DREAM

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IMAGINE

Strategic Plan 2013

Library System

DREAM The Strategic Plan of the Camden County Library System 2013-2015

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Table of Contents The Planning Process…………………………………………………………………………………………3 The Strategic Planning Team……………………………………………………………………………..4 Camden County Library System’s Mission and Vision………………………………………..5 Dream One: Connecting and Growing……………………………………………………….……..6 Dream Two: Beautiful, Comfortable, and Functional Spaces……………………………..8 Dream Three: Expand Opportunities through Technology..……………………………….9 Dream Four: Comprehensive, Current, and Accessible Collections…………………..11 Branch Locations and Governance…………………………………………………………………….12 Camden County Officials……………………………………………………………………………………13

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The Planning Process This strategic plan was developed using a process that focuses on strengths, building on past success, and doing more of what customers value most. The process began in August 2012 with a survey that was distributed to County residents via email and social media. The survey was also available in paper form at our branches. The survey asked two questions: “What is your favorite thing about your library?” “We want to create the library of your dreams. What would make you use your library more often?” We received over 1,000 survey responses. We found that our customers value the Library’s print collections, convenient services, programs, e-books, facilities, staff, computers, Wi-Fi, and money saving services. Customers would like to see improved facilities with comfortable, attractive spaces as well as more current print materials, DVDs, e-books, computers and programs. In October 2012, the planning team visited the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library System. This library was selected

because of its reputation for providing excellent library services. During their visit, team members noted what they valued most about this library, and what they felt the Ocean County Library does well. The survey results (what our residents value most) and the information from the planning team visit (what our staff valued most about another library) became the foundation of our strategic plan, which was divided into six areas of identified value: • • • • • •

Facilities Convenience Collections Technology Connecting and Learning Staff

The planning team and additional Library staff formed workgroups for each of these areas. Each group wrote a “dream statement” to describe what the Library should be doing in order to meet and exceed the needs of our customers. Each group developed specific goals to support their dream statements. Goals were evaluated to see if they were SMART (Specific, Measurable, Agreed-upon, Realistic, and Time based) and if they would bring more value to library users. The concept of convenience was considered when developing all goals. 3

Camden County Library Planning Team Anne Ackroyd, Gloucester Township Branch Manager Mark Amorosi, Assistant Public Information Officer Amy Atzert, Collection Development Manager Lisa Bicking, Business Office Manager William Brahms, M. Allan Vogelson Branch Manager Eve Brown, Merchantville Branch Manager Lauren Callahan, Human Resources Manager Emily Chornomaz, Head of Children’s and Young Adult Services, M. Allan Vogelson Branch Patricia Dempsey, Assistant Public Information Officer Lisa Derfler, Head of Technical Services Linda Devlin, Director Jennifer Druce, Haddon Township Branch Manager Chris Entwisle, Head of Circulation Services, M. Allan Vogelson Branch Joe Gazzara, Head of Maintenance Services John Kelly, Senior Computer Technician Ryan Lammers, Senior Librarian, M. Allan Vogelson Branch David Lisa, Associate Director Janice Masud-Paul, Head of Information Technology Ashley Mitchell, Principal Library Assistant, M. Allan Vogelson Branch Christen Orbanus, Senior Librarian, Young Adult Services, M. Allan Vogelson Branch Rosemary Scalese, Head of Adult Services, M. Allan Vogelson Branch Deborah Stefano, Bellmawr Branch Manager Jerome Szpila, Riletta L. Cream Ferry Avenue Branch Manager Julie Tozer, Branch Manager, Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Branch Ed Troike, South County Branch Manager Nelida Vazquez, Librarian, Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Branch

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The Camden County Library System’s Mission and Vision Mission We meet the learning, recreational and informational needs of our customers, providing an open environment for our community.

Vision We are the Camden County Library System, your gateway to the world. With you, we create bridges that begin in Camden County and lead to the destination of your choice. Building on our proud heritage, we use technology to extend beyond our walls. We exist to bring people, ideas and opportunities together in many resourceful ways. We promote continuous improvement in Camden County by fostering community growth and cooperation. We measure our success by your success.

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Dream One: Connecting and Growing The Library connects with the communities we serve and provides opportunities to connect, grow, and learn. Enhance the Library’s Presence in our Communities Connect with more residents in the communities we serve by increasing the Library’s presence at local events and expanding our Ambassador Team. Initiate relationships with local businesses and retailers that complement library services, such as book discussions at coffee shops and offsite story times. Identify untapped online communities and use them to promote library services and activities.

Expand Programming and Equipment Based on Community Interest, Need, and Current Trends Each branch will provide programming, instructional offerings and outreach that fits the needs of the communities they serve. We will identify the unique interests and needs of residents, whether they are established library users or are currently underserved.

Designate space and resources for “Makerspaces” which will offer items like button makers,3-D printers, sewing machines, and computer programs like Photoshop and Audacity. Develop programming and services for untapped markets including young adults in their 20s and 30s, adults and children with special needs, housebound individuals, and others. Offer innovative programming and story times that utilize current and emerging technologies such as tablets and e-readers for children from birth to age twelve. Provide instructional offerings to residents in areas of emerging or popular technology. Many of our customers enjoy having fun at the Library and connecting with others who share similar interests. We will provide resources and a welcoming social environment for the many recreational and entertainment based services that our customers enjoy.

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Facilitate Camaraderie among Library Staff and County Agencies

Improve the Quality and Quantity of Training Opportunities for Staff

Create a database for staff that includes work location, job title, skills, and a photo/avatar to foster an interconnected library community.

Establish department ambassadors who will conduct tours of their branches and departments and provide cross-training to staff.

Celebrate milestones and successes with social events.

Develop written procedure manuals for all departments and branches to facilitate cross-training and sharing staff.

Seek opportunities for Library representation at County events, such as the Camden County Parenting Conference and the County Softball League.

Provide dedicated equipment such as laptops and iPads so that staff can participate in webinars and other online training.

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Dream Two: Beautiful, Comfortable and Functional Spaces Our facilities are beautiful and functional both inside and out, and are designed to work in ways that customers want to use them. First Impressions Create exterior gathering areas such as patios, seating, and hardscaped open classroom bench areas, all with Wi-Fi access. Create curb appeal at all branches by improving lighting and landscaping, repainting exterior surfaces, and adding new exterior furnishings and fixtures. Add exterior art pieces to beautify branches. Install easy to read, standard exterior signage at all branches.

Beautiful Spaces Create welcoming, attractive entryways and foyers by adding standard, professional signage, and by improving lighting, fixtures, flooring, and furnishings. Develop a painting schedule and color schemes for all branches.

Explore ways to provide access to refreshments and design spaces that allow customers to feel comfortable while enjoying them. Add and replace furniture to create attractive, comfortable spaces for activities from solitary reading to interactive conversations. Create additional meeting spaces that include quiet zones, formal meeting rooms and furniture arrangements that facilitate collaboration. Add additional electrical outlets, charging stations and furniture to create areas that facilitate the use of mobile devices, tablets and laptops. Replace carpeting and flooring as needed at all branches. Add and replace display fixtures to streamline the distribution and display of information. Standardize all ongoing book sales with attractive furniture, fixtures, and signage. 8

Dream Three: Expand Opportunities through Technology Our level of technology support is innovative and meets or exceeds the expectations and needs of our staff and customers. Increase Technological Options for Customers and Staff

Utilize widescreen displays to provide ongoing entertainment for customers relaxing in public areas.

Make iMacs and Mac productivity and entertainment software available at each branch.

Install widescreen monitors in all meeting rooms in all branches.

Provide cloud storage for customers and staff.

Information Kiosks with Touch Screen Technology

Provide customers and staff with the ability to scan to a file or email and fax documents via multifunction scanning services. Enable customers to print from laptops, tablets, smartphones and other wireless devices. Provide video conferencing stations for customers and staff using computers with webcams and audio input/output devices.

Widescreen Displays

Install information kiosks in strategic locations such as elevators, entranceways and information desks that use touch screen technology and user-friendly interfaces to provide information about floor plans, programming and events.

Improve Wi-Fi for Customers and Staff Provide more access points, greater bandwidth and outside connectivity at all of our branches.

Provide widescreen digital signage to replace or complement established directional and information signage in all branches. 9

Digital Library Cards Provide customers with a means to maintain their library card virtually on their mobile device. Provide scanners at service points and selfcheck stations that can read digital bar codes when scanned from such devices.

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Dream Four: Comprehensive, Current, and Accessible Collections Our collections are comprehensive, well maintained and reflective of the communities we serve. Giving Customers What They Want, When They Want it

Attractive, Easy to Find, Accessible Collections

The Library will provide at least one copy of any title, in any format to meet customer interest and demand.

A comprehensive, ongoing, collection maintenance program will be developed to ensure that our collections will be well maintained and kept in good condition.

Each branch will develop and continuously maintain collections that fit the needs of their customers, based on the unique interests, demands, and demographics of the communities they serve. New formats and services will be continually evaluated and added based on new technology, trends, and customer demand.

Out of date and damaged materials will be removed on an ongoing, systematic basis. New materials will be systematically added as needed to replenish the collections and meet customer demand. Visually appealing, accessible shelving and targeted displays will be added at all branches.

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The Camden County Library System Linda A. Devlin, Director David Lisa, Associate Director Anthony P. Infanti Bellmawr Branch Library

Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown Branch on the Rutgers-Camden Campus

35 East Browning Road Bellmawr, NJ 08031 Debbie Stefano, Branch Manager

300 North 4th Street Camden, NJ 08102 Julie Tozer, Branch Manager

Gloucester Township Blackwood Rotary Public Library

South County Regional Branch Library

15 South Black Horse Pike Blackwood, NJ 08012 Anne Ackroyd, Branch Manager

35 Coopers Folly Road Winslow Township, NJ 08004 Edward Troike, Branch Manager

M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library

William G. Rohrer Memorial LibraryHaddon Township Branch

203 Laurel Road Voorhees, NJ 08043 William Brahms, Branch Manager

15 MacArthur Boulevard Westmont, NJ 08108 Jennifer Druce, Branch Manager

Merchantville Public Library

camdencountylibrary.org

130 S. Centre Street Merchantville, NJ 08109 Eve Brown, Branch Manager

Riletta L. Cream Ferry Avenue Branch Library 852 Ferry Avenue Camden, NJ 08104 Jerome Szpila, Branch Manager

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2013 Camden County Library Commission Patrick Abusi, President Joyce Ellis, Vice President Nancy Costantino, Library Commissioner Barbara Laynor, Library Commissioner Gail Watkins, Library Commissioner Robert Weil, Library Commissioner Freeholder Liaison Ian K. Leonard

2013 Camden County Officials Louis Cappelli, Jr., Freeholder Director Edward McDonnell, Freeholder Deputy Director Michelle Gentek, Freeholder Ian K. Leonard, Freeholder Scot McCray, Freeholder Jeffrey L. Nash, Freeholder Carmen G. Rodriguez, Freeholder Joseph Ripa, County Clerk Charles H. Billingham, Sheriff Patricia Egan Jones, Surrogate

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