Palmyra Kings Daughters Free Library
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Long Range Plan

2007 – 2011

Introduction

In the fall of 2006 the Palmyra Kings Daughters Free Library began a long range planning process based on the New Planning for Results method developed by the Public Library Association.  The Palmyra Library was selected along with seven other libraries to participate in a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant sponsored by the Pioneer Library System (PLS) entitled “Anticipating Library Service Needs in the 21^st Century: Envisioning a Sustainable Future”.  Patricia Stocker, library consultant and former assistant director of PLS, administered this grant, designed to assist libraries in the planning process.

Community input is an essential element of the New Planning for Results process, which assumes that excellence must be defined locally.  An advisory committee was formed to represent a cross-section of the Palmyra community.

Community Committee

• Vicky Daly - Mayor, Village of Palmyra

• Carole Drake - Macedon Elementary School librarian

• Agnes Griffith - Retired School Psychologist

• Bonnie Hays - Executive Director, Historic Palmyra

• Dick Kirchhoff - Palmyra Economic Development Committee

• Sheila Koeberle - Library Staff Member

• John Kratzert - Palmyra-Macedon School Board President

• Will Mallia - Pal-Mac High School Senior

• Frank Nau - Pal-Mac High School Teacher

• Dave Nussbaumer - Deputy Supervisor, Town of Palmyra

• Karen Ocque - Library Trustee

• Dixie Prittie - Friends of the Palmyra Library

• Peter Sinnott - Palmyra Library Patron

• Jenifer Smyth - Preschool Parent

• Camy Sorbello - Writer, Palmyra Courier Journal

• Bill Unterborn - Small Business Owner

            Thank you to this dedicated group who worked under the able and enthusiastic direction of facilitator Patricia Stocker to develop a blueprint for the Palmyra Library’s long range plan.
 

            At the first meeting on October 7, 2006, committee members envisioned Palmyra’s future; reviewed demographic and library data; and identified community needs.  The community vision statements were meant to define the ideal future and are listed below:

• All seniors will have access to technology and the resources to utilize information effectively.
• The entire community will experience sustainability by means of alternative energy, community agriculture, access to current technology, interdependence of services and tax relief.
• Working people will have access to jobs.
• All residents will enjoy an attractive and prosperous downtown and waterfront.
• All people will have access to library resources.
• All families/children will have access to a variety of year-round activities including intergenerational activities utilizing local resources such as churches, schools, library, Palmyra Community Center, Historic Palmyra.
• All people will feel a sense of community pride.
• Young adults will have access to opportunities that will promote good life choices.
• All residents will benefit by valuing the arts and heritage; each other, and who we are as a community.
• All residents will have physical access to services: public and private.
• All residents will have access to public transportation.
• All BYU satellite students and visitors will include Palmyra as part of their curriculum (Triptik).
• All residents will have access to adequate health care.
• All residents will enjoy a small-town atmosphere/ambience.
• All residents will publicly recognize and value the accomplishments in the arts, academics and athletics.
• Businesses will be attracted by the stability of the community.
• All children will live in a safe, drug-free community.
• Widespread philanthropy will be instilled and practiced.

On November 4, 2006 the community committee then selected four library service responses that would enable the library to contribute towards achieving the community vision and help meet community needs.  On November 15, 2006, the Palmyra Kings Daughters Free Library Board of Trustees approved the following four service responses recommended by the community committee:

Lifelong Learning

Commons

General Information

Current Topics and Titles

In order to support the selected service responses, a mission statement and a long range plan which includes goals, objectives and activities were developed by the director with input from library staff and trustees.

Mission Statement

The Palmyra Kings Daughters Free Library will provide materials, programs and services to people of all ages to ensure that:

• they can grow and learn throughout their lives
• they are able to gather and interact in an inviting environment
• they have access to information in a variety of formats on topics related to work, school and personal life
• they can satisfy their need for popular materials and recreational reading.

Lifelong Learning

A library that provides Lifelong Learning service helps address the desire for self-directed personal growth and development opportunities.

Goal 1

Adults who use the Palmyra Library will have access to the materials, services and programs necessary for personal independent learning.

Objectives 
 

1. Circulation of adult non-fiction materials will increase by 2% each year of the plan.
2. The number of adult registered library cardholders in the library’s service area will increase by 3% each year of the plan.
3. Attendance at programs for adults will increase by 10% by 2011.
4. Adult Internet use at the Palmyra Library will increase annually by 10%.
    

Activities
 

• The library will increase its hours of operation from 40 hours a week to 43 hours a week by 2008 and 45 hours a week by 2009.

• With the assistance of Ellen Reynolds, PLS Collection Management Librarian, library staff will assess the adult non-fiction collection and remove titles that are not current.
• New non-fiction titles will be purchased, including non-print materials.
• The library will promote the value of an OWWL library card in its newsletters, local newspaper articles and on the library web site.
• The library will offer at least 2 programs per year for adults that address the need for personal growth, in addition to the 7 programs sponsored by the Friends of the Palmyra Library.
• The Friends of the Library will offer one book review program annually for senior citizens at Towpath Manor or Vienna Place beginning in 2008. 
• Library staff will explore various options for offering computer classes for adults by collaborating with community technology experts.
• Library staff will attend PLS Continuing Education workshops on readers’ advisory, reference and online databases.
   

Goal 2

Children and teens who use the Palmyra library will develop a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Objectives
 

1. Circulation of children’s non-fiction materials will increase by 2% each year of the plan. 
2. Attendance at children’s programs will increase by 6% by 2011.
3. Attendance at young adult (middle school age and up) programs will increase by 10% by 2011. 
    

Activities
 

• The children’s non-fiction collection will be weeded and new titles purchased regularly.
• The library will offer programs for children, including preschool story times and a summer reading program.
• The library will offer a monthly after-school program for elementary school age children beginning in 2007. 
• Library staff will develop a program for infants, toddlers and their parents or caregivers in 2008.
• The library will continue to collaborate with local preschools and day care providers.
• Library staff will explore opportunities to collaborate with local schools.
• The library will offer at least 3 programs a year aimed at teens’ personal development beginning in 2008.
• Library staff will attend PLS Continuing Education workshops that relate to youth services.
• A youth services specialist position will be created by December 2008. 

 Commons

A library that provides a Commons environment helps address the need of people to meet and interact with others in their community and to participate in public discourse about community issues.

Goal 1

The Palmyra Library will be an inviting, safe and neutral place for people to gather, discuss and interact informally.

Objectives
 

1. Library staff will use four different means of publicity to increase awareness of the library as an important community resource during each year of the plan.
2. Attendance at all programs held in the library will increase by 2% annually. 
    

Activities
 

• Twice a year a library newsletter will be published and mailed to all Palmyra residents.
• Articles and photos about library events will be submitted regularly to the Courier Journal.
• The Palmyra Library web site will be updated regularly.
• Flyers about children’s programs will be distributed at local preschools and the Palmyra Elementary School.
• Library staff will develop a welcome packet for new Palmyra residents, which will include community and library information.
• Community members will have access to the library’s bulletin boards to post information.  Library staff will check the bulletin boards daily to remove outdated material.
• Friendly and helpful staff members will foster a welcoming atmosphere in the library.
• The library will purchase comfortable seating for the magazine room in 2007.

 

Goal 2

Palmyra residents will have access to a facility that provides adequate space both for casual seating and larger community events.

Objectives
 

1. The library will have suitable space for programs and events with seating for at least 50 people by December 2011.
2. By December 2011, the library will have separate casual seating areas for children, young adults and adults that meet the needs of each group.
    

Activities
 

• After reviewing architect Dan Long’s 2006 report on the library facility the board of trustees will decide by December 2007 whether to renovate the present building or explore other locations.
• Based on the board’s decision, plans will be developed and fund-raising will begin in 2008.
• A renovated or new library will be in use by December 2011. 
   

General Information

A 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

Palmyra residents will be able to get answers to their questions on a wide range of subjects.

Objectives
 

1. The number of reference questions answered by library staff will increase by 2% each year.
2. 90% of people who asked reference questions will indicate when asked that they received information that met their needs.
    

Activities
 

• Library staff will answer reference questions by telephone and in person during all hours of service.
• Reference service by fax and email will be encouraged and publicized in 2007.
• Library staff will attend PLS workshops related to reference and customer service.
   

Goal 2

Palmyra Library users will have access to electronic resources to meet their need for information relating to school, work and personal life.

Objectives
 

1. The number of searches on PLS online databases will increase by 5% annually.
2. Library staff will instruct a total of at least 25 patrons in 2007 on the use of the PLS online databases and other Internet resources.
    

Activities
 

• PLS online databases will be publicized in the library’s newsletters and on bookmarks.
• In 2007 a second laptop computer will be purchased for patron Internet use.
• Library staff will become proficient in using the PLS online databases and other Internet resources by attending PLS workshops and library staff meetings.
• Library staff will demonstrate PLS databases and other Internet resources to patrons as needed on a one-on-one basis.
   

 Current Topics and Titles

A library that provides Current Topics and Titles helps to fulfill community residents’ appetite for information about popular cultural and social trends and their desire for satisfying recreational experiences.

Goal 1

Adults who use the Palmyra Library will have access to current and popular materials in a variety of formats to satisfy their interests and meet their recreational needs. 

Objectives
 

1. Circulation of new adult print materials will increase by 2% annually. 
2. Circulation of audiovisual materials will increase by 10% annually.
3. The number of holds placed by Palmyra patrons on items in the OWWL system will increase annually by 8%.
    

Activities 
 

• The library will purchase popular, high-demand materials in a variety of formats paying special attention to patron requests.
• The library will continue to develop its DVD collection to satisfy patron demand for new releases and children’s titles.
• Library staff will keep informed of current trends by reading review journals, using online sources such as Amazon and being aware of media publicity in order to advise patrons.
• Library staff will encourage and instruct patrons on the use of NoveList, a readers’ advisory database.
• Library staff will regularly create displays that promote items of current interest.
• The library will continue to maintain rotating collections at senior residences Towpath Manor and Vienna Place.
• The library will continue to offer delivery service to homebound patrons.
• The library will continue to post the New York Times bestseller list and offer complimentary copies of BookPages to patrons to inform them of new and forthcoming titles.
• Library staff will instruct patrons on how to place a hold on a title in the OWWL system through in-library demonstrations and publicity in the library newsletter.
• The library will offer to assist in organizing and/or hosting book club meetings for any interested community members.
   

Goal 2

Children and teens who use the Palmyra Library will have access to current materials in a variety of formats that satisfy their personal interests.

Objectives
 

1. Circulation of children’s materials will increase by 2% annually. 
2. Circulation of young adult materials will increase by 5% annually.
    

Activities
 

• New children’s and young adult titles will be added regularly with special attention to current interests such as graphic novels and popular series.
• The children’s audiobook collection will be weeded and more books on CD purchased by December 2007.
• The library will investigate starting a computer/video games collection.
• The children’s paperback collection will be weeded and new titles purchased by December 2008.
• The young adult collection will be weeded by December 2007.

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Page revised 03/24/07

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