Strategic Plan
Avoca Public Library Strategic Plan Fiscal Year 2023–2026
July 1, 2023–June 30, 2026 Updated 8/2023 sml
Tagline: Inspiring ideas, enriching lives, and strengthening community
Mission: The library serves the citizens of Avoca, its contracted cities, and surrounding rural area as a community center for information in various formats to enhance their lives and progress intellectually, economically, and culturally.
Provide excellence in service
Objectives: Depend on courteous and knowledgeable staff
Work efficiently
Strategies:
1. Director attend State Library Town Meetings Annually and earns 45 CE credits as offered for re-certification
2. Director works toward Director endorsement-silver coursework
3. Staff continues Public Library Support webinar trainings
4. Program Coordinator working toward youth services endorsement
5. Children/Teen librarians attend Summer Reading workshop each year
6. Staff evaluates and streamlines operations ILL/SILO procedures
7. Staff contributes to operations manual – Pam working on SOP manual
8. Staff contributes to policy updates – Program policy, social media policy
9. Quarterly staff meetings to discuss issues informal- ongoing
10. Paige is running weekly overdue reports and calling patrons - ongoing
11. Look into using Baker and Taylor (state library contracted) for automatic author releases.
We are currently using Ingram. It could save shipping costs. Amazon used books are still
great for replacing books and purchasing requests made by patrons.
Provide quality service through use of technology
Objectives: Strive to be a leader in technology services and resources
Strategies:
1. Consult Marne Elk Horn Comm about internet speed
2. Continue Bridges/Overdrive for download audio and e-books
3. Look for updated technology for patrons – Increased subscription balance in 2023
4. Keep adding game/movie/mag/book samples to Kindle Fire, Received 2 Kindle Fires with ARPA funds
5. Purchase various power cables to charge multiple devices for patrons
6. Work with Barb Butcher and Pam Paulson for genealogy – access to County records and local records
7. Overdue notices sent to patrons by auto email every Fri.
8. Weebly website - need to update new policy revisions
9. Brainfuse – market and give school presentation
10. Leased copier/printer/fax
11. Purchased new computer monitor for patron computer and switched to Chromebox – 8/2023
12. Set up chromebook at front desk for extra check out use and zoom use 7/2023
13. Install updates on AWE computer
14. Utilize WHOfi – community calendar, attendance tracking, question sets
15. Consult with area libraries to look for a new Circulation Software System (ILS) for enhanced use with Bridges and Hoopla authentication to patron accounts. Apollo?
16. Digitize/scan old library records for archives to eliminate file cabinets. State library has a scanner to borrow or check with Teresa where she rented one to scan at City office. Consult Misty Gray for what needs to be archived.
17. Digitize specialty collections like school yearbooks, etc. Contact:Grant Kaester @ Advantage, 319-721-5170 – may have grant monies to cover cost and he works with Avoca Historical Museum and Genealogy you can check for references.
Library as a Community Center preparing citizens for bright future and enhance quality of life
Objectives: Become the essential civic center for community gatherings, lifelong learning, workforce and economic development
Be community builders and leaders who are responsive to changing community needs
Improve services to seniors, teens, young children
Strategies: 1. Improve/Maintain Facility –
-ADA checklist
-Staff Tours of newer popular facilities in our area – Director toured Council Bluffs library 7/2023
-Replace the third of 3 A/C units
-Maintain outdoor seating area/garden –
-Landscape improvements –
-Work with City to add retaining wall/steps on southeast corner of lot, courthouse to change ADA access
-Research carpet replacement in children’s area
-Paint- touch up interior walls as needed
-Replace artwork on fireplace
-Replace Foggy windows in NW corner Omaha Window Door $1800 2023
-Skylight inspection
-Clean carpets
-Obtain quotes for cleaning/insect services
-Re-Design loft area into more useful space
-Research whiteboard walls for teen area
-Repair shelving with water damage
-Add coffee bar in community area – 8/2023
-Spray and brush Algae remover on brick on north side of library. Mike Peterson said he has extra hoses to connect to spray down.
Work on having Scott from Quality Roofing in Walnut repair (about every other year, honestly) caulking on steel roof to brick on upper window areas on north and south sides because water will leak down the interior brick walls by the Jr. nonfiction shelving and over by the fireplace. 8/2023
Disaster Preparedness Plan
2. Collections & Programming
Transition summer reading program to all ages programming –
-Provide a Bingo Reading Challenge for all ages with prizes – 2023
-Select adult book club book that is theme oriented to SRP
-Purchase Reader Zone App for SRP patrons - can track reading and earn prizes. --SRP 2023
-4th and 5th grade programming – added themed programming in SRP 2023
-Held 1 children’s storytimes by Mason Greer of Farm Bureau 2023
-Base Friday club activities on Summer reading theme - 2023
-Look into Patron Activity Pass for Omaha Zoo – These are not offered to libraries 2023
-Purchase Avoca Swim Pass to use for SRP bingo prizes 2023
-Look for other opportunities for activity passes for check out
-Maintain story times with home day cares – Lil’ Vikes Day Care opened in Avoca 2023
-Valentine’s Day
-Nat’l Book Week
-Senior Movie Monday – coffee/donuts for free will donation
-Offer senior/teen mentor program to promote learning (i.e., how to use google, e-mail, craigslist/ how to knit, play chess, career networking)
-Offer broad choices of all ages classes, book clubs, author visits, etc.
Hygge program June 2023
-Implemented Weekly Senior/Adult craft/game Fridays 2023
-Keep book & movie sales ongoing – open every day, DVD sale outside at Farmers Market June 2023
-Maintain 4 Little Free Library boxes in City parks and Fairgrounds campgrounds
-Storywalk at Buttermilk Flat Trail stories changed 3 to 4 times a year
-Hosted Community Wide Halloween Costume Party trick or treating on Mainstreet businesses and Library served hot dogs and drinks
-Holidays on Main Community Event – Angel tree for gifts for school community youth, Parade of trees by local orgs, Memorial tree for local families
-Make Avoca City/Main Street information available for citizens newsletters, City Boards, Facebook, maps, recreation
-Proved family activities on Farmers Market nights
-Maintain relations with AHSTW admin and staff , library, teachers, classes
-Offer Bridges training to students
-Provide books for AHSTW teen book club
-Participate in elementary family literacy evening program
-Participate in elementary family STEM evening programs
-Offer storytime services to PK-2 classes
3. Community Health
-Visiting Nurse Assoc. – gave Flu vaccines at library 2023
Tell the Library Story
Objective: Publicize the library’s programs and services which help to make Avoca a desirable place to live, work, and play.
Share library successes!
Strategies:
1. Attend Pott. Co. Supvs. Budget Meeting – 7/2023
2. Print brochure of services/new library card pamphlet – Pam/Sabrina working on
3. Look for new opportunities to present library info – Jr Fed presentation 10/2023
4. Avoca Main Street promotes weekly library activities - ongoing
5. May Day - Delivered treats to area businesses - 2023
6. Provide Teacher Gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week
7. Promote Webpage
8. City of Avoca monthly Newsletter library page updates 2023
13. WIDA Newsletter – Feature Events 2023
14. Facebook postings of events, and new materials – 2023
15. Director/staff participate in community events-
-Sabrina – Mainstreet Design committee and Board, Holidays on Main committee, Farmer’s Market activities 2023
-Jeremy – Farmers Market Activities 2023
-Pam – Avoca Genealogy Society Pres. , St. Mary’s Liturgy Chair, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
16. STEM Fair
Funding for library projects and enhancements
Objective: Continually build/maintain the financial resources of the library
Strategies:
1. Work cooperatively with City Mgr and Mainstreet on availability of grants/awards, 2023
2. Work with partners in funding projects and programs –
3. Apply for local literacy grants (PCCF, Dollar General, Mt. Nebo, etc.)
Community Foundation for Western Iowa (formerly PCCF)
Iowa Humanties Grant
4. Publicize the library as an excellent institution for trust contributions
5. Promote the library as a community amenity for memorial donations
6. Promote community marketing by participating in Avoca Main Street which should help build population and tax base and economic growth of Avoca –
-Main Street Design Committee 2023
-Main Street Board 2023
-Hosted the Mainstreet Org Partnership Visit for tour
-Local Foods Summit location-11/2023
7. Continue contractual funding Hancock, Shelby and Neola – 2023
8. Work with County Supervisors/Iowa West – requested updated contract (FY25) to a higher base amount and not focused on number of check outs 2023
9. Report to Pott. Co. Supvs.
11, Track growth of trust accounts PCCF and LPL – 2023
12. City Clerk is now the Financial Officer on all Library Trust Accounts 2023
13. Petty cash now runs through city clerk for reimbursements 2023
14. Look into a 501c3 nonprofit status for the library.