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CANAL FULTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
STRATEGIC PLAN
FOR 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
HISTORY OF THE CANAL FULTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Canal Fulton Public Library is an independently-operated, school district public library, serving the Northwest Local School District in Stark County which covers the areas of Canal Fulton, Clinton and Lawrence Township. Census data from 2000 reports the total population of the school district and library service area at 13,285.
The library itself is housed in a two-story frame building, which was constructed about 1879 by Timothy Sullivan. It soon became the showplace home of E.R. Held, a local banker. Mr. Held left town around 1900, but kept the property for years, during a part of which time it housed C.R. Daily’s undertaking establishment.
During the twenties the house was sold to W.L. Keller, whose family were the last owners.
The structure became a public library in 1949 after it had been purchased and remodeled through the generosity of Mr. & Mrs. George Muhlhauser. A new addition in 1958 made additional space for more books and a lower level social room, which subsequently became the children’s department. Designs were by Massillon architect Harry Mallalieu and Barberton landscaper John Paolano.
Another addition, as well as renovation of the existing building was completed in 1992, designed by Gerald L. Cody.
In response to patron requests for increased accessibility and a pressing need for additional staff workspace to accommodate increased interlibrary circulation, a new renovation/expansion project was started in July 2003. CBLH Design in Cleveland, formerly known as Spice Constantino Architects, was retained to renovate and paint the library yellow with multi-color trims to historically reflect the period when the original house was built, circa 1879. The library had previously been housed, since its inception in 1937, in the local school. A new entrance with automated doors for accessibility was added off the newly expanded parking lot, as well as a new circulation desk and comfortable reading area located off the new entrance.
Today, the building now houses more than 58,714 books, over 208 magazine subscriptions, over 4,076 items in multimedia formats like DVDs, CD-ROMs, and CDs, public computers with free Internet access & common applications such as MS Word, and Excel, as well as a special tool & equipment collection as well as e-books and online databases. The Canal Fulton Public Library is also part of a statewide consortium of libraries (called SEO.) Our online card catalog (IPAC) through SEO is available at the library website: www.canalfultonlibrary.org. The IPAC offers the resources of 76 library systems at 175 locations throughout the state of Ohio. Patrons may search and place holds on materials 24/7/365 days a year and pick up any requested items at our library.
During the year 2008, the Canal Fulton Public Library welcomed a total of 125,778 patron visits to the library, with registered borrowers set at 11,070. CFPL circulated a total of 281,663 items to patrons with 111,776 of those were juvenile items. In addition, the library sponsored a total of 328 programs with total attendance set at 9,683. The number of children attending those programs was 8,917.
THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
During the summer of 2009, it was determined that a second Strategic Plan for the Canal Fulton Public Library was needed to guide the library into the future. A Planning Committee was formed from library department heads and community stakeholders to identify the most important and various roles the library should play in the future to best meet the needs of the community as a whole.
Once the Planning Committee was formed, two public meetings were held where State Library of Ohio Consultant Anne Haines facilitated. The first session found small groups discussing goals in seven categories: economic development; educational achievement; environmental protection; cultural resources; lifestyle improvements; public health and wellness improvements and personal and property protection. Online library survey results were shared along with pertinent census data of the community.” Once completed, those qualities were sorted through and translated into “Service Responses” that the community’s public library would be capable of satisfying. The final task of the Planning Committee was to define the 4 most important Service Responses from the list that they felt the Canal Fulton Public Library should focus on during the next 4 year time period.
THE SERVICE RESPONSES
After much hard work, the Planning Committee chose the following Service Responses as being most important for the Canal Fulton Public Library to focus on over the next 4 years:
Create Early Readers: Early Literacy: Children from birth to age five will have programs and services designed to ensure that they will enter school ready to learn to read, write and listen.
Succeed in School and Life: Students who use the library will have the information, resources and assistance they need to succeed in school. The library will encourage patrons to use their imaginations to find, evaluate, and use information to succeed in every day life skills.
Use Community Resources and Create Partnerships: The library will create a partnership with a community organization: the Heritage Society, which will provide resources to help patrons connect to their roots. The library will continue a partnership with the Northwest Local Schools in Canal Fulton.
Visit a Comfortable Place: Physical and Virtual Spaces: Residents will have safe and welcoming physical places to meet and interact with others or sit quietly and read and will have open accessible virtual spaces that support social networking.
THE PLAN
Once the Service Responses were chosen, it was the duty of library department heads and the library director to write the actual strategic plan. Library department heads were asked to participate in formulating goals and objectives that addressed the chosen service responses. The library department heads and library director met in many sessions over a period of months (one service response per session) to address the ways in which their respective departments (and the library as a whole) could address the needs of the community.
The following outline is the finished product of the library director and department heads’ work over the summer and fall of 2009. The second Strategic Plan for the Canal Fulton Public Library will cover the time period from the beginning of January 2010 through the end of December 2013. At the beginning of each calendar year (for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013) the plan will be reviewed annually and objectives assigned to the appropriate departments/staff members for implementation during the year. During the year 2013, the completed Strategic Plan will be evaluated and the task of writing a new plan will be undertaken for the 3-year period of 2014, 2015, & 2016.
ADOPTION OF THE PLAN
A final draft of the strategic plan was adopted at the Board meeting on 2/10/10. The members of the Canal Fulton Public Library Board of Trustees are:
Bob Richmond, President
Dean Crawford
Ruth Fellmeth
Ben Easterling
Becky Murgatroyd
Jim Westbrooks
Nick Zingale
Create Young Readers - Children from birth to five will have programs and services designed to ensure that they will enter school ready to learn to read, write, and listen.
Goal 1: Children from birth to five will be exposed to literacy-related programs and activities that will enhance their ability to read.
Objective 1: The circulation statistics for board books and picture books will increase by 10%.
Objective 2: The program attendance for baby time and preschool will increase by 10%.
Activities:
- Create a Reading Readiness Program that will be conducted twice/yr (April 2010)
- Incorporate a Kindergarten Readiness Program into the Summer Reading Program ( June 2010)
- Revise the existing story time schedule to be more family friendly (Feb. 2011)
- “Sneak” literacy-related activities and programs into the Summer Program ( June 2012)
Goal 2: Parents and Educators will learn how to incorporate literacy-related environments into their children’s everyday life.
Objective 1: The usage of the educator’s collection will increase by 10%.
Objective 2: The outreach program for educators will increase by 10%.
Activities:
- Become a distribution center for pamphlets and booklets available through the Dept. of Education ( Sept. 2011)
- Research the possibility of creating a literacy kit for circulation ( Jan 2012)
- Promote our existing FEED ME A STORY program (a program for educators and parents on how and what to read to your children, etc) (March 2010)
Succeed in Life and School
GOAL 1: Children who use the library will have the information, resources and assistance they need to succeed in school.
Objective 1: Students will learn to use the library’s website as a reliable resource for school projects & reading skills. The count and use of the library’s website’s KnowItNow24/7 link will increase by 15% a year for the next three years (as measured via a survey in Oct. 2010-Oct. 2013)
Activity: The library will promote the KnowItNow24/7 link on the library’s website. (June 2010). Reference
Activity: Meet with the curriculum director to discuss resources for assignment assistance. (Aug 2010- Aug. 2013). Reference, YA, Children’s
Activity: Assign the homework duty to one staff member, who will check the Northwest School’s website to see what assignments are pending, and how we can help create links for the assignments (weekly 2010-2013). Children’s
Objective 2: The count and use of the library’s “Reader’s Corner” link on the website will increase by 15% a year for the next three years as measured via a survey in 2010.
Activity: Create and promote a current tab online for reader’s advisory.(Dec. 2010). Reference.
Activity: Create an online blog about books and all things reading related (Jan. 2011). Reference, YA
Activity: Research the possibility of online blog discussions for A/R books (Sept. 2012). Children’s
Activity: Research the possibility of creating a link online to the early literacy initiative…something that will help parents to “create early readers” (Sept. 2013) Children’s
Activity: Create an online reader’s advisory form for patrons to request a list of book titles (Mar. 2012). IT & Reference.
Goal 2: The library will encourage patrons to use their imaginations to find, evaluate, and use information to succeed in every day life skills.
Objective 1: The number of library patrons using adult recreational reading materials will increase by 10% per year (measured via survey Oct. 2010-2013).
Activity: Create a browsing collection of recent bestsellers available on a first come first serve basis (Oct. 2010). Reference
Activity: Continue to provide Homebound Service (weekly 2010-2013). Reference.
Activity: Conduct a local authors fair (March 2010- March 2013). Reference
Goal 2: The library will encourage patrons to use their imaginations to find, evaluate, and use information to succeed in every day life skills. Continued
Activity: Have Canal Fulton & North Canton book groups give programs on writing (Dec. 2013). Reference
Objective 2: The number of library patrons finding library provided information and materials on life skills will increase by 15% a year each year until 2012 (measured via survey in Oct. 2010-2013).
Activity: Conduct a survey to decide which life skills materials and classes are needed. (Aug. 2010) Reference.
Activity: Provide a skills series class for adults such as: babysitting clinic, checkbook balancing, safe driving series, and career programs with police, nurses, lawyers, and others, facebook classes (Jan. 2011-Jan. 2013). IT, Reference, Children
Activity: Offer programs on Health and Wellness. Ex: Yoga, Health care issues, Exercise, Dietician. (Possibly free screenings to go with the program) (Oct. 2012) Reference
Activity: Research the possibility of doing a weekly job skills class when Computers are assigned to job seekers only. (April 2011) IT
Objective 3: The count and use of the library’s Database link on the website will increase by 15% a year for the next three years as measured in survey.
Activity: The library’s website will highlight a “Database of the month” to promote the databases available on the library’s website (Sept. 2010-2013). IT, Children’s, Reference
Activity: The library staff and patrons could be trained on the use of the databases available on the library’s website (Feb 2011-Feb.2013). IT & Reference
Use Community Resources and Create Partnerships
Goal 1: The library will create a partnership with a community organization that will provide resources to help patrons connect to their roots
Objective 1: Each year the CFPL will engage the community allowing community members to connect to their roots and understand the history and traditions of their community. The number of community members assisted by the library in connecting to their roots will increase annually from a base year of 2010 by 10% a year for the next two years.
Activity: Re-organize the memory project website; label all the scanned photographs in folders (Nov. 2010-2013) Reference
Activity: Re-organize the local history folders to become better acquainted with the materials (March 2010) Reference
Activity: Create a detailed, annotated list of all the materials in the Ohio Collection (Dec. 2013) Reference
Activity: Create a database of obituaries from the old copies of the Canal Fulton newspapers. (Weekly starting March 2010-2013) Reference
Activity: Create a community resource link on the website connecting to community groups. (Aug. 2010) IT, Reference
Activity: Continue to provide a community bulletin board for local non-profit events. (Dec. 2010) Circulation
Activity: Create a changing display of pictures from around Canal Fulton (July 2012) ILL, Director
Activity: Create a library information packet for new residents to be added to Welcome Packet (May 2011) Circulation
Goal 1: The library will create a partnership with a community organization that will provide resources to help patrons connect to their roots.
Activity: Conduct a genealogy program using our ancestry database program. (Sept. 2010- Sept 2013) Reference
Activity: Co-sponsor historical programs with the Heritage Society, here in the library, as well out in the historical buildings. (Jan. 2013) Director
Activity: Have library liaison to Heritage Society. (Jan. 2010-2013) Director
Activity: Create links to genealogy resources on the library’s website: Stark County; Canal Fulton Heritage Society; Clinton Historical Society etc. (Oct. 2012) IT
Goal 2: The library will continue a partnership with the Northwest Local Schools in Canal Fulton.
Objective 1: The number of students that the library will provide homework help to will increase from the base year of 2010 by 10% annually for the next three years.
Activity: Offer presentations at the schools to promote library services to students. Example; KnowItNow24/7 link on the library’s website & library databases. (Oct.2010) Reference, Children’s
Activity: Provide tours of the library to classes, showing what the library has to offer the students. (Sept. 2010-2013) Reference, Children’s
Activity: Research the possibility of having quarterly meetings with Teen Institute at NW High School (Jan. 2012) YA, Reference, Children’s
Activity: Research the possibility of having quarterly meetings with the NW School Librarian (Feb. 2010-2013) YA
Activity: Library Staff will continue to attend school events such as Kindergarten registration, Orientation Night, Parents’ Night. (2010-2013) YA Reference, Children’s
Activity: Library staff will continue class visits at the Elementary. Research the possibility of regular class visits at Stinson and NW Intermediate. (Sept. 2012) Children’s
Activity: Research grants to sponsor big program and present them at the school auditorium, such as an author visit for Family Night at the School. (Jan. 2011-2013) Children’s
Activity: Offer the library for a teacher in-service: small groups for tours, card applications, navigating the website and your account, etc. (Aug. 2013) YA, Reference, Children’s.
Visit a Comfortable Place
Goal 1: The library will research and launch a project that will create a welcoming atmosphere and ultimately encourage patrons to visit with others, sit and read quietly and work independently with access to resources.
Objective 1: The library will increase the amount of comfortable seats and tables by 10% by 2012.
Activity: Use some sort of outdoor furniture (benches, small tables, etc) Utilize the back lawn for programs for example; gardening themes, music programs or the upcoming Summer Reading Program (June 2013). Director
Activity: The library will carpet the Teen area with a durable modular carpet system to give the area a quieter, more comfortable feel. (Dec. 2013). Director
Activity: Research the possibility of making the toddler room available for meetings (fee?) (Jan-April 2013). Director, Children
Activity: Provide funding and donor opportunities for individuals and businesses to sponsor furniture (Jan-Feb each year 2010-2013). Director
Objective 2: Count and access the number of “family friendly” places to sit and work, Standard: Increase by adding one to each floor, Timeframe: by 2013.
Activity: Promote the use of Laptops to create a family friendly workstation. (March-Dec 2010). Reference, Children
Activity: Provide funding and donor opportunities for individuals and businesses to sponsor furniture (Jan-March advertise 2010-2013). Director
Objective 3: The library will continue to provide a facility that is a welcoming environment to all library users over the next 3 years.
Activity: The library staff will continue to make the library a welcoming place by providing exceptional customer service to all patrons by training the staff on customer service and “perception” images in the building and at the desks. (During a staff in-service day could have a guest speaker on Customer Service or watch video on the topic) (Feb. 15, 2010). Director
Activity: Cross train employees from each department. This will give each staff member the ability to work in any department whenever necessary (Dec. 2011). All Dept. Heads
Activity: Library staff will encourage patrons to use Feedback/Suggestion forms. Forms will be dealt with in a secure and confidential manner (All year long 2010-2013). Circulation
Objective 4: Utilize a variety of methods to make locating materials easier-labels on shelves, end of aisle Labels, etc…using a mixture of Dewey and book store
Activity: The library staff will conduct library walkthroughs to view the library through the patron eyes, assessing the layout, signage, and if the space is visually appealing. (Second week of each month 2010-2013) All Dept. Heads
Activity: Create a sign “czar” that would maintain all of the signs, posters and make sure that everything in the building is current (First week of the Month 2010-2013). IT
Activity: Through the use of digital picture frames, the library will decrease paper clutter around desk areas (Circ., Ref., Children’s) A Staff member or members will be in charge of updating programming information on these picture frames to keep information current. (Dec. 2010-2013). Reference, Children’s Circulation
Activity: Replace paper signage with professional signage by using shelf labels in genres; decorate the end panels with items related to what is in the aisles. Reduce paper signs throughout the building (Dec 2011). Director, Reference
Objective 5: Address the needs of young parents/mothers
Activity: Mom’s Night Out discussion group (April & June 2010-2013). Reference
Activity: Create a section of parenting materials in the adult section of the library (Dec. 2010). Reference
GOAL 2: The library will provide accessible virtual space to residents of all ages
Objective 1: The library will provide social networking resources to residents of all ages over the next 3 years with one social networking resource emphasized a year.
Activity: Offer computer class on using Facebook & Twitter (Dec. 2010). IT
Activity: Create an online chat venue for local homeschoolers (Dec 2013). Reference, Children’s, IT
Objective 2: Library users will have accessible online resources through our website over the next 3 years. OR The Library will provide a welcoming user friendly website over the next 3 years.
Activity: Provide a virtual tour of the library on our website (July 2012). IT
Activity: Promote sign-ups to receive the newsletter via email. (Aug. 2010-2013). All Dept. Heads
Activity: Promote sign-ups to receive the email notices (June 2010). All Dept. Heads
Objective 2: Library users will have accessible online resources through our website over the next 3 years. OR The Library will provide a welcoming user friendly website over the next 3 years.
Activity Participate in KnowItNow24/7 and have a staff member on at all hours of operation. (March 2010-2013). Reference, Children’s
Activity: The library will move entirely to an online sign up for any programming. Registrations will be taken on our website. Patrons who register online will automatically receive a reminder email automatically 1 or 2 days before the event (June 2011). Reference, Children’s, IT
Goal 3: The Library will encourage families to work together to share digital resources.
Objective 1: The library will provide family computer workspace and policies that encourage families to utilize computer resources together with a 10% annual increase each year.
Activity: Revise library Internet Acceptable Use Policy for parents and children to use Internet together (July 2010) Director
Activity: Offer parent/child classes on using the library’s catalog and website. (Oct. 2012) Children’sActivity: Offer parent/child gaming events to get families involved. (July 2011) Children’s
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Activities List.xls