Raymond Village Library
2005-2008 Long Range Plan
The following three-year plan is the result of a year’s worth of research, community input, and dedicated committee member work. Because libraries can potentially offer numerous services, the Planning Committee considered community needs and library resources before narrowing the focus to two: Current Topics and Titles, and Lifelong Learning. The goals reflect the desire to maintain the best services possible as the Library strives to develop stronger financial resources and collaborations. This plan is a starting point for continued discussion on providing enjoyment, information and learning opportunities for Raymond citizens of all ages.
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Current Topics and Titles: A library that provides Current Topics and Titles helps to fulfill community residents’ appetite for information about popular culture, social trends and their desire for satisfying recreational experiences. |
Goal 1: Provide up-to-date recreational books, media, and resources that serve the needs of Raymond residents of all ages.
Goal 2: Offer programming to serve the interests and social/ developmental needs of children, young adults and their parents and encourage the use of collection materials.
Goal 3: Offer programming to serve the social and
intellectual interests / needs of adults and encourage the use of collection
materials.
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Lifelong Learning: A library that provides Lifelong Learning Service helps address the desire for self-directed personal growth and development opportunities. |
Goal 4: Encourage children to develop a love of reading and learning that will contribute to lifelong curiosity, creative expression and academic success.
Goal 5: Provide access to a variety of information
resources so patrons may gain knowledge, skills and personal enrichment for all
ages.
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Goal 6: Create a welcoming, comfortable environment
where materials are accessible and information is easily located via technology.
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Goal 7: Update and promote the use of technology to
increase access to information and resources.
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Goal 8: Ensure the library continues to meet the demands of community growth and aligns with neighboring libraries and Maine State Library standards.
(back to top)
A library that provides a "Current Topics and Titles" service helps to fulfill community residents’ appetite for information about popular culture, social trends and their desire for satisfying recreational experiences.
Goal 1: Provide up-to-date recreational books, media, and resources that serve the needs of Raymond residents of all ages.
Objective 1A: Increase circulation of materials 3% annually
Objective 1B: Increase patron visits 3% annually
Objective 1C: Develop the audio visual and software collection 10% by Dec 08
Objective 1D: Weed and replace 3% of the collection with current materials annually
Suggested Activities:
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Offer reading advisory lists via RR, e-mail, web site |
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Base advisory lists on recommendations from patrons, volunteers, reading groups lists |
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"Promote A Theme": topics with speaker and related books several times a year |
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Outreach to Jordan Bay Place (senior housing) |
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Create displays that feature new titles and selected themes |
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Continue volunteer training so volunteers are knowledgeable and able to advise and assist patrons |
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Continue sharing materials with neighboring libraries for more variety |
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Promote new age-appropriate materials at child and youth programming |
Measurement:
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User surveys completed every 2 years |
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Suggestion box for patron comments |
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Annual focus groups – youth and adult |
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Circulation numbers |
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Patron visits |
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Record of marketing strategies used |
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Measure hits on web site |
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Document new titles acquired annually |
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Document number of patrons placed on waiting lists |
Goal 2: Offer youth programming to serve the interests and social/ developmental needs of children, young adults and their parents and encourage the use of collection materials.
Objective 2A: Serve 10-12 parent/ child pairs in each Baby Time and Toddler Time program per week
Objective 2B: Offer programming for middle school students at least 3 times annually, drawing10-20 attendees
Objective 2C: Provide one parent or parent/ young adult program annually
Objective 2D: Collaborate with other community or area organizations at least 3 times annually
Objective 2E: Meet 85% of program attendees’ interests/needs
Suggested Activities:
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Book groups related to middle school issues; game nights |
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Parent/Child book discussion groups |
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Use Baby Time, Libraries are for Babies, Too and Toddler Time programs to promote use of collection |
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Periodic book discussion nights related to parenting issues, offer child care |
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Speakers on child/ parent issues, offer child care |
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Vacation workshops for school-aged children |
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Invite middle school students to participate in program planning |
Measurement:
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Attendance |
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Annual parent survey for Baby and Toddler programs |
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Program feedback from attendees |
Goal 3: Offer programming to serve the social and intellectual interests/needs of adults and encourage the use of collection materials.
Objective 3A: Continue to hold adult programs 4-6 times annually
Objective 3B: Draw 10-20 attendees per program
Objective 3C: Meet 85% of program attendees’ interests/needs
Objective 3D: Display and promote relevant materials from the collection at program events
Suggested Activities:
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Hold periodic book discussion nights, related to current issues, best-sellers |
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Explore holding a book discussion group during the day |
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Consider programs related to outdoor recreation and local natural resources |
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Explore strategies for reaching different populations |
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"Meet the author" events |
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Contact other local organizations regularly for program ideas and to support their missions |
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"Promote a Theme": explore a variety of topics with a speaker; consider all ages; highlight collection materials; link with community organizations. Topics would include relevant community issues (growth, environment, parenting, health), world events, cultural information |
Marketing ideas for Topics and Titles:
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Use Road Runner section "snapshot" book recommendations, program listings "at a glance" |
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Increase use of school folders, especially for materials and programs for families |
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Use e-mail list, starting the fall of 2005, to advertise new materials, events and programs |
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Improve display of calendar of events/programs by end of 2006. |
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Use logo consistently to catch the eye |
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Promote library through realtors for seasonal visitors and welcome packets for new families |
Measurement:
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Circulation numbers |
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Program attendance goals met |
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Program feedback from those who attend |
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Record of displays |
Lifelong Learning (back to top)
A library that provides "Lifelong Learning" services helps address the desire for self directed personal growth and development opportunities.
Goal 4: Encourage children to develop a love of reading and learning that will contribute to lifelong curiosity, creative expression and academic success.
Objective 4A: Continue modeling a variety of language development strategies using rhythm, rhyming and music during Baby Time and Toddler Time Programs
Objective 4B: Continue offering the summer reading program to serve 50 or more children per year
Objective 4C: Contact local day care and preschool providers quarterly to share Toddler Time and parent resource information
Objective 4D: Work with the schools to promote at least 2 literacy awareness events per year
Objective 4E: Collaborate with the schools to develop a community literacy plan by September 2006 to affect a 10% improvement in school literacy assessments by 2008
Objective 4F: Display student artwork, projects or exhibits quarterly at least twice a year
Suggested Activities:
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Work with Center Stage, the PTA, the SEARCH (after school) program, and the Scouts to explore collaboration on children’s workshops related to the arts: writing, storytelling, poetry, movement, music and how to use the library as a resource. |
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Develop a ‘welcome’ packet for new families |
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Develop a ‘Right Start’ literacy information packet with schools |
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Invite middle school students to participate in planning for programs and events. |
Measurement:
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Outreach |
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Event and display documentation |
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Number of packets distributed |
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School literacy assessments |
Goal 5: Provide access to a variety of information resources
so patrons may gain knowledge, skills and personal enrichment.
Objective 5A: Create a pilot project with the schools to offer 2 adult education courses/ workshops during the 2005-2006 school year, with an increase of 2 courses or workshops per year during the planning cycle
Objective 5B: Contact local organizations and artists to collaborate on 50% of the library programs and courses offered
Objective 5C: Meet the needs of 85% of adult education participants
Suggested Activities:
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Course suggestions include computer classes, art workshops, cooking classes, first aid and CPR, languages, current health topics |
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Organizations and local resources: Historical Society, Public Safety, Conservation Commission, local artists and businesses- consider programs that relate to their goals |
Measurement:
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Course attendance |
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Participant evaluations |
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Documentation of outreach visits/contacts |
Goal 6: Create a welcoming, comfortable environment where materials are accessible and information is easily located.
Objective 6A: Complete the rearrangement of space and materials by November 2005
Objective 6B: Send a library representative to committee meetings regarding new town facilities
Objective 6C: Create a long-term facility plan during 2006-2007
Suggested Activities:
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Provide a few comfortable chairs to invite leisurely browsing |
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Improve interior and exterior lighting (brightness and efficiency) |
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Continue to research and implement heating improvement options |
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Add more prominent signs to identify sections |
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Create safe, comfortable, open spaces for children and youth |
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Design a concentrated, organized workspace for staff and volunteers |
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Designate a prominent display area |
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Explore outdoor seating arrangements |
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Use Maine State Library Standards as guidelines for facility plan. |
Measurement:
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Reports to Board re: facility developments |
Goal 7: Update and promote the use of technology to increase access to information and resources.
Objective 7A: Create and use a monthly e-mail newsletter to highlight information about resources and programs by Summer 2005
Objective 7B: Activate the on-line catalog system by October 2005
Objective 7C: Update the Library Web page by October 2005 and maintain monthly with a goal of increasing hits 5% annually
Suggested Activities:
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Develop a new web page format that features reading
lists, book page links to MARVEL |
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Share updates on new collection items |
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Offer reading advisory lists |
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Link on-line collection catalog to web site; allow patrons to reserve books on-line |
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Add community contact names to e-mail list |
Measurement:
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Web hits |
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Patron survey feedback |
Resource Development (back to top)
Goal 8: Ensure the library continues to meet the demands of community growth and align with neighboring libraries and Maine State Library Standards.
Objective 8A: Increase the operating budget 10% annually until 2008
Objective 8B: Receive 60% of the library operating budget from town support by 2008
Objective 8C: Increase the Library Director hours to 40 per week and the Children’s Librarian/ Assistant to 27 hours per week for the 06-07 budget
Objective 8D: Develop a description of volunteer positions, responsibilities and recruitment strategies by September 2005; fill positions by March 2006
Objective 8E: Increase the number of trained volunteers available for circulation work to 30 by June 2006
Objective 8F: Research implementing stipends for volunteer coordinator and outreach coordinator positions by June 2006
Suggested Activities:
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Fundraising Committee/ Board will evaluate how to enhance the fundraising potential of current successful activities |
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Fundraising Committee/ Board will explore at least one new major fundraiser per year with a goal of raising several thousand dollars per event |
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Continued research of grant funding opportunities, possible collaborations with schools |
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Market donations as a gift idea for birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, in memory of, bequests |
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Continue to research and publicize how our library compares to neighboring libraries |
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Assess if current hours continue to meet community needs |
The Planning Committee recommends that the Library Board of Trustees and Library staff review this plan on a quarterly basis to verify the progress of achieving goals and objectives.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Rand, Chair
Diane Cole
Ellen Gagne
Jane Hoffman
Gail Cole
Suzie Brockelbank
Sandi Severn
May, 2005
