SPRINGFIELD CITY LIBRARY FY08/FY09 ACTION PLAN
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GOAL #1: Staffing and staff structure : By 2010, the Springfield City Library system will develop and implement a staffing plan that will enable the libraries to make best use of staff positions and expertise to meet community needs, continuously improve the skills and capacity of staff through professional development, support the hiring and promoting of internal candidates, involve staff in decision making, and demonstrate the value of staff with competitive salaries, benefits, and job security.
OBJECTIVES :
A. To develop and implement a comprehensive staffing plan for the central and neighborhood branches that addresses adequate staffing to maintain and expand existing services and that enables there to be management and support staff specifically designated to at most two locations in the library system and working toward a long term goal of one location.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Continue to examine library staffing patterns as they relate to public services and make recommendation to Personnel Review Committee in time for FY09 budget planning. |
February 2008 |
Bader |
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Create position description for an Adult Program Coordinator through revisions of existing position(s). |
October 2007 |
Bader |
B. To develop and implement a professional development plan that includes all levels of training for professional and support staff and volunteers at the central and the neighborhood branches.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress Report |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Activate Staff Development Committee to make prioritized recommendations regarding staff training needs. |
Committee activated 10/07 |
Bader |
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Plan & implement staff development event that focuses on customer service. |
November 2007 |
Bader |
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Develop written procedures for all administrative activities (exclude MUNIS). Train staff on procedures as appropriate. |
Documentation by |
Fogarty |
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Develop comprehensive policy manual for staff reference at each location. |
June 2008 |
Stupak |
C. In accordance with the City of Springfield's personnel policies and procedures, and all the relevant collective bargaining agreements, to implement a process for supervision and evaluation that supports quality services, professional development planning, and staff recognition and training.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Implement performance reviews for all bargaining unit & non-bargaining employees. |
Final reviews due April 2008 |
Bader |
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Implement employee-planned "Library Luminaries" staff recognition program. |
January 2008 |
Community Relations Coord. |
GOAL #2: Marketing and outreach : By 2010, the Springfield Library system will develop and implement a marketing and outreach plan designed to increase awareness and understanding of library resources and services, and increase access to and use of these resources among all segments of the community.
OBJECTIVES :
A. To articulate a comprehensive set of compelling messages about the value, programs, and operations of the library system that can be communicated in a variety of formats (print, broadcast, online) and used with key audiences and community constituencies.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Take advantage of Health & Human Services Division's marketing plan to promote library card registration campaign to other Division clients. |
October 2007- |
Cohen |
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Continue implementation of library "branding" though exterior signage project at Brightwood, Sixteen Acres, Indian Orchard, and Forest Park. |
June 2008 |
Bader |
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Promote use of STCC intern videos at local radio and television stations. |
January 2008 |
Cohen |
B. To expand existing programs, create new programs, and actively promote all programs and services that can effectively target and engage previously underserved populations, including young adults, English language learners, and seniors.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead People |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhance adult programming efforts through creation of an Adult Programming Committee that is responsible for developing an annual program budget and coordinating systemwide adult programs. | September 2007 |
Clark |
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Implement Mass Board of Library Commissioners "Equal Access" project for improved services to senior citizens. |
August 2008 |
Brandenburg |
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Implement Library Services & Technology Act grant project to enhance services for young adults at Forest Park. |
9/2007-8/2009 |
Gorman |
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Promote library literacy service through active participation in Hampden County Literacy Cabinet projects. |
Ongoing |
Bader |
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Offer at least two new programs for seniors at East Forest Park Branch. |
June 2008 |
Gorman |
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Re-establish and strengthen the Teen Advisory Board at East Forest Park. |
September 2007 Ongoing |
Gorman |
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Purchase core collection of Somali bilingual and bicultural books for selected branches. |
June 2008 |
Canosa-Albano |
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Print & distribute "Tips For Reading With Your Children": in community languages (English, Spanish, Somali, Russian, Vietnamese, Hmong, and others). |
January 2008 |
Canosa-Albano |
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Develop outreach calendar of events. |
November 2007 |
Cohen |
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As part of STARR program, offer three recruiting and networking sessions introducing new picture books; recruit four new STARR volunteers; place STARRS at the Salvation Army. |
October 2007- |
Lajoie |
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Continue and expand the American Girls Club to the Brightwood and Liberty Branches. |
Fall 2007- |
LaBroad |
C. To continue and improve the adult literacy training provided through the Library's Read/Write/Now Adult Learning Center.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Offer workshop for R/W/N learners on library circulation services that will enable them to take advantage of all library resources. Branch tours by Pine Point staff will improve learners' access and use of that facility. |
Workshop |
Kelly |
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Meet or exceed all five performance standards set by Mass. Dept. of Education for adult basic education programs: attendance, educational gains, goal attainment, rate of pre and post testing, and average hours attended. |
June 2008 |
Kelly |
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Offer student leadership activities for R/W/N learners that enhance their program and civic participation. |
June 2008 |
Kelly |
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Recruit and train new volunteer tutors to assist in R/W/N classes. |
October 2007 |
Kelly |
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Continue to participate in coordination of adult basic education services in Springfield through Adult Basic Education Partnership, Literacy Works of Hampden County, and editing & publishing Springfield's Adult Basic Education directory, which is in the library's website. |
Ongoing |
Kelly |
D. To work with other community organizations and city departments to select and implement an annual city-wide activity or theme that engages a broad cross-section of the community and that promotes the City of Springfield and its public libraries.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead People |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plan & implement a city-wide library card registration campaign. |
Kindergarten |
Canosa-Albano |
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Plan & implement bi-annual citywide poetry contest. |
Spring 2008 |
Clark |
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Plan & implement a system-wide fine-free week (i.e. amnesty program). |
Spring 2008 |
Cmero |
E. To design (and/or refine) and implement a structure for the involvement of community members in both outreach and programming for the library system .
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead People |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Provide opportunity for residents to express preferences through annual program survey. |
March annually |
Cohen |
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Install customer service survey software that is available from library computers and from home. Adjust services as necessary, based on citizen responses. |
December 2007 |
Bader |
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Create volunteer job descriptions for after-school activity leaders (knitting, puppetry, origami, etc) to offer weekly or monthly craft programs for youth at branch libraries. Recruit five new volunteers. |
May 2008 |
Couture |
GOAL #3: FUNDING : By 2010, the Springfield City Library System will have adequate funding from diverse public and private sources to support high quality and accessible programs at the central and the neighborhood branches and serving all segments of the community.
OBJECTIVES :
A. To work with the Library Commission and the Friends of the Library to advocate for increased funding from state and municipal sources, and to educate and mobilize community members and elected officials to support increased public funding for libraries.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Represent Springfield's interests on the Executive Board of the Western Mass Regional Library System. |
Ongoing |
Fogarty |
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Actively participate in meetings related to the proposed new State Aid to Libraries program. |
Ongoing |
Bader |
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Actively participate in advocacy efforts for increase state and federal funding by participating on both the MLA & ALA Legislative Committees. |
Ongoing |
Fogarty |
B. To identify, secure, and continuously increase support for the library system from foundations, corporations, and other non-municipal sources.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Secure required funding for Poetry Contest. |
Fall 2007 |
Brandenburg |
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Develop LSTA "Open Project" grant proposal related to providing health information for seniors. |
Fall/winter 2007-2008 |
Clark |
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Explore feasibility of receiving funds from Baystate Medical Center for enhanced services at Brightwood Branch Library. |
Fall 2007 |
Fogarty |
C. To develop, maintain, and continuously increase support for the library system from individuals through fundraising events, an annual appeal, and membership opportunities, in coordination with the Friends of the Library and the Library Foundation.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Continue to support all Friends of the Library fundraising activities. |
Ongoing |
Bader |
GOAL #4: Support for Springfield youth : By 2010, the Springfield City Library System will have active and collaborative relationships with a variety of organizations and institutions in the community through which it provides and supports high quality educational opportunities for the children and teens of the City.
OBJECTIVES :
A. To collaborate with City departments, such as the Springfield Public Schools and the Springfield Parks and Recreation Department, to expand the accessibility and variety of educational after-school and summer programs available for Springfield students.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress Report |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Visit Springfield Public Schools that host Park & Rec. Dept. after-school programs for card registration, read aloud sessions, and other library activities. |
May 2008 |
Coons |
B. To participate in and link with existing community-based coalitions, networks, and agencies to provide and support quality educational opportunities for Springfield children and teens.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Continue to participate actively in Step Up Springfield; attend Springfield Early Care & Educational partnership meetings; work with Springfield School volunteers and Springfield public school media specialists. |
Ongoing |
Canosa-Albano |
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Host a Step Up Springfield exhibit of student photography in the Central Library rotunda and accompanying opening reception for families and teachers. |
September 2007 |
Canosa-Albano |
C. To identify selected Springfield schools with which to pilot and develop collaborative projects that support student learning and achievement, and to document, promote, and expand these efforts over time.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Collaborate with Kensington Ave. School & FOL to bring author Anna Hines to both the school and the Forest Park Branch Library. |
November 2007 |
Gorman |
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Collaborate with White Street School to coordinate library visits that encourage reading and learning about the Library. |
9/07-6/08 |
Gorman |
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Collaborate with neighborhood schools to offer a Kindergarten Information Night at selected library locations. |
October 2007 |
Canosa Albano |
D. To refine, develop, and expand a variety of early literacy and reading readiness programs targeting young children in Springfield.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Evaluation Criteria | Progress Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Offer a Spanish language storytime at the Central Library. |
December 2007 for first two sessions. |
Canosa Albano |
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Re-activate collaboration with North End Council Day Care Centers. |
Fall 2007 |
Hodis |
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Host Mass Foundation for the Humanities Prime Time Family Reading Time series in at least two library locations. |
Fall 2008 |
Canosa-Albano |
GOAL #5: Libraries as community and information centers : By 2010, each library location will function as a robust and active community and information center, with appropriate physical space and a welcoming and engaging atmosphere, offering informational resources and social activities that reflect the interests and needs of the neighborhood.
OBECTIVES :
A. To continue and expand collaboration with library advisory committees and/or other community members from the central and neighborhood branches to determine neighborhood needs and interests.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Evaluation Criteria |
Progress Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Continue to collaborate with Library Commission to establish and/or expand Library Advisory Committees at each library. |
Ongoing |
Branch Managers |
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Continue to collaborate with Indian Orchard Mills artists through planning & implementing art exhibits and/or programs at the branch library. |
Ongoing annually |
Couture |
B. To refine, develop, and expand informational and reader's advisory services at the central and neighborhood branches that meet the expressed needs of their communities.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Launch Reader's Advisory (RA) blog on library website. |
March 2008 |
Keefe |
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Collaborate with webmaster to enhance RA web presence, including adding a revised monthly "Fiction Orders-Highlights" list that annotates less obvious titles. |
November 2007 |
Keefe |
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Organize and conduct two reader's advisory workshops for staff and LIYM volunteers. |
May 2008 |
Keefe |
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Host at least 4 author visits. |
June 2008 |
Keefe |
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Develop & implement a plan of creating at least 12 new or updated annotated fiction booklists both in print and on the website. |
December 2007 |
Keefe |
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Plan and launch an evening or weekend book discussion group at the Pine Point Branch Library. Coordinate with staff leaders of Library's other adult book discussion groups to ensure communication and effective programming efforts. |
January 2008 |
Keefe |
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Coordinate adult RA/fiction displays system-wide. |
February 2009 |
Keefe |
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Evaluate the YourNovel service and revise/recreate or discontinue, as indicated. |
November 2007 |
Keefe |
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Weed the Central Library's fiction collection to maintain size of current collection or shrink it by up to 10%; weed branch fiction collections as requested according to parameters agreed upon with branch managers. |
June 2008 |
Keefe |
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Plan and implement an adult summer reading club. |
August 2008 |
Keefe |
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| Organize and conduct a 6-session genre study for staff and Library in Your Mailbox+ volunteers. | February 2009 | Keefe |
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| Develop Reader's Advisory elements for children's and teens' web pages. | Children's - 10/07 |
CL Children's staff |
C. To develop and implement an annual educational and recreational program plan that meets the needs and interests of Springfield's diverse community.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Develop FY07/08 program plan that responds to community programming survey. |
October 2007 |
Canosa-Albano |
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Begin planning process for 100 th year anniversary celebrations for the Forest Park and Indian Orchard Branch libraries. |
FY09 |
Wilson |
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Collaborate with neighborhood residents to plan and implement a 75 th anniversary celebration at the East Springfield Branch. |
November 2007 |
Hodis |
D. To ensure an environment that enables quality library services by maintaining and improving facilities that are safe, accessible, cost effective and comfortable.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Undertake all necessary activities related to planning for a new Mason Square Branch Library. |
Ongoing |
Bader |
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Plan and implement enhanced teen area at the Sixteen Acres Branch Library. |
April 2007 |
Couture |
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If funded, plan for the implementation of the Forest Park accessibility project. |
To be determined |
Bader |
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Coordinate Library Safety Committee efforts to develop evacuation plans for each Library. |
June 2007 |
Leaders |
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Complete improvements to Central Library rotunda that will make the space more inviting and enable better marketing of collections. |
May 2008 |
Kasputis |
E. To assess the design and layout of the East Springfield, Forest Park, and Liberty Branch Libraries and develop and implement a plan for reconfiguring existing space in order to support a variety of activities consistent with the vision of the library as a community center.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Progress |
Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plan and implement enhanced teen area at Forest Park. |
Plan completed |
Fogarty |
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Plan and implement improvements to the adult reading area at Forest Park Branch. |
4/08 |
Fogarty |
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Develop and implement an improved interior signage system at E. Springfield, Liberty and Forest Park Branches. |
June 2008 |
Fogarty |
GOAL #6: Collection development and access : By 2010, the collections at the central and neighborhood branches will be specifically developed to meet expressed interests and needs of library customers and maximize the use of collection development and network resources.
OBJECTIVES :
A. To regularly review, update, and implement a collection development policy.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date | Lead Person |
Evaluation Criteria |
Progress Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Update and revise Collection Development Guidelines used by staff to supplement the Collection Development Policy. |
June 2009 |
Keefe |
B. To annually develop a collection development plan that focuses on the current interests and needs of customers at the central and neighborhood branches and that addresses print, electronic, and online aspects of the collection.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead People |
Evaluation Criteria |
Progress Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Using information from Annual Collection Plans, identify collection areas at all locations for targeted weeding; develop and implement a prioritized weeding/development schedule. |
FY08 schedule by October 2007; weeding completed by June 2008. Same months for FY09 |
Keefe |
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Make collection more accessible by developing & implementing a plan for systematic database maintenance. |
Plan by 11/07 |
Ball |
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Improve accessibility of collections by adding individual records for mass market paperbacks on order; investigate and implement as feasible individual order records for other materials not currently getting them. |
Paperbacks by 10/07 |
Ball |
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Develop an Excel spreadsheet to track collection use data provided by C/WMARS. |
May 2008 |
Frederick |
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Gather and analyze community input into collections through methods such as surveys, focus groups, and meetings. |
May of each year |
Keefe |
C. To develop and implement a plan to make new materials available to the public more quickly which utilizes relevant, cost-effective procedural and technological improvements.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead People |
Evaluation Criteria |
Progress Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Outsource processing of branch adult spoken audio materials; evaluate currently available options for outsourcing processing of other materials. |
Audio by 12/07 Evaluation of others by 10/08 |
Keefe |
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Streamline selection and acquisitions workflow by implementing Ingram's iPage grid functionality. |
November 2007 |
Ball |
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Monitor flow of materials through the department; adjust workflow and staff assignments as needed. |
ongoing |
Keefe |
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Working with both vendors & selectors, evaluate new ordering/receiving/invoicing processes and implement as feasible to streamline and speed acquisitions process. |
ongoing |
Ball |
D. To provide customer-service oriented circulation services which satisfy network requirements and maximize customer service using available network resources and technological improvements.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Evaluation Criteria |
Progress Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purchase & install self-check/media security equipment at the Central Library. |
March 2008 |
Cmero |
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Purchase & install new self-check equipment at the Sixteen Acres Branch Library. |
March 2008 |
Cmero |
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Following guidelines of revised circulation policies; request quotes for new collection agency services. Implement according to established City policies. |
December 2007 |
Cmero |
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Implement revised circulation policies related to children & young adult patron records & collection agency. |
January 2008 |
Cmero |
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Implement revised library card policy. |
September 2007 |
Cmero |
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Represent Springfield's interest on C/WMARS Circulation & Resource Sharing Committees. |
Ongoing |
Cmero |
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Improve delivery services through collaboration with Western Mass Regional Library representative to streamline stops. |
September 2007 |
Cmero |
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Investigate & implement as feasible the option of printing bills in-house, rather than at C/WMARS. |
December 2007 |
Cmero |
GOAL #7: Technology : By 2010, the Springfield City Library System will continue to provide and expand the range of relevant, innovative technologies to make library resources more accessible to the community and attract new users to the library.
OBJECTIVES :
A. To conduct and update on a regular basis a thorough analysis of current library technologies to determine how, when, and by whom they are used both on-site and remotely.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead Person |
Evaluation Criteria |
Progress Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Continue phase-in of Envisionware LPTONE & PC reservation software in at least one additional branch per year, as budget permits. |
Forest Park June 2008 |
Frederick |
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Expand wireless internet access to East Springfield, Sixteen Acres and Forest Park Branches. |
ES & SA By December 2007 FP by April 2008 |
Frederick |
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Experiment with in-house loan of laptop computers at East Springfield Branch Library. |
January 2008 |
Frederick |
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Plan for phased-in upgrade of assistive technology equipment. |
Recommendations 9/07 |
Frederick |
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Collaborate with City's Web-Developer to transfer Library website to the City's web server. |
August 2007 |
Frederick |
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Introduce enhancements to Library website, including installment of RSS feed, that will enable easier navigation and greater capability for interactive services. |
At least one RSS feed configured |
Frederick |
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Upgrade Central Library office/workroom computers to Outlook 2003. |
January 2008 |
Frederick |
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Upgrade all Gates Foundation PCs to Windows XP. |
FY09 |
Frederick |
B. To train library staff and the community about available technologies and related trends and practices and how they can be used both on-site and remotely.
| ACTIVITY | Target Completion Date |
Lead People |
Evaluation Criteria |
Progress Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Continue to conduct regularly scheduled workshops for staff and volunteers on technologies used in daily work. |
Ongoing |
Frederick |
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Offer training in Web 2.0 features, for exampleRSS feeds, blogging, wikis, podcasting, Flickr, etc. |
Plan by Jan. 2008 |
Clark |
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