(2012-2016)
Community
Description/Needs
The town of
In Smithfield, the median family income of $72,085 is
one of the highest in the state. Families with incomes below the poverty level
account for 3.4% of the population.
The ethnic, racial, and cultural composition of
The East Smithfield Public Library is committed to
serving the needs of the community. Identifiable needs for library service
include:
·
Improve access to
library services
·
Improve the
general awareness of library resources and services
·
Increase use of
services and resources
·
Ensure the
collections are more relevant to the needs and interests of users
·
Improve delivery
of information to users
·
Improve service
to patrons
·
Meet the minimum
standards for staffing
·
Improve the
working conditions for staff
·
Increase library
facilities to meet user demand
·
Assure that the
organization and administration of the Libraries of Smithfield is the most
cost-efficient system available
The East Smithfield Public Library's mission is to
provide comprehensive library services to local and remote users in a
cost-effective and timely manner. In order to accomplish this mission, the
library supplements its local collection with up-to-date, on-line, statewide,
national, and international databases (Ocean State Libraries - OSL, Online
Computer Library Catalog - OCLC, Elton B. Stephens Company - EBSCO) and the
Internet. The East Smithfield Public Library's access to global information
resources, cooperative efforts, shared resources, and interlibrary loan,
ensures that our patrons will be able to participate in the information and
technological challenges of the 21st century.
Goals and Objectives: 2007-2011
Service Goals and Objectives
A.
Access to
Services
Goal:
Improve access to library services.
Objective:
Increase hours of operation by 10% by 2016.
Objective:
Provide continued 24-hour access to the statewide database and library services
via the library's home page. (ongoing)
B.
Awareness and Use
of Libraries
Goal:
Improve general awareness of library resources and services among
Objective: Publicize the library's programs and
services at least monthly in the newsletter (East Smithfield Public Library’s Happenings), local newspaper (The Valley Breeze & Observer), or
the local magazine (Your Smithfield
Magazine) by 2012.
Objective: Inform Smithfield residents (via local and
statewide media) of the library's home page where access to the statewide
database, national databases, and significant links are available 24-hours a day,
every day of the week by 2014.
Objective:
Update the library's web page at least monthly by 2012.
C.
Use of Library
Services
Goal:
Increase the use of services and resources.
Objective:
Increase the number of registered borrowers by 10% by 2015.
Objective:
Increase circulation by 10% by 2014.
Resource Management Goals and Objectives
A.
Collection
Goal:
Ensure that collections are more relevant to the needs and interests of the
users.
Objective:
Increase nonprint budget by 5% each year thru 2013.
Objective:
Purchase at least 100 digital videodiscs (DVDs) each year thru 2016.
Objective: Evaluate 20% of the collection each year
and weed low interest, non-circulating materials.
Goal:
Improve delivery of information to users.
Objective: Add at least two statewide or national databases
which patrons may access locally or remotely by 2016.
Objective:
Provide e-mail notification of reserves to patrons by 2012.
B.
Service
Goal:
Improve service to patrons.
Objective:
Hire a Reference Librarian by 2016.
Objective:
Establish and staff a separate reference room by 2015.
Objective: Conduct at least one "outreach"
program at the elementary, middle, and high school by 2012.
Objective: Contact at least one local "housing
for the elderly units" and conduct a needs assessment by 2013.
C.
Staff
Goal:
Meet minimum standards for staffing.
Objective:
Hire a full-time professional Reference Librarian by 2016.
Goal:
Improve working conditions for staff members.
Objective:
Increase salaries to the American Library Association's recommended salaries or
the statewide average by 2015.
Objective:
Evaluate personnel policy by 2012.
D.
Facilities
Goal:
Update library facilities to meet user demand.
Objective:
Install heating units to select areas of the parking lot by 2012.
Objective:
Conduct a survey to assess patron/community needs by 2014.
Objective: Update the computer workstations on the
second floor to reflect changing technological advances. (annually through
2016)
Administrative and Directional Goals
and Objectives
Goal:
Assure that the organization and administration of the libraries of
Objective:
Present Five Year Plan to staff, administration, and the Board of Trustees, for
review, support, action, and implementation.
Objective:
Evaluate personnel policy annually by a "committee of review"
composed of staff, administration, and the Board of Trustees.
Evaluation
The
Board of Trustees will evaluate the Five Year Plan on an annual basis thru 2016
to determine:
a.
whether the goals/objectives for the present year have been met
b. if any goal/objective for the present year has not
been met, determine whether that objective is still relevant or not and, if it
is still relevant, develop strategies and budgetary resources to insure
implementation of that objective
c. what strategies and budgetary resources must be
developed to assure that future goals/objectives are met in a timely and
cost-effective manner