Strategic Plan Highlights
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Goal 1: Strengthen Early Literacy and Lifelong Learning Goal 2: Expand Access to Information Goal 3: Deliver Exemplary Services Goal 4: Maintain High Quality Collections Goal 5: Optimize Stewardship of Library Resources |
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Goal 1: Strengthen Early Literacy and Lifelong Learning
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Summer Reading Program Total program attendance was 2,054, and nearly all of the summer's 112 children's programs were filled. |
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Every Child Ready to Read |
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READ IT OFF Library patrons under the age of 18 can now enroll in a reading/literacy program in lieu of payment of fines. "Read It Off" credit earned through each use and return of designated library materials is applied to reduce library fines and fees. In the seven months this new program operated in 2009, the program served 265 youth who otherwise would have been turned away from checkout. |
| "The Read It Off Program has brought us back to the library. It's one of the best things I've seen at the library."--mother of four | |
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New positions for learning initiatives An Outreach Programming Librarian provided storytimes and other programming for children, teachers, parents, and caregivers at Head Start and childcare centers. A full-time Homework Help Librarian allowed the Homework Help Center for Grades K-6 to more effectively serve low-income children. Two MCCSC reading specialists and a math teacher provided training for IU student volunteers. A new Reference Librarian/Teen Programmer began working on teen services system-wide, building relationships with the Project School and New Tech High School, forming a teen advisory group at the Ellettsville Branch, and strengthening the Math Homework Help program--a partnership with MCCSC and the Monroe County Education Association, which marked 20 years of helping teens. |
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VITAL tutor survey |
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Job Search Initiative Monthly Job Search/WorkOne nights provided one-to-one consultations with employment specialists, help navigating Indiana Career Connect, and resume review and interview preparation with HR professionals. Many jobs require online applications, and VITAL and Adult/Teen staff assisted patrons in using library resources and computers. 
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Goal 2: Expand Access to Information
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80 years of Bookmobile service A bookmobile has served since 1929 as Monroe County Public Library's rolling branch with scheduled weekly stops throughout the county. Bookmobile circulation this year was 95,017, up 5.5%. The County Council approved the library's 2010 Capital Projects Plan with funding for a new bookmobile to replace the library's 13-year-old vehicle. |
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More direct access to local government |
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New interactions through social media |
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Legal help at the library |
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Training on grant resources |
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Goal 3. Deliver Exemplary Service
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More self-service options Self-service circulation jumped from 22% to 32%. Checkout also got more earth-friendly as the library moved away from plastic bags to reusable green bookbags. |
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Meeting Patron Needs The library upgraded projection equipment in the first floor meetings rooms and library auditorium. Staff processed an all-time high of 2,113 holds for pickup in a single day, double the previous daily average of 1,104 holds. Staff placed more than 7,000 "Author Alert" holds for patrons when new titles by their favorite authors were added to the collection. Low income and elderly residents made 943 visits to Volunteer Tax Help, February-April 15, in this community partnership program. |
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"The taxpayers we help find the library a wonderful, welcoming place."--AARP Tax-Aide Coordinator |
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Engaging experiences Patrons got to Meet Mozart, Decorate a Library Floor, engage in Seusspicious Behavior, enjoy Scaly Tailz and live music programs, learn Cartooning with Joe Lee, explore the roots and legends of country blues through music and film, get "Buried in Books" during the Winter Reading Program, create a unique work during 12-hour Comic Book Day, find out how Worlds Connect @ your library during National Library Week, and much more through MCPL's 1,773 programs. |
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Technology updated The library purchased new computer signup/time management software and 47 new computers for the public areas of the Downtown Library and Ellettsville Branch. Twenty-three employees completed Web 2.0 training to be prepared for questions that patrons ask. |
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Goal 4: Maintain High Quality Collections
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Downloadable audiobooks take off Some 200 people toured the Digital Bookmobile, which parked on Lincoln St. one rainy July day with its multimedia learning stations for downloadable audiobooks and mobile devices. The library shortened the loan period for downloadables, made early "virtual return" of titles possible, and by November, circulation rose to 500 titles |
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Collection development and promotion MCPL maintained its commitment to development of the collection at $1 million and was able to fill 87% of patron suggestions for purchase. The library held three focus groups with patrons who frequently check out movies to learn how to better meet their needs. Fiesta del Otoño, a partnership event with the City of Bloomington celebrated Hispanic culture and highlighted the library's Spanish-language collection. To make room for DVDs, the library discontinued videocassettes, no longer used for feature films. The Friends Bookstore held a special VHS sale.
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Goal 5: Optimize Stewardship of Library Resources
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Addition of children's room at Ellettsville Branch The Ellettsville community gathered at an October open house to celebrate the 2,000 square-foot children's addition. The colorful, light-filled room holds the children's collection, provides computer and play space, and has cozy window seats for quiet reading. The addition made room for a new family area in the existing library space. In November, staff welcomed RBBCSC's kindergarten classes. |
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Children's Department renovation After librarians finished tours for all MCCSC first grade classes in October, the Children's Department closed for a week to prepare the space for construction and to move the department to its "outpost" in the first-floor meeting rooms. The department is getting new paint, carpet, lighting, a colorful and fun entrance, and more. It will reopen in mid-January, 2010. |
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The Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls starred in a public services announcement on the renovation as they skated and read their way around the empty Children's space. |
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Phase 2 of the Downtown Library renovation
Library staff met with architects to plan for Phase 2 of the Downtown Library renovation. The Materials Security Team received vendor responses for RFID tagging and an automated materials handling system.
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Long-range Financial Committee Recommendations The committee submitted recommendations to the Board related to providing core services efficiently, charging fees for value-added services, and increasing fundraising The Board adopted the Committee's report in September. |