Long Range Plan
The Livonia Public Library
Submitted by: Updated by: Updated by:
Karen Deutsch Karen Deutsch Erin Robinson
Karl Hanafin Karl Hanafin Karl Hanafin
Dorothy Hudson James Lucco Sally Collins
Linda Novak Janet Meyers Maureen Reynolds
Maureen Reynolds Mae Sharman Mae Sharman
Adrienne Roat Maureen Reynolds Patricia Genthner
Ed Swift Irene Turner Irene Turner
William Ohle
December 10, 1994 December 11, 2001 January 8, 2007
Introduction
Libraries are often characterized by roles that they play in the community that they serve. There are thirteen generally accepted roles that libraries play, they are:
1. Basic Literacy
2. Business & Career Information
3. Commons
4. Community Referral
5. Consumer Information
6. Cultural Awareness
7. Current Topic & Titles
8. Formal Learning Support
9. Government Information
10. General Information
11. Information Literacy
12. Lifelong Learning
13. Local History & Genealogy
These roles are by no means mutually exclusive. Public libraries are called upon to act in most of these roles at various levels. It can be useful to identify, as a part of the planning process, which roles are to be primary and which are to be secondary. This differentiation can act as a guide to allocating the limited resources of a small public library.
The Livonia Public Library’s primary roles in the community are:
· Current Topics & Titles
· General Information
· Basic Literacy
In addition to these primary roles, we identified some attributes of the other general roles as being included in the Livonia Public Library Mission. These other roles and their attributes include:
Support of formal and independent education by:
Serving all ages
Providing homework help and support
Cooperating with local schools
Supporting independent learning projects
Providing material in a variety of formats
Acting as a community activity and information center by:
Cooperating with community groups
Making a meeting room available
Serving as a source for community information
Providing information and referral services
Acting as a reference library by:
Maintaining reference and information services
Providing materials through interlibrary loan
Enabling on-line database access
Maintaining a local history collection.
This would seem to suggest that the generally accepted roles that libraries play needs expansion to include that role played by a dedicated staff trying to meet the diverse needs of a growing community with limited resources. This role is called Local Public Library
Mission Statement
The Livonia Public Library serves the community as an educational and cultural center providing free access to recreational, educational and informational materials and services in both print and non-print.
This Mission Statement is supported by four principal goals each with specific objectives and suggested methods.
Goal 1. The library must strive to provide a facility that will serve as a focal point for various cultural and recreational activities for all age groups.
Objective A. Provide adequate facilities for the collection, staff and patrons of the library.
Method a) Acquire, construct or substantially remodel to create a library facility capable of meeting out 10 year projected needs.
Method b) Establish and fund a capital-building fund and increase it by 10% each year.
Goal 2. Provide materials and services consistent with community needs.
Objective A. Determine areas that the library is not currently meeting the needs of the community.
Method a) Continue to assess the collection of material in the library.
Method b) Assess the needs of the community. An annual survey process might accomplish this.
Method c) Each year increase the budget for print and non-print material by at least 10%.
Objective B. Direct the library investment and activities to address any unmet needs identified above.
Method a) Increase youth programs and service hours by 5% each year.
Method b) A formal distribution system to provide access to library materials to those who cannot visit the library.
Objective C. Remain current in materials and services offered.
Method a) Participate in Pioneer Library System programs and take advantage of sponsored services.
Method b) Maintain and expand the Library as an Electronic Doorway, provide access to information and services available in the electronic media.
Method c) Each year update computer related equipment, software, and databases to remain current in the technology for staff and patrons.
