Thousand Oaks combines theaters, libraries and more in new department
In Thousand Oaks, theater, library and community services operations were consolidated into a single city department last month.
Most residents won’t notice any changes at first, and the departments will operate with separate budgets due to different funding sources, says Jonathan Serret, the city’s former cultural director who now heads the merged entity.
Changes will become apparent later as cooperation between the three departments increases in the new Department of Culture and Community Services, Serret said. The new department could organize more concerts in the libraries, something that began before the merger.
“That’s the part that really excites me,” he said. “There are a lot of really creative opportunities for us.”
Serret’s salary for the new director position is $204,096, city spokeswoman Alexandra South said Aug. 5. The Star requested the salary information in June when the new position was announced.
In addition to joint efforts in program design, the departments in the ministry will also collaborate on strategies, Serret said. The departments are a good mix for a single ministry because of their close relationships with each other and their similar emphasis on public service, he said.
The decision to merge, which took effect July 1, came as the city was reviewing operations at the Civic Arts Plaza cinemas, the two city libraries and the community services department following the departure of Jennifer Patterson, the former director of library services, in late March, Serret said. The city manager’s office made the decision, which did not require City Council approval because it fell under operations, not policy, the director said.
As part of the changes, Darren Jeffery, previously the deputy director of library services, has been named city librarian, Serret said. He will oversee the Grant R. Brimhall and Newbury Park libraries.
Serret said that in addition to overseeing the theaters, the Cultural Arts Department will be involved in community arts programs and will act as a liaison between the council and its Arts and Culture Roundtable. The Community Services Department will handle areas such as community grants and services for youth and seniors.
Serret’s previous salary as cultural affairs director was $183,374.88, said Tim Giles, the city’s human resources director.
The Department of Culture and Community Services will be staffed by 50 full-time employees, Giles said. In the old structure, there were 35 full-time positions in library services and 14 full-time positions in the Department of Cultural Affairs, he said.
Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at [email protected] or 805-437-0232.
