SOMERS PUBLIC LIBRARY 

LONG-RANGE PLAN

FOR

SERVICES

Prepared by

The Somers Public Library Planning Committee

2006
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The Goals and Objectives in this document established by the Planning Committee are based upon the Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and roles of the library. They are intended to be realistic and meaningful statements of purpose and activity to be pursued in the next five years.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Somers Public Library encourages reading and serves the needs of the community by providing free access toa diversity of ideas and information through a variety of library materials, services and experiences.

                                                 VISION STATEMENT

 Our vision for the Somers Public Library is to become the library of choice for residents who want outstanding collections, programs and services in a pleasant, friendly and courteous environment.

ROLES

            Role One:
Serve the citizens of Somers by providing a quality library collection, including materials in print and other formats and to provide programs for citizens of all ages that are appropriate to the role of the library. 

            Role Two:
Support the information needs of the community through a quality reference collection in a variety
of  formats.

            Role Three:
Support the administrative functions necessary to provide  all services and programs. 

           Role Four:
Utilize evolving technology to provide accurate and current  information in a timely and efficient way.

            Role Five:
Ensure the library building supports the library’s service program, reflects the library’s role in its community and accommodates changing technology.
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GOALS RELATED TO ROLE ONE

ROLE ONE:  Serve the citizens of Somers by providing a quality library collection, including materials in print and other formats and to provide programs for citizens of all ages that are appropriate to the role of the library.

GOAL ONE:  Continually upgrade the library’s circulating adult, teen, and children’s collections.

            Objective One:  Review and weed the library’s collection on a three-year cycle based on circulation reports.

            Objective Two:  Enhance the adult, teen and children’s fiction and non-fiction collections, striving towards the excellent level in collection size as indicated in “Planning for Excellence: A Checklist Plan for Connecticut Libraries”  (Appendix A:  Quality Measures).

            Objective Three:  Purchase multiple copies of bestsellers based on number of patron request.

            Objective Four:  Increase the audio-book budget to purchase a minimum of four Books-on-CD each month.

a)      Gradually reduce the purchase of Books-on-Cassette.

b)      Evaluate participation in downloadable audio trial and initiate subscription if warranted.

            Objective Five:  Phase out video collections.

                        a)   Increase budget for DVD purchases for adult and juvenile collections.

b)      Establish a selection policy for audio-visual material.

(Review the existing Materials Selection Policy for appropriateness in regard to audio-visual materials.)

Objective Six:  Attract more teen readers and increase circulation.

a)      Increase the book budget to the purchase of teen titles in both paperback and hardcover.

b)      Annually evaluate teen magazine subscriptions and purchase additional titles if necessary.

c)      Budget for part-time teen librarian as teen use continues to increase

            Objective Seven:  Maintain cooperative relationships with the school libraries.

a)      Librarians will meet twice annually during the school year.

b)      Purchase 3-5 copies of required books on Summer Reading Lists.

GOAL TWO:  Continue to provide career information.

            Objective One:  Update college handbooks and related information annually.

            Objective Two:  Evaluate resources for career opportunities annually.

GOAL THREE:  Evaluate the library’s periodical collection.

            Objective One:  Annually compare the periodical collection to available standard lists.

            Objective Two:  Annually evaluate electronic access to full-text periodicals.

GOAL FOUR:  Offer program services for all age groups.

            Objective One:  Include adequate program space in future building plans.

            Objective Two: Assess need and implement appropriate programs of public interest.

                        a) Increase children’s programs

b) Develop teen programs

c) Enhance adult programs

            Objective Three:  Develop a plan for program evaluation by January 2007.

GOAL FIVE:  Provide space for non-profit community events.

            Objective One:  Include adequate meeting space in future building plans.         

GOAL SIX:  Promote public awareness of the library and its services.

            Objective One: Prepare periodic articles highlighting current programs and services.

            Objective Two: Prepare monthly press releases on up-coming programs.

            Objective Three:  Continually update events and programs on library web page.

            Objective Four:  Inform public of future building needs.
 

GOALS RELATED TO ROLE TWO

ROLE TWO:  Support the information needs of the community through a quality
reference collection in a variety of formats.

GOAL ONE:  Continually update and expand adult and children’s reference collections.

            Objective One:  Evaluate the print reference collection annually.

            Objective Two:  Review and update alternative formats for reference products annually.

            Objective Three:  Maintain, update and acquire new computer technologies necessary to handle reference materials.

            Objective Four:  Continue to provide access to Somers historical and municipal materials.

GOAL TWO:  Provide staff training and development.

            Objective One:  Continue basic reference training for all part-time Library Assistants.

GOAL THREE:  Acquire a full-time reference librarian.

            Objective One:  Include the position in the annual budget request.

GOALS RELATED TO ROLE THREE

ROLE THREE:  Support the administrative functions necessary to provide all services and programs.

 GOAL ONE:  Maintain appropriate policies for the library, guided by “Minimum Standards for Connecticut Principal Public Libraries”. 

            Objective One:  Add Library Board agenda line item for continual review and development of library policies.

            Objective Two:  All library policies to be drafted and approved by the Library Board, working in conjunction with the Library Director.

            Objective Three:  Inform staff of changes and have policies available to the public.

GOAL TWO:  Provide staff training and professional development as needed to maintain quality library service.

            Objective One: Staff members are encouraged to attend a minimum of two staff meetings per year.

            Objective Two:  Train staff on new products and technologies.

GOAL THREE:  Continue the formal process for establishing the library’s annual budget.

            Objective One:  Library Director will present draft of annual budget to Library Board Finance Committee in January.  Finance Committee will review and recommend a budget to entire Board prior to meeting with town Board of Finance.

GOAL FOUR:  Evaluate staffing levels to provide excellence in service.

            Objective One:  Review and update job descriptions to reflect current duties and responsibilities as needed.

            Objective Two:  Increase staff as needed.

            Objective Three:  Establish paid position to provide after school teen services.

            Objective Four:  Encourage the use of volunteers for specific library functions.

GOAL FIVE:  Establish salaries at a competitive level. 

            Objective One: Conduct survey of library salaries in similar communities every 3-5 years.

            Objective Two: Develop a salary schedule report based on job descriptions, length of service, and comparable area salaries to reflect the expertise necessary to provide quality library service.

            Objective Three: Present salary requirements to the town as part of the budget process.

GOALS RELATED TO ROLE FOUR

ROLE FOUR:  Utilize evolving technology to provide accurate and current information in a timely and efficient way.

GOAL ONE: Continue to provide public access to the Internet, including the purchase of the necessary components.

Objective One: Update existing and purchase additional PC workstations that include easily accessible
USB ports, read-write CD-Rom drives, speakers and headsets.

Objective Two: Purchase one or more laptop computers with wireless capability and specifications equal to existing Internet workstations.

            Objective Three: Provide a scanner on the network computers for public use.

GOAL TWO: Continue relationship with Somers schools for automated resource sharing.

Objective One: Purchase additional school networked computers to accommodate increased demand

            Objective Two: Replace the two older iMac terminals with the latest model eMacs.

Objective Three: Purchase software and other appropriate programs compatible with MacIntosh systems in use at the schools.

            Objective Four: Upgrade memory on existing eMac workstations.

GOAL THREE: Provide electronic resources for the public.

Objective One: Purchase computer software for adults and children’s use at library workstations.

Objective Two: Annually budget for additional online subscription databases as provided through the Bibliomation or Connecticut Library Consortia memberships.

GOAL FOUR: Annually upgrade or replace computer equipment.

            Objective One: Provide adequate number of OPAC terminals to satisfy patron demand.

Objective Two: Purchase one new circulation workstation and upgrade existing terminals to meet specifications of enhanced automated circulation programs.

Objective Three: Purchase a color printer/scanner for office use.

Objective Four: Purchase flat-screen monitors as needed for replacements.

Objective Five: Purchase maintenance contracts as practical.

Objective Six: Incorporate future technological developments in the library’s purchase plans.

GOAL FIVE:  Address the technology training needs of the library staff.

            Objective One: Provide on-going opportunities for staff to attend training workshops.

a)      Fund additional hours for part-time staff to attend courses and workshops

b)      Prepare two in-house training sessions annually

Objective Two: Train additional staff on web-site design.

GOAL SIX: Provide training for the public on the use of electronic resources.

Objective One: Offer quarterly workshops to acquaint the public with informational databases.

Objective Two: Offer instruction sessions on the basics of ‘Windows’ and Microsoft Office products two times a year.

Objective Three: Provide basic written instructions for the public.

GOAL SEVEN: Continue to expand the scope of the library’s web site.

Objective One: Continually update and maintain program listings, collection lists, and database links.

Objective Two: Evaluate the web site design, functionality, and timeliness on a quarterly basis.

GOALS RELATED TO ROLE FIVE

ROLE FIVE: Ensure the library building supports the library’s service program, reflects the Library’s role in its community and accommodates changing technology.

GOAL ONE: To expand, renovate, and rehabilitate the building in accordance with the

Approved Library Study Committee’s plan of December 2005.

            Objective One: Educate the public on library space needs to ensure passage of the referendum.

             Objective Two: Continue to monitor and support building project to completion.