LEVERETT LIBRARY Five-Year Plan
CONTENTS
A. Mission Statement
B. Community Description
C. Library Description
D. Assessment of Needs
E. Methodology
F. Goals and Objectives
G. Action Plan for FY ’09
The mission of the Leverett Library is to be a dynamic community center that supports lifelong learning. The library seeks to respond to the townspeople’s recreational, cultural, informational, and educational needs by providing print and non-print materials, technological resources, and programs for children and adults. The library staff endeavors to offer service in an enthusiastic and professional manner.
Incorporated in 1774, Leverett is a small rural community in southeastern Franklin County. The town is named for Sir John Leverett, a governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The town’s rich scenic beauty includes a two-mile road through a glacial ravine bordered by Brushy Mountain; the Sawmill River, which cascades over rocks in Moore’s Corner and flows into the North Leverett millpond; and Leverett Pond, in the town’s center, which affords fishing, canoeing, and ice skating. White church spires, an old sawmill, historic homes, meandering roads, and the Robert Frost Trail comfortably share space with the first peace pagoda built in the United States (a temple of the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist order), a newly renovated elementary school, a public works building, the Leverett Crafts and Arts Center, and the new town library.
Situated in the Five College area, Leverett is a neighbor to Amherst, Hampshire, Smith, and Mt. Holyoke colleges as well as the University of Massachusetts. These academic institutions have drawn a culturally diverse population to Leverett. Residents range from professors, college staff, and graduate and undergraduate students to teachers, farmers, contractors, builders, artists, gardeners, and professionals in the area of medicine, law, and telecommunications.
Leverett has a population of approximately 1,900 and a total area of 23 square miles. Much of the town is undeveloped and is home to bears, moose, and other wildlife. Upon finishing elementary school in Leverett, students attend regional public schools in Amherst. Town funding is solely dependent on the residential tax base.
Since 1995, when our last long range plan was submitted, the town of Leverett has seen enormous changes in its library. In 2003 the library moved from its home in a small building with no restrooms to a beautiful, modern building that is welcoming to all. The new library is geothermally heated and cooled, has 2 restrooms, a book drop and an audiovisual drop, a community room, a landscaped stone patio, and a lighted parking lot. The inside features comfortable armchairs, 6 public computers and 3 staff computers with a high-speed Internet connection, and a public copier. At about the same time as the move, the library became a “mininet” member of C/W MARS, following months of hard work by staff and volunteers to recatalogue the collection. Other changes made at that time include a name change from the Bradford M. Field Memorial Library to the Leverett Library, an increase in open time from 15 to 25 hours a week, an increase in the library director’s paid administrative hours to 12 a week, and the retirement of long-time director Lorna Rivers.
Once the move was completed, the staff and trustees began working to fulfill the building committee’s vision of the library as both a community gathering place (“the town’s living room”) and a “recreational reading” library. We were eager to welcome the library’s former patrons and to bring in new patrons, both those who had traditionally visited larger libraries outside of Leverett and those who did not utilize any libraries. Among the diverse ways that we sought to reach out to the citizens of Leverett were through the establishment of an annual community reading program (“Read It, Leverett”); art exhibits in the community room; a variety of programming for adults and children including a community-wide tag sale, author visits, musical performances, and nature events. We diversified our audiovisual collection by adding DVDs and books on CD. To help residents who could not find convenient times to visit, we adjusted our hours to include Sundays (fall-spring) and added weekend hours in the summer. We sought to partner with local organizations whenever possible—the elementary school, the Rattlesnake Gutter Trust (land conservation group), Leverett Community Chorus, Leverett Crafts and Arts, the town’s senior citizen lunch, the 4-H Group, and Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, among others. With the support of the Friends of the Library, we began delivering library materials to homebound individuals. Finally, we increased the number of library volunteers to about 35, reaping the benefits of their assistance and their outspoken enthusiasm for the new library.
Today, five years after the opening of the new building, the library is in a fortunate position. Our building is in excellent condition. Initial difficulties with the heating and cooling system appear to be resolved. The building exceeds the legal requirements for handicap accessibility for a library in a town of under 2,000 residents. Soon after the building opened, we added automatic doors to better serve our patrons. The library was the proud recipient of a Paul Winski Access Award from the Stavros Center for Independent Living. Our circulation figures have risen sharply every year since we joined C/W MARS. In FY ’06, our total circulation activity was 32,840, a figure that is higher than that of all but one community in our population group (69 Mass. towns of 0-2,000) and of half of the libraries in the next population group (53 Mass. towns of 2,000-5,000). When towns are compared on a per capita basis, we were 7th busiest in our population group and 45th out of the 362 libraries reporting statewide.
Our interlibrary loan (ILL) figures have increased even more rapidly since we joined C/W MARS. In FY ’06, we received 4,600 items for our patrons from other libraries. We fill many more ILL requests than any other Massachusetts town of our size, and when compared on a per capita basis we are 8th busiest in the state! Our patrons requesting ILLs include professors, college students, artists, staff at the town elementary school, book groups, senior citizens, kids with homework assignments, kids reading for pleasure, commuters wanting audiobooks, homeschoolers, and many others. Because we receive WMRLS deliveries 3 times a week, we are able to fill requests promptly. We fill increasing numbers of requests from beyond C/W MARS (searching through networks across the state via the Virtual Catalogue and to libraries beyond the state’s networks via WMRLS ILL service). Our ability to fill requests is a big part of our success. With rising gas prices, residents are especially pleased to be able to get items close to home. We are very grateful to WMRLS for their thrice-weekly deliveries.
As a member of C/W MARS, we must send out items from our own collection to borrowers at other libraries. C/W MARS attempts to keep equal the quantity of materials being sent to the Leverett Library to fill requests and the quantity of materials being taken from us to fill holds elsewhere. As the numbers of items being sent here to fill our patrons’ holds have grown, so have the numbers of our own items are being sent out to fill hold requests at other libraries (4,300 in FY ’06). As a small library with a collection of only 14,000 items, we are making approximately 30% of our collection temporarily unavailable to our patrons. We depend increasingly on items borrowed from the WMRLS bookmobile to fill the gaps left when our own items are shipped elsewhere as well as to add needed variety to our small collection. We especially appreciate the bookmobile’s new books on CD.
Before the library moved, the staff thoroughly weeded the entire collection. As a result, the size of our holdings is somewhat smaller than that of other libraries in our population group (8.13 items per capita, which is 37th out of the 69 towns in our population group). With our increased operating budget since the move, our shelves are rapidly filling with new items. In the last 5 years, we have begun subscribing to periodicals, and to date receive 19.
The town meeting has supported the library’s need for a larger operating income in the new building, and in FY’06 voted to fund us at the per capita rate of $34.52, enabling us to meet building and salary expenses, as well as the state-mandated requirement for new materials. Beginning in FY ’08, the library director, who holds an MLS degree, will have more administrative hours (17 per week). The Friends of the Leverett Library have been an important part of the new library’s success, sponsoring author visits and raising money for museum passes, 2 new staff computers, and much more.
The 6 public computers funded by a Gates Grant have been a major draw for residents. The computers are used by an average of 64 people a week. One reason for their popularity is that the library is one of the only places in town with high-speed Internet access, which was obtained by C/W MARS and supported with federal grants. We have received many requests for wireless internet access from our patrons, but have not yet provided this service because of the high cost of obtaining a 2nd Internet connection.
The trustees are eager for the library to host a variety of programming for adults and children offered by the library and by outside groups. A very popular weekly story hour for preschool children is provided by the School Union #28 Family Network Program during the school year and by the library during the summer months. The library participates in the state’s summer reading program for children. We host an annual community reading program with financial support from the Friends of the Library, the local cultural council and 2 area banks. We have offered craft programs, “Farm Day” with animals and crafts, musical performances, and other activities. The town recreation program regularly offers yoga and tai chi classes at the library.
To inform town residents about the library, we rely primarily on a column in the town’s bimonthly newsletter. We have occasional announcements in the elementary school newsletter with items relating to kids. Thanks to talented volunteers, we have a new attractive library website that is updated monthly. We also display posters about upcoming events at the library and around town, and have sent flyers to residents.
We sought to learn the community’s library needs by means of a survey distributed widely in Leverett and a focus group held at the library (see Section E).
We were gratified to discover that town residents are pleased with the operation of the new library. The new building is extremely popular, both as a library and a “public commons.” The feedback about the library staff and volunteers, who often work directly with the public, was overwhelmingly positive. The public was also very appreciative of the benefits of C/W MARS membership, which affords them the ability to order items easily and quickly from other libraries, among other things.
The single most common request on the surveys and at the focus group was for wireless internet access, so that patrons can bring their laptops to the library and use a high-speed connection. At present, high-speed internet connections are difficult for residents to obtain at home: Verizon does not offer that service in Leverett except at a prohibitively expensive price; satellite dishes are another option. In recent months Verizon has considered expanding its regular Internet service into Leverett, but our trustee chair has learned that that prospect is unlikely to happen soon. The cost of obtaining wireless access through C/W MARS is becoming more affordable, and we are looking into that possibility for the library, as well as the satellite option.
The feedback about the collection indicates that patrons want a broader selection. The area of greatest importance to our patrons is adult fiction, followed closely by adult nonfiction, DVDs, and audiobooks; the latter comprises the section deemed in most need of improvement. We also received many suggestions for more magazine subscriptions, as well as more YA books. A few patrons wished that we would add music to the collection, including children’s music. Participants at the focus group encouraged us to consider soliciting donations for magazine subscriptions and books (“adopt a book” etc.). We recognize the importance of the WMRLS bookmobile to the library. As the bookmobile is only of value to us if its collection includes many new items, we must also support the bookmobile in whatever ways we can.
As our interlibrary loan service is one of our main attractions, we must work to maintain it in the face of region-wide growing pains. Our own ILL numbers have doubled from FY 2004 to FY 2006 (in ‘06 we had 4,600 items incoming to our patrons and 4,300 items outgoing to other libraries’ patrons), and show no signs of slowing. Even though our library is new, the planners did not--could not--anticipate this level of activity, and so we must be creative about space needs and staff time for ILL work. We must also support the WMRLS delivery service, both by trying to follow best practices for delivery and by encouraging the state to fund the region’s work. We would also encourage C/W MARS to improve the public access catalogue so that our patrons are not requesting titles from other libraries that may in fact be on our shelves in a different format (i.e., paperback editions).
Although the number of complaints about our hours has decreased greatly with the addition of Sunday hours, we received a number of comments from patrons wanting more hours or different hours. Some requests were for us to be open an hour earlier on Tuesday and Thursday so that parents picking up children at the school next door could stop by here first. Others wanted us to be open different days. The Leverett Library is currently open 25 hours a week (20 in the summer), a number significantly higher than the state requirement for a town of our size (10 hours a week including some evening hours). Therefore, we would most likely choose to rearrange our hours, rather than expand them.
Feedback indicated that the public values the programming offered at the library and wants more of it. The YA representative at the focus group made a convincing argument for programming for teens, such as a teen book group. Interest was strong for film showings, author visits, a town-wide tag sale, cultural events, and the annual Read It, Leverett! program. Town residents offered many additional ideas for programming at the library. Issues of funding and staff time will be important considerations as we address this need.
Having access to the 6 public computers is a clear priority based on the public response. A few people expressed a wish for additional computers, but as we have no more space for them and as we hope to soon offer wireless access, we will concentrate on the current number. Our public computers were purchased in 2003 and will soon need to be replaced. We also need to have funding in our annual operating budgets for technical support. In addition to providing computers, we would like to satisfy requests that we provide different types of computer training. One example is formal instruction in using the online catalogue to place holds (currently taught informally). We would also like to offer 4-week computer classes for those wanting an introduction to word processing, the Internet, full-text periodicals available online with a library card, etc. We will explore ways of funding these classes, including applying for a federal LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant. An additional type of computer support that we would like to consider is establishing a teen volunteer group to help senior citizens use computers at the library.
The public’s interest in the library extends to the grounds. At present, a group of residents have obtained a Community Preservation Grant to restore to its native condition a small wetland located between the library and the road. The library enthusiastically wishes to support this effort by educating visitors about the work being done: the removal of invasive, exotic plants and the reintroduction of native wetland plants. After the project is completed we plan to house educational materials about the wetland so that visitors can learn from it. Another outdoor goal is the creation of a plowed path connecting the library and the elementary school in wintertime, so that children coming to the library from the school do not have to walk in the snowy road. Such a path would cross town land and multiple parties would need to be involved in its creation. Finally, the landscaping of the grounds needs to be completed and decisions about any outdoor furniture or sculptures need to be made. The public has requested outdoor seating and a table. An understanding about what parties are responsible for maintaining the gardens, young trees, wetlands, etc., needs to be formalized.
The survey results and the focus group’s discussion demonstrated that many residents are not aware of the extent of the services and programs offered at the library. Therefore, improving the library’s outreach and communication with town residents is a clear need. One idea is to invite patrons to sign up for a monthly e-mail from the library which lists upcoming events and has a link to the library website. Another idea is to prepare a handout detailing our services for distribution at the senior lunch, and for posting in the elementary school and town newsletters.
The arts are important to Leverett residents. The community is home to many artists and musicians and to the bustling arts center known as Leverett Crafts and Arts. The library, with guidance and volunteer help from artist Lindsay Palermo, has recognized the contribution made by local artists to the community by hosting rotating art exhibits in the community room, displaying artwork by elementary school students, including an art exhibit in its annual community reading program, subscribing to an art periodical, inviting the intergenerational community chorus to perform at the library, having local students perform music, among other ways. As the arts greatly enrich patrons’ library experiences, we need to continue to seek ways to bring art to the library.
A strong financial position is crucial if the library is to achieve its goals. Our first need is for the trustees and director to gain a clear understanding of the various library accounts (town accounts and trusts), including their purposes (operating expenses, capital expenses, etc.), sources of funding, and any restrictions on their use. Then we wish to review best practices for fundraising, and prepare information for the public detailing how individuals can donate money to the library. Finally, we wish to support and encourage the Friends of the Library in their critical mission, and to look for ways to enhance our relationship. We need to educate the public that without the funds raised by the Friends, many of the “extras” not covered by the town budget would not be possible (museum passes, author visits, children and adult programming).
Finally, we need to make sure that the Leverett Library is as prepared as possible for a natural disaster or emergency. To that end, the director will update the library’s emergency plan using a new program prepared by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
The library director and trustees constitute the long range planning committee. The library director attended a training on long range planning sponsored by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in February 2007. The director and trustees decided to assess community needs by soliciting community input via a user survey and a focus group. Once we had the survey results and focus group feedback, we met several times to discuss the library’s needs.
After studying sample questionnaires, the library director prepared a survey and tested it on several volunteers and the trustees. The finished survey was mailed to every household in Leverett as part of the town newsletter, was included in an issue of the school newsletter to elementary school families, and was distributed at the library, the post office, the elementary school, and the town hall. The library director handed out surveys to voters arriving at the annual town meeting on April 30, 2007. A large poster explaining the survey was displayed at the library. The library director and library assistant encouraged patrons to fill them out. We received 150 responses. There are approximately 1919 residents in Leverett, and 810 households. Survey results were tabulated by trustees, and displayed on a poster at the library.
Our focus group was held in the library community room on April 26, 2007 from 7-8 p.m. As suggested by the MBLC, we engaged the services of a volunteer moderator, who is the assistant moderator for the town. The library director attended as did a trustee charged with preparing the notes from the meeting. The director strove to create a diverse group of library patrons in the focus group. These 9 individuals included men and women, a young adult patron, several senior citizens, a member of the town Select Board, an artist and member of the library book club, parents who visit the library with their children, the president of the Friends, and a staff member at the elementary school. The focus group contained some individuals who regularly place their own ILL holds, some who request ILL holds through the library staff, and some who prefer to select books by browsing.
The moderator asked the group to provide input on SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) related to the library. The discussion alternated between sharing information on topics (state regulations, C/W MARS rules etc.) and generating/discussing ideas.
Goal 1: To provide a strong selection of popular materials (books, audios, videos, periodicals) for the public.
Objectives:
1. Improve the audio collection through purchases, donations, and bookmobile borrowing. Rearrange the section to make it easier to use. Reduce the number of abridged books on tape to provide more space. Improve labeling of our audio materials to make them easier for volunteers to shelve correctly and for patrons to find. Improve packaging of our audio materials to make them sturdier (and more likely to hold up in the delivery).
2. Increase the number of magazine subscriptions, (especially for young adults). Find new ways and spaces to shelve them and catalogue them. Add newspaper subscriptions.
3. Consider ways to support the WMRLS bookmobile program so that it will be able to offer new items. Recognize that our success is tied to its survival.
4. Advocate for the town appropriation for materials to be at least 20% of the yearly operating budget.
5. Encourage patron suggestions of titles for purchase.
6. Consider starting a structured donation program to enable people to donate money for magazine subscriptions or specific books.
Goal 2: Provide outstanding interlibrary loan (ILL) service to our patrons
Objectives:
1. Find creative ways to manage the increasing numbers of ILL items (issues of space, carts, staff time, volunteer training).
2. Consider ways to support the WMRLS delivery service (best practices, support annual budget, encourage ILL users to become Friends of WMRLS).
3. Offer training to patrons wanting to learn how to place holds themselves on items through C/W MARS.
4. Offer training to patrons wanting hard-to-find items who wish to learn how to place holds themselves using the Virtual Catalogue (an MBLC resource providing patrons with direct access to materials in networks similar to C/W MARS throughout the state and in the University of Massachusetts network).
5. Suggest that C/W MARS look for ways to improve the public access catalogue for patrons placing holds (to allow patrons to know when they are requesting an item that their library owns in another edition).
Goal 3: Assist in meeting the community’s computer/internet needs
Objectives:
1. Offer wireless internet access
2. Maintain and update the library’s 6 computers for public use as needed; maintain the laser printer.
3. Offer ways for patrons to learn information skills appropriate to their needs by providing informal assistance, brief workshops on topics such as placing holds online, and formal computer training that covers topics such as word processing, the internet, e-mail, access to on-line periodical articles. Consider establishing a teen volunteer program to provide computer support for senior citizens.
4. Promote access to regional and C/W MARS databases, both for patrons in the library and for those using home computers.
Goal 4: Reassess the library’s hours
Objectives:
1. Continue to assess the library’s hours in relation to public requests and staffing situations.
2. Change hours if appropriate and if funding allows. Publicize new hours.
Goal 5: Continue to develop the library as a cultural and educational center and public gathering place for the community
Objectives:
1. Offer programming that addresses the needs of adults in the community.
2. Offer programming that addresses the needs of children in the community, from toddlers to young adults.
3. Prepare education materials and offer programming pertaining to the new wetlands project.
4. Restructure and continue our annual community reading program “Read It, Leverett.”
5. Seek additional ways to bring the arts to the library.
6. Maintain a strong connection with the Leverett Elementary School, with a goal of visiting classes in the spring to promote the summer reading program, and having the 2nd grade visit the library each fall.
Goal 6: Bring the library’s financial position into sharper focus
Objectives:
1. Develop a clear understanding among the director and trustees of the various library accounts (town accounts and trusts), including their purposes (operating expenses, capital expenses, etc.), sources of funding, and any restrictions on their use.
2. Review best practices for fundraising by small public libraries.
3. Prepare brochures detailing how individuals can donate money to the library.
4. Support and encourage the Friends of the Library in their fund-raising activities, and look for ways to enhance our relationship. Educate the public that without funds raised by the Friends, many of the “extras” not covered by the town budget would not be possible (museum passes, author visits, children’s and adult programming).
Goal 7: Strengthen the administrative and technical services of the library
Objectives:
1. Advocate budgets that meet the guidelines for state accreditation.
2. Encourage trustees, staff, Friends, and volunteers to take advantage of state and regional library workshops.
3. Find ways to keep enthusiasm high among volunteers and show our appreciation for their contributions.
4. Improve the library’s outreach and communication via the Internet, town and school newsletters, and library website. Use these outlets to offer more information about placing holds.
5. Update the library’s emergency planning using the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners program and with trustee involvement.
Goal 8: Maintain and improve the library building and grounds
Objectives:
- Continue to seek environmentally responsible practices and energy self-sufficiency
- Complete the planning and work for the library grounds.
- Establish schedules for major maintenance events. Review responsibilities and funding sources. Assess needs on a yearly basis.
G. ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
Year 1 of the Five-Year Plan submitted to the MBLC in September 2007
Goal 1: To provide a strong selection of popular materials (books, audios, videos, periodicals) for the public.
Objectives:
1. Improve the audio collection.
Activities:
*Evaluate the popularity of books on tape versus books on CD. (by June 2009)
*Begin to improve the selection of audios (by June 2009)
*Rearrange the audio shelves to make the section easier to browse. (by June 2009)
*Improve labeling of the audios. (by June 2009)
*Move popular materials to sturdier cases (by June 2009)
2. Increase the number of magazine subscriptions, (especially for young adults). Find new ways and spaces to shelve them and catalogue them. Add newspaper subscriptions.
Activities:
*Select and order 6 new magazines (by June 2009)
*Find space and shelving for new magazines (by June 2009)
*Add newspaper subscriptions (by June 2009)
3. Consider ways to support the WMRLS bookmobile program so that it will be able to offer new items. Recognize that our success is tied to its survival.
4. Advocate for the town appropriation for materials to be at least 20% of the yearly operating budget.
5. Encourage patron suggestions of titles for purchase.
Activities:
*Establish a suggestion box and/or bulletin board (by June 2009)
6. Consider starting a structured donation program to enable people to donate money for magazine subscriptions or specific books.
Goal 2: Provide outstanding interlibrary loan (ILL) service to our patrons
Objectives:
1. Find creative ways to manage the increasing numbers of ILL items (issues of space, carts, staff time, volunteer training
2. Consider ways to support the WMRLS delivery service (best practices, support annual budget, encourage ILL users to become Friends of WMRLS)
3. Offer training to patrons wanting to learn how to place holds themselves on items through C/W MARS.
Activities:
*Establish weekly times when staff or volunteers are on hand to teach people how to place holds. Publicize the training. (by June 2009)
4. Offer training to patrons wanting hard-to-find items who wish to learn how to place holds themselves using the Virtual Catalogue (an MBLC resource providing patrons with direct access to materials in networks similar to C/W MARS throughout the state and in the University of Massachusetts network).
Activities:
*Establish training (by June 2009)
5. Suggest that C/W MARS look for ways to improve the public access catalogue for patrons placing holds (to allow patrons to know when they are requesting an item that their library owns in another edition).
Goal 3: Assist in Meeting the Community’s Computer/Internet Needs
Objectives:
1. Offer wireless internet access
Activities:
*Assess various options and select one (by June 2009)
*Publicize the availability (by June 2009)
*Assess how well the access is working (by June 2009)
2. Maintain and update the library’s 6 computers for public use as needed; maintain
the laser printer.
3. Offer ways for patrons to learn information skills appropriate to their needs by providing informal assistance, brief workshops on topics such as placing holds online, and formal computer training that covers topics such as word processing, the internet, e-mail, access to on-line periodical articles.
Activities:
*Consider establishing a teen volunteer program to provide computer support for senior citizens. (By June 2009)
4. Promote access to regional and C/W MARS databases, both for patrons in the library and for those using home computers.
Goal 4: Reassess the Library’s Hours
Objectives:
1. Continue to assess the library’s hours in relation to public requests and staffing situations.
2. Change hours if appropriate and if funding allows. Publicize new hours.
Goal 5: Continue to Develop the Library as a Cultural and Educational Center and Public Gathering Place for the Community
Objectives:
1. Offer programming that addresses the needs of adults in the community.
Activities:
*Make programming plan for the entire fiscal year by October ’08.
2. Offer programming that addresses the needs of children in the community, from toddlers to young adults.
Activities:
*Make programming plan for the entire fiscal year by October ’08.
3. Prepare education materials and offer programming pertaining to the new wetlands project.
Activities:
*Find a good speaker for a program by October ’08.
4. Restructure and continue our annual community reading program “Read It, Leverett.”
5. Seek additional ways to bring the arts to the library.
6. Maintain a strong connection with the Leverett Elementary School, with a goal of visiting classes in the spring to promote the summer reading program, and having the 2nd grade visit the library each fall.
Goal 6: Bring the Library’s Financial Position into Sharper Focus
Objectives:
1. Develop a clear understanding among the director and trustees of the various library accounts (town accounts and trusts), including their purposes (operating expenses, capital expenses, etc.), sources of funding, and any restrictions on their use.
Activity:
*Prepare a chart by June ’09.
2. Review best practices for fundraising by small public libraries.
3. Prepare brochures detailing how individuals can donate money to the library.
4. Support and encourage the Friends of the Library in their fund-raising activities, and look for ways to enhance our relationship. Educate the public that without funds raised by the Friends, many of the “extras” not covered by the town budget would not be possible (museum passes, author visits, children’s and adult programming).
Goal 7: Strengthen the Administrative and Technical Services of the Library
Objectives:
1. Advocate budgets that meet the guidelines for state accreditation.
2. Encourage trustees, staff, Friends, and volunteers to take advantage of state and regional library workshops.
3. Find ways to keep enthusiasm high among volunteers and show appreciation for their contributions.
4. Improve the library’s outreach and communication via the Internet, town and school newsletters, and library website. Use these outlets to offer more information about placing holds.
5. Update the library’s emergency planning using the MBLC program and with trustee involvement.
Goal 8: Maintain and Improve the Library Building and Grounds
Objectives:
1. Continue to seek environmentally responsible practices and energy self-sufficiency.
2. Complete the planning and work for the library grounds.
3. Establish schedules for major maintenance events. Review responsibilities and funding sources. Assess needs on a yearly basis.
Activity:
*Write schedule by June ’09.