Orange City Public Library is enriching a vibrant community through community development by providing exceptional service in print, digital, and material access, and engaging programming, assisted by skilled staff in a welcoming space.

Strategic Plan

The Orange City Public Library compiles a strategic plan in the course of the State Library of Iowa’s accreditation process. Discover what the library and board have in store for the future of the library.

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Community Development

The Orange City Community will benefit from increased library/community partnerships and awareness of library and community offerings.

Improve communication with community

Utilize external communication avenues, e.g. radio, city newsletter, library newsletter, social media.

Create and distribute library newsletter, offer to new cardholders
Increase social media followers 5% over 5 years

Economic Development

Partner with City of Orange City and Chamber of Commerce to meet economic needs, e.g. technology classes, meeting space

Offer technology classes for adults twice a year
Advertise business resources in newsletter and other communication avenues

Support local clubs and organizations

Provide and advertise meeting space and technology offerings, e.g. smart TVs, scan/print/fax, etc.

Advertise meeting rooms and circulating technology in newsletter and other communication avenues
Increase meeting room use 10% over 5 years

Digital Access

Library users will benefit from improved digital access and digital literacy.

Provide access to public access technologies

Complete The Edge Assessment to evaluate and inform improvements to technology offerings

Complete Edge Assessment in 2019
Make two changes to technology offerings/resources based on Edge Assessment result

Provide access to digital content

Improve offerings and advertising of digital resources, e.g. databases, e-books, courses, etc.

Evaluate database/resource offerings
Increase database/resource offerings 5% in 5 years

Provide digital literacy

Provide technology training for staff so they can assist patrons. Provide technology training for patrons in individual and group settings.

Provide technology classes for patrons twice a year

Collection Development

Library users will utilize an appealing, up-to-date collection of a variety of items, based on patron needs and interests.

Allow community input on collection

Improve communication around patron requests with progress updates

Evaluate inter-library loan requests relative to purchase requests to fulfill patron requests for materials

Improve technology offerings for patrons

Provide additional technology for patron and staff use, e.g. hardware and software, presentation tools for programs and patrons

Add one new piece of technology for patron use each year

Maintain a current and appealing collection of materials

Provide current materials of interest to patrons. Maintain a visually appealing collection.

Meet or exceed 3% withdrawal of materials annually.
Fill 95% of patron requests via purchase or inter-library loan

Enhance Reader’s Advisory

Provide material displays, promotional materials, newsletter and social media recommendations and updates. Train staff on Reader’s Advisory techniques.

Increase NoveList usage by 10% over 5 years
Hold staff training meetings for technology once a year
Increase checkouts from library displays by 5% over 5 years

Facilities

Library users will benefit from a modern, accessible, library environment.

Update building to meet needs of library and library patrons

Investigate improvements to building

Resolve 2 ADA compliance issues over 5 years
Undertake two projects over 5 years
- e.g. soundproof meeting rooms, kitchenette, ramp and bicycle parking, enclosed staff area, circulation desk, restrooms, drinking fountain.

Maintain library building and property

Adopt and conduct a regular review of maintenance for the building, e.g. carpet cleaning, paint, etc.

Create an annual maintenance schedule
Review building maintenance annually

Staff Development

Library users will enjoy quality service provided by skilled and welcoming staff.

Provide excellent customer service to all patrons

Develop customer service training for new and current staff.

Create a customer service training program for existing and new staff
Train staff in customer service according to program
Evaluate patron opinions with survey before and after training program implementation

All staff are fully trained on all library functions

Create and maintain training manual, procedures manual, and SOPs for all staff positions. Update and review policy with staff annually.

All positions create Standard Operating Procedure document
All responsibilities have at least two staff members trained in their performance by 2020
Develop a competency checklist for staff
Improve staff results on competency checklist by 10%
Hold staff training meetings for technology four times a year

Retain library employees

Evaluate staff wages and provide competitive compensation.

Conduct evaluation of staff wages based on community and field
Adjust wages based on findings if necessary

Improve circulation and shelving accuracy

Improve circulation desk staffing. Develop additional checks for circulation and shelving.

Create and utilize circulation desk schedule with designated back-up staff member
Evaluate busiest times in building
Adjust circulation desk staffing based on traffic data

Programs

Library users will enjoy diverse program offerings for a variety of ages and interest.

Ensure purpose for library programs can be articulated

Develop a mission statement for program offerings and evaluate programs accordingly.

Write mission statement for library programs
Evaluate recurring programs according to mission statement annually
Evaluate special programs according to mission statement

Diversify program offerings

Seek out programs which will attract a more diverse attendance population based on interests express in community survey and trends.

Increase adult program attendance by 10% over 5 years
Offer programs on topics/themes defined in community survey, with 5 new topics/themes introduced over 5 years.