Brooks
Free Library
FY2009
Action Plan
This action plan has been prepared as a one-year
extension of the Library’s 2004-2008 Long Range Plan while the planning process
for a new five-year plan is underway.
Goal 1: The Library will be open sufficient hours to provide all segments of the community with the ability to fully utilize Library services and programs.
Objective 1.1: Evaluate schedule of open hours
Activities:
1. Publicize library hours through press releases to local media, weekly newspaper column, the Library website, revised brochures and Channel 18 programs
2. Adjust staff schedules to ensure adequate coverage for all open hours and during staff-led programs
3. Reduce impact of lack of open hours for the Local History Room by relocating significant portions of the collection to the circulating and Reference collections.
4. Obtain feedback from patrons, community members, Library staff and volunteers
5. Collect data on circulation, attendance, programming, reference, and computer use
6. Evaluate use statistics and feedback during Long Range Planning process.
General Information Service Response: The Library will provide access to a wide range of popular, informational and cultural resources in print, non-print and electronic formats. The following goals and objectives relate to this service response:
Goal 2: Inform residents about Library programs and services, including reference services
Objective 2.1: Provide brochures about Library services in community locations
1. Update and print monthly calendars of Adult and Youth Services programs.
2. Review brochures quarterly, update and arrange printing as needed.
3. Visit community locations monthly to re-supply materials.
Objectives 2.2: Increase coverage of Library programs and services in local media.
Activities:
1. Library Clerk serves as publicity coordinator, submitting upcoming events to local media.
2. Continue weekly “@ Your Library” column in Harwich Oracle with staff members regularly scheduled to write columns
3. Submit press releases on new services or programs to local media
4. Submit digital photographs from Library events to local media
5. Follow-up with media outlets to determine how to improve chances of publication
Objective 2.3: Continue other methods of outreach
Activities:
1. Staff members will discuss Library services on Channel 18 once every two months
2.
Update the Library’s website monthly with Adult and Children’s &
Youth programs 3. Promote programs
and services on changeable signboard on Main Street
4. Send quarterly notices for inclusion in COA newsletter and School newsletters.
5. Develop “new patron” packet with information on programs and services.
6. Join the Chamber of Commerce and participate in networking opportunities
7. Library staff will participate on inter-departmental Town committees.
Goal 3: Library users will obtain the information they need
Objective 3.1: Staff will provide correct information to the public
on Library policies, programs and services
Activities:
1. Fund and hold monthly staff meetings when the Library’s closed
2. Schedule appropriate staff to attend workshops and CLAMS committee meetings
3. Request regional training programs on be held at the Brooks Free Library so more staff members may attend
4.
Arrange desk coverage
for department head meetings with professional librarians twice a month.
5.
Staff members will share
information from meetings and workshops with other staff members at monthly
meetings
6.
Develop training program
for new and substitute employees
7.
Improve staff
communication using technology such as staff blog, encouraging posting and
ensuring staff members read the blog
Objective 3.2: Encourage patrons’ unmediated use of the online catalog, periodical databases, Virtual Catalog, and self-check out module
Activities:
1.
Recruit volunteers and
continue to provide computer tutoring sessions
2.
Revise written
instructional materials to be attractive and appealing
3.
Maintain attractive,
appealing signs to aid in use of self-checkout
4. Train paraprofessional staff in features of CLAMS catalog and on online databases
5. Publicize these resources in weekly newspaper columns, appearances on Channel 18 programs, School Open Houses, and meetings of community organizations.
6. Select and purchase online databases to supplement regional and state databases
7. Complete Community Preservation Act funded project to digitize the Harwich Independent newspaper and provide in-house public access to contents
Objective 3.3: The collection
will contain information that is current and accurate to meet the informational
and recreational needs of the community
Activities:
Goal 4: The Library will provide staff skillful in assessing user’s needs and in locating relevant information that satisfies those needs
Objective 4.1: In-service training will be provided to paraprofessional staff members who cover the Reference and Children’s Desks when the Librarian is not present
Activities:
1. Para-professional staff members will attend
CLAMS and regional workshops as opportunities arise
2. A full-day
Staff Training Day will be held in September
3.
Two monthly staff
meetings per year will be devoted to in-service topics
4.
Staff members will
receive individualized instruction when learning new functions
Objective 4.2
Improve resources available to staff
Activities:
1.
Upgrade staff computers
to meet operating system needs for Millennium, the Integrated Library System
used by the consortium
2.
Replace aging
peripherals such as receipt printers and barcode readers
3.
Standardize settings,
programs and peripherals available on staff computers
4.
Investigate purchase of
server for staff network for file storage and retrieval
5.
Develop written
documentation on Library technology resources for staff training and reference
purposes.
6.
Replace Windows 95
computer used to reset the Comcast connection for the public computer network.
7.
Update written
instructions for resolving problems with the Comcast network.
8.
Complete
Community Preservation Act funded project to digitize the Harwich Independent
newspaper and provide in-house public access to contents
Goal 5: The Library will improve technology access for the public.
Objective 5.1: Assess and improve the Library’s technology
Activities:
1.
Update configuration of
hotspot controller and wireless service to continue improving service and
reducing need of patrons for staff assistance
2.
Provide opportunities
for staff members to become familiar with wireless laptops
3.
Appropriate
staff will receive continuing education on technology issues such as computer
security, maintenance, management of public computers, networking, and wireless
access
4. Promote use of downloadable audio-book service and investigate new service options
5. Investigate RFID and other technologies to improve efficiency of operations
6. Develop procedures and establish instructional program for use of Braille embosser and Kurzweil software.
7. Purchase, configure and install updated public computers in Reference area
8. Purchase, configure and install updated Homework Center computers with flat screen monitors to provide more workspace for users
9. Replace
color laser printer in the Homework Center
10. Reconfigure
replaced computers to replace older OPACs (online public access catalogs)
Objective 5.2: Standardize operating systems and software versions
Activities:
1.
Install server on public
computer network
2.
Standardize settings and
programs installed on public computers
3. Upgrade remaining Windows 2000 computers to XP
4. Replace Windows 95 computer used to manage public network’s Comcast connection
5. Investigate use of Open Office as alternative to Microsoft Office
6. Upgrade Microsoft Office and install on public and staff computers if Open Office will not meet needs
7. Upgrade to latest version of Public Web
Browser
8. Evaluate functioning of security software and
upgrade/modify as necessary
Commons Service Response:
Brooks Free Library will provide public space for formal meetings and informal gatherings that is recognized as inviting and welcoming by all individuals and groups in the community. The Library facility, programs and activities help foster a sense of community in the town. Goals and objectives in the following section relate to this service response:
Goal 6: The Library facility, programs and activities enrich the life of the Town’s residents and help foster a sense of community.
Objective 6.1: Provide programs that give community members the opportunity to meet and interact with each other.
Activities:
1.
Support and publicize
on-going volunteer-led Writer’s Group
2.
Support and publicize
on-going library staff-led Morning Book Group, Evening Book Group, Knit-Lit
Book Group, Literary Diners Book Group, Mother-Daughter Book Group, and young
adult book group.
3.
Recruit
volunteer coordinators for a new discussion group, craft or game program and
begin offering one new on-going program for adults
4.
Continue offering 2
weekly story-times and regular creative movement program
5.
Hold monthly special
children’s activities such as puppet shows, magic shows and storytelling
programs
6.
Hold one children’s
program on Saturday each month to provide the opportunity for families with
working parents to attend together
7.
Encourage Library use by
older children and teens by establishing reasonable rules that do not target
young adults or unnecessarily restrict activity
8.
Hold regular young adult
activities such as DDR, Wii Sports, and book groups
9.
Continue developing
collections such as anime and video games that appeal to older children and
teens
10.
Publicize
programs by press releases, messages on Main St. signboard, distribution of
flyers, appearances on local cable channel, and monthly updating of website
Goal 7: Increase outreach activities to the homebound and others with disabilities
Objective 7.1: Continue
Books on Wheels homebound delivery program
Activities:
1. Publicize with articles in
newspaper, Friends’, Council on Aging and other newsletters
2. Discuss Books on Wheels program on local cable channel 2 times
3. Send flyer to recipients of Meals on Wheels in January
4. Evaluate procedures to ensure recipients are receiving
materials of interest to them
5. Develop
written procedure to ensure staff and volunteers follow the same procedures and
improve communication between participants, staff and volunteers
Objective 7.2: Expand and improve services to individuals with disabilities
Activities:
1.
Continue Vision Impaired
Technology Assistance at the Library instructional program to train people with
sight loss in the use of assistive computer technology
2.
Revise instructional
program as needed following updates to the software programs
3.
Recruit and train
volunteer instructors
4.
Train additional staff
following loss of Reference Librarian trained in JAWS and ZoomText
5.
Continue
outreach to make people aware of VITAL program and recruit volunteers
6.
Continue
to support efforts of other libraries to purchase assistive technology and
begin instructional programs by providing advice and assistance
7. Select, purchase and install audio assistance for people with hearing loss in meeting room
8. Investigate options to modify air exchange system to reduce noise level which interferes with hearing in meeting room, Circulation, Local History and Reference
9. Maintain deposit collection of Talking Books and players
10. Expand collection of audio-described videos by adding 10 additional titles
11. Request use of COA van to bring seniors and others
with disabilities to Library
12. Develop one new program to provide people with
disabilities an opportunity to interact and socialize
13. Continue support of the COA Low Vision Reading Group
by providing a location for weekly meetings and supplying information of
interest to participants
Lifelong
Learning Service Response –
The Brooks Free Library
will provide Lifelong Learning service to help address the desire for
self-directed personal growth and development opportunities. The following goals and objectives apply to
this service response:
Goal 8: The Library will provide lifelong learning opportunities for all segments of community
Objective 8.1:
Provide lifelong learning opportunities for adults:
Activities:
1.
Continue adult
programming committee led by the Public Services Librarian, one member of the
Friends, one Trustee and the Library Clerk
2.
Develop guidelines for
funding programs
3.
Arrange 12 lectures /
programs for adults from September through June
4.
Hold at least 4 Adult
programs on Saturdays between September and June to provide opportunity for
community members who are working during the week to attend
5.
Publicize
programs by press releases, messages on Main St. signboard, distribution of
flyers, appearances on local cable channel, and monthly updating of website
Objective 8.2: Provide lifelong learning opportunities for children and young adults.
Activities:
1. Incorporate activities in story-times that promote the development of early literacy skills
2. Provide attractive displays of new picture books, books on selected themes, and parenting materials in high visibility locations
3. Provide a variety of special programs (for example: story-tellers, puppet shows, magicians, craft activities and musical programs)
4. Continue Homework Center for support of school assignments and recreational interests
5. Continue young adult book clubs to encourage a lifelong love of reading
6. Hold annual collection of new books for the Family Pantry holiday gift program
7. Work with local homeschooling families to identify needs of homeschoolers, improve collections and publicize the availability of institutional cards and other services.
Objective 8.2: Collaborate with schools, support the local school curriculum and homeschooling families
Activities:
1. Publicize the availability of “Teacher’s Section” materials, institutional cards for teachers and homsechoolers, and library services at school meetings and open houses, on website, in newspaper column and on Channel 18
2. Provide copies of “Resources for Teachers” brochure to faculty
3. Meet with school librarians and classroom teachers at the start of school year
4. Request inclusion in Chamber of Commerce’s tour of the town for new teachers
5. Host three library instruction/orientation field trips for Harwich classes
6. Evaluate existing online databases from the state and region and purchase supplemental databases using local funds
7. Promote use of Homework Center and after-school programs by discussion at Open Houses and inclusion of information in school newsletters quarterly
8. Children’s Librarian will participate in Schools of the 21st Century community committee
9. Continue conducting special monthly story-time for the Harwich School’s Make Way for Kids preschool at the Library or on-site if class is unable to come to the Library
10. Establish resource section and purchase materials of interest to homeschooling families