STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 - 2018

The Rock Island Public Library

serves the public with a

collection of community

centers, outreach efforts, and

online opportunities that

provide resources to enhance

personal achievement and

stimulate the imagination.

Begin Here.

MAIN LIBRARY 401 19th Street

30/31 BRANCH 3059 30th Street

SOUTHWEST BRANCH 9010 Ridgewood Rd

ONLINE BRANCH www.rockislandlibrary.org

Strategic Planning:

In May 2013, the Rock Island Public Library Board of Trustees invited community members to serve on a Community Strategic Planning Committee that would meet to envision the city’s future and plan how the Rock Island Public Library would help the city meet that vision.

An independent facilitator used the Strategic Planning for Results process, as developed by Sandra Nelson and June Garcia. This renowned method for evaluating a community and envisioning its future helps libraries all over the world develop strong, practical plans, backed by community support.

To successfully create a strategic plan using this method, the following assumptions must be agreed upon:

1. EXCELLENCE MUST BE DEFINED LOCALLY. It results when library services match community needs, interests, and priorities.

2. EXCELLENCE IS POSSIBLE FOR ALL LIBRARIES. It rests more on commitment than on unlimited resources.

3. EXCELLENCE IS A MOVING TARGET. Even when achieved, excellence must be continually maintained.

The Board agreed to these assumptions and the strategic planning method, and the Community Strategic Planning Committee was formed.

The following plan presents the library’s goals, as determined, in priority order, by the Community Strategic Planning Committee. The objectives and activities were finalized by internal staff committees, and the Board Planning Committee. We are very excited to share this plan with you!

Angela Campbell Rock Island Public Library Director

An Overview.

LIBRARY VISION: The RIPL will be essential

to the city’s intellectual and cultural life, deeply rooted in, and responsive to, its community.

By becoming a force for

positive change and transformation, RIPL programs and services will create a more safe, healthy, and livable city.

Patrons will receive

consistent and quality customer service at all library locations, both physical and virtual.

Literacy materials,

training, and self-directed learning opportunities will be provided at the RIPL and will help educate the community, increasing its literacy rate and fostering economic development.

All RIPL locations will be

comfortable, attractive, and easily accessible.

Create Young Readers: Early Literacy.

Children from birth to age 5 will have programs and services

designed to ensure that they will enter school ready to learn

reading, writing, and listening skills.

Seventy-five percent of all children ages 5 and under will have a

library card by 2018.

Attendance at storytime sessions will increase by 15% annually.

The Hug-A-Book program will expand to five events per year.

By 2015, the library will partner with a local healthcare provider to

offer a “Reach Out and Read” program.

Literacy program evaluations will have a 90% approval rating for

staff competency, staff enthusiasm, and program value.

Activities:

Library Training Cards

Newborn Gift Bags

Literacy Program Evaluations

Targeted Marketing Plan

Learn to Read & Write: Adult, Teen and Family Literacy.

Adults and teens will have the support they need to improve

their literacy skills in order to meet their personal goals and fulfill

their responsibilities.

Teen library usage will increase 25% by 2018.

Attendance at computer literacy classes will increase by 15% in

2018.

Adult literacy program participation will increase 15% by 2018.

Family literacy program participation will increase 15% by 2018.

Activities:

Increase school visits.

Offer one-on-one

computer help.

Create a “Begin Here” helpline.

Continue and expand ESL offerings.

Offer job training programs.

Visit a Comfortable Place: Physical & Virtual Spaces.

Residents will have safe and welcoming physical places to meet

and interact with others, or to sit quietly and read, and will have

open and accessible virtual spaces that support library initiatives.

By 2018, the library will have a new website that will incorporate

our new “Begin Here” brand, and will see a 25% increase in traffic.

Library physical surroundings will improve each year, increasing

library patrons visits 10% annually.

Computer users will increase by 25% at all library locations by

2018.

A new library outreach vehicle will by purchased by 2017,

increasing library outreach initiatives and participation by 25%.

Activities:

Conduct a feasibility study of all three

library locations.

Create a maintenance plan.

Upgrade computers and network.

Stimulate the Imagination:

Residents will have resources to explore topics of personal

interest and continue to learn throughout their lives, and they

will find these resources when and where they want them.

Attendance at library programs will

increase 5% per year overall, with a

yearly average attendance of 25

people per program.

Circulation of all formats will increase

10% each year through 2018.

Reading, Viewing & Listening for pleasure.

Activities:

Strategically place mini-library kiosks

throughout the community.

Create a “personalized readers’ advisory”

service for patrons of all ages.

Develop programming partnerships within

the community to further the library’s mission.

Focus on achieving programming metrics.

Phil Ambrose Nancy Coin Carol Horstmann Ruth Ann Hyser Jim Kerr Ann Kovacs Amy Rowell Jennifer Walker

Thank you.

Community Strategic Planning Committee:

Ametra Carrol-Castaneda Anne Dickey Kate Hotle Ted Johnson Tim Knanishu Janet Masamoto Jennifer Saintfort

Staff Strategic Planning Committee:

Library Board of Trustees:

Becca Bacon Kim Brozovich Lisa Davison Ranell Dennis Tricia Kane Amy Penry Brenda Russell Emily Tobin

Nancy Coin, President Joy Murphy, Vice-President Cindy Lukasik, Past President Russ Kennel, Treasurer Michael Avgenackis

Lori Bebber Angela Campbell Kellie Kerns Sue Foster Lisa Lockheart Harriet Reddish Natalie Streucker

Nancy Hass Carol Horstmann Kevin Koski Eudell Watts III

THE ROCK ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY VALUES: Equality for all

Excellent library service

Growth & innovation

Literacy Development

Responsiveness to community needs

Strength in diversity

Strong partnerships

job hunting reading learning a fun day

researching computer projects

homework a new life

Begin

Here