Vineyard Haven Public Library Releases Strategic Plan for Services

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The Vineyard Haven Public Library recently developed along-range plan to carry out library services for the next five years. The planis the outcome of a year-long planning process that assessed current libraryservices and facilities, and gathered extensive feedback from the community.

With the rapid growth of eBooks, streaming audio and videoservices, combined with increased usage of libraries nationwide, the public libraryenvironment is more unsettled than it has been for many decades. To meet thesechallenges the Vineyard Haven Public Library Board of Trustees and LibraryStaff members engaged in a strategic planning process to involve the communityin a discussion about what the library could and should become.
Library Trustees followed the Strategic Planning for Resultsmodel developed by the Public Library Association. This planning modelidentifies 18 services responses that cover the many resources and activitiesthat a public library does for, or offers to, the public in an effort to meet aset of well-defined community needs. To help form the plan, the Trusteesappointed a Long-Range Planning Committee that included both year-round andseasonal residents.
More than 250 community members responded to two surveysdesigned to help the library evaluate current services and desiredimprovements. Members of the public also gathered at two community forums toprovide further feedback. It was clear from the participation at the twocommunity forums that the Library is a vital part of the community and a placewhere people go for books, media, and information, but also for culturalevents, as a gathering place, and as a hub for information about what is goingon in the town. People place a high value on the services the Library providesand are appreciative of everything the Library and staff does to enhance theirexperience in the community as a whole.
The Library’s new plan focuses on four strategic initiativesand outlines activities that library staff and trustees will undertake over thenext five years to meet the community’s vision. Under the plan, the librarywill continue to offer a large number of programs to promote lifelong learningand early literacy, and to provide books, films, and other materials in avariety of formats for all ages. In addition, the library will focus onproviding information on local, national and world affairs in order to helplibrary patrons become informed citizens and participate in communitydecision-making.
Although plan activities were slated to begin in July 2013,Library Director Amy Ryan says that both staff and trustees are already actingon initiatives suggested by the plan, such as improving safety around thelibrary grounds, increasing online resources for children, and offeringprograms such as the Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions discussiongroup, currently meeting at the library on Thursday evenings.
Public Libraries must have an approved Long-Range Plan on filewith the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in order to apply forboth Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds and the MassachusettsPublic Library Construction Program. The library has been awarded two LSTAgrants in the past five years, including a "Conversation Circles"grant to support English language learners, and an "Equal Access"grant to provide lifelong learning opportunities for older adults.
The complete plan is available on the library website atwww.vhlibrary.org, and printed copies are available for review at the library.