Mission and Three Year Plan

The mission of the Millbrook Library is to be a dynamic lifelong learning center that provides free and open access to ideas and information for our community.

Three Year Plan
2018-2021

I. FINANCIAL STRENGTH

GOAL: The Millbrook Library will maintain its financial position to ensure that it is capable of providing programs and services that respond to the needs of the community.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Increase public and private funding resources to meet growing community needs for library services.
    • Action Step: Board will plan for a 414 initiative to cover operating expense increases related to the New York State minimum wage increase.
    • Action Step: Director will pursue additional grant opportunities that will help the library increase its impact on the community.
  2. Work with Trustee of the Millbrook Library Trust so that Trust investments both meet financial performance objectives and have a positive social impact.
    • Action Step: Finance Committee will maintain regular communication with the Trustee regarding changes in the trust and its investments.
    • Action Step: Bank of Millbrook Trust Department Trustee will continue to attend Board of Trustees meetings quarterly (two Finance meetings and two regular board meetings) to communicate the trust activity for the previous quarter.
  3. Maintain and expand current fundraising efforts.
    • Action Step: Development Committee will explore other possible fundraising events, while continuing to expand the fundraising potential of the Progressive Dinner fundraiser.
  4. Reinforce existing relationships with donors and seek to increase private/personal donations.
    • Action Step: Board will support the Director in Annual Appeal fundraising by writing personalized appeal letters to current and potential major donors.
  5. Establish a vibrant Planned Giving program.
    • Action Step: Development Committee will create a planned giving brochure and a targeted list of candidates to approach for a planned giving appeal.
  6. Continue to support and encourage the Friends of the Library in their fundraising efforts.
    • Action Step: Board of Trustees’ Friends Liaison will communicate to the Board the Friends’ needs regarding support for specific fundraising events.

II. COMMUNITY IMPACT

A. GOAL: The Millbrook Library will continue to be a community anchor that provides lifelong learning opportunities.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Develop programs for library users to explore topics of personal interest and encourage lifelong learning.
    • Action Step: Director, Youth Services Coordinator and programming staff will design programs that target the following groups and which also allow for connections to be made between groups:
      • Toddlers and Preschoolers
      • School-aged children
      • Teens
      • Adults
      • Seniors
      • ENL (English as a New Language) population
    • Action Step: Director, Youth Services Coordinator and programming staff will work to partner with community organizations such as the Town of Washington Historical Society, Rotary, Millbrook Business Association, Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Millbrook Central School District and local businesses to offer programs of interest to library users of all ages.
    • Action Step: Director will search and apply for program grants that bring in performers and speakers to enhance in-house programming.
    • Action Step: Director, Youth Services Coordinator and programming staff will partner with other area public libraries to host events.
  1. Expand cultural events to enhance exposure to various cultures and celebrate similarities and differences.
    • Action Step: Director, Youth Services Coordinator and Programming staff will partner with organizations such as Arts Mid-Hudson and other local experts to provide programs that celebrate different cultures.
  2. Modify/evaluate hours to suit patron and employee needs.
    • Action Step: Director will monitor library usage via a patron counter and report results to Board.
  3. Maintain awareness of literacy needs, and provide space and support for literacy programs via a variety of media.
    • Action Step: The Director will monitor attendance at literacy programs to identify trends and use a survey and/or questionnaire to discover future needs.

B. GOAL: The Millbrook Library will understand its impact on the community and work to strengthen that connection.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Enhance and improve the relationship between the Millbrook Library and local organizations.
    • Action Step: Director and Youth Services Coordinator will attend orientations, open houses, board meetings and other events of local organizations to promote Library programs and services.
    • Action Step: Programming staff will invite local organizations to present an informational program at the Millbrook Library to inform the public of their mission and work.
    • Action Step: Director, Youth Services Coordinator and Programming staff will work with the Thorne Building Community Center (if/when renovated and operational) to develop and co-sponsor programs and events of interest to the community.
  2. Increase the community’s awareness and usage of Millbrook Library’s collection and resources.
    • Action Step: Director and staff will keep the community informed about our services and the role of libraries through monthly newsletter, social media posts and quarterly reports to local government officials.
    • Action Step: Director and staff will continually revise the Library’s website to provide easy access to library materials and services and use it as a marketing tool for the Library.
    • Action Step: Programming staff will continue sharing press releases with local press and organizations like the Rotary, Millbrook Business Association, and the Millbrook Central School District to ensure coverage and awareness of library events.
    • Action Step: Board and Director will celebrate upgrades/improvements to physical plant via ribbon cutting ceremonies, social media posts, etc.
    • Action Step: Staff will revise welcome brochures and packets that can be shared with local real estate agencies and town hall to promote the library to new and potential residents.
    • Action Step: Director and staff will promote specific segments of the collection, such as large print books, downloadable audio books or access to foreign language materials, to assure that borrowers with specific needs are aware of the Library’s offerings.
    • Action Step: Board members and Friends will use and promote library resources through attendance at library programs and sharing of social media posts.
  3. Identify community members who do not regularly use the Library, and seek ways to engage them.
    • Action Step: Use surveys and/or questionnaires to discover ways to engage community members who do not regularly use the Library.  Employ programming and/or personal invitations to attract community members who do not regularly use the Library.
  4. Understand how the community is using the library and collections and services can be improved for those patrons already engaged with the library.
    • Action Step: Director will place a suggestion box at each circulation desk for patrons to offer ideas for programming, services, etc.

III. WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

A. GOAL: The Millbrook Library will create a welcoming environment for all library users by establishing an environment that is safe, comfortable and promotes inclusivity and respectful discourse.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Improve access to the facility.
    • Action Step: Board and Director with advice from architects who specialize in libraries will work to optimize interior space to accommodate the different ways the community currently uses the library facility and resources, including quiet areas and gathering spaces.
  2. Create a safe and secure space for both staff and patrons.
    • Action Step: Buildings and Grounds Committee will explore enhanced security systems to ensure the safety of patrons and staff.
    • Action Step: Building and Grounds Committee along with the Director will develop a facilities maintenance plan that includes anticipated repairs and financial planning to provide us with sufficient funds to maintain the building and facilities, including service contracts for preventative maintenance.

B. GOAL: The Millbrook Library will provide the community with a friendly and well-trained staff.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Provide funding for staff development and training.
    • Action Step: Board will adequately budget for staff to attend available workshops and trainings that are relevant to their positions and enable them to provide better service and/or understand and implement new technologies.
  2. Ensure that staff duties and compensation remains competitive with similar libraries and that we comply with state-mandated minimum wage requirements.
    • Action Step: Personnel Committee will annually review compensation at our library and make necessary adjustments.

IV. TECHNOLOGY

A. GOAL: Millbrook Library will balance the use of new technology tools with traditional library services.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Maintain a network of public computers that meets the essential technology needs of our patrons and staff.
    • Action Step: Board will secure permanent funding to ensure that technology for staff and patrons are replaced on a consistent, scheduled, rotating basis as specified in the facilities maintenance plan.
  2. Continue to support and expand electronic remote accessing of library resources.
    • Action Step: Board and Director will explore funding for devices that allow for remote access of library resources.
  3. Host adult education events specific to technology programs and library resources/services.
    • Action Step: Use surveys and/or questionnaires to identify possible interest areas for technology programs and/or library resources/services for community members.  Schedule a program that provides an overview of possible interest areas for technology programs and/or library resources/services for community members and conduct an exit interest survey.

V. COLLECTIONS

A. GOAL: Millbrook Library will maintain a collection of books and materials, in a variety of formats that provide the community with reliable, authenticated sources of information.

OBJECTIVE:

  1. Continually evaluate print, audiovisual, and digital collections to determine usefulness, timeliness, accuracy and other criteria for keeping, adding to or withdrawing from the collection.
    • Action Step: Director and Youth Services Coordinator will purchase vibrant, timely, relevant collections in multiple formats.
    • Action Step: Director and Youth Services Coordinator continue to monitor patron trends/circulation statistics in directing weeding decisions.
    • Action Step: Director will explore cooperative contracts with vendors for new products, such as downloadable media.
    • Action Step: Establish and maintain circulation statistics for recent purchases to make sure materials selections satisfy and reflect patron and community needs.

Adopted by the Millbrook Library Board of Trustees February 27, 2018.

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