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PlanofService2016–2021
June2016
48MainStreetPhoenicia,NY12464
845-688-7811Phoenicialibrary.org
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TableofContentsIntroduction...............................................................................................2
a.Background.................................................................................2
b.Demographics............................................................................2
c.Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,Challenges...................3
PlanofService............................................................................................6
GoalsandObjectives..................................................................................6
Implementation.........................................................................................8
AppendixA.FocusGroupResults............................................................11
AppendixB.SurveyofLibraryUsersandNonusers.................................16
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Introduction
TheLibrary’spreviousPlanofService,2015-2019,adopted9.18.14,waswrittenattheendofatimeofdisruptionandchangeforthePhoeniciaLibraryfollowingthedevastatingfirein2011,fundraising,andreconstruction.Theplanwasscheduledforevaluationandrevisionindepthin2016afterthelibraryhadfunctionedforayearinitsnewandexpandedspace.
ThePhoeniciaLibraryreopenedinJanuary2015.InAprilofthatyeartheBoardofTrusteesbeganaprocessofself-examinationandserviceevaluationtodeterminehowbesttodirectourresourcesdependingontheneedsandwishesofourpatrons.WithassistanceanddirectionfromtheMid-HudsonLibrarySystemstaff,theBoardconvenedacommitteetoorganizeacampaignseekingpublicinputandparticipation.Focusgroupswereheldinthesummerof2015andatownwidesurveymailedinthefallof2015.ThisdocumentdetailsthePhoeniciaLibraryPlanofServiceandcontainstheresultsofthepublicinputparticipation.ItprovidesdirectionfortheBoardofTrusteesandstaffforthecomingyears.
Background
ThePhoeniciaLibraryislocatedinPhoenicia,TownofShandaken,UlsterCounty,NY.Shandakenisaruralcommunityof3085residentsasofthe2010census.Itisknownforitsnaturalbeautywithglacier-carvedstreamsandruggedforestedmountains.
ThePhoeniciaPublicservesusersprimarilyfromShandakenofwhichPhoeniciaisitslargesthamlet.Italsoservesfamilieswithmorethanonehome,seasonalorpart-timepeopleinrentalsandvacationhomes,andresidentsofnearbyareaswhocomeforthelibrary’suniqueprograms.ThelibraryalsohoststheworldclassJerryBartlettMemorialAnglingCollection.
Demographics
SeventeenpercentofShandakenresidentsare65andolder.ComparedwithNewYorkStateasawhole,Shandaken’sagedistributionisweightedtowardolderageandahigherfractionofretirementage(65orover).DemographicdataforShandakenissimilarforPhoenicia,thelargesthamletinthetown.
Shandakenhasamedianincomeof$41,121butanaverageincomeof$63,275indicatingtheeffectoftherelativelyfewhighestincomesweightingtheaverageabovethemedianfor50%ofthetown.Overallincomesarelowerthanfortherestofthestate,amedianof$41,121
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comparedwith$58,878forNewYorkState.Forresidents65orolder,thedifferenceis$14,010vs.33,860forNewYorkState.TheUSCensusBureauestimates12.3%ofthepopulationlivesbelowthepovertyline.Thoselivingbelowthepovertylinearepredominantlysingleparentfamilieswithchildrenunder18andtheelderly.Over50%offamilieswithschool-agechildrenqualifyforthefederallunchprogram.
Thecommunityhasahighpercentageofseasonal,2ndhomes,orpart-timehousingunits,16%oroverfourtimesgreaterthanforNYStateandthecountry.
Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,andChallenges
Basedontheopinionsoflibrarypatronsthroughfocusgroups,surveys,andin-libraryinteractions,impressionsofthedirector,staff,andBoard,thereisgeneralagreementonthestrengthsofthePhoeniciaLibraryasofspring,2016.
1.Strengthsfallintofourgroupingsofenvironment,staff,collection,andprograms.
Patronsfoundthebuildingenvironmenttobefriendly,comfortable,relaxing,quiet,pleasant,warm,welcoming,homey,beautiful,clean,andbright.TheyareespeciallypleasedthatitisbackonMainStreet,handicapaccessible,andwithsomuchversatilespace.Patronsappreciatetheenergy-efficientdesign.Overallpatronsfounditamajorimprovementoverthemuch-lovedoldlibrarythatburneddownin2011.
Thestaffanddirectoraredescribedaskind,friendly,andhelpful.Theyareintegraltothefunctioningofallaspectsofthelibraryforlife-longlearning,asafeenvironment,programdevelopmentandmanagement,andcommunitybuilding.
Afterthelibrarylostitscollectioninthe2011fire,anup-datedcollectionwasacquired.Patronsliketheselectionofbooks,movies/DVDs,magazines,andnewspapersincludinge-booksandaccesstotheMid-HudsonLibrarySystem.On-sitecomputers,internet,andcellserviceareimportantaspectsofthere-vampedlibrary.
Programshostedinthelibraryareacurrentinnovation,astheoldlibrarycouldnotaccommodatethemduetolackofspace.Patronswouldliketoseethecurrentvarietyofprogramscontinue.
Children’sPrograms
Basedonsurveysandfocusgroups,children’sprogramsarepopularespeciallyStoryTime,LegoClub,andToddlerTime.
AdultProgramsarenotage-specificandaregiveinorderoffrequencyonsurveys:
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1.History/Lectures/Discussion/Classes
2.Bookclubs/readinggroups/summerreading
3.Artsandcraftsclassesandworkshops
4.Cards/games/backgammon
5.Movies
6.Communitymeetingsincluding“CoffeewithaCop”
7.Musicandukuleles
8.Talksandreadingsbyauthors
9.Everythingelse:computerhelpandstreamwalkwerementionedspecifically.Otherprogramandeventmentionswereinfrequentorcouldnotbegrouped.
2.WeaknessesIngeneral,mostpatronsfeelthelibraryisdoingagreatjobasitis.Ifanything,patronswantthelibrarytodomoreofwhatitalreadydoes:moreprogramsforadultsandchildren,andgreaterselectionofbooks,DVDs,andebooks.Afewwouldliketohavemoreopenhoursthough90%ofthosesurveyedfoundthecurrentexpandedhoursadequate.Somethingsthepublicwouldliketoseecannotbeaccomplishedduetocurrentresources:receivedonatedbooks,useofphoneforincomingFAXes,biggerspacewithmorerooms,moreparking,designatedteenroom,andadesignatedquietroom.(AtthistimeaquietspacemayberequestedintheJerryBartlettAnglersCollectionasneeded.)
3.Opportunities
Areasofidentifiedopportunitiesinclude:institutingmoregreenpracticessuchascompostingandreducingwaste,settingupmoreprogramsusingthebackyardspace,improvingcommunitypartnerships,developingtheFriendsoftheLibrary,andparticipationinthetownwebsiteandcalendar.Effortstoaddresstheseareasofopportunityarealreadyunderway.
4.Challenges
1.Thetopchallengeisfundingthelibraryoperations.Thisrequiresthecommunitytopassaballotmeasuretoensuresufficientfundingoflivingwagesforthestaffanddirector.
2.Secondbiggestchallengeiscarryingouttheprograms,events,andresourcesthepublicwantswithavailablestaffing.
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3.Fundraisersbeyondthebasicoperationsballotmeasureareneeded.CultivatingdonorsandcreatingfundraisersaredifficultwithoutanactiveFriendsoftheLibrarygroupofvolunteers.
4.Communicatinglibraryandtownnews,events,andmeetingsremainsdifficultwithoutalocalnewspaperalthoughthelibraryusesallavailablemeansinsocialmedia,sidewalkandbulletinboardpostings,emailsandwebsite.
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PlanofServicePhoeniciaLibraryMissionStatement
TheMissionofthePhoeniciaLibraryistoprovideandmaintainaccesstoaworldofenlighteningandeducationalresourcesinallmedia.Westriveforexcellenceinallareasofservicetoourcommunityandrecognizeourresponsibilitytoencouragealife-longloveoflearninginourcommunity’schildren.Wewishtoprovideawelcomingandsafespaceforallagesaswellasguidanceinthepursuitofknowledge.
InApril2016,theBoardreviewedthegoalsofitsoperationsbasedontheLibrary’sexperienceinthelastyearandinformationgatheredfrompatronsandstakeholdersthroughthestrategicplanningprocess.TheBoardidentifiedthefollowingthreegoalsconsistentwiththePhoeniciaLibraryMission,andspecific,measurablestepstomeetthesegoals.
Goal1.CreateYoungReaders:EmergentLiteracy
Objectives ActivitiesContinueoutreachtochildren
Summerreadingprogram,arthour,storyhour
Partnerwiththeschools
Artgalleryexhibits,onsiteprograms,outreachtoPTA,monthlyflier,openhouse
Continueoff-siteprogramming*
WoodlandPlayhousePhoeniciaElementarySchool
Outreachtodiversepopulations*
ESLpopulation–identifyandcontact
*requiresadditionalresources
Goal2.SatisfyCuriosity:LifelongLearningObjectives ActivitiesDigitalLiteracy–adultlearningprograms* Strengtheneffortstoimprovetechnologyskills
anddigitalcommunicationsthroughclassroomworkshopsandindividualhelp.e-audio,e-books,e-zines
JobSearchSupport HelpresearchjoblistingsandapplyforjobsResumewriting
SkillImprovements WritersinMountainspartnership,fishingworkshops,ukuleleworkshopsandjams
InformationTechnologyLibrarian* HireatechnologyspecialisttoassistpatronsProvideexcellentmaterials Keeplendinglibraryfresh–weedingcollection
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andaddingnewbooksbasedoncirculationtrendsandpatronrequests.
TargetTeens Math,writingassistancecollegeadmissionhelp;magicalcards;identifyintereststodevelopprograms,suchasserviceprojects
AdultProgramming* Continuetoofferbroadrangeofprogrammingincludingeducation,leisure,culturaltopics,readings,localhistory,arts,movies,music,gardening,localnature,outdooractivitiesandotherinterests
*requiresadditionalresourcesGoal3.MaintainaHarmoniousEnvironmentfortheCommunity:PublicandVirtualSpace
Objectives ActivitiesComfortablephysicalenvironment Clean,welllit,uncluttered,wellmaintained
physicalspacewithcomfortableseatingandtables
Culturaleventstobringpeopletogetherandencouragenewinterests
Concerts,movies,localhistory,ukuleles,fishing,artexhibits
Highlightlocaltalent/culture Designprogramsledbylocalresidentsintheirareaofinterest/expertise
Staffing* Friendly,skilledpeopleOutreachcommunications Facebook,calendar,bulletinboard,websiteProgramsdesignedtofostercommunitycommunicationsandcivicresponsibility
Coffeewithacop,Medicare,healthcarenavigation,voterregistration,legalassistance
Offerpatronsachoiceofrelaxing,socialandquietspace
CreateaquietzonebyrequestinAngler’sParlor
Partnerwithlocalbusiness,town,andcivicgroups
Providemeetingspace;AttendmeetingsofPhoeniciaBusinessAssociation,TownBoard,andhostmeetingoflocalcommitteesandcitizengroups.
*requiresadditionalresources
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ImplementationofthePlanofService1. EconomicSustainability
AttheheartofdeliveringtheplanofserviceisinsuringthePhoeniciaLibraryhassustainablefunding.AsrecommendedbyMid-HudsonLibrarySystem,PhoeniciaLibrarywillendeavortocoverallitsessentialfunctionsthroughtheguaranteedfundingofthepropertytaxlevy.Whendemandforservicesexceedsthelevy,theBoardwillreturntothevoterstodecidewhethertohaveadditionalfundingsothatthereisnotastateofdeficitorausterity.Shouldthetownrejecttherequestforincreasedfunding,serviceswillbecutbacksothattheyarewithinourmeans.Essentialfunctionsinclude,forexample:programmingcosts,annualadditionstothecollection,personnelcosts,buildingexpensesandmaintenance,andadministrativecosts(insurance,accounting,legal).Non-essentialfunctionscanbecoveredbydonationssuchasextraprogrammingandeventsforthecommunity.TheBoardwillcommittoreviewingtaxlevyfundingannually,withacommitmenttodoaballotmeasurecampaign(414)atleasteverythirdyeariffundingisnolongeradequate.
2. Strong&EffectiveStaffThestaffistheheartofthefunctioningofthelibrary.Staffmustbeselectedwithcare,andadequatelytrained.Ongoingtrainingandstaffmeetingsshouldoccurregularlysothatstaffiskeptup-to-dateinbestpractices.Adequatefundingmustbeinplacetobeabletoprovidestaffwithwagesandbenefitssufficienttoattractandretainstaffsothereisnotconstantturn-overorskilldeficit.
3. Strong&EffectiveBoardTheBoardofTrusteesprovidesoversight,determinespolicyandfundraises.TheBoardwillengageinregularTrusteeTrainingwithMidHudsonLibrarySystemforeachboardmemberevery3yearstokeepuptodateontheirresponsibilities.TheBoardwillmonitoranticipatedretirementsfromtheBoard,andworktorecruitgoodcandidates.BoardcandidateswillbevettedthroughinvitingpotentialBoardmemberstoparticipateonacommittee,involunteeractivities,orintheFriendsofthePhoeniciaLibrarypriortobeinginvitedtojointheBoard.ThisistoensureBoardmemberswhoareskilled,reliableandworkwellwithothers.ProspectiveBoardmemberswillbegiventheTrusteehandbookandrealisticunderstandingofexpectationsfortheircommitment.
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ConsiderationshouldbegiventothespecificskillssomeonehastoofferthatmightbeusefulontheBoard(p/r,legal,accounting,communications,fundraising,etc.)
4. CultivateLong-termMembershipinFriendsofthePhoeniciaLibraryTheFriendsofPhoeniciaLibraryfunctionasaneventandfundraisingarmofthelibrary.Theyalsooffersupportasvolunteersasneededandduringtheballotmeasurecampaigns(414taxlevy)operatingexpensescampaign.Cultivatingastrong,long-termmembershipoftheFriendsofthePhoeniciaLibraryisanimportantgoalforthefuture.BoardsupportbyattendingmeetingsandinvolvingFriendsinspecialeventplanningisanecessarycomponent.
5. PolicyUptodatepolicyforthelibrarykeepsthelibraryfunctioningfairly,safelyandoptimally.TheBoardanddirectorwillreviewthepolicyeveryfiveyears,andaddorchangepolicieswhentheneedarises.
6. PhysicalBuildingTheintegrityandaestheticofthebuildingisimportanttotheexperienceofthepatronsofthelibrary.Thedirectorandthebuildingcommitteewilloverseemaintenanceandrepair.Thestaffwillmaintainthebuildinginterioronaweeklybasis.
7. RelationshipwithLocalOfficialsandtheTownofShandakenAgoodrelationshipwithLocalOfficialsandtheTownisessentialforgoodlibraryservicetoresidents.TheTownBoardandtheTownClerkprovideinformationontheneedsofresidents,aswellasofferresourcesandfeedbackforthelibrary.TheDirectorwillmaintainongoingcommunicationwiththeTownSupervisorandTownClerk.TheDirectorwillworkwiththeTowntoshareeachinstitution’soutreachpublicityandtocreatecollaborationsforeducationalorTownevents.TheBoardwillattendTownBoardmeetingsregularlytospeakaboutthelibrary’sactivitiesandtokeepcurrentonwhattheissuesareintownthatthelibraryshouldbeawareof,especiallyincreatingprogramming.
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8. YearlyReviewThePlanofServicewillbereviewedannuallytoensurethelibrarystaffandBoardarefollowingitsguidelines.EachJune,thedirectorandBoardwillevaluatestrengthsandweaknessesineachoftheplan’scategories.InJuly,theresultswillbepresentedtothecommunityduringtheAnnualMeeting.Ifnecessary,arevisedServicePlanforthefollowingyearwillbeconsideredandadoptedbytheBoardinSeptember.
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APPENDIXA
PhoeniciaLibrary
FocusGroupResults
ExecutiveSummary
ResidentsofShandaken,NYthePhoeniciaLibrary’sprimaryservicearea,wereinvitedtoparticipateinoneofthreefocusgroupsconductedinmid-July2015.Thoseinvitedrangedinagefrom25to85withequalnumbersofmenandwomen.Bothusersofthelibraryandnonuserswereinvitedalthoughthemajorityofvolunteerswerelibraryusers.Finalgroupsizeswere8-10members.
Therewerethreeareasofdiscussion:communityandtrends,whatpeoplelikeaboutthelibrary,andsuggestionsforwhatthelibrarycandobetter.Highlightpointswere:
1) Allparticipantsexpressedgreatloveofthearea’snaturalbeautyandclosecommunitylife.Themostimportanttrendnotedwastheinfluxofmorepart-time,2ndhomeowners,andretirees.
2) Appreciationwasvoicedforthelibrary’snewbuilding,itssupportivestaff,collectionsincludingtheanglers’parlor,anditsgrowingnumberofprograms.Participantssawthelibraryasacenterofcommunitylife.
3) Suggestionsforchangefellintotwogeneralcategories–whatthelibraryalreadydoesandwhatitcannotdobecauseofbudgetandspaceconstraints.Mostsuggestionsarecoveredinexistinglibraryprograms.Extendedopenhourswereaddedshortlyafterthefocusgroupswereconducted.Anareaofparticularconcernwasimprovedoutreachtodiverseandunderservedresidents.Thelibraryhason-goingeffortsforoutreachunderitsprimaryaimsofemergentandlifelongliteracythoughadditionalfundingisrequired.Eveninthediscussionofsuggestedimprovements,participantscontinuedtosay,“Youaredoingagreatjob.”
FocusGroupParticipants
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Threefocusgroupsof8-10participantseachwereconvenedfrominvitedusersandnonusersofthePhoeniciaLibraryAssociation.Allthreewerefacilitatedusingthesameprocedures.Sinceallthreegroupsshowedverysimilarparticipantcharacteristics,observations,andopinions,resultsaresummarizedbelowbytopicarea.
Thegroupstakenasawholecontainedamixofmalesandfemalesaged30sto70s,mainlyfull-timelocalresidentswithafewpart-time/weekenderorseasonalpeople.Mostwerelibraryusersthoughequalnumbersofnonusershadbeeninvited.Groupparticipantstypicallyworkedintheareaorownedbusinesseshere.Manywerecommunityleaderswithexperienceinlocalorganizationsandpolitics.
CommunityandTrends
Eachfocusgroupbeganwithageneraldiscussionofwhatparticipantslikedabouttheareaandwhattrendstheysawovertime.
WhatDoYouLikeaboutLivingHere?
Asenseofcommunitywasofcentralimportance.Allgroupsspokeeloquentlyabouthowwarm,friendly,andsupportivethepeopleofthetownare.Theyhighlyvaluelivingina“quirky”,“loveable”,and“unique”townwitha“villageatmosphere.”Theunpretentiousqualityofthetownissomethingtheycherishandwishtomaintain.
ThegroupsspokeoflifeafterHurricaneIrene,notingnewandstrengthenedconnectionsamongsttownspeople,agencies,othertowns,andthecounty.
Otherpositivedescriptorscitedwere:naturalbeauty,wildlife,outdoorsportsandactivities,peacefulplacetolive,tourismanddining,creativeandtalentedresidents,culturaleventse.g.FestivaloftheVoice,andsocialclassdiversity,safeforkidsaseveryonelooksoutforthem,aplacefullofactivitiesforkids,walkabletown,accessibleviagoodroadsandpublictransportation.
Asoneparticipantputit:Itisaprotectedandnaturallyspiritualplace–“foreverwild.”Allagreeditisaspecialplace.
TrendsIdentified
Allgroupsspentagreatdealoftimediscussingon-goingchangesinareaeconomics,business,anddemographics.Tourismhaslongbeenandcontinuestobeacentralcharacteristicofthetown.NYCresidentsflocktoPhoeniciaasaplacetorecreateorhaveasummer/weekendhome.Theynotedtherearepoorintheareaandjobscanbescarce.
Ofparticularinterestwere“weekenders,”“retirees,”“seasonalpeople,”“transplants,”andthosewithtworesidencesespeciallysplitbetweenPhoenicia/ShandakenandNYC.Thepart-time,weekenders,andseasonalpeopleweretypicallyseenassuccessfulelsewhereyetcommittedtothePhoeniciaarea.
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Therewasaperceivedincreaseinthesepart-timeandseasonalpeopleespeciallycomingfromBrooklyn.Someofthegroupparticipantsidentifiedthemselvesaspart-timeorweekendersandspoketotheirloveoftheareaandneedforlibraryaccesscompatiblewiththeirschedules.
Allagreedtherehasbeenaculturalshifthere,sayingthatPhoeniciaisthe“NewHamptons”or“EastVillageNorth”andnow“BrooklynNorth.”Therewasclearprideincommunityalongwithsomeworrythattheinfluxmayupsetthelocalcommunitybalanceandraisecostofliving.AtthesametimetheywelcomedanincreaseinbusinessincludingnewbusinessesbythoserelativelynewtotheareasuchasTheGrahamandThePhoeniciaDiner.Theynotedsometensionbetweenthosebornintheareaandstilllivinghere,otherlong-termresidents,andnewcomersbutthemajorityagreednewcomersenrichedtheareaandthatmosttownspeopleweresupportiveandwelcomingtonewcomersandnewbusinesses.
LowwinterbusinessactivitywasaconcernbutnoonecouldsayhowthathaschangedovertheyearsasShandakenisnotaknownski/wintersportstown.Thefull-timeresidentsappreciatedthewinterquiet.
AtrendtomoreSpanishspeakingresidentswasnoted.Oneparticipantalsopointedouttherearenon-EnglishspeakerswhoarenotHispanicsuchasRussiansandothergroups.Theyfeltthereisaneedtobringtheparentsandchildrenintothebroadereducational,social,andsafetynetworksofthetownandthelibrarycouldplayaroleindoingthis.
Socialclassdiversitywasnotedalongwithapaucityofethnicdiversity.(Thisisborneoutincensusdata–3%Hispanicand5%allothernon-whiteincludingAfrican-American,Asian/PacificIslander,NativeAmericanandmixedrace.)
Technologywasdiscussedasacentralissue.Mostwereinfavorofimproved,updated,internet,andcellularserviceswiththelibraryasahub.Aminorityexpressedconcernformaintainingtheimportanceofbooksandnon-digitalmediaandformsofcommunications.
WhatWeLikeAbouttheLibrary
Participantswerehandedthreelargestickynotestojotdownwhattheylikedaboutthelibrary.Thepointsareintheformof“mentions”similartoopen-endedsurveyquestions.Oncethestickynoteswerecollectedandrevealedtothegroup,discussiontookplacewithgeneralagreementontheimportanceofallthequalitieslistedintheorderoftheirmentions.
SaturdayJuly11,2015group
1. Computersandinternetaccess2. Staff-patientandcaring,friendly3. Building/Facility-Communityhuborcenter,gathering,events,networking,“anchoronmain
street”4. Programs–rangeofprogramsfreeforadultsandkids5. Collection–books,DVDs,CDs,ebooksandMHLSaccess,ukes,fishingrods
TuesdayJuly14,2015group
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1. Building/Facility–meetingrooms,inviting,comfort,esthetics,centrallocation2. Staff–cheerful,friendly,competent,hard-working,efforttobecommunitypartner3. ComputersandOnlineAccess–ordering,access,resourceswebaccessible4. Programs–especiallykids’programs5. Anglers’collection
WednesdayJuly15,2015group
1. Building/Facility–centrallocation,lovelyenvironment,heartofthetown2. Staff–wonderfulwithkids,social-communityoriented,warm,friendly3. Computersandinternetaccessandcommunication–booksonline,computersinlibrary,online
magazinesandbooks,DVDs,accesstoMHLS4. Programs–tutoring,ukes,readings,poetry,kidsprograms,art,movies,“groundzerofor
communityresources”
Whatthelibrarycandobetter?
Threestickynoteswerealsohandedoutforthisquestionandtheresponsesaresummarizedbyfocusgroupbutnotinorderoffrequencyofmentionsaspointsdidnotfallintodistinctgroupsorshowstronggroupconsensus.Typically,theseweremoredisjointeddiscussionsoncethestickynoteswerehandedinandread.
SaturdayJuly11,2015group
1. Hours-extendedespeciallyforweekendersandworkingadults2. Gettingwordoutbetter,signs,calendarsetc–“ambassadors”forlibraryincommunity3. Teenservices–separatespaceforteens4. OutreachtoseniorsandSpanish-speakingresidents5. Morecollaborationwithschools6. Makegoalsoflibraryapparenttocommunityeachyear,boardtobeaccountableforfollow-up7. Educatepatronsonparking8. Needbooksale/bookexchange
TuesdayJuly14,2015group
1. Hours,longerhoursforfull-timeandweekenders–moreeveningandmorninghours,consensusforatleastFridayevening.
2. Outreachtopoor/illiterate,Spanish-speaking,teens3. Parking–wholecommunityneedstoaddressparkingintown4. Collection–morebooksinstacks,separateromanceandmysteriesfromgeneralfiction5. UseeBooks–(groupoutoftouchwithfactlibrarydoeslendebooks)6. Spacesformeetingsetctoosmall7. Usedbooksales
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WednesdayJuly15group
1. Raiseawarenessoflibraryincludingtheflyfishingcollection,rolesincommunityespeciallyforballotmeasure–mentionedpeople“alittleburntout”fromcapitalcampaignbutstillneedtogetvotersonboard
2. Parking–community-wideissue3. Expandedroleforvolunteers–“likeChristiandid”(noawarenessofFriendsofPhoenicia
Library)4. OutreachtoseniorsandSpanish-speaking5. Installbikeracks,openoutdoorreadingarea,specialplaceforteens,addflowerbox,cellservice
extender(unawarealreadyinstalled)6. Moreprograms–seniors,teens,kids,kidsscience,adultsintheevening,socials,meetings,life
skills,authorreadings,movies,lecturesandprogramsbylocals,spiritualormeditationclasses/workshops,health,baby-sittinghours,communitydancesorstreetevents
Ingeneral,themembersofthefocusgroupswereenthusiasticandpleasedwiththenewlibrarybuilding,staff,collections,andprograms.Mostsaid“Youaredoinggreat”alongwiththeirlonglistofthingstheywouldlike.Mostunderstoodthelibraryisalreadydoingmostofthethingsonthelistandthatitisalotofwork.Thebottomlineseemedtobe“Keepupthegoodwork.”Thefocusgroupparticipantswouldliketoseefocusgroupandsurvey(groupswereinformedasurveywouldbedone)summaryresultsavailabletothepublicalongwithasummaryofwhatthelibraryalreadydoes,itson-goingeffortsandlimitationsontheseefforts.
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APPENDIXB
PhoeniciaLibrary
SurveyofLibraryUsersandNonusers
ExecutiveSummary
Asurveywasdesignedpartlybasedonlocalfocusgroups.Thesurveywasmailedto2,232Shandakenresidentswithavailableaddresses.Surveyswerealsoavailableonline,atthefrontdesk,andthroughstreetoutreach.Bymid-November2015,337surveysfromusers(81%)andnonusers(19%)ofthelibrarywerecollectedandanalyzed.
1.LibraryCollectionandServices.Checkingoutbookswasbyfarthemostcommonactivityin90%ofthosesurveyed.Allagescheckedoutbookswiththehighestpercentagesforthoseunder56(95%)comparedwiththose56andolder(89%).OtheritemsfrequentlycheckedoutwereDVDs(58%),audio/CDs(34%)e-books(20%),ukuleles(10%),andfishingrods(8%).Closetohalfusedcomputers,29%madecopies(29%),readmagazines(20%),readnewspapers(20%),andsentfaxes(19%).Librarypatronsalsoreportedusingthelibrarytorelax(34%)ormeetfriends(28%).Ninetypercentfoundthelibrary’scurrentextendedhourstobeadequatefortheirneeds.
2.Programs.Sixty-sevenpercentofrespondentsattendedprogramsinthepast6months.Children’sprogramswerepopularaswere(inorderofmentions)classes/lectures,readingevents,arts/crafts,games,movies,communitymeetings,andmusic.Theprogramscloselyreflectanswerstotheopen-endedsurveyquestiononpreferredhobbieswiththeadditionofgardenandnatureprogramsthattoppedthehobbylist.
3.LikeAbouttheLibrary.Therewasoverallagreementthelibraryisdoingagreatjob.Ahighpercentagesaidtheylovethenewbuilding,thefriendlyandhelpfulstaff,thelibrarycollectionincludingfishingrodsandukuleles.Therewasapprovalforlibrary’sevolvingroleasacommunitycenterwithfreepublicprograms.
4.SuggestionsfortheFuture.Thesinglegreatestwrite-inforthisquestionwastosaythelibraryisdoingagreatjobasitis.Otherresponseswererequeststodomoreofwhatthelibraryalreadydoes:moreprograms/activities,morechildren’sprograms,moreandbetterselectionofbooks,moreDVDs,moreebooks,andmorecommunityhubactivity.
Thesesuggestionswillallbetakenintoconsiderationwithimplementationbasedonthelibrary’sstaffingandbudget.
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TobestmeettheneedsofthePhoeniciaLibraryAssociationpatrons,weconductedamulti-pronged“ListentotheCommunity”study.Theapproachesincluded:
1.Informalmeetings/interviewswithtownleaders
2.Focusgroups
3.SurveysmailedtoallShandakenresidentswithknownaddresses(2232)sentoutthefourthweekofSeptember,availableonline,atthelibraryfrontdesk,andthroughstreetoutreachnetting337respondents.Surveyscamefromusersandnon-usersofthelibrary,full-timeShandakenresidentsaswellaspart-timeandnon-residents.
Thesurveydata,includingopen-endedsurveyquestions,aresummarizedhere.
SURVEYRESULTS
Therewere337completedquestionnaires,ofwhich85(25%)weredoneonline.Thevastmajorityofquestionnaireswerefilledincompletelyexceptforwrite-inresponsesthatvariedbythequestion.Onlinesurveyshadinadvertentlyomittedthecheckboxesformaleorfemale;thus,allpointsregardingsexofrespondentsarelimitedtothepapersurveys.
Onlineresponseswereingeneralagreementwiththeresponsesofpaperquestionnairesalthoughtheyweremorelikelytohaveinternetaccessathome(95%vs.83%),tohearaboutlibraryeventsonlineandtouseonlineresources.Bothsourcesattendedprogramsandeventstoroughlythesamedegreeorslightlygreaterforonlinerespondents.Thelatterwere10%morelikelytolistreadingasahobbybutreportedlessfrequentusageofthelibrary(30%vs.18%).Theyweremorelikelytobenonresidentwithahouseholdsizegreaterthan2,andlargelyinprimeworkingyears,ages30-55.Thisprofilefitstwo-householdfamilieswhereoneparentmayliveandworkoutoftheareabutattendprogramswiththeirfamiliesorfriendsinShandaken.
Thesummariesbelowdonotbreakouttheonlineandpaperrespondentsbutgiveoverallresultsastheyareroughlysimilarinhowtheyviewthelibraryanditsservices.
SurveyRespondents’GeneralCharacteristics
Overall,agesofrespondentsrangedfrom8toover65withamedianageof51.Theagegroupswereroughlythesamebygenderuptoagefifty.Duetoahigherprevalenceoffemalesinagegroupsoverfifty,thesamplewas59%femaleoverall.Householdsizeswerefrom1to5ormorewith2themostfrequent(43%)and¼householdsofone.Sixty-sixpercentansweringthesurveywerefull-timeresidentswith22%part-timeandtheremaindernon-resident.
Eighty-sixpercentofthosecompletingthesurveyreportedinternetaccessathome.
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Tosummarize,surveyrespondentswereprimarilylocal,full-timeresidentsofthePhoeniciaLibrarycatchmentarea.Therewasgoodrepresentationinawiderangeofages,fairlyevenlysplitbygenderwiththeexceptionofthoseover59inwhichfemalesweremorefrequent.
Non-usersandUsersoftheLibrary
Attemptsweremadetoreachnon-usersofthelibrarythroughpublicannouncementsincludingsocialmedia,posters,flyers,on-the-streetoutreachandafullmailingtoallShandakenresidentswithaknownpostaladdress.
Eighty-onepercentofrespondentssaidtheyhadalibrarycard,similartotheoverall79%comingtothelibraryoften(39%)orsometimes(40%).Infrequentandneveruserscompletingsurveyswere18%and3%respectively.Theselatterarelikelyanundercountofareanon-users.
Infrequentorneverusersreportednotlivingnearbypart-timeorfull-time(41.2%),toobusy(18%),usedtheinternettoaccessmaterials(8%),orhadnoneedtovisitthelibrary(10%).
Thoseunderage65reportedthemostfrequentlibraryusewithanearlyequaldistributionofmalesandfemales.
TypesofLibraryServicesUsed
Achecklistthatalsoincludedopen-endedorwrite-inresponsestosomeitemsweregiveninthesurveywithrespondentscheckingallitemsthatapplied.Checkingoutbookswasbyfarthemostcommonactivitynotedin90%ofthosesurveyed.Allagescheckedoutbookswiththehighestpercentagesforthoseunder56(95%)comparedwiththose56andolder(89%).Thistallyincludedlargeprintbooks.
OtheritemsfrequentlycheckedoutwereDVDs(58%),audio/CDs(34%)e-books(20%),ukuleles(10%),andfishingrods(8%).
ComputerUse
Inspiteofanoverall86%prevalenceofhomeinternetaccess,46%ofthosesurveyedreportedusingcomputer-basedservicesatthelibrary.Inorderoffrequency,librarypatronsusedcomputersforemail(32%),onlinenews(19%),socialmedia(15%),work(14%),school(12%),researchonhealthissues(11%),games(10%),researchonlegal/governmentissues(9%),otherresearch(9%),andjobsearch(8%).
ReadingandOtherIn-LibraryServices
Apartfromcheckingoutitemsorusingcomputersatthelibrary,themostcommonactivitywastomakecopies(29%),readmagazines(20%),readnewspapers(20%),andsendfaxes(19%).Librarypatronsalsoreportedusingthelibrarytorelax(34%)ormeetfriends(28%)especiallyfemalesinthe20-39yearoldagegroup.Accesstothechildren’sroomwithotherchildrenandmotherslikelyfillsmultipleneedsforyoungwomen.Jobsearcheswerealsomostcommoninthisgroup.
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ProgramsandEvents
Two-thirds(67%)ofthosecompletingthesurveysaidtheyattendedprograms,events,andactivitiesinthesixmonthspriortothesurvey.Programdevelopmenthasbeenanimportantpartofthelibrarygivenitsexpandedphysicalenvironmentandcommunitycenterrolesincecompletionofthenewbuilding.
Programsattendedwererecordedbasedonopen-endedquestionsandmultipleresponseswerepossible.While67%saidtheyorfamilymembershadattendedaprogramoreventinthepastsixmonths,thismaybeanunder-countofprogram/eventsasawhole.Forexample,thegrandopeningofthelibrarywasattendedbyalargenumberofpeoplebutonly4%ofsurveyrespondentssaidtheyattendedtheopening.Theprogram“mentions”intheopen-endedquestionscanserveasarelativemeasureofprogrampopularitywithinthegroupcompletingthesurveybutnotforthelargercommunityoverlongerperiodsoftime.
Children’sPrograms
Forprogramsandeventsfocusedonchildren(notincludingteens),themostfrequentwrite-inwasagenericmentionof“Children’sPrograms”followedbyKids’Room,StoryTelling/StoryTime,LegoClub,Mr.Bubbles,andToddlerTime.
ProgramsforGeneralPublic,notage-specific
1.History/Lectures/Discussion/Classesasagroupingofprogramsnettedthegreatestnumberofmentions(24%ofthoseansweringthisquestion).Itwillbenecessarytoexamineactualattendancenumbersforspecificprograms/eventsinthisgrouptoforthoseofgreatestinterest.Thesurveydatadonotpermitspecificbreakdown.Someofthesementionsmayoverlapotherswrittenindifferentterms,forexample,“classes”mayincludeart,computers,healthinformationetc.whentheyarenotgivenspecificdescriptions.
2.Thesecondmostcommonsetofmentionswereforbookclubs/readinggroups/summerreading(19%).
3.Artsandcraftsclassesandworkshopswerecommonlymentioned(16%).Theseprograms,regardlessofagegroup,areastrongpartofthelibraryprogramservicesandareoftenwellattended.
4.Cards/games/backgammonasagroupranked4thinprogrammentions(11%)
5.Moviesrankedfifthinmentions(10%).
6.Communitymeetingsincluding“CoffeewithaCop”werenotednearlyasoftenasmovies9%).
7.Musicandukulelestogetherranked6thnotedby8%ofrespondentstothisquestion.Asmoremusiceventsaresetup,thesenumberswilllikelychangeespeciallygiventhelibrary’spackedhouseforarecentlivemusicevent.
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8.Talksandreadingsbyauthorswerementionedby7%ofthosefillingoutthisquestion.
9.Everythingelse:computerhelpandstreamwalkwerementionedspecifically.Otherprogramandeventmentionswereinfrequentorcouldnotbegrouped.
Theprogramsandeventslistedinthisopen-endedquestionarepartlyareflectionoftheprogramsthatwereavailableinthesixmonthspriortothesurveyandnotnecessarilyanaccountingofwhatpatronswouldliketoseeandattendinthefuture.Anopen-endedquestionaddressesthispointasdidthefocusgroups.
Hobbies/Pastimes
Inordertoassessthefitofcurrentprogramsandtodeveloppotentialfutureprogramsorevents,thesurveyaskedrespondentstolisthobbiesandpastimes.Thisquestionwasawrite-inandmorethanoneitemcouldbelisted.
Seventy-eightpercentofallthosesurveyedansweredthisopen-endedquestion(greaterthanthe66%answeringopen-endedquestionsaboutlibraryprograms/events).Themostcommonsingleresponsewasreading(47%),followedbygardening(21%).
Whengrouped,outdoorsports/activities(notincludinggardening)werementionedby1/3ofallthoseansweringthisquestion:hiking14%,nature/outdoors7%,biking5%,swimming5%,fishing4%,skiing4%,andgolf1%.
Groupedtogetherartsandrelatedmentionswerecommon:art7%,writing7%,photography6%,crafts4%,painting4%,playinganinstrument4%.Musicwaslistedby13%ofrespondentsbutitwasnotclearifitreferredtoplayingmusiconeself,listeningtoothers,orboth.
Domesticartsmentionsincluded:cooking15%,sewing3%,knitting4%,andwoodworking(asahobby)4%.
Exercisenotspecifiedasoutdoorswaslistedandincluded:genericphysicalexercise/fitness5.8%,yoga4%,anddancing4%.
Theremainingmentionsweremovies9%(unclearasanartorentertainmentorboth),socializing6%,travel5%,andcomputers2%.
Ingeneral,thepastimesandhobbiesofrespondentscloselytracktotheprogramsandeventsofthelibrary.Thoseansweringthesurveyareaboveallelsebookreadersandthatisreflectedthroughoutthesurveyincludinginusagesofthelibraryservicesanditsprograms.
AdequacyofHours
PhoeniciaLibraryextendeditsopenhoursbeforethesurveylaunchand90%oftherespondentsfoundthehoursadequate.Priortothesurvey,focusgroupparticipantsandlibrarypatronshadexpressedtheneedformoreopenhoursespeciallyaneveningwhenpart-timeresidentsandthosewithlong
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commutescouldgettothelibrary.Fridayhourswereextendedasaresultwiththesurveyconfirmingtheadequacyofthischange.
GettingtheWordOut
Wordofmouthwasthenumberonemethodoffindingoutaboutlibraryeventsandprograms(41%)closelyfollowedbyFacebook(38%),bulletinboardsatlibrary(37%),Sandwichboardatlibrary(36%),flyers(28%),email(26%),librarywebsite14%),andaheterogeneoussetoflessfrequentmethodsincludinglocalpapers.
Ingeneral,thelibraryisusingmultipleapproachestonotifythepublicandthepublicisdoingthebiggestjobitselfthroughwordofmouth.
WhatPeopleLikeabouttheLibraryandWhatWeCanDoBetter
Theseopen-endedquestionswereattheendofthesurvey.Eighty-eightpercentofthosesurveyedansweredthefirstquestiononwhattheylikeaboutthelibrary.Thesecondquestiononwhatthelibrarycandobetterhadafarlowerresponserateof55%andthefinalquestiononwhatthelibrarycandotoserveneedsbetterwasansweredbyonly40%.
Thissectionsummarizesoverallresponsestothesethreequestions.Thenextsectionoffersasamplingofspecificquotes.
WhatPeopleLikeabouttheLibrary(88%response)
Forty-one%ofthoseansweringthisquestionfoundthebuildingenvironmentoratmospheretotheirliking.Descriptorsinthiscategoryincludedfriendly,comfortable,relaxing,quiet,pleasant,warm,welcoming/inviting,homey,social,beautiful,easyaccess,nicespatiallayout,clean,bright.
Thirty-sevenpercentmentionedthestaffasnice,friendly,andhelpful.
Librarymaterialswerementionedby25%ofrespondentswholikedtheselectionofbooks,movies/DVDs,computers,magazines,newspapers,andart.Programswerementionedby15%whoindicatedtheylikedthevarietywithsomespecificmentionsforchildren’sprograms.
Patronslikedthelibrary’sroleasacommunitycenter(13%).
WhattheLibraryCanDoBetter(55%response)andWhattheLibraryCanDotoServeNeedsBetter(40%)responseswerecombinedasrespondentstooktheytobethesamepointaskedtwoways.
Thesinglegreatestwrite-intothiscombinedquestionwastosaythelibraryisdoingagreatjobasitis(26%)orthatthereisnothingitneedstodobetter(13%).Otherresponseswererequeststodomoreofwhatthelibraryalreadydoes:moreprograms/activities,morechildren’sprograms,moreandbetterselectionofbooks,moreDVDs,moreebooks,morespace,morecommunityhubactivity,morechairs.Somerespondentsaskedforlongerhoursandmoreweekendhours,butaspointedoutpreviouslyinnumericaldata,90%werepleasedwiththecurrenthours.