Strategic Plan
Glen Ellyn Public Library Strategic Plan 2008 - 2011
I. Goal: The Library will maintain a high level of service to the community.
Objectives:
A. The Library staff will be highly visible in the community
1. Display/Attend Community Events-Farmer’s Market, Sidewalk Sales, METRA station, etc.
2. Display/Attend School Events-Back to School night, International Festivals, etc.
B. The library staff will exhibit a level of technology competence.
1. Develop basic technology competencies for each level of positions.
2. Provide training to meet those standards.
C. The Library will actively solicit the community for new ideas regarding the wants and needs for library services.
1. Meet and Greet sessions
2. Outside Library activities
3. Online and written suggestions
D. The Library will be aware of current social, economic, cultural and technological trends and adapt services to meet changing demands.
1. Utilize market data on the Glen Ellyn community as a tool to evaluate current and potential programs, services, materials, etc.
2. The Library will develop strategic collaborations with other groups in the community with which we have common concerns and overlapping constituencies.
3. The Library will participate with local schools to gather qualitative and quantitative information on challenges faced by underserved groups.
E. The Library will work to provide convenient hours and access to relevant library collections, programs and services.
1. Sunday Hours will be provided year round.
2. An electronic branch will be developed.
F. The Library staff will provide friendly approachable service to all patrons and community members.
1. Standards of Service Excellence will be developed.
2. Appropriate training to meet service standards will be provided.
II. Goal: The Library will develop print, multimedia and electronic collections to be a valuable resource to the community and make those collections readily accessible to all.
Objectives:
A. The Library will employ various methods to improve ease of access to the Library’s collections.
1. Additional remote collection depositories like Rack at the Tracks will be investigated.
2. The incorporation of unserved areas will be investigated.
B. The Library will develop a variety of ways to promote Library resources.
1. Create email newsletter to promote programs, materials and services.
2. Investigate further electronic promotion to specific “interest groups”.
C. Provide adequate funding for collection development and growth in popular areas.
1. The Library will strive to maintain a minimum 5% annual increase in Adult Services and Youth Services materials budgets.
2. A minimum 16% of operating budget devoted to purchase of materials.
D. The community is satisfied with the quality and availability of the Library’s collections.
1. A community survey will be conducted with a minimum 85% satisfaction level achieved.
2. A circulation increase of 5%, door count increase of 5%, online resources usage increase of 50%, and a minimum of 85% of community having current library cards will be achieved.
III. Goal: The Library will keep abreast of advances in technology.
Objectives:
A. Library patrons and staff will be satisfied with the quality of the Library’s IT infrastructure.
1. Survey staff and patrons minimum 85% satisfaction rating.
2. Maintain current replacement schedule of equipment.
B. Investigate and implement new technologies that may apply to the library and the patrons.
1. Staff will actively attend various technology conferences, meetings and seminars.
2. Patrons will then be educated/trained regarding the new technologies.
IV. Goal: The Library will have a comprehensive facilities plan that provides for flexibility in use of present facilities, and identifies future space needs far enough in advance to allow for appropriate public discussion and funding response.
Objectives:
A. The Library Board will develop a long term plan which outlines a strategy for identifying current facilities use issues and their solutions.
1. Perform space analysis in order to develop plan.
2. Create a budget for the plan.
3. Secure funds for the plan.
B. The Library will explore various opportunities to provide library services to underserved parts of the community.
1. Investigate possible service locations.
2. Explore the possibility of mobile facility.
3. Investigate incorporation of unserved area.
V. Goal: The Library will develop and implement marketing to its current and future constituencies
Objectives:
A. The community rates Library signage as attractive and eye-catching, using common language; library patrons consider the signage inside the building to assist them in using the facility efficiently; the changeable signage brings special information to their attention effectively.
1. Interior and Exterior directional signage
2. Create Help desk signage
3. Investigate plasma screen/LCD behind circ desk
4. Exterior sign with programmable LED
B. The Library will explore alternative promotion methods.
1. Purchasing advertising space.
2. Taking every opportunity to make the Library visible in print media.
C. The Library web site will be one of the Library’s primary assets.
1. Create virtual branch
2. Provide easily accessible links to internet resources.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees January 21, 2008