The Brockton Public Library System
FY 2010 Action Plan: Goals & Objectives with Activities

July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

 Goal I  Ensure that all Brocktonians have equal access to library facilities and services.

Objective 2: Adjust hours the library is open to the public for efficiency and service.
Activity 1. Work creatively with City to maintain sufficient staff positions to allow for coverage. 
Activity 2. Coordinate hours at the Main Library and Branch Libraries to offer services for maximum hours and days, with minimum overlap and duplication.

Objective 3: Improve library service to people who cannot, or do not, come into the library buildings.
Activity 1. Increase outreach to various community groups, organizations, to determine needs.  Continue to offer programs, tours, and host meetings.
Activity 2. Increase outreach by publicizing home delivery available via Project Outreach.
Activity 3. Continue and expand the development of web pages in different languages, and of more services available via the Internet.
Activity 4. Publicize multi-language skilled staff.  Explore different avenues to publicize library events and services: churches, Cape Verdean center.
Activity 5. Increase use of email and Internet based reference services.

Objective 4: Increase use of library by City's multi-cultural populations.
Activity 1. Resume offering a course in applying for citizenship and a course in passing the citizenship exam.
Activity 2. Continue hiring for a diversity that reflects Brockton’s population.  Provide additional staff fluent in languages not already spoken by bilingual staff.
Activity 3. Expand the French and Spanish language collections to reflect the growing immigrant populations of the City.
Activity 4. Work with agencies serving the target populations; sponsor joint programs designed to attract the intended audience.
Activity 5. Continue to provide extensive English As A Second Language materials, purchasing more audio and video for learning English, and more computer training focused on useful resources for target groups.
Activity 6. Continue collaboration begun in Fiscal Year 2008 with the National Library of Cape Verde and the Cape Verdean Creole Institute

Goal II  Ensure that the public receives the maximum benefits of library's participation in the Old Colony Library Network.

Objective 1: Provide training for staff in use of all network capabilities.
Activity 1. Survey staff and public; assess areas of weakness in using the network.
Activity 2. Increase in-house training sessions for full-time and part-time staff.
Activity 3. Provide an overview to all staff on system use by Tech Processing, to enable them to better read item records, add brief titles, and understand item codes.
Activity 4. Create self-paced step-by-step training programs.
Activity 5.Train all staff in new formats and services such as e-books.

Objective 2: Provide patrons with assistance in use of patron access catalogs (PAC).
Activity 1. Offer regular training sessions for the public in the use of the PAC.
Activity 2. Provide public service training for staff, use consultant to review service skills.
Activity 3. Create “how to use” handouts and “ask for help” signage, to keep near computers.
Activity 4. Expand use computer training room to offer workshops for staff and public.  Continue to offer free online tax preparation January – April.

Goal III  Provide residents of Brockton with the resources to support lifelong learning opportunities.

Objective 1: Incorporate advances in technology into delivery of library service.
Activity 1. Install on all the PC’s the same operating system, and software such as Real and media players, streaming video, Macromedia flash, for orderly maintenance and upgrading.  Add translators such as WordPerfect to Word, Microsoft Works to Word.
Activity 2. Add more Compact Disk writers to Internet computers so patrons can download resources.  Add DVD players to more of the computers.
Activity 3. Purchase a scanner so patrons can scan photos or reference items and send the images to their email accounts or save to disk.
Activity 4. Provide training on various computer programs: word processing, spreadsheets and the Internet.
Activity 5. Purchase better software to schedule and control workstation sessions.
Activity 6. Provide training on using research databases.
Activity 7. Hire an archivist to input historical and archival information into the database.
Activity 8. Hire a computer technician.

Objective 2: Provide patrons with useful print collection of non-fiction and reference materials.
Activity 1. Continue to increase materials budget, donations and endowments.
Activity 2. Create an additional Technical Processing position to expedite materials to circulation and reference.
Activity 3. Encourage patron suggestions, including online.
Activity 4. Update weeding policy, weed collection regularly, at least annually.
Activity 5. Work with teachers and school librarians to support the school curriculum.  Expand the program begun in FY’07 of making Brockton Public Schools textbooks available at the Public Library.
Activity 6. Work with Massasoit Community College Library in developing supporting materials for their students.

Objective 3: Provide patrons with assistance in using print and non-print resources.
Activity 1. Hire additional Children’s staff member.
Activity 2. Staff training in house and at Regional HQ (Old Colony Library Network; and Southeastern Massachusetts Library System) on how to use/how to teach.
Activity 3. Create additional finding aids for Brockton’s historical collection.
Activity 4. Provide workshops for teachers to acquaint them with what is available to their students at the library.  Encourage visits by school classes.

Objective 4: Support adult literacy initiatives in the City.
Activity 1. Increase budget for adult learning materials.
Activity 2. Add to collection of CD-ROM and DVD products for GED and English grammar.  Publicize availability of self-teaching materials.
Activity 3. Work with agencies in Brockton who provide literacy services like Adult Learning Center, Literacy Volunteers.  Promote more use of already-heavily-used meeting and tutor rooms.

Objective 5: Improve communication with non-public libraries serving Brockton's residents.
Activity 1. Invite librarians from Brockton Hospital and Brockton Law Library visit our library and help assess our collection.
Activity 2. Continue to host meetings with other agencies to compare needs and resources.
Activity 3. Coordinate with High School and Junior High School libraries, especially to create and promote the Public Library as a resource for college, scholarship, financial aid and vocational information.

GOAL IV  Provide children and their parents with materials, programs and services to encourage a love of reading and learning.

Objective1: Evaluate print and non-print collection.
Activity 1. Increase Children’s staff.
Activity 2. Increase budget, and keep collection current with weeding.
Activity 3. Buy more non-print materials, best sellers and popular series titles.
Activity 4. Update computers in Children’s Room, and get better printer.
Activity 5. Continue to expand the Parenting Collection.

Objective 2: Develop programs for pre-school through sixth grade children that emphasize literacy skills.
Activity 1. Offer multi-generational programs for bilingual families.
Activity 2. Continue book discussion groups for children.
Activity 3. Story Hours, some with more emphasis on books and less on crafts.  Continue to offer after-school and weekend reading-centered programs.
Activity 4. Continue Summer Reading Club, coordinated with the schools.
Activity 5. Visit school librarians to discuss issues.  Host a luncheon for school librarians.  Interact with School Department personnel to better coordinate school/library activities.

Objective 3: Network with other child centered agencies
Activity 1. Get more involved with the community via BAMSI: Brockton Area Multi-Services, Community Connections, Day care centers and other providers.
Activity 2. Arrange for staff members to represent the library on various community organizations.
Activity 3. Continue partnership with Leaps in Literacy.
Activity 4. Host PTO and similar meetings at the library.

Goal V  Increase visibility and stature of library in the community

Objective 1: Use media and personal contacts to promote library services
Activity 1. Develop and use publicity and handouts explaining services.
Activity 2. Use multi-lingual staff for outreach, and promote services in newspapers targeted to different cultures.
Activity 3. Use Internet for promotion by linking with web sites of other agencies.
Activity 4. Use email to keep patrons updated about library programs.
Activity 5. Library Director will continue active participation in Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Brockton Association.
Activity 6. Library Director and other staff will appear on local cable television and local radio to promote library awareness.

Objective 2: Promote role of library system as cultural resource
Activity 1. Apply for a grant to index library’s paintings to make brochure, and create Audio Talk Tour of the library’s art collections.
Activity 2. Scan and digitize Brockton’s photo collection.  Create a History of the Library handout.
Activity 3. Advertise in Boston, Metro South and Brockton newspapers.
Activity 4. Continue to host and publicize book discussions and author appearances.
Activity 5. Continue participation on the Mayor's Task Force on Arts & Humanities and similar cultural collaborations.
Activity 6. Library Director to continue to serve on Board of Brockton Symphony Orchestra, the Brockton War Memorial Foundation, and work with the Greater Brockton Society for Poetry & the Arts to continue hosting poetry readings.

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