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Plymouth Public Library
Long Range Plan 2008 – 2011
Adopted by the Plymouth Public Library Board of Trustees –
September 24, 2007
Introduction
The informational, educational, recreational and technological needs of the
Plymouth Public Library service area are becoming more sophisticated and
expectations are higher then ever. These needs and expectations translate
into an increased demand for the library to deliver the most accurate and
up-to-date resources in an ever widening array of formats by a well trained,
knowledgeable staff in the best possible environment.
Our purpose for Long Range Planning is to have:
• A sense of consistency within the organization.
• A common image of the direction the organization is moving.
• Identified, discussed and resolved key issues.
• Set priorities for implementation.
• Improved communication within the organization.
• A benchmark to measure future performance.
Our Mission
We encourage the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Our Values
• Progressive
We inspire our community by offering the most up-to-date materials, fresh
and unique programming and state of the art technology; continually
encouraging patrons to make new discoveries throughout their lives by
bringing excitement to learning and support to help them excel.
• Service Oriented
We delight in meeting or exceeding patron expectations by providing
friendly, courteous, knowledgeable and prompt service, showing respect and
valuing all individuals for their diverse backgrounds, experiences and
ideas.
• Welcoming Atmosphere
We enrich our community by providing a well maintained, comfortable and safe
multi-use facility, where residents can meet, share ideas and be educated,
entertained and informed.
• Staff
We value our staff members and strive to provide a workplace where
enthusiasm, teamwork, innovation, accountability and a sense of purpose
combine to provide a rewarding experience for both employees and patrons.
• Resourceful
We are committed to being a fiscally responsible public institution,
consistently seeking the most cost-effective uses of both public and private
funds.
Our Long Range Goals
• Provide the community with a trained and highly motivated staff.
• Operate and maintain a facility based on the changing role of the library
and the needs of the community.
• Provide and expand products, services and programs to meet the needs of
the community.
• Investigate and implement the latest technology appropriate for our
library.
• Increase public awareness and marketing of library materials, products,
services and programs to promote support.
Our Long Range Plan
Goal 1: Provide the community with a trained and highly motivated
staff.
Objectives
• Maintain a staff that believes in the Library’s mission and values,
consistently delivering excellent service to the community.
• A majority of staff members attend one in-service, training, conference,
or networking event annually.
• 80% of staff members will be cross-trained in the policies and procedures
of at least one additional department.
Strategies
1.1 Provide training to appropriate library staff in areas such
as customer service, time management, publicity and marketing, Spanish,
library resources and computer skills.
1.2 Train and encourage all staff to use the electronic shared
document (online memos) Happy Bookers website.
1.3 Identify staff training needs on an annual basis.
1.4 Seek out a variety of formats and various venues for
training and networking opportunities.
1.5 Encourage staff to seek at least one non-mandated training
activity annually.
1.6 Institute a cross training program for most employees.
1.7 Assign key staff members beepers to improve communication.
1.8 Conduct a workload assessment to determine appropriate
staffing needs that result in cost savings for taxpayers and promote fiscal
responsibility.
Goal 2 : Operate and maintain a facility based on the changing
role of the library and the needs of the community.
Objectives
• 100% of library users feel that the library provides a comfortable,
inviting environment where patrons feel welcomed.
• 95% of patrons can easily orient themselves around the library.
• Continue to manage the current facilities resources and space in the best
possible manner.
Strategies
2.1 Provide an inviting library setting that meets patron needs
for convenient access to collections, appropriate technology, a community
meeting place and areas for quiet reflection.
2.2 Manage existing resources to achieve maximum benefit.
2.3 Improve the current facility’s utilization of space.
2.4 Improve signage throughout the facility.
2.5 Upgrade both the internal and external communication
system.
2.6 Examine the feasibility of a year round security presence,
and adding more cameras and safety mirrors.
2.7 Explore the possibility of a second floor expansion over
the former Pilot Building addition or opening up the lower level of the
former Pilot Building addition.
Goal 3 : Provide and expand products, services and programs to meet
the needs of the community.
Objectives
• Increase the number of patrons consulting library staff and services for
answers to questions by 5% each year.
• Increase circulation by 8% each year over the next 3 years.
• Increase attendance at library programs by 10% each year.
• Increase web site visits (hits) by 20% per year.
Strategies
3.1 Identify new initiatives that address the needs of the
community and support the library’s mission.
3.2 Focus resources on sustainable materials, services and
programs. Curtail or repackage those that are not sustainable.
3.3 Manage existing resources to achieve maximum benefit.
3.4 Reduce duplication and redundancy of operations.
3.5 Expand or create programming for the following areas:
- Adult programs
- Family programs
- Story Hours
- Take and Go Crafts
- Teen Advisory Board
- Young Adult
3.6 Partner with the schools, Boys & Girls Club and other groups
to provide reading programs and activities for students.
3.7 Improve resource sharing capabilities for better patron
service through reciprocal borrowing.
3.8 Expand the current volunteer/community service program.
Goal 4 : Investigate and implement the latest technology appropriate for
our library.
Objective
• Fully support the technological infrastructure needed to bring the latest
technological and informational resources to the community.
Strategies
4.1 Use appropriate technologies to give the community seamless
access to library resources.
4.2 Monitor changing technology and add or upgrade resources
and services.
4.3 Integrate technology into all library services.
4.4 Maintain and update technology plan bi-annually.
(See Separate Technology Plan)
Goal 5 : Increase public awareness and marketing of library materials,
products, services and programs to promote support.
Objectives
• Increase targeted promotional efforts by 50%.
• See a 15% annual increase in number of people coming into the library.
• Meet or exceed expectations of all types of patrons 95% of the time.
• Increase dramatically the amount of people that think of the library as a
preferred source for informational and recreational materials.
Strategies
5.1 Provide information to tax-payers, funders and possible
future constituents of the library’s value for personal and economic growth
and the essential role of librarians as information professionals.
5.2 Educate the current library service population, the
unserved population and possible future constituents on how the library
procures tax revenues.
5.3 Create a single library identity and trademark, brand and
motto, by developing a library marketing and promotion plan.
5.4 Stress image and reputation both internally and externally,
maximizing the value of the association of the Plymouth Public Library name
with excellence.
5.5 Increase awareness and the use of the local reciprocal
borrowing agreement and the Public Library Access Card (PLAC).
5.6 Make existing library services, resources mission and
values more visible by revising the Welcome to the Plymouth Public Library
brochure.
5.7 Design a map of the library to serve as a visual aid for
users to find materials and services.
5.8 Create and execute carefully integrated external public
relations and marketing efforts, including opportunities to co-market with
complementary organizations.
5.9 Continuously improve and encourage the use of the library’s
website as a 24/7 Branch.
5.10 Incorporate retail display furniture for print and
audiovisual materials.
5.11 Develop attractive displays to merchandise current
materials.
5.12 Develop outreach programs to ensure that members of the
community are aware of library resources and services to assist them with
their research, educational, recreational needs.
5.13 Review and revise all promotional materials annually.
5.14 Increase coverage by local, state and library media of
library events and activities.
5.15 Encourage staff participation in community organizations
and activities.
5.16 Develop procedures and processes to assess the usability
and effectiveness of the library, and its services.
5.17 Develop procedures and processes to assess the
effectiveness of the library staff.
5.18 Assess, annually, levels of satisfaction with targeted
library materials, services and programs by both general library patrons and
specific demographic groups.
5.19 Identify segments of the population which may be
underserved in regard to library services and determine whether they have
needs that the library could meet.
5.20 Provide a mechanism to obtain input from the schools and
the business community on needed resources.
5.21 Foster an environment that supports community engagement
and promotes the value added benefits the library offers.
5.22 Form strategic alliances and partnerships to increase
economies of scale and efficiencies in operation.
5.23 Formulate a list of priority library needs that can be
addressed with the funds from the Library Fund at the Marshall County
Community Foundation.
5.24 Create a brochure explaining how to give or leave money to
the Library Fund at the Marshall County Community Foundation.
5.25 Enhance the library board’s ability to serve as advocates
for the library.
5.26 Continue to work with the Friends of the Library to
promote volunteerism at the library.
5.27 Actively participate in all pertinent state/local planning
for the future of public libraries within the State of Indiana.
5.28 Work with other Marshall County libraries in sponsoring
activities for elected officials on library and other relevant issues.
Adopted September 24, 2007
Plymouth Public Library | 201 N. Center Street | Plymouth, Indiana 46563