North Smithfield Public Library

Five Year Plan

June 30, 2003 thru  June 30, 2008

MISSION STATEMENT

The North Smithfield Public Library will provide and promote diverse and easily accessible materials, services and programs in an atmosphere  which encourages the free flow of ideas to educate, entertain, enrich and inform local residents. Special emphasis is placed on supporting students at all academic levels and on stimulating young children's interests and appreciation for reading and learning. 

To support this mission, North Smithfield Public Library, a private, non-profit corporation providing public library services, will meet the needs of the community through a process of strategic planning, continuous evaluation and community assessment. 

In addition, the library will meet or exceed State Standards as set forth by the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) and maintain membership in the Library of Rhode Island (LORI), Rhode Island Small Libraries, Cooperating Libraries Automated Network (CLAN) and American Libraries Association (ALA).

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

GOAL 1.  The residents of North Smithfield will have increased access to the library.

                OBJECTIVES:

                - to expand  hours of operation to 50 hours per week

               - to provide adequate staffing to meet the needs of  patrons during all hours of operation                           

GOAL 2.  Community children and young adults will have access to a wide range of quality materials, services and programs.

                 OBJECTIVES;

     - to acquire five percent of  the overall children's  and young adult collection annually

                 - to provide quiet reading and study areas

     - to provide quality programs for children and institute programming for young adults

     - to provide access to computer software  programs appropriate for this age group.

                 - to encourage young adults in their academic and personal reading needs 

GOAL 3.  Community adults will have access to a wide range of quality materials, services and programs

 OBJECTIVES

 - to acquire five percent of the overall collection annually

 - to ensure that the adult collection is well- balanced and appropriately current  

- to provide a wide range of periodicals in- house and access to periodicals on-line

- to provide quiet reading and study areas

- to continue to provide quality adult  programs

      - to provide computers and software  programs appropriate for this group

 GOAL 4. The residents of North Smithfield will have access to a wide range of electronic resources.

 OBJECTIVES:

- to implement CLAN system updates and modifications

- to upgrade computer hardware on a three year schedule for public and staff use

- to fully utilize Internet  resources

            - to expand the North Smithfield Public Library home page

            - to explore the flexibility of wireless technology

GOAL 5. The library will employ staff capable of meeting the needs of the residents of North Smithfield. 

OBJECTIVES:

- to maintain professional staffing at OLIS recommended levels   

 - to increase staffing to American Library Association recommended levels

 - to secure wider benefits for part-time employees        

            - to provide the staff with educational opportunities relevant to library services

- to provide the staff with generalized computer training to meet public demand

- to continue staff training to fully utilize the Cooperating Libraries

  Automated Network (CLAN) system

GOAL 6: Library equipment and facilities will be provided to meet  the needs of the residents of North Smithfield.

 OBJECTIVES:

- to properly maintain existing equipment and facilities

- to ensure the protection of assets of the library

            - to continue the improvement of Centennial Park and to maintain the property with an annual cleanup at           minimum

            - to explore ways to maximize library storage without construction of an expanded facility

              -to continue to maximize library storage to maintain a neat, professional appearance

              - to actively plan for a new energy efficient facility of sufficient size and layout to accommodate the growing    demands of the library community.  Identified needs include a larger assembly space, study carrels, young adult area, expanded storage for media collections, materials ,and supplies,  office space and staff lunch room and lockers.

GOAL 7: North Smithfield Public Library will receive public funding sufficient to guarantee the viability of library services.  Public library services are a public good and the provision of such services is the responsibilility of                local government.

              OBJECTIVES:

             -to strengthen cooperation with town officials to provide ample resources to support library programs, collections, staffing services and facilities.

              -to continue active participation in lobbying efforts for improved funding on the state  level