Long Range Plan
FY 2006 – 2010
Hamden Public Library
General Information
Current Topics & Titles
Basic Literacy
Marketing & Advocacy
Building
Our Vision:
Hamden Public Library will become the anchor of the Town, a centering place for
developing a community that invites people into our buildings and provides Internet -
based services to those at home.
Our Mission:
The Hamden Public Library, the community’s information center, provides a variety of
library resources, access to innovative technology and a knowledgeable staff to improve
the quality of life and meet the informational, educational and cultural interests of the
entire Hamden community.
The Process:
The Hamden Public Library strategic plan will guide decision making through 2010.
This plan was developed in collaboration with individuals throughout the town. The
library sought to identify community needs and how the library might help to meet those
needs.
We sought advice through focus groups from over 100 participants at 6 different focus
group meetings. A 16 member Planning Advisory Committee guided the process,
reviewed the information gathered and helped the library identify priorities for the future.
This final plan is a combination of ideas and effort by the Planning Advisory Committee,
the library staff, the Hamden Library Board and library consultant Elizabeth Mainiero.
The Hamden Library Board approved the plan in September 2006.
In addition to providing our current high-quality library services, books, reference,
databases, CDs and videos, etc., the plan calls for initiatives to expand our efforts in five
key areas:
General Information
Current Topics and Titles
Basic Literacy
Marketing & Advocacy
Building
GOAL 1:
GENERAL INFORMATION.
The library’s skilled staff will continue to provide reliable and timely information to our
diverse population through our extensive collection of books, other media and on-line
resources.
Initiatives will focus on:
Enhancing staff skills in providing information through workshops and training
Maintaining a high-quality website with easy-to-use information and links to local
resources
Maintaining the technology infrastructure and applying new technologies to
provide information both remotely and in-person
Access to a relevant collection is addressed in GOAL 2
GOAL 2:
CURRENT TOPICS AND TITLES
Library customers will continue to have timely access to materials in various formats,
services, and programs that satisfy their current recreational, educational, and cultural
needs.
Initiatives will focus on:
Providing access to a collection of high-demand popular and information
materials in a wide range of formats
Staff revising a collection development plan
Developing a core collection of foreign language materials that will reflect
Hamden’s ethnic diversity
Increasing information and resources for persons with disabilities through grants
and gifts
Providing opportunities to explore popular topics through programs such as book
discussion groups and programs for residents of all ages through partnerships with
the Friends and other town departments
GOAL 3:
BASIC LITERACY
Library users aged birth through 17 years, their parents, and their caregivers will continue
to have access to materials, services, and programs that support early and ongoing
literacy. The library will provide literacy materials for adult new readers and make
referrals to partner agencies for literacy training, ESL ( English as a Second Language )
and other programs.
Initiatives will focus on:
Incorporating literacy-based activities into story times
Giving parents and children from birth to age 5 workshops and activities as part of
the Family Place at Miller and PACK activities at Brundage Community
Implementing portions of the Public Library Association’s program called ”Every
Child Ready to Read at Your Library”
Distributing library card sign-up activity bags
Expanding the Summer Reading program
Coordinating library programs on early childhood literacy with the School
Readiness Council
Donating space for literacy classes and tutoring
Maintaining and updating the adult new readers collection
Partnering with Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven and the Greater New
Haven Literacy Coalition
GOAL 4:
MARKETING AND ADVOCACY
The library will continue to promote awareness of library services, programs and
products. A community aware of the library services will become library advocates to
ensure adequate funding through the town budget, grants and fund raising.
Initiatives will focus on:
Developing a marketing plan with financial support from both the Friends and
Library Board
Continuing fund raising activities to provide additional services and
enhancements to the physical plant beyond the operating support provided by the
Town
Continuing advocacy efforts to inform the community and the political bodies of
the importance of libraries
Searching for new and continuing grant opportunities to enhance library services
GOAL 5:
BUILDING
The Miller Building needs an expanded or enhanced facility to accommodate changes in
service for the next 20 years. An inviting environment is necessary where people can
meet, gather and share information and ideas.
Initiatives will focus on:
Updating the Library Space Planning Guide by staff
Selecting a building committee to develop a building program
Hiring an architect to turn the building program ideas into architectural drawings
Obtaining funding through a variety of sources including the State Library
Construction grant and major fund raising activities
SUPPORT GOALS.
We are very proud of our public service staff. Their extraordinary service at check-out
desks, reference desks, children’s room and the branches is often applauded by the
public. Less recognized are the support staff who make possible everything library users
see and experience at Miller and the branches. Support services range from maintaining
the computer system, the web site, purchasing and cataloging materials, maintaining our
buildings, operating a central business office and handling thousands of other tasks.
Initiatives will focus on:
Continuing our focus on customer service
Continuing our annual staff development day
Continuing our staff development efforts to send staff to training workshops
Continuing to provide access to current information in electronic form with up-todate
computer services, software and equipment.
IMPLEMENTATION
Library staff and the Library Board will use these service directions to guide decision
making as they develop annual budgets and design specific programs from 2006 to 2010.
During this period the library will continue to monitor the priorities and concerns of our
community as our services change to meet changing needs. The opening of the new
middle school will present both opportunities and challenges.
THE LIBRARY WISHES TO THANK THE PLANNING ADVISORY GROUP
Jed Backus Al Harary
Kirsten Bechtel Craig Machado
Vivien Bergl Marvin Michalsen
Louise Brundage Kenneth Minkema
Laura Cannon Rev. Carolyn Young
Dorothy Delaney Bob Gualtieri, Library Director
Jackie Downing Lester Hankin, Library Board Chair
Alan Grecco Elizabeth Mainiero-Facilitator
THE HAMDEN LIBRARY BOARD
Lester Hankin- Chair
Peggy O’Brien- Vice Chair
Bernice Gillman
Evelyn Hatkin
Joan Zurolo
Bob Gualtieri, Library Director
Judith Lhamon, Associate Library Director
Darlene Butler-Board Clerk
Approved by the Hamden Library Board
September 6, 2006