a strategic plan for 'anythink libraries

ANYTHINK STRATEGIC PLANBy Holly Caro, Susan Elder, Jennifer Roberts & Lisa Wood

Anythink Service Area Anythink serves the

population of Adams County, except for Westminster, Aurora, and Deer Trail School District 26-J

There are currently seven Anythink Library branches, including Outreach Services

The eighth branch, Wright Farms, is scheduled to open in July of 2010

Anythink History Adams County Library

established 1953 Becomes Adams County

Library System 1988 Taxpayers approve Mill

Levy that creates Rangeview Library District-January 2004

Anythink brand rolled out September 2009

Anythink Milestones

2/09- Rangeview goes fine free. 5/09- Bennett Branch reopens (first rebuild) 7/09- Rangeview “Breaks up with Dewey” 9/09- Anythink brand is launched with Brighton

Branch opening.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths Mill Levy funding provides

long term financial stability. Professional marketing

program implemented- Anythink brand

All buildings will be new or remodeled by 2011

80% of materials published after 2005

New job descriptions, pay raises, and core competencies

Weaknesses Only 16.5% of population

has a library card Non-intuitive website

does not reflect Anythink vision

Lack of signage, labeling, and catalog access in Spanish

Ongoing cost of marketing and new technology

SWOT Analysis

Opportunities Creation of user-friendly

environment to increase library usage in community.

New technology will allow library to be a training center for elderly, baby boomers, and underserved.

Create volunteer program to add to community response.

Expand Friends of the Library for funding opportunities.

Threats Funding model shifts on a 3-

year basis- difficult to predict effects of economic downturn.

First system to fully implement BISAC in every library.

Unique vision depends on continued support of Board and Administration.

Many changes in a very short time period.

These challenges can all be overcome with strong communiyt support.

All of these challenges can be overcome with strong community

support.

GOAL 1A. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

GOAL 1A:

Increase the frequency and satisfaction of library use among the Spanish speaking population of Adams County* by increasing accessibility to information resources, and creating a welcoming, bilingual library environment.

*The majority of the 15-38% foreign language households in any given library branch community.

Presentation – Goal 1A

Why a priority? What are the best Strategies? How best identify Key Issues? Why Early Literacy? Plan for action

Research-based strategiesWhat research was used?

Existing local market researchWhat does it tell us? EX: less than 17% patron-

base w/ card

Current expert research in bi-lingual field Papers -

2004 70th International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) General Conference

2004 American Library Association (ALA) conference

Expert Authors -Camille AlireOrland ArchibequeSharon Chickering MollerMarielena Fina

2 Key Problems Collection Development (CD)

Organization of materials Physical placement

Ease of accessibility

Subject headingsEx.: Latina = physically handicapped ?

Signage

85% of a child’s language develops between birth and age 5 (Reeves, B. n.d.).

Focus on children in Spanish-speaking homes between ages of birth – 5 years old.

Early Childhood Education

Impact of Reading:

A good children’s book is three times richer in vocabulary than conversation. (Trealease, J., n.d.)

2007 poverty rate nationally for Latinos was 21.7%, up from 20.6% in 2006 (U.S. Census

Bureau, 2008).

Given the large percentage of Spanish-speakers in this library district, the impact such factors can have on a community are indicated as follows:

Failure to graduate . . . Staggering loss in human potential. One analysis estimated that the lost potential of students not graduating from high school costs Colorado $3.4 billion per year (Colorado Children’s Campaign & CEPA, 2009).

30% less likely to go to any college70% more likely to never hold a job70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime70% more likely to drop-out of school

Early childhood programs are the most cost-effective way to ensure the healthy development of children in poverty and offer the greatest returns to society.

Children born into poverty are:

Goal 1A. Increase the frequency and satisfaction of library use among the Spanish speaking population of Adams County* by increasing accessibility to information resources, and creating a welcoming, bilingual library environment. 

*The majority of the 15-38% foreign language households in any given library branch community.

Strategies:•Add bi-lingual speakers to schedule as greeters/tour guides and reference help: Spanish-speaking LIS professionals, para-professionals , & volunteers.

•Establish communication with Latino organizations, media.

•Improve services and programs for Spanish-speaking children.

•Conduct survey on Spanish speakers’ information-seeking behaviors and attitudes towards strengths & weaknesses of library’s services.

•Improve organization of Spanish materials in the browsing collections: Shelving Easy accessibility Labeling in relation to culture (cultural sensitivity)

•Install bilingual Spanish/English signage and collateral throughout the library.•Extend bilingual signage use to other branch libraries in District if evidence indicates it is successful.

Methods of Measurement:

•Surveys to determine patron ratings – written

•Surveys to determine patron response – verbal

•Rate of increase in Latino card-holders

•Number of people attending bi-lingual storytime

•Number of Latino customers visiting library/attending programs

•Rate of increase of circulation to Latino patrons

References

Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything. (2009). Retrieved March 10, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbSp88PBe9E

Colorado Children’s Campaign & CEPA (2009). Governor’s Colorado P-20 Council Brief: The Graduation Gap In Colorado. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from Governor's Colorado P-20 Council Brief: The Graduation Gap in Colorado

Reeves, Babette. (n.d.) [Brochure]. Toddler time at Southern Peaks Public Library

Trealease, J. (n.d.) [Brochure]. Why read aloud to children? U.S. Census Press Release. (2008). Household Income

Rises, Poverty Rate Unchanged, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

Goal 3: Small Business Community Outreach

Small Businesses. . . .

Represent 99.% of all employer firms. Pay 45% of the national payroll. Have generated 60%-80% of jobs

annually over the last decade. Create more than 50% of the non-farm

GDP.

What do we have to offer the small business community?

Information Access to:

Business Plan Development Sources

Marketing and Demographic Data

Funding and Mentorship Sources

Why Should we reach out to Entrepreneurs?

Anythink funding is dependent on the economic health of the community

We can provide very relevant information inexpensively, and using existing resources.

We will reach out to non traditional library users by providing a strong, value-added services.

Where do we start???

1. Create a Library Task Force to determine key staff players and the amount of time available for the project.

2. Determine the first library for a pilot project.3. Conduct a Community Analysis to determine the

economic outlook, key industries, and projected growth of the target area.

4. Identify and begin contacting key players one on one to form relationships and research strategies.

5. Implement a planning session for all partners, paid for by the library, to brainstorm service ideas and create timelines for program development.

Then what???

1. Work with library staff and partners to design programs targeting the small business community.

2. Implement programs following timeline created in planning session, and one-on-one meetings.

3. Meet with team after each session to discuss what was effective, look over evaluations, and strategize improvements.

4. Determine the next library to take on the program.

5. Train library staff and provide continued support.

How much will this cost? Existing staff time $500.00 for increased

mileage reimbursements

$3,000.00 for extra business reference materials

Potential future cost of increased staff and business related databases.

“Most small businesses are micro-enterprises with fewer than five employees. They don’t have the

resources to pay for outside research or marketing services. Getting the right information can make a critical difference to their survival and success. The

public library can provide the information these small businesses need.”

- Christine Hamilton-Pennell, CAL Conference 2009