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LONG RANGE PLAN 2006-2009
Library Mission Statement
The mission of the library is to help the community connect, learn and grow.
Goal I: Maintain a quality collection of materials.
A. Acquire materials to meet community needs.
1. Purchase or lease an additional copy of an item for every four holds.
2. Acquire at least 90% of requested materials through purchase or inter-library loan.
3. Increase materials’ budget by 3% annually through 2009.
B. Continue to annually evaluate entire collection.
1. Evaluate circulation of materials and investigate new formats.
a. Use established collection development schedule to maintain sections of the collection on a rotating basis.
b. Update reference materials and sections of non-fiction as new material is available.
c. Consider requests from the public and formats successfully used at other libraries.
Goal II: Offer effective programs and services.
A. Meet the needs of all ages and diverse populations.
1. Periodically survey the community for interests and needs.
a. Conduct surveys in the libraries and throughout the community each year through 2009.
b. Offer suggestion/comment forms at all locations.
c. Periodically distribute program evaluations.
d. Document comments and suggestions following programs.
2. Continually investigate ways to promote programs and services.
a. Attend conferences and workshops to learn new ways to reach out to the community.
b. Brainstorm at staff meetings.
c. Use exterior signs for promotion.
d. Connect to the world with the library website.
i. Debut a re-designed website in 2006.
ii. Maintain existing site and add new services.
B. Partner with individuals and organizations.
1. Recruit community members to conduct and facilitate library programs.
a. Solicit volunteers through internal publications and news releases in 2006.
b. With the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce, develop a speakers’ bureau in 2008.
2. Connect staff members with community organizations.
a. Encourage full-time staff members to serve on local boards or committees that promote and benefit the library.
i. Staff members will share library services with the organizations.
ii. Staff members will bring back organization information for planning programs and services.
iii. The library will post and distribute organization information.
iv. One full-time staff member will participate in the Leadership Jackson County program each year.
b. Participate in countywide community events.
3. Obtain sponsors for programs and services.
a. Annually solicit donations for the summer reading program and other special programs.
b. Request funding from the Friends of the Library every two months.
C. Use technology to benefit the community.
1. Keep abreast of cutting edge technology.
a. Monitor publications and national trends.
b. Attend workshops and meetings.
c. Annually update technology plan.
d. Provide up-to-date technology.
i. Educate the community on its use.
Goal III: Maintain staffing and resources to respond to community needs in a timely manner.
A. Provide adequate qualified staffing.
1. Offer job-related training for staff.
a. All new staff will complete orientation checklist within their first four weeks of employment by 2007.
b. Technology Instructor will lead regular staff-only computer classes by 2007.
c. Give all staff opportunities to attend workshops and conferences as opportunities arise and schedules allow.
d. Apply for summer work study and hire qualified applicants.
B. Recruit volunteers to supplement staff.
1. Implement a junior volunteer program by 2008.
a. Increase the number of volunteers by two each year through 2009.
2. Evaluate staffing levels in response to staff turnover.
a. Maximize effectiveness of available staff hours.
3. Increase the personnel budget by at least 2% annually through 2009.
4. Contract a consultant to evaluate staffing and services in 2008.
5. Provide equitable salaries and benefits.
a. Compare salaries with similar-sized Indiana libraries and local businesses and organizations in 2006 and 2008.
b. Annually review and evaluate benefits.
6. Promote an environment that results in positive morale.
a. Continue to offer and expand the staff recognition program.
b. Participate in the National Library Workers Day each April.
c. Continue Staff Development Days in February and October.
C. Provide information and answers to questions.
1. Respond to all questions within twenty-four hours.
2. Obtain 75% of all answers within two days.
3. Genealogy and inter-library loan requests will be processed within two weeks.
Goal IV: Provide adequate library facilities.
A. Maintain current facilities.
1. Inspect all premises annually.
a. Note necessary improvements.
b. Make repairs and improvements.
2. Continue budgeting future allocations in capital project fund for improvements.
B. Evaluate facilities for current use and future library growth.
1. Periodically survey general population and community organizations.
2. Monitor publications and national service trends.
3. Evaluate service cost at each facility.
Goal V: Seek sufficient funding for growth in services.
A. Continue Capital Projects Fund.
B. Investigate possible third source funding opportunities.
1. Continue to seek grants and sponsors.
2. Advertise the library endowment at the Community Foundation.
a. Submit annual news release.
b. Include in all speaking engagements.
c. Ad in the library newsletter.
3. Publicize memorial and estate giving.
a. Design brochure.
b. Notify attorneys, accountants, and funeral directors.
July 18, 2006