How Do We Compare?

Recently I downloaded some interesting statistics compiled in 2007 by the California State Library about public libraries that have about the same population served by the Goleta Library--70,000-100,000. The Goleta Library is supposed to serve a population of 90,000. The State Library numbers are for the fiscal year 2005-2006. Of course, the budget statistics can't be compared in total with those of the Goleta Library because I assume that the libraries listed have a head librarian. Goleta Library is administered by the Santa Barbara Public Library Director under contract with the City of Goleta, and does not need to pay the salary that a library director would command.

Total Operating Income

Highest: Carlsbad $9,409,443 Population: 98,607 (1 central library, 2 branches)
Lowest: Lompoc $1,125,923 Population: 71,676 (1 central library, 2 branches)
Goleta: $941,066 with $192,603 from reserves Total: $1,133,669

Total Materials Budget

Highest: Carlsbad $877,500
Lowest: Murrieta $44,785 Population: 92,933
Goleta: $96,000

Total Circulation

Highest: Newport Beach 1,443,078 Population: 83,361 (1 central library, 3 branches)
Lowest: Murrieta 138,882
Goleta: 564,695

Circulation Per Capita

Highest: Mountain View 19.96 Population: 71,995
Lowest: Murrieta 1.49
Goleta: 6.27

Reference Questions

Highest: Carlsbad 206,934; per capita 2.10
Lowest: Murrieta 17,177; per capita 0.18
Goleta: 25,002; per capita 0.28

Professional Librarians

Highest: Carlsbad 30.70 full time equivalent
Lowest: Sutter County 1.00 FTE Population 91,450 (1 central library, 4 branches)
Goleta: 2 FTE

Internet Computers

Highest: Santa Monica 132; 1.45 per 1000 population Population 90,750 (1 central library, 3 branches)
Lowest: Murrieta 5; 0.05 per 1000 population
Goleta: 8; 0.09 per 1000 population

You may have noticed that the Murrieta Public Library appears often as the lowest. If you explore their web site you will find out that the city has experienced recent rapid growth and is in the midst of building a big new library.

The figures for Goleta were supplied by the Goleta branch manager when I posed the request as a reference question.

Our library performs well considering the less than adequate financial support.