORDER TO EXPAND THE SCHEDULE OF
COMPUTER CLASSES PROVIDED AT THE PALM DESERT
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk
June 22, 2006
II.
III.
Staff Report
Equipment Quotations from Riverside County Library System
Library Promotion Committee Meeting Minutes from November 16,
2005, and February 15, 2006
By Minute Motion, concur with the Library Promotion Committee's
recommendation, following its meeting of June 21, 2006, to purchase 13 laptop
computers ($24,050), security cart for storage ($1,450), color laser printer
($1,100), DLP projector ($3,100), and related accessories ($2,000) in an amount
not to exceed $32,000 in order to expand the computer class schedule into the
Multi -Agency Library's Community Room —funds are available in the FY 2005/06
Library Capital Fund Budget, Account No. 452-4662-454-4001.
Executive Summary:
Approval of the requested action will provide authorization for the County Library System's
Automation Manager to acquire 13 laptop computers and related accessories for expanding
the number of computer learning classes offered at the Palm Desert Library. The free classes
are a vital element of the services provided by our Library, and the computers and equipment
will likely also be of service in other applications there. Funds for the purchase are available
in the current budget.
Background:
For many years, the Palm Desert Public Library has offered free computer classes for anyone
wishing to sign up and participate. In Fiscal Year 2001/02, a part-time Computer Instructor/Lab
Technician position was authorized for funding from the City's Library Capital Budget to ensure
there was always an instructor available to provide these classes. The class content ranges
in scope from bare -bones basic instruction (for those who have never previously used a
City Council Staff Report - Laptop Computers for
Library Community Room
June 22, 2006
computer or the related accessories and terminology), to word processing, Internet use, and
special applications.
The response to this outreach has been and continues to be overwhelming; frequently, the
waiting list for those wishing to take a class in the Public Library's Computer Lab can be six
weeks to two months' long. Because capacity of the existing lab is limited and when not being
used as a classroom, it is reserved as a designated word processing lab for the public,
Committee Members and staff agree that finding a way to increase capacity in order to provide
more classes would be beneficial.
With the Library's wireless capability, approved and installed one year ago (the first County
Library in the Coachella Valley to provide it), the ability to turn the Community Room into an
additional computer lab with laptop computers was a logical proposition. In November, the
Committee subsequently authorized staff to get bids for the purchase of approximately 12
laptops and a corresponding quantity of conference tables for the Community Room for this
purpose. Conference tables have already been acquired at a cost of $711, which will be used
for this application as well as other workshops or programs conducted in the Community Room.
Other applications for the additional computers will likely also be realized, further increasing
their overall value to Library users. Sufficient funds are available in the current year Library
Capital Budget for the purchase of the laptop computers and related accessories.
Staff, therefore, heartily endorses this expenditure and encourages the City Council to approve
the request, subject to the Committee's prior approval.
Submitted by: Reviewed and concur:
RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CMC SHEILA R. GILLIGAN, ACM FOR
CITY CLERK COMMUNITY SERVICES/P.I.O.
Approved:
CARLOS L. ORTEGA PAUL S. GIBSON, DIRECTOR OF
CITY MANAGER FINANCE/CITY TREASURER
rdk
Attachments (as noted)
W \Agenda Items\2006 June 22\PD Pub Libr Laptops\libr laptops comm rm wpd
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City Council Staff Report - Laptop Computers for
Library Community Room
June 22, 2006
W \Agenda Items\2006 June 22\PD Pub Libr Laptops\libr laptops comm rm wpd
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