Waupaca, WI 54981
Phone (715) 258-4414
Youth (715) 258-4417
Values –
Waupaca Area Public Library strives to be:
Inclusive - opening doors for increasing engagement
Responsive – collaborating with partners to meet community needs
Respectful – a welcoming environment, open yet private
Accessible – by offering up-to-date technology and resources
Vision
The Waupaca Area Public Library will be known as a community resource that promotes innovation, technology, collaboration and all forms of literacy.
Mission
The Waupaca Area Public Library is committed to offering opportunities for innovation and engaged learning.
Tagline
Imagine - Learn - Connect
(Draft) Library Goals based on Strategic Questions
Administrative:
Goal: Library Staff and Board will manage resources and make decisions based on the mission, vision, and values.
1. Library staff will evaluate all new and existing programs (By March 31) based on mission, vision and values
●Created a program evaluation form to evaluate current programs based on vision, mission and values
●Evaluated Adult Programming (Lunch & Learn Program, Film Series, Tablet Time)
●Evaluated Teen programming (programs offered by teens, early dismissal day programs, no school day programs, and summer programs)
●Evaluated service to children and families and added more Saturday programs.
●Used staff work day to have in-depth discussion about services to families with youth staff (tying it to mission, vision and values)
2. Offer continuing education that will allow staff to stay true to mission, vision, and values – ongoing
●Provided Everyday advocacy, trauma induced care and active shooter training in August
●Staff attended in person and virtual workshops
●Director attended national PLA (Public Library Association) Conference and Harwood Institute Innovators Lab
●Children’s Librarian attend ALA Annual Conference and WLA Conference
●Youth staff participated in numerous webinars, a pre-conference sponsored by WLA, and CCBC Choices
3. Provide and maintain resources that help meet mission, vision, and values – ongoing
●Weeded adult collections prior to tagging project
●Analyzed which collections were circulating well and which were losing circulation and allocated funds accordingly
●Weeded Teen collections in January 2016 and June 2016.
●Weeded children’s collections (ongoing) with emphasis on declining circulation areas such as nonfiction
●RFID tagged all print material and started on media in children’s dept.
Goal: Hire, train, and maintain staff who can help meet mission, vision and values
1. Director will conduct a salary survey based on other City of Waupaca staff. (by January 30, 2016)
●Library Board adopted step plan for new employees hired at minimum wage May 2016 and hired and provided raises to those eligible.
●Library Director compared other City positions with Library staff wages in May 2016
2. Director will conduct a salary survey based on area libraries. (by January 30, 2016)
●Did not make progress on this goal
●Assistant Director, Teen Librarian and Children’s Librarian attended a hiring and supervising workshop (February)
Marketing:
Goal: Develop a marketing plan that utilizes all available tools.
Activities:
1. Form a marketing committee by October 1, 2015 - Committee Members - Dominic, Patsy, Emily
2. Library staff will develop a “tagline” based on mission, vision and values that can be used as a branding and marketing tool by March 1, 2016.
●Developed tagline: Imagine...Learn...Connect
●Tagline words have been added to Children’s Dept. walls in decal form
3. Draft a marketing plan to be approved by Library Board and introduced to all staff by December 1, 2015
●Started using Mailchimp to email patrons regarding programs and services.
●Started using the “marketing card” format to inform patrons of programs and services
●Created library slogan “Imagine- Learn- Connect” which has been added to the library logo.
●Marketing members all attended a CE opportunity so we could have a shared vision of what we wanted to accomplish.
●Created a long range marketing timeline to reach patrons (this has not yet been instituted)
●Using Facebook’s Pages Manager app to quickly add posts to FB page.
●Started scheduling posts to Facebook for upcoming programs.
●Created polo shirt design with library logo for all staff to wear and work and for outreach opportunities.
●Created annual schedule of programs and services to promote via social media and print
●Surveyed Mailchimp subscribers to find optimum frequency for sending out promotional emails.
●Created guidelines for creating print flyers, marketing cards, etc.
4. Utilize the Marketing Plan for library services and programs
●Branding with tagline in progress
●Adopted the tagline words as our theme for 2017 (possibly longer) as it meshes well with Build a Better World (CSLP theme)
●Used WILW (96.3 FM), the City of Waupaca’s radio station to promote programs and library information monthly
5. Redesign website with help from OWLS staff
●OWLS completed redesign in December 2016
Literacy
Goal: To provide individuals and families with the tools they need to be successful
Activities (technology)
1. Provide basic technology support for patrons (ongoing)
●Provided individual help from info desk and with appointments
2. Offer informal training for patrons with handheld devices (ongoing)
●Tablet Time held every Thursday with total attendance of 95.
3. Provide training for staff in technologies utilized by library patrons (ongoing)
Need to do a better job of formally training staff
4. Develop reimbursement program for staff members to share cost of technology and encourage use in assisting patrons.
●Secured funding ($750) from Friends of the Library 10/26/2016
●Library Board approved the Device Reimbursement Policy 11/16/2016
5. Use technology funds and grants to purchase devices to expand access
●Purchased tablets and accessories. Utilized them for catalogs in each department - completed September 2016
●Purchased iPads with donated funds for patron use in Children’s and Teen Departments
●Replaced desktop gaming computer with iPads and apps
a. Chromebook program for patrons to use in Library
●Held Hour of Code for all ages January 2016
●Created a Coding Corner for Summer Library Program 2016.
●Held coding programs for Teens December 2016
●Selected as one of 20 libraries in Wisconsin to host a screening of Code: Debugging the Gender Gap documentary along with surrounding events
●Waupaca County Post and library collaborated on a three-week series about coding that explained the new literacy, featured local teachers and companies that utilize coding.
b. Tablets for service desk for demo purposes and use in the stacks
●Secured funding and purchased catalog tablets in all departments
Other Activities
1. Host an annual Community Read
Did not accomplish in 2016
2. Install “Babies need Words” posters in every diaper changing station in the community
3. Recruit community leaders to record public service announcements about literacy
●Had “Library Champions” tell their stories for election day fliers
4. Identify large employers to include early literacy information in company newsletters
5. Host author visits
●Worked with Exhibit Coordinator to bring Author Jan Brett to Waupaca
●Gordon Korman author visit
●Lunch & learn hosted authors Tom Hutchinson and Michael Eckerts
6. Plan workshops, job fair, and individual help for those seeking employment
Did not make progress on this goal
●Initiated a Rec n’Read program every Tuesday at the Waupaca Rec Center for students in Grades 3-4
●Organized a sharing agreement with another Wisconsin library for early learning panels for interactive wall
●Made Saturday programming more available in Children’s Dept. (Story Time, Lego Club, special programming, etc.)
●Offered a highly successful Friday evening family event to accommodate working parents (August)
●Secured a $2000 grant from the Community Foundation to develop a cloud-based reading incentive program, ReadSquared, to connect virtually with patrons. Ran a pilot program for staff and area educators. (fall)
●Held a Picture Book Promotion in November for area classrooms to boost circulation and awareness of the picture book format
●Co-hosted Dr. Dipesh Navsaria as Winchester Academy guest speaker on the topic of early literacy and Reach Out and Read
Services
Goal: Increase access for Library Patrons
Activities:
1. Examine and change existing policies and procedures to create better access (ongoing)
A. Circulation Policy
●Changed circulation policy to allow 16 year olds with photo identification to apply for library card without parent May 2016
●Changed Internet Policy to allow 16 year olds access without parent signature
●Contracted with Collection Agency to collect long overdue items October - November 2016
B. Meeting Room Policy
●No changes
C. Procedures
●Open on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Library use was high. Library Board approved a calendar that includes opening on the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2017
●Eliminated tub shifts to provide greater efficiency, cost savings and better (more timely) service for library patrons
●Held two “Food for Fines” drives and waived $1811.86 in fines and collected 1,316 pounds of food.
●Continue to encourage students to return public library materials through their school libraries
●Simplified Summer Reading to include all ages under one easy to manage procedure and allowing prizes to be collected in any dept.
2. Do an in-depth study of current hours and use by September 2016
●Tracked visits on Wednesday and Thursday evenings for possible closure
●Will need to make this a priority in 2017
Partners
Goal: Utilize community partners to provide services and programs
Activities:
1. Staff will develop and share a list of Subject Matter Experts (SME) to be utilized by library staff. (Starting in August 2015)
●No progress on this goal
2. Staff will brainstorm on how to expand collaboration to meet the Library’s mission and community needs and develop a list of community partners
●Staff brainstormed on training day January, 2016
3. Encourage staff to participate outside of library in community nonprofits, associations etc. as volunteers, board members, etc.
●Director is a member of Rotary, acts as Community Service Chair and attends meetings and events.
●Teen Librarian is a Director-at-Large for the WLA Youth Services Section and attends monthly teleconferences, 2 in-person conferences, and one retreat, as well as committee work within the organization.
●Children’s Librarian named as liaison to the Wisconsin Library Association Board representing the Youth Services Section (YSS), Outreach Services Round Table (OSRT) and Reader’s Section (READ)
●Assistant Director volunteered at the Waupaca Humane Society and the Waupaca Runners
●Children’s Librarian is member of Lioness Club, Waupaca 4K Advisory Board, WLC Parent Teacher Group
●Children’s staff attends Waupaca Way (formerly NuAct), Chain O’Lakes Elementary Parent Teacher Group and Waupaca Child Abuse Prevention/Family Resource Center meetings
●Participated in Mission of Hope Waupaca by providing donated books
●Brought Early Literacy message to Waupaca Rotary Club
●In collaboration with Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, hosted First Lady Tonette Walker on the Story Walk on the River Ridge Trail (June)
●Worked with Waupaca Park & Rec in special programs: Outdoor Family Movie Night, Halloween Party
●Therapy Dog International brought in dogs weekly for children to read to in the summer
●Welcomed Waupaca County Fair Fairest of the Fair to conduct storytime and promote county fair
●Joined other community organizations to participate in Taste of Christmas at Spencer Lake (December)
4. Connect with retail groups to work on special events.
●Participated in the Chamber of Commerce Scarecrow contest (October)
●Director judged contest at Strawberry Fest
●Participated in Waupaca-King In Between - Where’s Waldo campaign (July)
●Partnered with ThedaCare, Fox Valley Tech, and Waupaca UW-Extension to provide cooking demonstrations and jump ropes to kids attending a jump rope demonstration
●Hosted Baby Talk sessions sponsored by ThedaCare
5. Make and maintain connections with area schools.
●Children’s Librarian, Assistant Children’s Librarian, and Teen Librarian brought library services to area schools through book talks, after-school teacher programs, Family Reading Night, IditaRead, Picture Book Month promotion, summer reading promotions, SLAG recruitment, Comet Reading, Chain O’Lakes Family Picnic, and delivery tubs.
●High School students volunteered in Children’s programs: Rec n’Read, Homework Help Night, Service Day (April)
6. Work with Waupaca schools to train staff in PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) and incorporate the “Waupaca Way” into existing procedures and policies.
●completed training in January, 2016
●Added words to backroom and break room walls
●Represented the library at PBIS statewide conference to share our success story of taking PBIS into the community
7. Recruit, train and honor volunteers who assist with library programs and services.
●1,969.6 volunteer hours logged in 2016
●Held Volunteer supper in May 2016
●Gave volunteers “Friends Cards” to give free copies and forgive fines
●Sent thank you cards to volunteers November and December
●Trained and supervised 30 youth volunteers to staff Brain Lab during summer
Facilities
Goal: Provide sufficient parking for staff and patrons
- Participate in a parking study with the City of Waupaca (2015-2016)
●City plans include expansion of existing parking lot in 2018
- Work with City to create incentives for people who park in City lots other than the
City Hall/Library lot by June 2016.
- Included walking from parking as part of wellness incentive
Goal: Update Library Spaces
1. Work with building superintendent to plan and facilitate carpet installation.
●Carpet installation completed in all areas except backroom, lower level offices and meeting rooms August 2016
2. Work with building superintendent to paint walls and interior window trim.
- Worked with Stange’s to choose wall color
- Paint completed in May 2016
3. Create plan for new main desk model
- Plans completed with Demco
- New desk installed August 2016
- Working with staff on procedures pertaining to new desk
5. Create plan for installation of AMH (automatic materials handling)
- This project put on hold
6. Work with City Hall on plan to update library outdoor space
- Installed donated sculpture in library landscape with help from Public Works Department
- Library landscaping on Capital Plan for 2020
7. Plan for digital outdoor sign
- Is currently part of the Capital Plan for City of Waupaca
8. Work with building superintendent, Library Foundation, and the Student Library Advisory Group to update and install new shelving in the Teen Room.
- New shelving purchased and installed in Teen Room
9. Additional activities (not on original plan)
- Created new space for school aged children. A tween space for 8-12 and a primary grade area for 5-8, including new furniture.
- New copiers installed for improved cost effectiveness
Goal: Finance library projects
- Update capital plan annually
- Plan updated in October 2016
- Create a wish list for donations based on facility plans
- Wishlist printed and mailed to supporters
- Donations logged and acknowledgements sent
- Plan fundraising events with a committee of Library Friends, Foundation and volunteers
- Staff Committee formed to work on Game of Thrones Party
- Exhibit Committee hosted “Wine & Canvas” event