Long Range Plan

 

Taylor Public Library Long Range Plan

2012 – 2017

 

Introduction

This long range plan was created to chart the future of the Taylor Public Library as it addresses the growing needs of area citizens.  Further, the Texas State Library has mandated that all accredited public libraries have a current long range plan.  The staff and Library Board of the Taylor Public Library have together gathered information from the citizens of Taylor, examined the role and purpose of the Library, prepared goals and objectives. 

 

Library Background

Back in 1899-1900, Taylor’s first literary club called the Sesame Circle undertook the task of creating a public library.  Off and on up till 1960, the Taylor Public Library has been supported by different civic groups, and housed in a number of locations.  Finally, in 1960, through the efforts of many groups & citizens, the Taylor Public Library had a formal building at 8^th Street & Vance.  With subsequent additions to that 1960 building, the Library remained there until closure in the summer of 2002 due to structural damage and mold caused from water leaks.  The collection was eventually moved to the Taylor City Hall Auditorium at 400 Porter Street, and the library computer lab moved to a room in the old high school building at 7^th Street and Vance.  In 2003 a Bond election for construction of a new Library building marginally passed approval of the voters.  Construction began on the new Library building in 2006 and the new building opened in March 2007.  This new building is 20,000 square feet, with a dedicated meeting room of 2,000 square feet that include built-in audio/visual equipment and can hold 286 individuals. The Children’s book area is separate from the Adult collections and there is a computer lab between the Circulation and Reference Desks.

 

Financial History

The Taylor Public Library has been historical funded by donations, with some supplement from the City of Taylor, and facilities donated by Taylor Independent School District. Beginning in 1960, after the opening of the Library at Vance Street, the Library received an annual budget from the City of Taylor. A Library Board of Trustees managed private funds raised for the Library, approved staff hiring and influenced the operation of the Library. The City of Taylor Board of Commissioners formally adopted the Library constitution and by-laws in 1970.  The Library Board continued to accept funds on behalf of the Library until 2002, when the Taylor Library Foundation was established to handle donations and funds.  The Foundation is independent from the City of Taylor and is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.  Currently, the Library’s entire budget is from the City of Taylor.

 

 

The Community

The city of Taylor was founded in 1876 as a farming/ranching community.  Cotton was king, and railroad access made Taylor a hub for transportation. Slowly the town grew to be the largest in the county until the mid 1900’s.  With the completion of Interstate 35 running through the west part of Williamson County, population boomed near that transportation corridor. Taylor continued to grow slowly, and remained a self contained town with department stores, grocery stores, a hospital and other services. 

 

The City of Taylor, according to the 2010 US Census, has a population of 15,191—an almost 12% growth in the last decade. That population is almost evenly split by gender, with 53% female & 47% male.  As to ethnicity, the city breaks down into 45% white (not Hispanic), 10% Black and 43% Hispanic, 1% Native American, 1% Asian.  Median family income is $44,185.00, which is 5% less than 2000 figures.  Poverty in Taylor is measured at 18% of families below poverty level and 65% of local students economically disadvantaged.  Educational attainment is 79% with a high school degree and 16% with a bachelor’s degree or higher.  30% of primary & secondary students speak a second language at home.

 

 

Service Responses

The Taylor Public Library has focused services to meet the needs of a somewhat isolated community.  Children’s programming has been key, and the Library collaborates with Taylor ISD, Temple College at Taylor, Taylor Head Start and local day cares & private schools. With financial assistance from the Friends of the Taylor Public Library, the Library coordinates a well attended Summer Reading Program, with numerous paid performers.  Recognizing its role as an archive of local history, the Library maintains files on local events, persons and history and is currently digitizing archival materials.  The Library houses a collection of 46,115 items.  Children’s picture books and popular adult fiction have high circulation, as do movies on DVD and books on CD. 

 

Vision Statement

Preserving yesterday, informing today, inspiring tomorrow.

 

Library Mission Statement

The mission of the Taylor Public Library is to promote a life long love of reading and to provide educational, informational, and recreational resources to patrons of all ages, cultural and economic backgrounds.

                                                                        Approved by Library Board:  Feb 18, 1997

    

 

Goals and Objectives

 

 

Collections & Materials

 

Goal:   Develop and maintain a quality collection of materials in various formats that reflects the needs and use patterns of the community.

 

Objective A:  Keep the collection up to date, providing the best quality materials for public use.

Activities:       Conduct annual inventory to maintain a current collection.

Improve the age of the collection through a regular weeding schedule.

Improve access to materials by reorganization as necessary, improved accuracy in shelving of materials, and provision of improved signage / finding aids.

Evaluate collections through electronic reports to determine use or gaps.

Objective B:   Provide better access to literature for the visually impaired.

Activities:       Continue to enhance and expand books on CD, both for adult and youth.

 

Work with the Talking Book Program from the Texas State Library to improve publicity and awareness of this program.

 

Objective C:   Address the collection needs of the area’s Spanish speaking population.

Activities:       Continue to collect and enhance existing Spanish language materials for both youth and adults. 

                        Dedicate more funds specifically for purchase of Spanish and bilingual materials, especially in the Adult collections.

Establish a shelving area in the library to hold all Spanish language materials in one location for ease of access.

Objective D:   Support early childhood literacy through library materials.

Activities:       Collect and evaluation introductory materials such as board books and picture books.

                        Enhance the Beginning Reader collection by collecting quality early chapter books with clearly marked reading levels for ease of use.

 

Library Technology

 

Goal 1:  Actively pursue technologies that assist the library in its mission to meet the educational, informational, and recreational needs of area residents.

 

Objective A:  Provide materials in new formats and technologies as appropriate.

Activities:       Assure that staff has adequate training to learn new procedures and technologies.

                        Maintain a technology plan for the Library and update as needed.

Take advantage of grant programs to introduce new media for the library collection.

 

Objective B:   Provide access to computers and technology for library users, both adult and children.

Activities:       Continue to update computer technology, as funding allows.

                        Offer computer related classes and training for the public.

Evaluate the current Computer Policy and related procedures for equitable access to the Library’s public computers.

Add additional software to meet child & adult interests and needs, as funding allows.

 

Objective C:   Maintain and enhance the Library’s Internet web page to keep it up to date and useful.

Activities:       Keep programming information current and interesting.

Add new features, such as local indexes or information unique to the area.

 

 

Facilities

 

Goal:  Insure that physical facilities and equipment are well maintained in order to provide an accessible, safe, comfortable, and attractive environment for patrons and staff.

 

Objective A:  Make sure the library facilities impose no physical barriers for use.

Activities:       Monitor the library's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

                        Educate the public to refrain from creating access barriers with power cables or other personal technology and enforce safety considerations.

Report needed repairs quickly to the City of Taylor Facilities Department. Stay on top of building repairs or renovations as needed.

 

Objective B:   Make sure that library rooms are available for programming and other needs.

Activities:       With the Library Board’s assistance, keep the library meeting room policy current with new and existing needs or any necessary rule changes.

Maintain a schedule of events for the meeting room and other library spaces. 

Provide better visibility to market the library meeting room to prospective users, both in print and online.

 

  

Programming & Services

 

Goal 1:  Provide a variety of programs, services, and collections to meet the personal, educational, and cultural needs of children & youth, their caregivers and families, with special emphasis on promoting reading.

 

Objective A:  Expand existing children’s programming to attract more attendance and maintain current levels of interest in existing programming.

Activities:       Plan and produce special or seasonal programs for children during the fiscal year. 

                        Continue to provide a special reading program each summer for youth.

                        Conduct weekly preschool storytimes from September through May.

 

Objective B:  Evaluate ways to make the Library & reading appealing to teens.

Activities:       Plan special programming targeted at teen audiences.

Collaborate with high school teachers and organizations to publicize teen programming.

Solicit input from teens for programming and explore creating a teen advisory board.

           

Goal 2:  Provide programming & services to meet the educational, informational, and recreational needs of area adults & seniors.

 

Objective A:  Develop adult programming aimed at local interests or needs.

Activities:       Conduct general and specific surveys or questionnaires to garner patron suggestions and feedback on programming or other needs.

Conduct online surveys with specific questions to gage public opinion pertaining to library services & programs.

Conduct 4 special adult programs per year.

                        Continue to provide an Adult Summer Reading Program.

 

Publicity

 

Goal 4:   Better publicize current and new library programs and services.

  

Objective A:  Develop interior and exterior advertising for upcoming programs or new services.

Activities:       Keep calendar of events up to date on Library website.

Work with local & area news agencies to add events to community calendars.

Tie book displays or in house literature, such as book marks or fliers, to upcoming events.

 

 

Administration

 

Goal 1:  Keep Taylor Public Library up to Texas Public Library Standards to maintain public library accreditation.

 

Objective A:  Meet the Basic level of Administrative Standards for the Texas Public

                        Library Standards.

Activities:       Continue to produce officially accepted Library policies as listed in the Administrative Standards.

Continue to cooperate with non-library agencies to provide information, services and programs for library users.

Gather statistics and other outcome measures to determine the effectiveness of library services and programs, as required by the Texas State Library & Archives Commission.

 

Objective B:  As support to the Library’s mission, secure sufficient funding to enable the library to meet service & collection goals & requirements.

Activities:       Investigate and actively pursue outside funding sources, such as grants, donations, endowments and other funding opportunities.

                        Work with city staff to recommend an annual operating budget that meets the needs of the Library.

                        Maintain minimum financial standards as recommended in the Texas Public Library Standards.

 

Goal 2:  Develop a well-trained, professional staff to assist all library users.

 

Objective:  Provide continuing education and training for library staff.

Activities:       Provide online library related training for all library staff.

Provide staff access to library related workshops & training.

Train staff and keep them regularly updated on library procedures, changes, etc., through regular monthly staff meetings.

 

  

Conclusion

This plan serves as an outline for the Library to continue to provide excellent service to the citizens of Taylor, as well as expanding to meet new needs and as yet un-served needs.  The goals and objectives will be implemented in the next five years.

 

  

Approved by the Library Advisory Board June 19, 2012