slo library

County of SLO Public Libraries to Leave Black Gold Library Cooperative

Author: Erica Thatcher
Date: 1/27/2022 9:27 AM

With an eye toward cost-efficient, modern, and locally focused library services, the County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries will be withdrawing from the Black Gold Cooperative Library system July 1.

 With an eye toward cost-efficient, modern, and locally focused library services, the County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries will be withdrawing from the Black Gold Cooperative Library system July 1.

Made up of seven library systems, Black Gold has provided a way for Central Coast libraries to share the cost of an online catalog, technology infrastructure, and collections. As the biggest financial contributor to Black Gold, the County of SLO Public Libraries has strongly advocated for reduced costs and improved local customer experience, but it has been consistently outvoted by the Black Gold Administrative Council on proposed improvements.

“Unfortunately, the time has come that other jurisdictions, for various reasons, cannot move forward, and—more importantly—are not permitting our jurisdiction to grow and meet the needs of our patrons,” said the Library’s director, Chris Barnickel. 

The Library is confident that it can meet its patrons’ needs without relying on other Black Gold Library Cooperative libraries. It will continue to offer a robust print collection, eBooks and other streaming and digital services. By transitioning to a cost-efficient separate catalog, it will use its savings to enhance local services, build better collections, and boost network security measures.

 “The landscape of libraries has changed over the years and SLO is in a position to meet the needs of our patrons by reinvesting our funds locally,” said Barnickel.

As SLO Libraries will not be a member of Black Gold, County residents may obtain a library card from any Black Gold member library beginning July 1.

Visit SLOLibrary.org to sign up for a library card and to find more information about the Library’s forthcoming service model.