Licensing e-books is becoming increasingly difficult for libraries. Macmillam just recently announced a 4 month embargo on licensing/sales of e-books to libraries for several of its imprints. The publisher claims it’s losing retail sales due to the availability of library e-books.
If Macmillan’s data backs up or even appears to back up their claim, you can expect to see all other publishers follow suit. E-book costs will rise significantly (with libraries less able to afford e-books) or the licensing of e-books to libraries will cease entirely.
Librarian here, who has done Strategic planning. Many of the things suggested here are not really things you need to worry about. It is the librarians job to collect demographic information (and most likely already has it) and to figure out the guidelines for developing the Strategic Plan. They may or may not be using the ALA plan linked above, there are several different guidelines out there, all of them valid, but again, not your worry. Most likely what you are being asked to do is to look at the Library at its role in the community through your own eyes. Are you a super patron, someone who is the library all the time? Do you never use the Library? Are you a Senior? Are you a teen? A young parent? A business leader? A good Strategic Plan sets out general map for the future of the library AND ITS ROLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, but leaves the details to the staff, based on budget, etc… In other words, instead of saying “I would like The Economist”, in a strategic plan it is more helpful to hear that the business in your community are lacking good resources on national and global economic trends, things they need to know to grow their role in your community. And don’t worry about covering all the bases. You were asked to be on this committee because you bring a unique perspective. The last time we did community strategic planning the most valuable and outspoken member of our group was a 12 year old boy who was able communicate the needs of young teens in our community in a way that had not been addressed before. Be that person! Don’t worry about preparing questions and comments, you are already ready for that. Instead, go in to it with an open mind, be prepared to listen to the questions asked and give your honest responses based on your experience. It can be lot of fun!
My library is doing lots of classes and workshops and lecture type things, which seem to be popular.
I’m assuming the library has the basics like a good interlibrary loan network etc.
And thank you for making the time to support something that I think is an important community resource that’s likely to get defunded whenever the budget gets tight.
THANKS so much for the responses.
Many good points made, and @lololu was correct that my role was to give input from the perspective of a “local library lover” – other panelits, such as the head of a non-profit community senior center, shared their perspectives.
It is clear that libraries are changing with so much technology and less reliance on print materials. I have to get up to speed on the new resources!
Anyhow, it was very helpful to read the comments from those who responded.
Strong children’s programming is a must! I agree with @yourmomma that the library should be working with the schools and that there should be a literacy program in place from the youngest ages. Children are your future patrons.
A dishwasher to wash the communal toys in the children’s section. Don’t have toys? Get them!
Storytime for toddlers and preschoolers.
Rational summer reading programs for children. Don’t make kids who are reading Harry Potter in 1st grade compete for prizes with kids just starting chapter books by having contests for the number of books read. Do it by minutes of reading, and make the prizes worthwhile. You don’t really need to provide incentives for strong readers, but doing so shows that reading is highly valued.
Quiet rooms for work or meetings, with doors that close. Free parking (although having to feed meters did not seem to deter patrons at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington, MA–one of the nicest libraries I know–check our their programming online).
Fines (for adults only!) that go back to the library, not the town. It galled me that the library in Sherborn, MA didn’t get to keep patron’s fines. I paid a lot of fines during our years there.
Lots of e-books.
Lend stuff other than books and other media. I love @bookworm 's baking pan idea! The Sherborn library used to lend themed bags to kids every summer (gardening, bugs, astronomy, cooking). It would be great to lend tools to adults.
^ I have been to that library in Lexington – enjoy visiting libraries when on vacation. Loved the library – and the town – a special place. I understand that the parking can’t be free because of all the tourists (like me).
Our library does a summer bingo for raffles. There’s one for kids and one for adults - it encourages you to branch out and read things outside your comfort level. One level of prizes for getting a row - another for the whole card. I don’t know what is on the kid’s card, but the grown up card has things like - read a memoir, or poetry, or something that’s been on your to be read list forever, or a thriller, or a history.