Long Range Plan 2006-2010
Overview
All public libraries in New York are required to develop long-range plans. In order to fulfill this standard and provide the best possible service to the community, the Shelter Rock Public Library chose to use New Planning for Results (NPFR), which is a community-based planning process. NPFR was developed for the Public Library Association and is now a standard process that is used across the country. Our Facilitator, who works for Nassau Library System, participated in intensive training in the process.
The Library began by inviting community members to join the Community Planning Committee. Since Shelter Rock is a special library district serving three school districts – East Williston, Herricks, and Mineola – the Library made a concerted effort to involve stakeholders in all areas of the library district. There was a high degree of interest in the committee and the Library had an excellent response rate. For the purposes of the plan, please note that references to “the community” and “the Shelter Rock community” refer to all residents in the Shelter Rock Public Library District.
The Library then held three Community Planning Committee meetings. The first meeting provided an introduction to NPFR, a tour of the Library, and an opportunity for Committee members to ask questions about the process. The second meeting included a presentation about the community’s demographic profile. This was followed by a work session: Committee members were split into small groups and guided through a standard planning exercise known as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT). Each group was asked to think about current strengths and weaknesses of life in the Shelter Rock community, as well as possible threats and opportunities that might present in the future. They were specifically asked to think about the community as a whole, rather than narrowly focus on the library, because it has been found that this helps libraries think outside the box and address broad community issues.
During the third meeting, Committee members discussed the entire list of community issues that was developed in the small groups. Each individual then voted for the top six community issues they thought were most important for the Library to address in its strategic plan. The issues that were ultimately identified included Library Expansion, Technology, Cultural Diversity, Programming for All Groups and Ages, High Cost of Living, and The Library / School Connection.
After these issues were presented to the Board for approval, the Director and Facilitator drafted the goals and objectives and met with the library staff to brainstorm possible activities to include in the plan. The choice of activities that would support the Goals was made by the Library Director, and a draft of the plan was then presented to the Committee and Board for review. The final plan was adopted by the Board on June 14, 2006.
The Library believes that the New Planning for Results community-based process was fruitful and very useful. Members of the public had the opportunity to discuss their hopes and visions for the Shelter Rock community in the broadest sense, as well as the chance to suggest ways the Library could help address their needs. Staff members both participated on the Committee and suggested a number of library activities that speak to community needs. Overall, this process enabled community members and staff to have input and a sense of ownership over the Library’s general direction in the five years to come. During the time period covered by this plan, the Board, Director, and Staff will continue to work with the community to assess results, see if Library is meeting the objectives, and revise the plan as needed to attend to other community needs that may arise.
Library Mission
The mission of the Shelter Rock Public Library is to deliver the best possible library services – access to information of all kinds, culture and entertainment, in print, recordings, video and through all other media – to all residents of our ethnically diverse community, from toddlers to seniors. To further this mission, the Library is committed to:
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Providing free and open access to a wide variety of materials and programs that reflect the intellectual and cultural interests of a diverse community.
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Responding to the needs of all patrons in a rapidly changing world.
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Maintaining a friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff that focuses on customer service .
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Operating in an inviting building that provides an enriching environment and encourages learning and participation, and is a “go-to” destination in our community.
The trustees and staff of the Shelter Rock Public Library want the residents of our community to be proud to say, “This is my library!”
Library Expansion
| Goal: |
The Shelter Rock community will benefit from a new, larger, modern, library facility that complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. |
| Objective: |
The Shelter Rock community will approve the funding for a new, larger, more modern facility at the earliest possible date. |
| Activities: |
Create and distribute a welcome kit for new cardholders.
Conduct Open Houses and tours (in-person and virtual) of the Library.
Target civic and cultural community groups to raise awareness of the Library’s value to the community and demonstrate the need for a larger and improved library facility.
Make information about the proposed new building readily available via the web, brochures, and displays.
Bring community members together to solicit their vision for the new Shelter Rock facility. |
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Technology
| Goal: |
The Shelter Rock community will benefit from improved and expanded access to technology in their library.
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| Objective: |
85% of patrons surveyed will indicate their satisfaction with the technology offered by the Library by 2008.
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| Activities: |
Implement a wireless network for patrons to use with their own wireless-enabled devices by the end of the first half of 2006.
Develop public relations materials to publicize library databases beginning in Fall 2006 .
Continuously update and improve the Library’s webpage.
Investigate software that will streamline patron access to library computers, including Print Management software.
Expand the variety of computer and technology classes offered for the public.
Investigate additional software for patron use, with an emphasis on programs people may not have access to at home and / or may need for school, such as PowerPoint and Photoshop.
Investigate providing access to emerging technologies, such as iBooks and other technologies that may be developed during the course of this plan.
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Cultural Diversity
| Goal: |
The Shelter Rock community will benefit from access to the best available services, materials and information related to the various cultures that comprise their community.
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| Objectives: |
Increase the Library’s number of multicultural programs by 15% , or 14 programs, by 2010 (in 2005, the Library offered 90 multicultural programs, including ESOL classes).
Increase the Library’s allotted space for world language print and media collections by 50%, or approximately 1120 items, in the new, larger facility (in 2005, approximately 2240 items were available).
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| Activities: |
Continue to develop the Library’s world language print and media collections for all ages.
Continue to send staff members to continuing education opportunities related to cultural diversity and other outreach topics, including both existing and potentially new community groups.
Target new ethnic and religious groups of which the Library may not be aware at this time.
Continue to work with the school districts on programs related to cultural diversity; i.e., the International Film Festival.
Continue outreach to local cultural groups and develop a list of contacts at these groups.
Offer more programs for all ages that highlight a variety of ethnic groups.
Continue to offer classes and materials for English Language Learners.
An evaluation form related to cultural programming and materials suggestions will be made available to the public at cultural programs.
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Programming for All Groups and Ages
| Goal: |
The Shelter Rock community will benefit from expanded access to a variety of programs that broaden their horizons and improve their quality of life. |
| Objective: |
Increase the number of programs and the program attendance by 15%, or approximately 100 programs and 2200 attendees, by 2010 (In 2005 the Library offered 652 programs with 14,131 attendees).
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| Activities: |
Offer more programs for all ages.
Offer programs that highlight a variety of ethnic groups.
Investigate the possibility of hiring a full-time program coordinator to handle the scheduling and public relations for library programs and events.
Investigate the possibility of library-sponsored trips.
Increase the Library’s offerings of programs designed for Baby Boomers.
Increase the number of computer related technology classes offered.
Continue to host the International Film Festival as well as additional film festivals and discussion groups.
Add programs on life skills for teens including but not limited to etiquette, preparation for college and/or career selection.
Continue to explore ways in which teen volunteers can help with specific library projects in a structured manner.
Increase the frequency of programs currently offered for toddlers i.e. Songs & Rhymes and A Special Time for Tots.
Investigate the possibility of author visits for children.
Investigate options for transportation to the Library for homebound people.
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Helping the Public Cope with the High Cost of Living
| Goal: |
The community will benefit from a variety of library materials, programs, and services that will help them manage the high cost of living.
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| Objectives: |
Increase the collection of popular titles by 25%, or 1250 items, by 2010 (In 2005 the Library purchased approximately 5,050 new items).
Increase the circulation of the Career Planning and Money Management collections by 25%, or 200 circulations, by 2010 (The Library counted 457 circulations for CPC materials, but does not have a figure for Money Management titles).
Increase the number of career planning and money management seminars by 100%, or 4 programs, by 2010.
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| Activities: |
Continue to provide a solid collection of popular titles for community members to borrow.
Increase the Career Planning and Money Management collections.
Provide workshops related to career planning and resumes for young adults and adults.
Provide seminars related to financial planning.
Provide programs related to career transitions and retooling for new career options.
Provide programs targeted toward people in the community who are retired.
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The Library / School Connection
| Goal: |
Students in the Shelter Rock community will benefit from a stronger connection between the library and the school districts that serve them.
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| Objective: |
Increase the number of class and school visits by 40%, or 12 visits, by 2010 (the number of school and scout visits was 29 in 2005).
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| Activities: |
The Library will reach out to each of the school districts its serves on at least an annual basis; i.e. an annual meeting with school librarians, principals, and /or department heads.
Create and promote an assignment notification link on the Library’s webpage for use by teachers in the Shelter Rock community.
Contact the schools that serve students living within the Shelter Rock community each Spring to obtain lists of required summer reading and endeavor to obtain extra copies.
Encourage more class visits by schools to the Library.
Encourage the staff to make visits to the schools to promote Library materials and programs.
Create an assignment notification link on the webpage by 2007.
Investigate an after school Homework Help program.
Investigate the possibility of transportation for children to the Homework Help program.
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Shelter Rock Public Library Long Range Planning Committee Members
Juan Barrios
Dr. Mrinalini Borczuk
Joseph Chu, Trustee, Shelter Rock Public Library Board
Janet Entine
Michelle Haroon
Rose Harte
Jack B. Helitzer, Vice-President, Shelter Rock Public Library Board
Marci Kamberg
Luice Kang
Rosalie Lasorsa, Head of Circulation Services, Shelter Rock Public Library
Victor Lee
Cecilia Liu, Senior Connections Librarian, Shelter Rock Public Library
Ling Maris
Ellen Miller, Head of Children’s Services, Shelter Rock Public Library
Divya Narvekar
Charlotte Podolsky, Friends of the Library
Marc Schenk
Anoop Skaria
Tammy Smiley
Louise Sobin, Trustee, Shelter Rock Public Library & Nassau Library System Boards
Ann Tountas
Reverend Norman White
Elizabeth Olesh, Facilitator, Nassau Library System
The Shelter Rock Public Library Trustees and Officers:
Joseph Chu
Jack B. Helitzer, Vice-President
Thomas G. Jordan, President
Burton L. Roslyn
Louise Sobin
Gale Zeidman, Clerk
Michael J. Castelli, Treasurer
Joan S. Alford, Assistant Treasurer
Marisa Ferraro, Secretary
Andrea Meluskey , Director
Adopted: June 14, 2006
Board of Trustees