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Introduction:
The Tri-Township Public Library District (TPLD) is an essential part of the community. Public libraries are more than just books. Public library services include public access computers, WiFi, online databases, downloadable digital materials, quiet places where people can study, conversational places where young people can gather to work on school projects, and meeting rooms where adults can gather to discuss topics of public concern. The public library of the 21st Century is a center for the community.
The 2015-2025 plan aims to solidify TPLD’s position as an educational resource and expand its role as a center for the community. Books and literacy are essential to our community, but libraries of the future are moving toward the community experience and embracing trends to engage the public they serve. The plan is intended to keep the library focused on its goals and to show everyone where the library is heading.
The Five-Ten Year Plan was developed by a 6 member planning committee representing the Library Board and TPLD staff. The committee met monthly between September 2014 and December 2015. Supporting documents include:
the TPLD Fall 2014 survey
The Library of the Future: A Response to Envisioning the Library of the Future by Arts Council England Chief Executive Alan Davey
Envisioning the Library of the Future Phases 1 and 2: Full Report
Library of the Future: Center for the Future of Libraries
Dennis Ashcraft, President
Melanie Elson, Vice-President
Laura Robinson, Secretary
Katherine Scheller, Treasurer
Pat Huck
Mike Perrine
Sue Lanahan
Five-Ten Year Planning Committee:
Katherine Scheller, Committee Chair
David Cassens II, Vice-Chair
Laura Robinson, Secretary
Joel Pikora
Denise Putz
Debbie Shrewsberry
Goals for Five-Ten Year Plan:
Goal #1: Improve Facilities: To provide a modern, welcoming, comfortable, efficient, fully-accessible, community-oriented library.
Objective 1: To update our current logo and mission statement to reflect our future goals. To be completed by the end of FY 2016.
Current Mission Statements:
From Policy & Procedure Manual: The Tri-Township Public Library District provides materials and services to help residents of the community meet their personal, educational and recreational needs.
From TPLD Website: The mission of the Tri-Township Public Library District is to provide resources that enable citizens to continue learning at any age, encourage the discovery and exploration of a wide range of recreational reading, and provide access to new information technologies.
Proposed Mission Statement: The Tri-Township Public Library District aims to be the heart of the community by improving and enriching the lives of its users through information, education, and recreation. It seeks to empower users by providing well-organized and up-to-date collections, access to emerging technologies, friendly service, and a well-trained staff committed to the library vision.
Objective 2: Analyze current space and maintenance issues of the current library facility for future expansion or space realignment. To be completed by the end of FY 2016.
FY 2015: Engaged Ittner and Associates to evaluate our current space and implement a design to meet our future needs.
Objective 3: Emphasize the warmth and comfort of the library by continually providing a welcoming and friendly environment. Ongoing: FY 2016 to FY 2025.
FY 2018: Increased program offerings for children and adults. Expanded study room usage to include using the library board room.
FY 2019: Changed library rules to allow snacks to be eaten in the library.
Objective 4: Explore ways to maintain an eco-friendly footprint. To be completed by the end of FY 2018.
FY 2018: Replaced plastic water bottles at programming with bottle filling drinking fountains. Switched to low yeild toilets. Changed to LED light bulbs.
FY 2019: Stopped using plastic bags at the circulation desk.
Objective 5: Develop dedicated programming space for adult and children’s programs. To be completed FY 2018 – FY 2020.
Objective 6: Develop the Green Space to provide an outside area for relaxing, TPLD programming and community activities. To be completed by the end of FY 2022.
FY 2014: Landscaping plan presented to the Library Board by Julia Vaughn for beautification of Green Space area. Plants chosen based on research with
Missouri Botanical Gardens. Excavation of a small planting area completed with plants donated by Julia Vaughn and Katherine Scheller. Brick wall completed for edge of large concrete area to provide seating and prevent soil erosion.
FY 2015: Purchased two bistro sets and two rockers for seating areas under the pergola. Assembled the rocker bench donated by a patron and placed under pergola for seating.
FY 2016: Spring planting of a garden area dedicated to Jeanne Simon.
FY 2017: Spring planting of trees to provide shade.
FY 2018: Began utilizing the green space for library programs.
Goal #2: Improve Outreach: Provide and promote access to all library services and materials to all library users through in-house and outreach efforts.
Objective 1: Investigate the need for homebound services in the community. Working with local assisted living and retirement communities within the TPLD service area.
FY 2017: Implemented a homebound policy for eldery/disabled/ill patrons.
FY 2018: Began homebound site visits to Liberty Square retirement community with programming sponsored by the Friends of the Tri-Township Library.
Objective 2: Improve visibility at community events. FY 2015 – FY 2017.
Objective 3: Capitalize on County relationships. Ongoing: FY 2016 to FY 2025.
FY 2015: Director met with local congressman.
FY 2018: Work with Madison County Transit (MCT) to have TPLD be a stop on the local bus route.
Objective 4: Foster relationships with Senior Citizen groups in the community. To be completed by the end of FY 2018.
FY 2018: Began homebound site visits to Liberty Square retirement community with programming sponsored by the Friends of the Tri-Township Library.
Objective 5: Investigate how to collaborate with Triad school district. To be completed by the end of FY 2020.
FY 2019: Youth librarian visited Triad classes. Summer Reading brochures were distributed through Triad PTO. Partnered with Triad Drama Club for the Summer Reading Program.
Objective 6: Foster relationships with local arts groups. FY 2020 – FY 2025.
FY 2015: Author’s Panel with local authors in March. Photography Contest with photos submitted by patrons in April-May. Art Show with local artist in October. Book signing with local author in October.
Goal #3: Improve Technology: Provide library users with state-of-the-art digital resources.
Objective 1: Improve electronic communication by strengthening WiFi and increasing internet speed. To be completed by the end of FY 2016.
FY 2015: Requested quotes from three different vendors to improve our current services. Presented to the TPLD Board in Dec. Switched to fiber internet to improve connection speeds.
FY 2016: Added tablets to the collection for circulation.
FY 2018: Added mobile hotspots to the collection for circulation.
Objective 2: Revamp and update the library website. FY 2016 – FY 2017.
FY 2017: Completed redisgn of the website.
Objective 3: Improve the audio/visual capabilities. FY 2017 – FY 2018.
FY 2017: Added video games to the collection for circulation.
Objective 4: Provide technology based community space. FY 2020 – FY 2025.
Objective 5: Provide dedicated space for technical education. FY 2020 – FY 2025.
FY 2015: Started offering one on one technology assitance by appointment with a staff member.
FY 2019: Developed a podcasting workshop program.
Goal #4: Improve Collection and Services: Strengthen collections in a variety of media and offer services to meet the continuously evolving needs of the community.
Objective 1: Adhere to current collection policies. Ongoing: FY 2016 to FY 2025
FY 2016: Added tablets to the collection for circulation.
FY 2017: Added video games to the collection for circulation.
FY 2018: Added mobile hotspots and portable CD players to the collection for circulation.
FY 2019: Added board games to the collection for circulation.
Objective 2: Investigate self-checkout options. To be completed by the end of FY 2017.
FY 2017: Decided not to pursue self checkout after discussing with other libraries and evaluating our space restrictions.
Objective 3: Modernize and expand our security measures (cameras, gate, sensitizing strips). FY 2017 – FY 2020.
FY 2016: Began using clamshell security cases on our DVD/Blu-Ray/video game collections.
FY 2018: Installed security cameras.
Objective 4: Expand e-resources and reevaluate databases and Gale courses. FY 2018 – FY 2019.
FY 2017: Entered into a contract with Hoopla to provide streaming e-books, e-audiobooks, comics, music, movies, and television.
Objective 5: Have a dedicated programming space. FY 2020 – FY 2025.
Goal #5: Improve Staffing: Hire and retain a sufficient number of appropriately trained employees to provide superior services to all library users.
Objective 1: Continue to support staff professional development. Ongoing: FY 2016 to FY 2025.
FY 2016: A staff member attended the A.L.A conference.
FY 2017: A staff member attended the OCLC Resource Sharing conference. Staff members attended the Reaching Forward South conference.
FY 2018: A staff member attended a grant discovery workshop. Staff members attended a youth services conference.
FY 2019: Staff members attended a library project design seminar.
Objective 2: Annually assess staffing needs. Ongoing: FY 2016 to FY 2025.
Objective 3: Dedicated IT person on contract. FY 2016 – FY 2018.
FY 2018: Entered into a contract with Lazerware to provided dedicated IT support.
Objective 4: Expand bibliographic services. FY 2018 – FY 2020.
FY 2018: A second staff member was certified in cataloging.
Goal #6: Improve Financing: Obtain money to improve the facility and support library programming.
Objective 1: Continue to foster and strengthen relationship with Friends of the Library. Ongoing: FY 2016 to FY 2025.
FY 2017: The Friends of the Library donated a new drinking fountain.
FY 2018: The Friends of the Library donated new media shelving and new computers. The Friends of the Library began sponsoring programming at Liberty Square retirement community as part of the homebound outreach program. The Friends of the Library set up a card assistance program for low income non-resident patrons.
Objective 2: Explore annual fundraising event. To be completed by the end of FY 2017.
Objective 3: Develop an annual giving campaign. To be completed by the end of FY 2019.
Objective 4: Seek out government and/or private grant opportunities. To be completed by the end of FY 2021.
FY 2018: A staff member attended a grant discovery workshop.
Survey:
The Committee developed an 18 question survey, available to the community for 30 days in Fall 2014. The survey was on the library’s website and printed copies were provided for patrons to complete on site. A table was set up at the Fall Festival for the kick-off in order to get input from community members who do not patronize the library. The survey was completed by 217 respondents. Results were used to guide the Committee on how to plan for the future.
Based on survey results, the following improvements have already been implemented:
1. Coffee bar in January 2015.
2. Increased adult programming: Pinterest, Let’s Play, Campfire Tales & more exercise classes.
3. Revamped the Summer Reading program resulting in better attendance and participation. Friends of the Library donated to local charities based on participants choices.
4. Cancelled programming that was not successful: Movie Night, Action Book Club & Recipe Club.