With the rapid growth of eBooks, streaming audio and video
services, combined with increased usage of libraries nationwide, the public library
environment is more unsettled than it has been for many decades. To meet these
challenges the Vineyard Haven Public Library Board of Trustees and Library
Staff members engaged in a strategic planning process to involve the community
in a discussion about what the library could and should become.
Library Trustees followed the Strategic Planning for Results
model developed by the Public Library Association. This planning model
identifies 18 services responses that cover the many resources and activities
that a public library does for, or offers to, the public in an effort to meet a
set of well-defined community needs. To help form the plan, the Trustees
appointed a Long-Range Planning Committee that included both year-round and
seasonal residents.
More than 250 community members responded to two surveys
designed to help the library evaluate current services and desired
improvements. Members of the public also gathered at two community forums to
provide further feedback. It was clear from the participation at the two
community forums that the Library is a vital part of the community and a place
where people go for books, media, and information, but also for cultural
events, as a gathering place, and as a hub for information about what is going
on in the town. People place a high value on the services the Library provides
and are appreciative of everything the Library and staff does to enhance their
experience in the community as a whole.
The Library’s new plan focuses on four strategic initiatives
and outlines activities that library staff and trustees will undertake over the
next five years to meet the community’s vision. Under the plan, the library
will continue to offer a large number of programs to promote lifelong learning
and early literacy, and to provide books, films, and other materials in a
variety of formats for all ages. In addition, the library will focus on
providing information on local, national and world affairs in order to help
library patrons become informed citizens and participate in community
decision-making.
Although plan activities were slated to begin in July 2013,
Library Director Amy Ryan says that both staff and trustees are already acting
on initiatives suggested by the plan, such as improving safety around the
library grounds, increasing online resources for children, and offering
programs such as the Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions discussion
group, currently meeting at the library on Thursday evenings.
Public Libraries must have an approved Long-Range Plan on file
with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in order to apply for
both Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds and the Massachusetts
Public Library Construction Program. The library has been awarded two LSTA
grants in the past five years, including a "Conversation Circles"
grant to support English language learners, and an "Equal Access"
grant to provide lifelong learning opportunities for older adults.
The complete plan is available on the library website atwww.vhlibrary.org, and printed copies are available for review at the library.
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