Measure A Priorities

Summer 2025:

• Beginning in September, the Bear River Library will shift to a Monday – Friday schedule. This shift will better accommodate community needs. There will also be an increase in Open+ Access hours.

Fall 2024:

• The Bear River Library has seen an additional 40 users sign up for Open+ Access over the past quarter.

Summer 2024:

• Library hours have been extended in Bear River. In addition to staffed hours, the Open+ system has been activated and is providing an additional 30 hours of library access per week.
• This service is growing in popularity and there are discussions to increase Open+ Access hours at the Bear River and Penn Valley Libraries.

Ongoing:

• In response to the needs of our community, the Library has increased open public hours to ensure access to library services on Saturdays and weekday evenings.
• Library Locations & Hours

Summer 2025:

• Summer Learning is underway from June to August. The Library has a full summer of programs for kids and families as well as free lunches at the Grass Valley and Madelyn Helling Libraries. We support local teens through summer intern opportunities. This year we have seven interns working with us. 

  
  

Fall 2024:

• Summer Learning Program Recap:

Summer 2024:

• Nevada County Library has focused on providing volunteer and internship opportunities for teens. Our summer Teen Intern program has grown from 7 to 11 students.

Ongoing:

• With Measure A funding, the Library has increased children and teen services for all age levels and at all circulating library branches, including for the Summer Learning Program. The Library will also continue to provide after school programs, homework help, and reference services for students at circulating branches in response to needs and desires of Nevada County Library users.
• Learn more about collections & services for Kids & Teens!

Spring 2025:

• The Library is adjusting its materials budgets on an annual basis to account for changing needs of the community. The popularity of e-resources, such as e-books, downloadable audiobooks, and streaming services, are skyrocketing in popularity. The Library is continually monitoring the popularity of formats to inform our decision making. 

Summer 2024:

• The Library is piloting a collection of Vox audio books. These books contain a recorded audio track so the child feels as though they are being read to.

Ongoing:

• With Measure A funding, the Nevada County Library will increase books and other materials for all ages and replace worn and out-of-date items at all library locations. The Library will continue to include a variety of formats, such as DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks, and online resources. 

Summer 2025:

• Truckee Library has implemented a new 3D printer program. Patrons can become certified in the equipment, and then use it unsupervised.
• The Nevada County Library has provided San Juan Ridge Community Library with 30 hotspots. The hotspots are available to their patrons to check out. 

Winter 2025:

• The Library is hosting free technology skill-building classes at the Madelyn Helling Library.  The program runs from January to February and focuses basic skills such as navigating Windows 11 and understanding social media.
• The Library is working with IGS on a $14,000 grant to help address county-wide broadband issues.  The funding will likely go towards making our hotspot lending program more robust.

Summer 2024:

• The Library is collaborating with IS on a project to update federal broadband service maps in the community.

Ongoing:

• Nevada County Library will provide current information services and products in libraries and for remote access. Library staff and leadership will keep apace with changing and emerging technologies. The Library will increase and improve public access to computers, high-speed broadband, and other technologies such as 3D printers, tablets, video conferencing, software, etc. The Library will also provide technology and digital literacy based educational classes for all ages. 
• Find a Tech Help Drop-In, one-on-one appointment or digital resource workshop at a library near you!
• Check out a mobile hot-spot for internet access at home
• Visit a library to use our computers with high-speed internet. 
• Discover more with our online learning environments.

Fall 2024:

• Library programming for adults with intellectual and development disabilities (IDDs) has expanded. These programs include arts classes at the Madelyn Helling and Grass Valley Libraries in addition to the Next Chapter book group in Truckee. Next Chapter is a program that focuses on expanding the literacy and social skills of adults with IDDs.

Summer 2024:

• The Library is collaborating with IS on a project to update federal broadband service maps in the community.

Ongoing:

• The Nevada County Library will improve accessibility of library locations, services, and materials for seniors and library users with disabilities. The Library will offer a variety of library materials and services in order to be inclusive of the needs of all library users.

Summer 2025:

• An architect has been selected for Grass Valley Library refresh; contract moving forward.
• Voting on the bond measure for partial funding for the new Truckee Library will take place on November 4, 2025.

Winter 2025:

• The Library is in discussions with the City of Grass Valley regarding Elizabeth Daniels park, which is located adjacent to the Grass Valley Library.  The Library intends to assume responsibility of the park as part of its development plan for Grass Valley Library's backyard.
• Architectural work is nearing completion on the new Truckee Library project.  Fundraising efforts continue. 

Fall 2024:

• Grass Valley Library refresh project has moved to the design phase. This project will include new furniture, carpet, shelving, paint, creating ADA access to the lower floor, and developing the backyard into a more functional programming space.
• Madelyn Helling Library is working with Nevada City Film Festival on Gene Albaugh Community Room upgrades.
• Architectural work and fundraising for the new Truckee Library continues.

Summer 2024:

• Cost estimates and plans are being developed for deferred maintenance at the Grass Valley Library. This project will include new furniture, carpet, shelving, paint, creating ADA access to the lower floor, and developing the backyard into a more functional programming space.
• Architectural work has begun on the Truckee Library project.

Spring 2024:

• Bear River Library opened at its new location on February 1, 2024.

Ongoing:

• With Measure A funding, the Library will establish, move or add library service locations in areas where the demand for services and cost effectiveness is warranted. The Library will continue to improve and enhance current service locations to meet community needs and the objectives listed in this expenditure plan. 
• Library Locations & Hours

Winter 2025:

• The COC bylaws have been edited to allow Placer County residents to join the committee.  This change was made because Truckee is in both Nevada and Placer counties. 

Summer 2024:

• When Violet’s appointment becomes official, the Library’s Measure A Citizen’s Oversight Committee will have full 5-person roster.

Ongoing:

• The Citizens' Oversight Committee (COC) is mandated to review, advise and monitor the Nevada County Library's revenues, expenditures and services. Library Bond Measure A (PDF) is currently active.
• The goals of this committee shall be:
  • To ensure that the County of Nevada receives all library tax monies collected by the Board of Equalization and that those monies are placed in the Nevada County Library Fund
  • To ensure that the County of Nevada annually transfers its maintenance and effort funds, under the provisions of state law, to the Nevada County Library Fund
  • To ensure that the Eastern and Western Nevada County libraries are receiving equitable amounts of the Nevada County Library Fund and operate in accordance with the Nevada County Library Strategic Plan to be developed by the Nevada County Librarian during 2003
  • To review and advise the County Librarian on the Strategic Plan and the annual County Library Budget
  • To facilitate the free flow of regular communication between the Committee and all interested library patrons and organizations

Ongoing:

• The County Librarian will meet with representatives of the County's Eastern and Western Friends of the Library (FOL) organizations to develop and propose an equitable and fair fiscal plan for the operation of the libraries and the proceeds of the tax.