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Owen County Public Library
Long-Range Plan
2007-2010
Mission: The public library will enrich the lives of Owen County residents by providing exceptional service, library materials and programs that meet information, leisure, and lifelong learning needs in a pleasant and welcoming environment.
A Community Planning Process
The planning process we followed was developed by the American Library Association. It creates a framework for looking at both the community and the public library. A committee of fifteen Owen County citizens met with a long-range plan facilitator to talk about their vision of the future of Owen County and how the library could play a role in making that vision a reality. Customer surveys from the general public were collected. The library staff met to talk about specific goals and actions that would move our library forward. As a result of all this input, the library will concentrate its resources on these two service categories:
Current Topics and Titles and General Knowledge
Current Topics and Titles
A library that provides Current Topics and Titles helps to meet the community's demand for information about popular cultural and social trends, and their desire for satisfying recreational experiences.
Goal 1: The library will increase access to a current collection of popular titles in a variety of formats.
Objective 1.1: The library will be open additional hours so the collection will be more available to our community. FY 2007-08
Suggested actions:
a. Library director will determine which additional hours to open.
b. Additional part-time staff will be hired if necessary.
c. A library interior designer will be consulted on how to reconfigure staff work area so current and additional staff will have adequate work stations. Funds from the Major Repairs line item in FY 2007-08 budget may be used for reconstructing this area.
d. Lights for the Owen County Public Library sign located near the sidewalk will be installed so nighttime visibility is increased.
e. New hours will be advertised via local newspaper, library and school websites, and signage in the library.
Objective 1.2: The library will subscribe to a downloadable audio book consortium for our customers. FY 2007-08
Suggested actions:
a. Staff will investigate various vendors of, and other library's experiences with, downloadable audio books.
b. A vendor will be chosen based, in part, on the emphasis of popular, best selling titles.
c. The new service will be advertised via our website, newspaper, and in the library.
d. Staff will receive appropriate training to assist our customers in successfully downloading their audio books.
e. Customers will be encouraged to use the library's public access computers for downloading the audio books.
Goal 2: The library will offer services and programming for our community in a safe, comfortable, and attractive facility.
Objective 2.1: Library customers will have access to space that facilitates a variety of activities that meet the needs of the community. FY 2007-10
Suggested actions:
a. The library director will determine necessary square footage to meet Kentucky Public Library Standards for a 20-year population projection.
b. The library director will determine the cost and consult with a public finance bank (e.g. Hilliard Lyons) to forecast the financial structure of the construction debt.
c. The library staff and trustees will visit, both physically and virtually, other newly constructed public libraries.
d. The library director will write a formal building plan and present it to the board for approval.
e. The library director will contact local realtors with acreage and location specifications. The board of trustees will look at possible sites, using KDLA's Construction Consultant's expertise whenever needed.
f. Suitable acreage will be purchased.
g. An architect with experience in public library design will be hired.
h. A public relations program will be developed to inform our community, and it will include speaking to civic groups and county officials.
Objective 2.2: The library will develop a book club for adults. FY 2007-09
Suggested actions:
a. Designated staff will be trained to select the books and lead the discussion group for the book club.
b. Different sources for book club kits will be explored, including KDLA's collection. Multiple copies of the selected titles may be purchased
c. The meeting room will be reserved for the programs, making reservations for a year-long commitment.
d. The library's website will be used to promote the book club. Reader's advisory websites will be used to develop read-a-like lists and the lists will be posted on our website.
Objective 2.3: The library will continue to offer outstanding children's programs, adjusting the program schedule as the demand dictates. FY 2007-2010
Suggested actions:
a. Library director will develop a customer survey to determine what types of children's programs are wanted and when they are wanted.
b. Our children's librarian will select books, movies, and music to support our children's programs.
c. When sign-up numbers go over the registration limits, additional programs will be offered, or a larger venue will be found.
General Information
The 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.
Goal 1: The Owen County community will have dependable, useful information in a variety of formats and the assistance needed to access that information.
Objective 1.1: The library will subscribe to additional online databases our customers can use from home or the library. FY 2007-09
Suggested actions:
a. Library director and staff will determine which databases are most used at other libraries and which ones fit our customers' needs.
b. Staff will be trained to assist our customers and will promote the databases by telling our customers about them and offering to help the customer use them.
c. The library website will advertise our online databases and will provide a clear link to those databases.
Objective 1.2: The library will provide free, public internet access with staff trained to assist customers with their technology needs. FY 2007-09
Suggested actions:
a. In recognition of both our need for additional public-access computers and no room in our current building to add more computer stations, 6 laptop computers will be readied for checking out to adult customers for use within the library.
b. The possibility of constructing a docking station for the laptops under the circulation desk will be explored.
c. All staff will be trained to assist customers in using the laptops via the library's wireless Internet service.
d. The library's wifi hotspot will be well-maintained by bringing in technical help and buying new equipment as needed.
Objective 1.3: Topical training on using Internet resources and developing computer skills will continue, adjusting to customer requests. FY 2007-10
Suggested actions:
1. Computer classes offered will be in direct response to the customers' requests. If library staff is not qualified to teach the requested topic, other instructors will be hired.
2. Books will be purchased to support all the computer courses taught.
3. The library meeting room will be used as a teaching lab. Laptops and instructors can go to other sites if the need arises (e.g., local business or government sites).
4. Laptops will be well-maintained.
Citizen Planning Committee
Patti Clark
Frank Downing
Mary Frances Grisham
Cathy Jansen
Dave Jones
David Lyons
Judge William O'Banion
Paula Piper
Doris Riley
Renelle Sparrow
Melody Stafford
Rob Stafford
Kim Strohmeier
Linda Webster
Shelia Wilson
Staff Planning Committee
Jennifer Chancery
Rebecca Doolin
Joan Goderwis
Susan Hampton
Sharon Humble
Library Board of Trustees
Doug Ball, President
Peggy Trinkle, Vice President
Sarah Cobb, Secretary/Treasurer
Ellen Engelman, Member
Carolyn Keith, Member
Facilitator
Nelda Moore, Lincoln Trail Regional Librarian
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