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© 2006 City of Hickory
All Rights Reserved |
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Hickory
Public Library
Long-Range Plan
2004-2009
Our
mission
Hickory
Public Library will serve as a focal point of our community, meeting the
lifelong learning needs of all people as well as providing exceptional service,
materials and programs to meet their informational, recreational, cultural and
business needs.
Seven service responses were chosen as priorities for Hickory Public Library in
the next five years. Click on the service response to see how the library
will address it:
Lifelong
Learning
General Information
Cultural Awareness
Current Topics and Titles
Commons
Information Literacy
Community Referral
************************************************
Lifelong
Learning
A
library that provides Lifelong Learning helps address the desire for
self-directed personal growth and development opportunities.
1) The
libraries will offer resources and services to fulfill the desire for
self-directed personal growth and development opportunities.
Customers of all ages will find materials and services directed towards
their age groups and interests, and will be encouraged to engage in lifelong
learning.
- By
2008/2009, at least 85% of the adults who use the library for personal
independent learning will indicate on a survey that the library has adequate
information, resources, and assistance to meet their needs.
- Annually,
at least 90% of all surveyed program attendees will rate program as meeting
or exceeding expectations.
- By
2008/2009 at least 75 percent of library users will know where to find
information about upcoming library programs, based on a patron survey.
2) The
libraries will provide the preschool, elementary, middle school, high school and
home-schooled students of the Hickory area with materials that will supplement
and complement the curriculum of their schools
- Annually,
library staff will attend 100% of monthly media meetings with Hickory City
Schools.
- By
2008/2009, at least 85% of the parents of children who use the library to
find something to read, listen to, or view will indicate on a survey that
they found something to meet their child's needs.
3)
Children and adults who do not have access to the library will have access to
information and resources to meet their lifelong learning needs by means of a
dependable and consistent outreach program.
- During
each year of the five-year plan, at least 50 percent of the children served
by the preschool outreach program will be considered at risk children. This
will be based on childcare subsidy.
- By
2008/2009 at least 30% of elder care facilities in Hickory, will be enrolled
in some type of adult outreach library program.
- By
2008/2009 physician-certified homebound members of the community will have
access to library materials delivered to their homes.
Selected
Activities
- Annually
provide at least one major educational opportunity for homeschoolers.
- Continue
monthly contribution to PATH newsletter (Parents Advocating Teaching at Home
- the local homeschooling organization).
- Continue
to sponsor yearly Battle of the Books competition by buying the books,
providing easy access to the materials, and hosting the competition
- Provide
an annual promotional event at each city elementary school for the summer
reading program as budget allows.
- Provide
a teacher workshop biennially.
- Present
a children's author or illustrator annually as budget allows.
- Provide
one activity / program for students 12-18 annually.
- Assist
Friends to complete Gift Book brochure and program by 2005-06 to help expand
collections
- Develop/provide
2 new adult classes with CVCC from 2004-09
- Offer
at least six programs per year targeted specifically at senior adults
- Offer
at least one genealogy workshop per year
- Continue
to present "Let's Talk About It" book discussion series each year and
secure Humanities grant for the program
- Continue
to request yearly funding for On-Line Book Club from Friends
- Continue
to develop partnerships for programming, particularly with SALT Block
organizations, with schools/colleges, and other community organizations -
presenting at least ten partnership programs each year.
- Offer
at least 24 computer classes annually on varying topics.
- Strive
for annual materials budget increases to keep up with escalating costs and
to provide essential growth in materials such as books and audiovisual
- Strive
to provide cutting-edge technology as budget allows.
- By
FY2006, the library will have developed a workshop for patrons that will
focus on how to use the library and its resources to fulfill your
informational needs or wants. This
workshop will be given three times and then will need to be evaluated for
patron interest and demand, and usefulness.
- The
library will continue to entice children and teenagers to become life-long
learners by continuing the yearly summer reading programs and facilitating
young adults being able to post self-written book reviews on the library's
homepage.
- One
section of the non-fiction collection will be targeted each year for
complete inventory and updating of materials as budget allows.
- Each
year the libraries will provide at least one new product such as on-line
study guides, etc. to assist with lifelong learning
- New
programming will be offered each year in a specific area of learning.
- Provide
access to tutors by compiling a list of available tutors by 2005-06
- By
2007/2008 plans will be in place to construct a child friendly, special
story time programming area.
- Partner
with YMCA Teen Center to provide programming and resources within one year
of its opening.
General
Information.
A
library that offers General Information helps meet the need for information and
answers to questions on a broad array of topics related to work, school, and
personal life.
1) The
libraries will provide up-to-date, accurate print and electronic reference
resources, access to on-line information resources, and expert assistance in
using all those resources that enable users to succeed at home, at work, at
school, and in the community.
- Use
of our on-line information resources will grow by 5% annually.
- Annually
at least 80% of surveyed customers will feel assistance met or exceeded
their expectations.
2) The
libraries will provide current resources for customers seeking career and
business opportunities.
- At
least 40 new items will be added to the Career Enhancement Center annually.
- Use
of on-line resources for business and career opportunities will increase 5%
annually.
3) The
libraries will develop, maintain and promote a web site that offers general
information on resources, services and programs.
- Annually
at least 80% of surveyed customers will feel the web page met or exceeded
their expectations.
Selected
Activities
- Market
the Career Enhancement Center through signage and press releases, when new
materials or services are added and by offering related programs -computer
and topical - two times a year.
- Partner
with Catawba County EDC, Catawba Valley Small Business Network, CVCC,
Catawba County Chamber of Commerce and other groups to focus attention on
the library's many resources for the business community.
- Continue
to coordinate Biblio Files articles to inform public
- Continue
to provide homework help through librarian assistance, websites, software,
and materials
- Continue
library radio program (recruit more staff to participate)
- Continue
to do radio interviews promoting programs and services
- Work
toward the possibility of digitizing the Carolina Room Vertical File
materials, and making these resources available electronically.
- Create
FAQs, Pathfinders, etc in both print/electronic forms for public use.
- An
audiovisual handout will be developed enabling customers to
"troubleshoot" problems they may have in using our AV materials.
- The
library will continue to provide in-house and telephone reference services,
and will offer NCKNOWS real-time reference service program through the web
page.
- Library
web site will be converted to appear seamless with the city's web page by
the end of 2004-2005.
- Web
pages will be updated on a weekly basis to provide most current information.
- Web
site will become more interactive, with customers able to renew materials,
place holds on materials, register for workshops, and sign up for
newsletters by 2005-2006.
- Library
collections will be weeded annually to ensure current, accurate information.
- As
needed, provide training to library staff members in areas such as
sensitivity training, customer service skills, volunteer recruitment, event
planning, publicity and marketing, and foreign languages in addition to
training in available resources and computer skills.
- Provide
mechanism (focus group, etc.) to obtain input from the business community on
needed resources.
Cultural
Awareness
A
library that offers Cultural Awareness helps satisfy the desire of community
residents to gain an understanding of their own cultural heritage and the
cultural heritage of others.
1) The
libraries will serve as cultural centers and customers will utilize its services
and resources to satisfy their desire to gain an understanding of their own
cultural heritage, as well as the cultural heritage of others.
Patrons of all cultures will feel welcome.
- By
FY2008, the library will have re-evaluated the demands for materials in
various languages and shift purchasing as needed, while increasing the
foreign language materials by 10% as budget allows.
- 80%
of surveyed customers will say the collections of materials on different
cultures met or exceeded their expectations.
Selected
Activities
- At
least twice every year, host a professional program that reflects the
diversity of our country.
- Participate
in a Centro Latino community festival at least once every year
- Coordinate
ESL class tours at library and on SALT Block by 2004-05
- Continue
to take ethnic programs into the schools and seek grants for project funding
- at least 2 programs between 2004 and 2009
- Offer
genealogy workshops on ethnic searches/information - at least 2 from
2004-09
- Seek
new outlets for publicity to ethnic populations through International
Council, Community Relations Council, Centro Latino, Hmong Organization and
churches
- Continue
to offer foreign language courses that expand the knowledge of those
cultures.
- Continue
to provide library information brochure and card applications in three major
languages of area (English, Spanish, and Hmong).
- Create
special purpose databases dealing with Unifour topics of interest to the
international community.
- Funding
for additional foreign language titles will be pursued.
- Seek
to partner with International Council and other groups to provide an
international festival.
- Web
site will be updated at least monthly to be sure all links to information
about other countries are current and working.
- Provide
electronic search capabilities for Spanish language materials.
Current
Topics and Titles
A
library that provides Current Topics and Titles helps to fulfill community
residents' appetite for information about popular cultural and social trends
and their desire for satisfying recreational experiences.
1) The
libraries will provide access to current and popular materials that stimulate
thinking, satisfy curiosities, expand knowledge of contemporary culture
and society, and make leisure time more productive and enjoyable.
- By
FY2008, the libraries will have expanded a/v collection by 10% as budget
allows.
- 50%
of customer's surveys will state they found the materials they desired to
meet their recreational needs.
Selected
Activities
- Promote
current topics through Biblio Files articles and radio program
- Offer
programs for children and adults on popular topics (such as Harry Potter,
health issues, gardening) at least twice per year
- By
FY2008, the library will have created and implemented a new patron
suggestion system. Libraries will continue purchasing additional copies of
materials that have long waiting lists.
An additional copy will be purchased for each five customers on the
waiting list.
- Library
will search for funding opportunities to increase popular materials,
including but not limited to books, videotapes, DVD's, CD's and
audiotapes. Grant application
will be completed as opportunities become available.
- Library
will emphasize and promote Novelist to our customers as an important
resource for their individual reading needs..
Commons
A
library that provides a Commons environment helps address the need of people to
meet and interact with others in their community and to participate in public
discourse about community issues.
1)
Residents of all ages will view the libraries as safe, comfortable and inviting
spaces for accessing library resources and attending community events.
- Annually
80% of those surveyed will say they find the libraries safe, comfortable and
inviting.
- Security
personnel will be hired by FY 2006-2007 if budget is available.
2)
Library users will have access to space that facilitates a variety of activities
that meet the needs of our community.
- The
number of programs held in library facilities will increase by 5 % over the
next five years
Selected
Activities
- Adult
members of the community will have the opportunity to join a library
sponsored monthly book club, which will be marketed aggressively at least
once per year.
- Members
of the community will have access to a public bulletin board to exchange
information with others from the community.
- Local
government officials will be encouraged to hold community forums at the
libraries.
- By
2006/2007 the community will have several mediums to find out about all
upcoming community activities/programs available.
- Staff
will investigate the possibility of a café / commons area to be included in
library expansion.
- Periodically
speak to community clubs and groups to encourage their usage.
- The
library will purchase a bench for the Patrick Beaver lobby by Dec. 2004 to
accommodate patrons who are waiting for a ride.
- Offer
area for magazine swapping at Patrick Beaver by FY 2006-2007.
- By
FY2007, if budget allows, the library will have had checks and evaluations
in the following areas of both facilities: air quality (including dust,
mold, and "unhealthy" fumes), lighting quality, etc., in order to ensure
a healthy environment for patrons and staff, alike.
- BY
FY2008, the library will have made any necessary changes resulting from the
information received by the above tests, if budget allows.
- Pursue
funding for security personnel by FY2006-2007.
- In
2005-2006, begin building studies for expansion of both facilities.
- In
2006-2007, begin working with city staff to plan expansion, ensure parking
will be adequate for both facilities, and begin fund raising for expansion.
- In
2007-2008, hire architect for expansion plans and continue fund raising
efforts.
- In
2008-2009, begin physical expansion of buildings.
- Create
variety of volunteer opportunities for diverse demographic groups.
Information
Literacy
A
library that provides Information Literacy helps address the need for skills
related to finding, evaluating, and using information effectively.
1) The
libraries will provide services and resources to develop information literacy in
the community.
- Computer
classes will be offered in both library locations a minimum of 24 times per
year.
- Annually
at least 85% of the surveyed adults who have attended information literacy
classes will indicate on a survey that the library has helped them develop
the skills needed to find, evaluate, and use information effectively.
- The
number of adult information literacy programs sponsored by the library will
increase by 5 percent over the next five years.
- At
least 5 children's information literacy programs sponsored by the library
will be held each year.
Selected
activities
- Library
will continue to provide computers for self-instruction as well as for
typing reports, resumes or assignments.
- The
library staff will continue to purchase materials in various formats to
enable adults and children to learn and use computer resources on their own.
- The
library staff will continue to provide one-on-one assistance in the use of
the library's computer hardware and software.
- The
library will investigate the possibility of establishing a volunteer corps
of teenagers to provide computer assistance at night and on weekends.
- Continue
to provide and market computer and Internet search classes at both
libraries, monthly
- Develop
and market classes to diverse demographic groups.
- Market
informational/instructional tours of the library to schools, seniors, etc.
- Offer
a basic class on "How to Utilize YOUR Library"
- Create
a list of the services and amazing facts about the Library, and then use it
as a marketing tool to make people more aware of what we do.
- Offer
instructional classes in Genealogy know-how, and instructional classes to
cover the electronic resources we have in the areas of genealogy / local
history.
- Acquire
a self-check system and train patrons how to use
- Establish
on-line Information Literacy Page. This could eventually be expanded to
provide tutoring/training in an
interactive manner.
- The
library will continue its "pathfinder" project and the Biblio Files
articles, which will aim to encourage readers to find information in their
own areas of interest.
- The
library will continue to expand its web page content in areas such as NCLive
tutorials, website suggestions, etc.
- Explore
the possibility of offering more computer access at the Ridgeview Library by
installing wi-fi and purchasing laptop computers for use in-house.
Community
Referral
A
library that offers Community Referral addresses the need for information
related to services provided by community agencies and organizations.
1) The
libraries will provide information about various organizations, services,
agencies, etc., available in the community.
- By
2008/2009, at least 85% of surveyed adults who inquire about community
services will have their referral needs meet in a positive manner.
- By
2008/2009 a current listing of community agencies and organizations will be
available to any community member who requests
Selected
Activities
- By
end of 2006 incorporate z39.50 links to Library holdings for Catawba County
Public Library, Catawba Valley Community College and Lenoir Rhyne College if
agencies are willing to partner in this endeavor.
- Library
staff will work with other community agencies and organizations to ensure
that community resource guide is up to date and accurate every year.
- Staff
will work with Hickory International Council, Centro Latino and other
agencies to ensure information on other agencies and organizations is
available in other languages.
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