Library Commission Loves Spreadsheets

The Menlo Park Library Commission is studying a wide array of data sets this quarter, including electronic book acquisition. 

Jacqueline Cebrian, , said investing in e-books would save the library a substantial amount of money. 

“It’s easier to share collections among the Peninsula Library systems,” Cebrian explained, noting that she had the data in a spreadsheet.

Cebrian updated Menlo Park City Councilmembers Tuesday night about the Library Commission’s two-year work plan.

She said one of the things the commission will be doing this quarter is studying the need for a full branch library in Belle Haven and the ways it could be funded. 

“We’re gathering information from comparable libraries,” Cebrian said. “I’ve got a lovely spreadsheet with all that information,” she quipped pleasantly. 

She said it included a variety of data sets: what library services are used, user demographics, English literacy levels, broadband data service penetration, high school graduation levels, statistically or anecdotal impacts of library use on education and crime, and other factors.  

These will all be taken into consideration when the Library Commission makes a recommendation to City Council about developing the Belle Haven branch. The Library Commission’s primary objective is to advise the City Council on operational and maintenance matters, according to their website.

Library commissioners are also studying how many people use computers at the library as their main or only way of accessing the Internet. Anonymous user surveys will be launched at the libraries this month to help the commissioners understand that.

Commissioners also want to know how the library can better support the startup and small business community.

The Library Commission meets at 6:30 every second Monday of the month in the lower level of the Downtown Menlo Park Library, which is located at 800 Alma Street.  

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