Strategic Plan

MRRL Strategic Plan

2004 | 2008

2008-2010

Missouri River Regional Libary

Missouri River Regional Library

Strategic Plan

2008-2010

Adopted 11-19-2007

1. Mission: The mission of Missouri River Regional Library is to make available to the residents of Cole and Osage Counties a diverse collection of human wisdom, experience, and ideas. The library makes accessible and promotes the use of informative and creative resources and cultural programs by which people of all ages, abilities, and circumstances can pursue their educational, professional and recreational interests.
   

2. Planning Background: The Library by the very nature of its existence is a vital part of the communities it serves. Therefore the Library does play a role in helping the community be economically vital, socially diverse and culturally alive. Research performed to create this strategic plan was performed through gathering patron comment, staff suggestions and Library Board retreat and planning sessions.
   

3. Focus Areas: The following has been identified as primary areas service needed to support the mission of the Library.

   • Services – Circulation, Reference, Children’s, Teens, Technology

   • Collection Development

   • Cultural Services and Programming

   • Partnerships

   • Personnel
     
     Goals of this strategic plan work toward enhancing and supporting the focus areas mentioned above.
     

4. Deadlines and Measurement Statements: Specific goals and objectives will contain a deadline statement to indicate an anticipated completion date. Changes to deadlines will be communicated to the Library Boards planning committee. Measurement statements are intended to be used to determine the success potential success of each objective. Most objectives will contain a measurement statement. Objectives that do not include a measurement statement indicate that the completion of the goal signifies its success. Annual recurring objectives will be reported on through usage statistics.
   
   
   
   

5. Focus Area - Services: The Library will maintain, develop and enhance it’s service areas to support the Mission of the Library.

   • Service areas:

     1. Circulation

     2. Reference

     3. Children and Teens

     4. Technology

     • Goal - Circulation: The Library will enhance its Circulation department to improve patron interaction, inventory control and security while circulating materials.
       

       1. Objective Self Check Machines: The Library will implement a self check system in order to reduce patron wait times as well as free up staff time for other duties.

          1. Deadline: The Library will have two Self-check systems in place by July 2010.

          2. Measurement: The Library will monitor use of the self check system to determine if objective has been met.

       2. Objective: RFID Systems: The Library will implement RFID tagging systems that will reduce time to circulate materials, increase security and create an inventory control system.

          1. Deadline: The Library will have its AV collection converted to RFID by June 2008 and the remainder of the collection converted by December 2010.

          2. Measurement: The Library will monitor issues such as theft, missing items and wait time to determine if objective has been met.
             

          Goal - Reference: The Library will enhance its Reference department to provide greater assistance to patrons in their information seeking pursuits.
          

          1. Objective Roaming Reference Staff: The Library will implement a roaming reference staff model to enhance reference service to patrons. Reference staff will “roam” through patron areas to provide reference help to the patron.

             1. Deadline: July 2009

          2. Objective Increased number of digital electronic resources: The Library will perform an annual evaluation of its digital resources (databases, full text materials, web resources) as well research for additional resources to be added to the collection to provide patrons greater access to materials found in electronic formats..

             1. Deadline: This is an year long recurring process.

             2. Measurement: Usage statistics are used to evaluate databases annually.

          3. Objective Electronic/Remote reference: The Library will look to extend its reference support offered to patrons through electronic tools such as chat and digital social network resources in order to provide alternate methods for patrons to interact with Library staff..

             1. Deadline: The Library will establish an online reference center by December 2009.

             2. Measurement: Usage statistics are used to evaluate reference transactions annually.

• Goal - Children and Teens: The Library will enhance its Children’s and Teen departments to encourage literacy and lifetime Library use.
  

  1. Objective Create a Teen Space: The Library will create a Teen service area to encourage continued use of the Library during teen years and to promote literacy.

     1. Deadline: The Teen Space will be open to the public and staffed for operational hours by June of 2008.

  2. Objective Partnerships with local children and teen groups, associations and organizations: The library will establish partnerships with local public, parochial and home school associations in order to enhance library service to children and teens.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
  3. Objective Enhance Children’s programming: The Library will work toward having year long children and teen programming that encourages literacy, cultural awareness and community evolvement.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
     2. Measurement: Staff will monitor attendance at programs.
  4. Objective Outreach to culturally diverse groups within our service area: The Library will work to promote multi-cultural awareness through programming and collection development.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
  5. Objective creation of interactive learning workstations: The library will create interactive learning workstations in the children and teen areas that promote literacy, an increased knowledge of the world and access to electronic resources focused on children.
     1. Deadline: The Library will add two interactive learning stations to the Library for each year of the strategic plan.
     2. Measurement: Staff will monitor use and seek patron comment.
  6. Objective establish kids and teen clubs: The Library will setup kids clubs for differing age groups to promote library use from pre-school through high school age.
     1. Deadline: The Kids clubs will be in place by December 2008.
     2. Measurement: Staff will monitor attendance at club meetings.

• Goal – Technology: The Library will develop its technology offerings to in order to enhance the support of patron access to information and the services of the Library.

  1. Objective increase the number of computers dedicated to reference support: The Library will look to increase the number of computers dedicated to access databases and other digital resources by 20% to support patron research and other information gathering pursuits.

     1. The Library will have half the additional computers in place by June 2009 and the remainder by June 2010.

  2. Objective increase the number of computers dedicated to children and teen areas of the Library. The Library will increase the total number of computers available in the children and teen areas by 30% to support patron research and other information gathering pursuits.
     1. Deadline. The Library will have half the additional computers in place by June 2009 and the remainder by June 2010.
  3. Objective increase technology training opportunities: The Library will offer training in basic PC use, Library databases and other Library technologies that would enhance patron use of the Library.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
  4. Objective create listening stations: The Library will create listening stations where patrons can use audio materials such as audio books and musical CDs at the Library.
     1. Deadline: December 2009.

  5. Objective Enhance the Library’s online catalog: The Library will enhance its online catalog to include a maps to show where materials can be found within the Library.

     1. Deadline: December 2010

6. Focus Area - Collection Development. The Library will maintain, develop and enhance it’s collection in order to support the Mission of the Library.

   • Collection Development areas of growth:

     1. Collection Development Policy

     2. Selection Procedures

     3. Enhancement of current collection

     4. Downloadable materials

     5. Non traditional materials

     • Goal – Collection Development Policy: The Library will review and revise the current collection development policy.

       1. Objective Policy Review: The Library will review the current policy for areas that need to be updated based on procedural changes.

          1. Deadline: June 2008.

       2. Objective new material types: The Library will review its current policy to include the development on new material types such as MP3, digital and non-traditional materials.
          1. Deadline: This will be a year long recurring process.

• Goal - Selection Procedures: The Library will create selection procedures for the collection development

  1. Objective Selection Procedures: The Library will develop procedures, benchmarks and goals for the selection of materials for the Library.

     1. Deadline: June 2008

  2. Objective Collection analysis: The Library will create and annual process to review the health of the collection, identify areas of need and areas to be weeded.
     1. Deadline: December 2008
        
        
• Goal - Print Collection: The Library will look to expand and enhance the print collection to meet patron educational, recreational and information needs.
  1. Objective Acquisitions: The Library will acquire items to help support a diverse range of materials in our print collection.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
  2. Objective Weeding: The Library will weed materials from the collection that are dated and show signs of age at a rate not to exceed 3-5% of the collection.
     1. Deadline: December 2008
        
        
• Goal - Downloadable Materials: The Library will create a downloadable material collection to meet patron educational, recreational and information needs.
  
  

  1. Objective Electronic Books: The Library will create a downloadable e-book collection.

     1. Deadline: December 2009

  2. Objective Electronic Audio Books: The Library will create a downloadable e-audio book collection.
     1. Deadline: December 2008
        
        
• Goal – Non traditional materials: The Library will create a non traditional material collection to meet patron educational, recreational and information needs.
  
  

  1. Objective Kits: The Library will create kits of materials for check out to support patron learning. An example of a kit (a microscope, a book on using a microscope and a DVD about microscopes)

     1. Deadline: December 2009

  2. Objective electronic media: The Library will look to create collections of non-traditional electronic materials such as MP3 for audio, education and recreational games and educational software.
     1. Deadline: December 2010

7. Focus Area - Cultural Services and Programming. The Library will maintain, develop and enhance its cultural service and programming offerings in order to support the Mission of the Library.
   

   • Cultural Service and Programming areas of development

     1. Enhance cultural programs inside the Library

     2. Programming committee

     3. Evaluation of programming

     4. Communications

     5. Community Events

     6. Community Feedback

     • Goal – Programming Inside the Library: The Library will enhance it program offerings inside the Library.

       1. Objective – Children and Teen Programming: The Library will increase the number of children and teen programs to focus on all age groups.

          1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.

          2. Measurement: Staff will monitor attendance at programs.

       2. Objective – Multi Cultural Programming: The Library will offer multi-cultural programs that introduce patrons to the different cultures represented in the Jefferson City area.
          1. Deadline: This will be a year long recurring process.
          2. Measurement: Staff will monitor attendance at programs.
       3. Objective – Cultural Programming: The Library will enhance and expand its cultural programming to include lectures, crafts, plays, poetry readings, and film.
          1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
          2. Measurement: Staff will monitor attendance at programs.

• Goal - Programming Committee: The Library will create a staff programming committee to coordinate programming activities and to ensure that programming meets the mission of the Library.

  1. Objective – Committee: The Library will set up a staff programming committee that will meet on a regular basis to coordinate programming.

     1. Deadline: The Committee will be in place by April of 2008. The committee will meet every two weeks

• Goal – Programming Evaluation: The Library will set an annual process to review and evaluate its program offerings to ensure that Library programs are meeting the mission of the Library.

  1. Objective – Programming guidelines: Once established the committee will establish formal program guidelines to ensure that Library programming meets the mission of the Library.

     1. Deadline: Guideline will be in place by July 2008.

  2. Objective – Annual Evaluation: The program committee will perform an annual evaluation of programs to improve programs, add new programs and determine which programs not to do again. The committee will gather statistics on program attendance solicit patron comments and feed back on programs.
     1. Deadline: This will be an annual recurring process.
  3. Objective – Reporting: The committee will make regular reports on programming efforts, statistics and patron comments to be submitted as part of the monthly board report.
     1. Deadline: This will be an annual recurring process.

• Goal – Communications: The Library will increase its efforts to provide promotional communications to invite patrons to attend programming.

  1. Objective – Calendar: The Library will establish a quarterly promotional calendar of programming events which will be maintained and updated by the programming committee.

     1. Deadline: These quarterly calendars will be in place by June 2008.

  2. Objective – Media: The Library will enhance its efforts to promote its programming via local newspaper, radio and television sources.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
        
        
• Goal – Event Programming: The Library will enhance its current event offerings to support a “culturally alive” community.
  1. Objective – Promote the Library: The Library will provide cultural events that promote the Library’s materials and resources and invite patrons to the Library.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
  2. Objective – Cultural Mission: The Library will provide cultural events by which people of all ages, abilities, and circumstances can pursue their educational, professional and recreational interests.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
        
• Goal – Community Feedback: The Library will begin a program to encourage community feedback regarding Library services, collection and programming.
  
  

  1. Objective – Survey: The Library will work to have a third party conduct a community survey that focuses on services, collection and programming.

     1. Deadline: The survey will be complete by December 2008.

  2. Objective – Community Comment: The Library will look to enhance and invite members of the community to comment through print and electronic comment forms.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.

8. Focus Area - Partnerships. The Library will look to create community and state
   partnerships that enhance and promote the mission of the Library.

   • Partnership areas of development

     1. Current Partnerships

     2. New Community Partnerships

     3. Fundraising

     4. State and Professional Partnerships

• Goal – Current Community Partnerships: The Library will work to strengthen and enhance it current partnerships with the community such as ABLE and JC Park and Recreation.

  1. Objective – ABLE: The Library will look to develop new ways to partner with the ABLE organizations efforts to promote literacy.

     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.

  2. Objective – JC Park and Recreation: The Library will look to develop new ways that it can partner with JC Parks and Recreation in a manner that is mutually beneficial to both organizations.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.

• Goal – New Community Partnerships: The Library will work to create new community partnerships through its association with the Chamber of Commerce and other community partners.

  1. Objective – Chamber of Commerce: The Library will look to create new community partners through its association with the Chamber of Commerce in order to promote and enhance Library service.

     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.

  2. Objective – Community Partners: The Library will look for alternate avenues to create community partners to promote and enhance Library service.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
        

• Goal – Fundraising: The Library will work to enhance both the MRRL Friends and Foundation organizations to help promote fund raising and volunteers to support the Library

  1. Objective – Friends of MRRL: The Library will work to support the Friends of MRRL organization in its efforts to raise funds for the Library and find volunteer support for MRRL activities.

     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process

2. Objective – MRRL Foundation: The Library will work to support the MRRL Foundation in its efforts to raise funds for MRRL activities and services.

   1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.

• Goal – State and professional partnerships: The Library will look to enhance existing partnerships and create new professional partnerships with the Missouri Library community.

  1. Objective – State Library: The Library will work enhance its existing relationship with the Missouri State Library through participation in State Library committees and events.

     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.

  2. Objective – Missouri Library Association: The Library will look to create partnerships and associations with other libraries in the state for the purpose of information and resource sharing.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
  3. Objective – MOBIUS: The Library will work to enhance its existing relationship with MOBIUS which facilitates state-wide resource sharing.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
  4. Objective – MOREnet: The Library will work to enhance its existing relationship with MOREnet which facilitates network and electronic services for the Library.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
        

9. Strategic Goals: Personnel. The Library will look to enhance and review its personnel practices to meet the mission of the Library.

   • Personnel areas of development

     1. Staff Needs Assessment

     2. Cross Training

     3. Continuing Education

     4. Salary and Merit

     • Goal – Staff Needs Assessment: The Library will perform an annual review of staffing needs making recommendations to the board as needed.

       1. Objective – New Positions: The Library will review existing staffing requirements and make recommendations for new professional and non-professional positions, if needed, on an annual basis.

       2. Objective – Position Vacancy Review: The Library will create a formal procedure for reviewing positions upon the creation of a vacancy to set education and experience requirements prior to posting the position.

          1. Deadline: January 2009

       3. Objective – Position Descriptions: The Library will create a formal process to review and revise position descriptions and requirements based on profession driven changes that have taken place every three years.
          1. Deadline: December 2008
       4. Objective – Benefits: The Library will make an annual review of staff benefit plans and make recommendations for change as needed.
       5. Objective – Deferred Compensation: The Library will encourage staff to participate in the existing deferred compensation program by adopting an employer's matching contribution program. The amount of the match will be reviewed and set annually by the Library Board's Finance committee as a line item of the Library's annual budget.
          
     • Goal – Cross Training: The Library will look to implement a cross training program in order to meet the staffing needs of the Library
       
       

       1. Objective – Cross training: The Library will train staff to be capable of performing duties in multiple departments.

          1. Deadline: Program will be in place by December 2008

       2. Objective – Staff work load: In order to minimize on the need for additional positions, once cross-trained, staff will perform duties in other than assigned areas as the need requires.
          1. Deadline: Program to begin in 2008 and continued through 2010.

• Goal – Continuing Education: The Library will create formal continuing education requirements for staff in order to maintain a working knowledge of existing and developing technologies, trends and community needs that impact the Library.

  1. Objective – Continuing Education Standards: The Library will set minimum continuing education standards in order to maintain a working knowledge of existing and developing technologies that impact the Library.

     1. Deadline: June 2009

  2. Objective – Continuing Education Opportunities: The Library will provide continuing education opportunities for staff in order to maintain a working knowledge of existing and developing technologies that impact the Library.
  3. Objective – Degree Programs: The Library will provide tuition reimbursement opportunities to encourage staff to seek bachelors and MLS degree opportunities.
     1. Deadline: This is a year long recurring process.
        

• Goal – Salary and Merit: The Library will create a process in which the staff salary scale will be reviewed on a regular basis (i.e. once every three years) and create a formal merit program to recognize staff effort and achievement.

  1. Objective – Salary Scale: The Library will create a formal process to review the staff salary scale every three years.

     1. Deadline: December 2008

  2. Objective – Merit Program: The Library will implement a formal merit program to recognize staff effort and achievement.
     1. Deadline: December 2009

July 2004-July 2007

The mission of Missouri River Regional Library is to make available to the residents of Cole and Osage Counties a diverse collection of human wisdom, experience, and ideas. The library makes accessible and promotes the use of informative and creative resources and cultural programs by which people of all ages, abilities, and circumstances can pursue their educational, professional and recreational interests.

Adopted September 16, 2003

Community referral

 Goal: The library will be the main resource for information about services, clubs and organizations available to residents of and visitors to Cole and Osage Counties.

Objective: Build an interactive, searchable database for broad dissemination of community information by June 30, 2006.

Strategies:

1. Identify non-profit organizations, civic groups and clubs in Cole and Osage Counties

2. Develop standardized information form for data collection

3. Research and install software options for storing database

Objective: Explore opportunity to become 211 referral center

Cultural awareness

Goal: MRRL will make materials in foreign languages accessible to patrons according to the demand of the community.

Objective: Evaluate the need for new foreign language collections based on current requests, Interlibrary loan activity and population trends by December 31, 2005.

Objective: Devote a minimum of 1% of Public Information budget per year to publicizing current Spanish language collection

Goal: MRRL will host public display space that showcases the cultural diversity of the community and the world at large.

Objective: Develop a thematic schedule for display cases and actively seek display opportunities from community members by June 30, 2005.

Goal: The public programs offered by MRRL will reflect a variety of cultures and present artistic and educational opportunities not commonly available elsewhere in Cole and Osage Counties.

Objective: Partner with other local organizations to provide diverse cultural programs

Objective: Schedule multicultural storytime themes on a regular basis

Objective: Create a database of cultural program providers for library and for community use by June 30, 2005.

Current topics and titles

Goal: The collections of all MRRL service outlets will contain topical, relevant and in-demand items in all formats, while remaining balanced and representative of all viewpoints possible.

Objective: Conduct an in-depth study of patron’s interlibrary loan borrowing habits to identify weak spots in the collection by June 30, 2005

 Objective: Write a plan for adoption of new formats and abandonment of obsolete formats by December 31, 2005

 Objective: Each selector will make a content scan of their area for comprehension and balance annually

Objective: Keep the average time on hold to a maximum of four weeks

Strategies:

1. Maintain ratio of one item purchased for every 4 holds

Suggested Measurements:

1. Increased turnover rate (average circulation per volume, 2.89 in 2003)

2. Increased circulation per capita (6.8 in 2003)

General information

Goal: MRRL will provide online access to other library collections in the two-county service area.

Objective: Pursue membership in MOBIUS (statewide library consortium)

Strategies:

1. Meet with MOBIUS administration to determine benefits of joining

consortium

2. Determine costs, and pursue funding and budgeting options

Objective: Create a web page with descriptions of all other library collections in Cole and

Osage County, with links to their websites as appropriate by June 30, 2005.

Goal: MRRL will provide maximum electronic access to its collection from a variety of locations.

Objective: Provide web-based remote access to all of the library’s electronic databases and resources by December 31, 2004

Objective: Provide means for remote users to access the library electronically from public places

Strategies:

1. Review state of the art kiosk technology for feasibility/desirability

2. In coordination with the site selection for a new main library, identify possible locations for kiosk access to the library, especially in remote communities lacking a branch

Local History and Genealogy

Goal: MRRL will maintain a comprehensive collection of materials relating to the history and residents of Cole and Osage Counties.

Objective: Routinely purchase circulating and reference copies of all newly published local history materials (for Cole and Osage Counties)

Objective: Digitize collection of local library’s history and publish online by June 30, 2006

Objective: Compile list of local researchers for in-depth, fee-based genealogy work by June 30, 2005

Outreach and Public Relations

Goal: MRRL’s programs and services will be available to all residents of the two-county service area regardless of ability to travel.

Objective: Write and implement Homebound Services policy by December 2004

Objective: Increase use of homebound delivery service by 10% per year

Strategies:

1. Make personal visits to all area nursing home program directors to inform them of service

2. Place brochures in nursing homes, doctor’s offices and hospitals

3. Advertise at least once per year in local newspapers

Objective: Develop method for evaluating effectiveness of bookmobile schedule by June 2005

Goal: The programs and services offered by MRRL will be known to a majority of residents in the service area.

Objective: Produce Public Service Announcements for broadcasting on local radio and television stations

Strategies:

1. Provide ALA- and MLA-produced PSAs to local stations and arrange air time

2. Approach JCTV about producing brief segments for local broadcast

Objective: Pursue non-traditional methods of advertising, such as pre-movie trailers at local theaters at least once per year

Objective: Develop and promote library Speaker’s Bureau by June 30, 2005

Suggested Measurement: Program attendance, circulation and in-house use of resources targeted by advertising will increase at a higher rate than from 2000-2003.