Long Range Plans

 

unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees January 9, 2024

Mission Statement

Sioux Rapids Memorial Library will serve its patrons by providing access to all types of information.  The library will promote and use technology to meet the current and future needs of community members.  We will continue to provide access to information in whatever format is needed so that all may continue life-long learning.

 

I.      INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE LIBRARY’S VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY AND NEEDS.

  1. Maintain a positive community reputation by providing high-quality programming to all age groups on a regular basis.
  2. Work with other groups and agencies in the community to provide programming, resources training, and help to meet other needs.
  3. The board members shall make an effort to advocate for the library through their use of library materials, presence at library events, and mention of the library in casual conversations.
  4. Have a gifts and dedications board to honor those who make donations of at least $100.
  5. The library director shall maintain the library’s website and update the events calendar regularly.   The library director shall also maintain the library’s facebook page.
  6. Publicize and promote the library through weekly or monthly newspaper items and posters at multiple locations in town.  Ask for donations of needed items.

 

II.      FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY GROUP FORMATION

  1. The board shall explore options for creating a Friends of the Library group for the Sioux Rapids Memorial Library.
  2. The board shall take such steps as are necessary to create a Friends of the Library group, including recruiting key members, drawing up legal paperwork for establishment as a 501c3 organization, opening a bank account, etc.

 

III.      COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT

  1. The library director shall maintain a list of requested items and do their best to fulfill patron requests through ILL or purchase for our own collection.
  2. The library director shall purchase and weed materials according to State Library of Iowa standards and SRML policies in order to have materials that are up-to-date; in good repair; and meet the cultural, informational, and recreational needs of the community.

 

IV.      CREATING AND MAINTAINING A COMPLETE AND ACCURATE ONLINE CARD CATALOG AND RECORDS WITH THE STATE LIBRARY OF IOWA.

  1. All new items shall be cataloged before being made available for checkout.
  2. All items already in our collection shall be cataloged by the library staff and trained volunteers in proper cataloging procedures.
    • This includes items for in-house use only as proper cataloging not only provides patrons with information about what items are available in house, it also provides an easy way for library staff to track in-house use.
    • The goal shall be for staff to catalog at least 100 items per month.
  3. Cataloging errors shall be fixed as soon as they are found.  These do not count towards the 100 item goal.
  4. All weeded items will have their holdings deleted in order to update the catalog to show that we no longer have that item in our collection.
  5. The SILO catalog entries will be updated when errors are found, as well as a complete reboot of our catalog into SILO when all cataloging of present materials is finished in order to have complete and accurate records for the interlibrary loan system.

             

V.      EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR BETTER ACCESSIBILITY.

  1. The board and staff shall gather community input on what the library most needs to address in terms of accessibility.
  2. The board and staff shall review all relevant state, federal, and library laws before finalizing plans to change the building or location of the library.
  3. The board and library staff shall endeavor to help the city with the transition to the new space near city hall.
  4. The board and staff shall work together with the city council in order to create plans which address:
    • Wheelchair accessibility & accessible bathroom.
    • Wider aisles between library furniture.
    • Other issues brought up by patron needs or state, federal, and library laws.