Iowa City Public Library Strategic Plan

Fiscal Year 2008

Mission Statement

The Iowa City Public Library encourages and sustains a literate, informed, and diverse community; is committed to equal accessibility, intellectual freedom, and life-long learning; and provides a community gathering place for meetings and programming for the benefit of the public.

Vision Statement

The Iowa City Public Library will be the best choice for information, quality collections, outstanding programs, and exceptional service. The library will be a trusted civic, cultural, social, and learning center and a welcoming place for relaxation, the exchange of ideas, and interaction among people.

I. COLLECTIONS: Offer and promote quality collections that inform, enrich, and entertain, reflecting a diverse community.

  1. Improve the quality and condition of library collections.
    1. Improve physical condition of all collections.
    2. Identify collections for development projects annually.
    3. Continue phase-out of video and cassette formats.
    4. Evaluate circulating multi-media and consider downloadable options for video games.
    5. Track use of print reference materials.
  2. Pursue innovative methods of offering content.
    1. Work with new eAudio vendor to provide content.
    2. Expand digital history collection project.
    3. Offer more online content.
    4. Offer Library Channel programs via streaming video.
  3. Offer materials that attract new users and serve our communitys changing demographics.
    1. Improve collections in languages other than English.
    2. Improve outreach collections.
    3. Strengthen collections that serve the specific needs and interests of people over age 55.
  4. Develop creative methods to market and promote library collections.
    1. Train selectors in promoting library materials.
    2. Explore podcasts to promote collections.
    3. Promote online databases.
    4. Increase Channel 10 promotion of collections.
    5. Add collection plans to website.

II. PROGRAMS/SERVICES: Offer high quality programs and services that reflect community interests and needs.

  1. Ensure that reference, readers advisory, outreach, and circulation services are innovative and meet community needs.
    1. Provide patron self-registration.
    2. Review stops on library cards to improve service.
    3. Expand delivery of programs and materials to outreach sites. See I.C.2.a-d.
    4. Establish and promote reference chat service.
  2. Provide a variety of programs for Library users of all ages and abilities.
    1. Plan for FY09 Winter Teen and Adult Reading Program.
    2. Offer programs to adults over 55.
    3. Expand class use and instruction in Computer Lab.
    4. Complete Hancher Childrens Museum partnership.
    5. Begin planning for five year building anniversary events.
  3. Develop and improve programs and services to reach out to those who cannot or do not come to the Library.
    1. Work with bilingual volunteers to assist in programming and services.
    2. Continue outreach to at-risk teens.
    3. Offer book discussions outside the Library.
    4. Provide ongoing training and opportunities for more staff to become confident in conversational Spanish.
    5. Increase outreach to under-served children.

III. CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND ACCESS: Make the library accessible and easy to use.

  1. Provide options for convenient access to library services.
    1. Expand and improve library listservs and RSS feeds for Library News, Library Programs, Library Collections, and
    2. Evaluate placement of collections.
    3. Introduce new design for web catalog.
  2. Improve access for the unserved and the underserved.
    1. Actively promote At Home service.
    2. Experiment with free transit rides to Library in the summer to improve library card access.
    3. Offer Teen Tech hours in Computer Lab.
  3. Provide helpful and patron-focused service delivery.
    1. Educate patrons to optimize use of self-service features such as renewals, hold-placing and canceling, preferred searches, etc.
    2. Develop consistent standards and evaluate all staff on customer service skills.
    3. Consider keychain size barcode cards to make checkout more convenient for patrons.
    4. Provide a flyer to explain how and where parking tickets may be appealed.
    5. Provide staff assistance away from public service desks.

IV. COMMUNITY BUILDING: Be a catalyst for building our community's pride and ownership in the free public library.

  1. Assume a prominent role as a community center for the exchange of ideas and information.
    1. Review meeting room equipment to assure it is meeting the current needs of the community.
    2. Make www.icpl.org Iowa Citys most desirable homepage.
    3. Promote meeting room and display opportunities to local organizations.
    4. Sponsor family activity fair to provide parents with information about activities and organizations available in the community.
  2. Strengthen the Librarys role within the community through partnerships.
    1. Invite corridor libraries to explore opportunities for collaboration.
    2. Increase involvement of the Iowa City Public Library with efforts to promote the downtown and cultural districts.
  3. Increase awareness of the Library and its services.
    1. Expand ICPL Online Community.
    2. Institute public relations plan recommendations.
    3. Develop a marketing campaign to promote reference services and online databases.
  4. Encourage community involvement through volunteerism and financial support.
    1. Schedule donor recognition event.
    2. Introduce Carnegie Society to promote planned giving.
    3. Present City with final payment for Reaching New Heights campaign.
    4. Complete Friends Foundation Strategic Plan.
    5. Expand opportunities for Library volunteers.

V. STAFF: Provide a well-educated staff to anticipate and meet the varied expectations of our users and to create a satisfying work environment.

  1. Allocate staff resources to areas of greatest need.
    1. Increase amount of staff time allocated to identified areas.
    2. Consider organizational changes that improve efficiency and enhance service.
  2. Provide training that enhances the staffs ability to deliver excellent service and offers job enrichment and advancement opportunities.
    1. Review and revise all staff orientation information.
    2. Train at least one staff person at each public service desk in conversational Spanish.
    3. Develop and document department-level plan for staff development/training.
    4. Share information about departmental operations with all staff.
  3. Foster pride in and respect for excellent job performance.
    1. Encourage more social gatherings for staff.
    2. Support opportunities for all library staff to interact with other area library staff.
    3. Provide opportunities for staff to highlight their job activities.

VI. FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENT: Ensure that the building, furnishings, and equipment are well maintained and accessible.

  1. Provide an environment that is welcoming, clean and safe.
    1. Review Librarys disaster plan.
    2. Improve signage.
    3. Assess lighting needs.
    4. Consider reconfiguring furniture, seating areas, and shelving.
    5. Improve building security.
  2. Provide the technical infrastructure needed to support library operations.
    1. Implement Event Manager software upgrades.
    2. Assess the library wireless hardware and software and upgrade if needed.
    3. Upgrade software on public Internet and Computer Lab workstations.
    4. Design, develop, and deploy new staff intranet.
    5. Provide secure means for staff access the local area network from remote locations.
    6. Provide staff with access to email and calendar using mobile devices.
    7. Replace local area network file and mail servers and upgrade main network operating system.
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