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Coeur d’Alene Public Library

Long Range Plan

June 2012

Since 2007 when the new Coeur d’Alene Public Library opened, library usage has blossomed. The demand for new technologies, new media and other non-traditional library services, and for traditional services such as leisure reading and children’s programs continues to increase.

Executive Summary

For several years the Board and administrative staff of the Coeur d’Alene  Public Library have realized the need for an updated Long Range Plan in order to develop long and short term strategies for delivering and improving services to Coeur d’Alene citizens. The Board established a Planning Sub-Committee made up of Board members and library administration. The Idaho Commission for Libraries North Idaho consultant, Jan Wall, assisted by facilitating the Board and library administration and then the library staff through an exercise to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).

From the information gathered in these sessions, common themes emerged with focus on customer service being paramount.

The Coeur d’Alene Library Board of Trustees’ long range plan represents the culmination of analysis of patron, staff, and community feedback. This plan describes a long-term vision to guide the development of library services in Coeur d’Alene.

Vision Statement

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library will be a modern 21st century library that satisfies community library needs through an exceptional multimedia collection and an excellent staff. Our personal touch and responsiveness to changing needs will provide an intergenerational public space that becomes an inviting community hub for all our residents.

We envision the 21st century library to be a both a physical place and a virtual space for residents to meet, share ideas, be entertained, educated and informed.

Library users will experience this vision when they use the services of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. They will find a library that will:

• Be innovative and continually changing, and adapting to meet community needs.

• Be a safe and secure welcoming location for our community’s students with materials, spaces, and activities to engage their interest.

• Be a welcoming, inviting community hub connecting a diverse population of users to their community and to each other.

Mission Statement

The Coeur d'Alene Public Library is committed to excellence in library services. Dedicated to lifelong learning, the library provides free and equal access to a full range of historical, intellectual, and cultural resources.

The Board is aware of the existing and potential value of the library to this community. Use increased by 98% after opening the new building in 2005.

After plateauing for nearly a year, library use is on the rise again but in our commitment to excellence we identified concerns to address to increase and enhance library usage and function. These are:

- Assuring adequate parking for library patrons

- Increasing library hours of operation

- Providing more adequate staffing to meet increasing demand

- Increasing multimedia collection development

- Providing more program opportunities for all ages.

The following goals and objectives address these concerns:

GOAL #1: To continue to be aware of, and responsive to, community needs.

Objectives:

• Increase young adult programming.
• Track changes in demographics in order to provide access to materials that meet the needs of all members of the community.
• Interact with community groups
• Continue to maintain a close relationship with community schools, both public and private.
• Seek input from residents, both library users and non-users, on a regular basis.
•  Plan programming for residents of all ages. Continue to collaborate with area libraries on improving library services, sharing resources, and providing programs.

GOAL #2: To maintain an environment that is welcoming and safe for Library patrons and staff.

Objectives:

• Through technology and planning continue to explore ways to make the library safe and secure for both staff and patrons,
• Emphasize customer service throughout the Library, both at traditional service desks and by expanding library staffing into currently understaffed areas.
• Increase and improve signage and other finding aids for patrons.
• Address parking lot issues

GOAL #3: To keep abreast of changing technology in the provision of materials, information and patron access.

Objectives:

• Continue to support and expand electronic remote accessing of library resources
• Explore new ways of providing patrons with information about library services.
• Continue to explore new ways of providing patrons with library services such as IM and live chat reference.
• Explore new ways to assist library patrons in utilizing library services and technology.
• Continually update library catalog and circulation system as needed for patron needs.
• Offer technology related library programs.

GOAL #4: To continue to establish, maintain, and grow a relevant collection of books and materials in a variety of formats.

Objectives:

• Provide an adequate materials budget that includes guidelines for the number of copies of titles to be purchased that identifies subject areas that need continuous purchasing.
• Regularly weed collection replacing items when necessary.
• Improve the adult collection by purchasing multiple copies of high demand titles by popular authors and in popular subject areas identified in the collection development plan.
• Improve the children’s collection by purchasing multiple copies of popular books as identified generally in the collection development plan.
• Expand the young adult materials collection.
• Expand online holdings of ebooks and audiobooks for all ages
• Maintain communication with the mayor and city council and the city administration regarding the Library’s long and short term capital needs.
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GOAL #5: To provide community members with increased access to library materials and services.

Objectives:

• Increase number of open hours
• Reserve adequate parking for patrons
• Assure Library online information readable on every device.
• Educate community regarding the use of the expanded network system

GOAL#6: To retain current library staff and increase the number of staff to better serve patrons.

Objectives:

• Develop and fund more professional positions
• Hire a librarian for young adult programming and collection development
• Fund benefits for part-time staff
• Increase programming hours for part-time staff
• Increase number of library staff positions to the standard of .5 staff FTE per every 1,000 residents.
• Secure grants via the library foundation for continuing education leading to library degrees.

GOAL #7: To keep staff members abreast of changing technology, community needs and ways of finding and providing information.

Objectives:

• Seek additional funding for staff development and training.
• Continue to foster staff development through attendance at statewide and regional workshops and conferences and other educational meetings.
• Provide in-house support and training for staff members seeking to understand and/or implement new technologies, through formal training from other staff members, outside consultants, or other means at our disposal
• Encourage staff to pursue educational opportunities related to library science.