LONG-RANGE PLAN
Over the summer, library staff and trustees along with a committee comprised of community members met together to discuss the long-term trajectory of the library and its facilities.
Here's what we came up with:
Mission Statement
The Bolton Public Library (BPL) serves the community as a center for self-education, culture, recreation, and information by assembling and administering, in organized collections, books and other materials. The Library supports the educational, civic, and cultural activities of groups and organizations in and around Bolton.
The Library staff continually seeks to identify community needs, provides programs and services to meet those needs, and generates support for such programs.
Methodology
On February 4, 2015, the Library Director attended a Strategic Planning Roundtable hosted by Massachusetts Library System (MLS) and instructed by Kristi Chadwick (MLS) staff. After discussion with the Board of Library Trustees, and a review of relevant documents on the MLS and Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) websites, the Board appointed a Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) consisting of 12 individuals representing Bolton’s demographics . Included were people of all ages from teen through senior, newcomers, business people, educators, town boards/committees, library staff, etc.
The Committee met three times, on May 16, June 6, and September 12.
The LRPC identified multiple strengths of the Library, including but not limited to the following:
This Long Range Plan is the culmination of these planning exercises.
User Needs
One survey responder commented that the library is “a community hub, with books,” a description that was reinforced by both survey results and LPRC meetings. Residents perceive the library as a place with something for all ages, an information center, a learning site, a meeting place, a knowledge storehouse, and a quiet place to work. Taken together with circulation statistics, it’s clear that Bolton is a community where education and communication are equally valued.
Survey results and LRPC discussions pointed to a library that holds events that draw people together, and that sponsors or helps with community projects. In a town whose houses are far apart and where it can be difficult to meet like-minded people, users responded favorably to the library’s role as a community hub.
Residents obtain information about the library and its programs via the library website, local newspaper, and posters/flyers around the library. Many expressed interest in receiving news via an electronic newsletter but seemed unaware that the library offers one (Wowbrary), while others mentioned Wowbrary by name. (Wowbrary currently has 179 subscribers.)
Respondents wished for an online community calendar or announcement board (open to local government, schools, and civic organizations alike, which would consolidate community information in one place), a list of local experts, and events to bring people of all ages together.
From the survey and meetings, these priorities (listed in order) came into focus:
Goals
Goal one: Establish and maintain a communication strategy for the library and Town.
Goal two: Review and improve the library’s communication strategy.
Goal three: Cultivate programs and events for all ages
Goal four: Establish a local experts list.
The Bolton Public Library (BPL) serves the community as a center for self-education, culture, recreation, and information by assembling and administering, in organized collections, books and other materials. The Library supports the educational, civic, and cultural activities of groups and organizations in and around Bolton.
The Library staff continually seeks to identify community needs, provides programs and services to meet those needs, and generates support for such programs.
Methodology
On February 4, 2015, the Library Director attended a Strategic Planning Roundtable hosted by Massachusetts Library System (MLS) and instructed by Kristi Chadwick (MLS) staff. After discussion with the Board of Library Trustees, and a review of relevant documents on the MLS and Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) websites, the Board appointed a Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) consisting of 12 individuals representing Bolton’s demographics . Included were people of all ages from teen through senior, newcomers, business people, educators, town boards/committees, library staff, etc.
The Committee met three times, on May 16, June 6, and September 12.
- The first meeting, led by Trustee Leigh Shanny, consisted of orientation and SOAR exercises.
- The second, led by Kristi Chadwick, focused on visioning and drafting goals.
- At the third and final meeting, led by Trustee Bob Zak, the survey was summarized and goals were refined.
The LRPC identified multiple strengths of the Library, including but not limited to the following:
- Makerspace/Maker programming on Saturdays*
- Library’s centrality to the Town’s identity*
- The new building, including Program Room, with room for growth and creative use*
- Friendliness of the staff
- No daily fines for overdue materials
- Childrens’ programs
- The Young Adult collection
- Interlibrary loan services
- Collections (strong and on-trend)
- Wowbrary e-newsletter
- Active Friends group supporting programs and museum passes
- Weak communications, particularly to nonusers*
- Gap in population served*
- Not seen as an essential service*
- Lack of marketing plan
- Open hours
- Budget pressure/being relevant/competition from other town departments*
- Commercial online services; no wait times for materials*
- Access to residents’ time and attention*
- Keeping up with technology
This Long Range Plan is the culmination of these planning exercises.
User Needs
One survey responder commented that the library is “a community hub, with books,” a description that was reinforced by both survey results and LPRC meetings. Residents perceive the library as a place with something for all ages, an information center, a learning site, a meeting place, a knowledge storehouse, and a quiet place to work. Taken together with circulation statistics, it’s clear that Bolton is a community where education and communication are equally valued.
Survey results and LRPC discussions pointed to a library that holds events that draw people together, and that sponsors or helps with community projects. In a town whose houses are far apart and where it can be difficult to meet like-minded people, users responded favorably to the library’s role as a community hub.
Residents obtain information about the library and its programs via the library website, local newspaper, and posters/flyers around the library. Many expressed interest in receiving news via an electronic newsletter but seemed unaware that the library offers one (Wowbrary), while others mentioned Wowbrary by name. (Wowbrary currently has 179 subscribers.)
Respondents wished for an online community calendar or announcement board (open to local government, schools, and civic organizations alike, which would consolidate community information in one place), a list of local experts, and events to bring people of all ages together.
From the survey and meetings, these priorities (listed in order) came into focus:
- Communication
- Broaden engagement
- Stage events to bring people together
- Technology, and creation of a local expert list
- Collection development
Goals
Goal one: Establish and maintain a communication strategy for the library and Town.
- Objective one: work with community groups in town to establish an online community bulletin board.
- Objective two: seek funding for bulletin board.
- Objective three: publicize and launch.
Goal two: Review and improve the library’s communication strategy.
- Objective one: fund an independent evaluation of the library website for content, appearance, ease of use.
- Objective two: draft a list of all reasonable communication venues and keep it current for use by staff and trustees.
- Objective three: explore use of the Friends’ Constant Contact account to get word out to core constituency.
- Objective four: Incorporate lessons in marketing and communication in all staff meetings.
- Objective five: investigate repair or replacement of the roadside sign.
Goal three: Cultivate programs and events for all ages
- Objective one: analyze attendance figures in previous programs in order to determine popular topics, and actively solicit suggestions from patrons.
- Objective two: Seek commitment from Friends of the Library to fund programs (how many? How often? Price?)
- Objective three: seek out programs related to popular topics.
- Objective four: Plan a calendar of events for the entire FY, in advance.
Goal four: Establish a local experts list.
- Objective one: identify and study other libraries’ “Check out a human” programs.
- Objective two: stage a community appeal for local experts on various topics, and assemble a database.
- Objective three: Publicize connections between experts and patrons.
