Tigard Public Library Strategic Plan 2000-2005 � 7 �
2000-2005
Blueprint for Tomorrow :
The Tigard Public Library's
Strategic Plan
2000-2005
December 2000
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Table of Contents
Pages
Introduction...........................................................................................1-2
Tigard Library Mission Statement and Values .........................................3
Service Areas Responses:
General Information.........................................................................4-5
Information Literacy.........................................................................6-8
Current Topics and Titles ..............................................................9-11
LifelongLearning.........................................................................12-13
Business and Career Information ................................................14-17
Communication and Training ............................................................18-20
Appendix
Facts and Graphs........................................................................21-25
Strategic Planning Committee ..........................................................26
Strategic Planning Teams ................................................................27
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Introduction
In the past 40 years, the town of Tigard has evolved from a small rural community, on
the outskirts of Portland, where dairy cows and family farms were a common sight.
Today, Tigard is a family-oriented community with a diverse business base. Families,
including seniors, schoolchildren and many newcomers to this country all call Tigard
"home."
The growth of the Tigard Public Library has paralleled the growth of the city. The
Library began as a grassroots effort when a group of neighbors canvassed the
community for donated books. In the early days, the library was located in the garage
of Ann Hicks, who eventually became the first director. The Tigard Junior Women's
Club began to work on plans for a more formal library in the fall of 1963. After months
of fundraising and book drives, volunteers built 300 feet of shelf space in the old City
Hall on Main Street. Initially, the Library was run totally by volunteers. In 1964-65, the
City budgeted $175 for part-time staff. In 1967, the Library moved into the former Sealy
Mattress factory on Main Street. Despite leaky ceilings, mismatched furniture and an
orange shag carpet, Tigard residents grew fond of the little library downtown. Loyal
patrons brought their children to story time, checked out a variety of books and offered
their time and talents to help keep the library running. In the 1960s, the Tigard Library
thrived on patron enthusiasm and support from a core group of volunteers.
In 1984, Tigard residents approved a bond measure for a new city facility, and in 1986
the Tigard Library opened at its current location. As the City has grown so has the
usage of the Library. The residents of Tigard and others have flocked to the Library for
information, entertainment, intellectual stimulation and educational enrichment.
Once upon a time, the word "library" was synonymous with "books." Today at the dawn
of the 21St Century, libraries provide books... and a whole lot more. They supply up-to-
the-minute information resources in both print and online. Videos, books-on-tape and
CD-ROMs are also popular items to borrow. Internet services, word processing
machines and electronic databases all distinguish the contemporary public library.
Promoting reading is still a major part of the Library's mission, but now adult book
discussion groups and adult book nights join children's story times as ways to draw
people to the magic and mystery of reading. Library programs run the gamut from
investment tips to jugglers to cartooning. The types of programs and services that
libraries can provide are limited only by the imagination.
Yet, like the city of Tigard, the Tigard Public Library is facing certain limits. It is limited
by space, resources and budgets. Consequently, in 1999 Library staff and several
Tigard citizens began the process of developing a five-year long-range plan in order to
determine where best to focus the Library's efforts. In May 1999, then-Library Director
Melinda Sisson created a 21-member committee composed of staff and citizens to
create a blueprint for serving the public in the next five years. This document is the
result.
Page 1
.In the course of determining what services to focus on in the next five years, the
committee examined the vision and the mission of the Library. The question of space
repeatedly entered into discussions. The fact that space has become a premium is a
measure of the public's continued support of the library. The consequence, however, is
that the Library is unable to provide the level of service desired for a community of
Tigard's size.
In 1999, the Library received a generous bequest from Grace Tigard Houghton, the
granddaughter of Tigard's founding family. The Library considered the possibility of
expanding on its current site, but in January 2000 the Tigard City Council decided that
the space at the current location was inadequate for the library to expand to meet the
community's future needs. The Council voted to explore the idea of building an entirely
new building at a different location.
As a result of the Council's vote, the New Library Construction Committee was formed
in August 2000. This committee has received from BML Architects a final draft of the
"Needs Analysis for the new Tigard Library." The need for a new facility is clearly
articulated in this report. The next steps for the Committee are to focus on site selection
and design. This Committee will forward a recommendation to the Tigard City Council
for consideration of a bond measure for construction of a new library to be placed on the
November 2002 ballot.
Some of the proposals set forth in this long-range plan can be accomplished at the
library's current site. But the planners hope that this-blueprint for action will be joined by
a building blueprint in the not-so-distant future. With both, the Library can provide a
quality and level of service befitting a progressive city the size of Tigard.
Using the guidelines provided in the publication Planning for Results: A Public Library
Transformation Process, the Strategic Planning Committee selected five service areas
for the Library to focus on in the next five years. The Library staff then developed goals
pertaining to each of the services. In addition, goals were developed for staff training
and communication. For each goal, the staff developed measurable objectives and
activities to meet those objectives.
The Strategic Plan 2000-2005 is a living document. These goals, objectives and
activities will be revisited and refined each year of the plan. Each component of this
plan is geared to fulfill the Library's stated mission and value. Exciting and innovative
ideas are the cornerstone of this plan. Citizen input and feedback are also important to
ensure that library services keep pace with the changing needs of the community.
Page 2
Tigard Public Library
Mission Statement
The Tigard Public Library serves the Tigard community by promoting reading and
providing access to materials in all formats to meet residents' informational, cultural,
educational and recreational needs. The Library fosters lifelong learning and provides
an array of programs and services to encourage the development of well-rounded
citizens.
Values
Respect a variety of viewpoints and opinions and make them available to the public in
the interest of promoting a healthy democracy.
Encourage library users to become comfortable in using information in a wide variety
of formats and to instruct them in using new technologies for information gathering.
Assist patrons in finding the information they want, and when they want it in a form
that is most useful to them.
Develop partnerships with the community to ensure that library services truly respond
to the needs and desires of Tigard residents.
Page 3
General Information
To meet the need for information and answers to questions on a
broad array of topics related to work, school and personal life.
Goal: Tigard Library users will receive, in a timely manner, accurate
information and expert assistance on a variety of subjects, in a variety
of formats.
Objective One
Ninety-five percent of library users surveyed will rate reference services as "good" or
"excellent" by FY 2003-04.
Purpose:
The Library's reference services provide patrons with a gateway to information.
Reference staff strive to answer their questions quickly and accurately. Whether
through reference staff expertise or by demonstrating to patrons how to use a variety of
resources to find information on their own, connecting people with information is a
primary function of the Tigard Public Library.
Activities:
• Ensure that reference desk is staffed by two persons during all peak hours.
• Evaluate selected sections of non-fiction collection and reclassify to provide better
access.
Objective Two
The public's use of the Library's Web site will increase by ten percent a year through FY
2004-05.
Purpose:
The Tigard Public Library will use the Internet to provide information about Library
programs, services and materials through its home page: www.ci.tigard.or.us/lib/tl)hnaiii.htin
on the City of Tigard's Web site. The following activities focus on increasing the public's
awareness and usage of electronic resources provided by accessing the Library's Web
site.
Activities:
• Actively promote Web sites by advertising in Cityscape, handing out bookmarks,
mentioning at Citizen Involvement Team (CIT) meetings.
• Review and edit current Web site for content and user friendliness; update Web site
on a monthly basis.
• Increase the number of Tigard and Washington County related links and information
on Web site.
• Develop a procedure for evaluating, updating and maintaining reference links.
Page 4
Objective Three
Circulation of the non-fiction collection will increase by five percent a year through FY
2004-05.
Purpose:
Library materials, such as "how-to" manuals, cookbooks, biographies, travel books,
science and histories, form the foundation of the Library's non-fiction collection of
information. The circulating non-fiction collection accounts for forty-three percent of the
Library's collection. Promoting the non-fiction collection and soliciting patron
suggestions for improving it will help keep the collection current and relevant to our
patrons' needs.
Activities:
• Solicit patron suggestions for informational topics, materials and resources through
"Information Suggestion" boxes located throughout the Library.
• Continue to focus collection development on building popular non-fiction areas by
allocating the non-fiction materials budget based on circulation figures and patron
suggestions for purchase.
• Promote non-fiction materials, through non-fiction book reviews and suggested
reading lists in Cityscape, Tigard Times and on the Web site.
• Include non-fiction book talks in adult reading programs.
• Showcase non-fiction materials with displays on a quarterly basis.
• Increase the use of volunteers in Technical Services for processing new materials.
• Establish a faster and more reliable connection for Technical Services to the shared
integrated library system.
Objective Four
By July 2005, a Library Guide (or Library Docent) will be available during all Library
open hours to help provide Library users with ongoing assistance.
Purpose:
Another way to help Library users find what they need is to provide one-on-one
assistance through a Library Guide program. Because these staff members or
volunteers will be devoted to satisfying a user's immediate needs—such as directing
them to a shelf location or to another staff member---Library visitors can find what they
are looking for quicker and more efficiently.
Activities:
• Write job description for Library Guide.
• Designate selected staff and volunteers to become Library Guides.
• Provide training for Library Guides on assisting patrons, conducting reference
interviews and using computer resources, such as WILlnet and the Internet.
• Schedule monthly meetings to keep Library Guides and other Library staff, notified
of changes/additions to Library services and programs.
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Information Literacy
To help address the need for skills related to finding, evaluating
and using information effectively.
Goal: Tigard Public Library users will obtain training and resources
to become self-sufficient in skills necessary to find and evaluate and
use all types of information.
Objective One
By FY 2002-03, the public's overall use of the Library's resources that promote basic
computer skills will increase by fifty percent.
Purpose:
Because computers have become a mainstay in our society for communication and
information-gathering, the Library recognizes the need to provide resources and classes
to teach basic computer skills, such as keyboarding, using a mouse, Windows
navigation, the Internet and email use. The following activities will provide patrons with
opportunities to develop these skills.
Activities:
• By June 2001, the Library will offer at least one class per month in basic computer
skills.
• By FY 2001-02, the Library will provide a selection of educational computer games
that build basic computer skills for youth for use on in-house computers.
• By FY 2002-03, the Library will provide links on its web site to free online tutorials for
basic computer skills.
• By FY 2002-03, the Library will provide public computer access to in-house training
software that teaches basic computer skills.
Objective Two
By the end of FY 2000-01, public participation in electronic resources training and use
of training materials will increase by twenty-five percent.
Purpose:
In addition to providing ways to improve basic computer skills, the Library also
recognizes the need to provide resources and classes to teach Library users how to use
computer resources, such as the online library catalog, the Internet and online
newspaper and magazine databases.
Page 6
Activities:
• By January 2001, the Library will offer at least one class per month to instruct
patrons in using the Library's automated system.
• By June 2001, the Library will offer at least one class per month to teach patrons
how to use the resources available in the Electronic Resources Center, which
includes online newspaper and magazine databases and the Internet.
• Beginning in FY 2000-01, acquire specific materials for the collection on beginning-
level instruction of Internet skills.
• Develop pathfinders and other handouts that include criteria for evaluating Web
sites.
Objective Three
By FY 2004-05, seventy-five percent of patrons surveyed will feel confident in their
ability to obtain materials and information at the Tigard Public Library.
Purpose:
To assist patrons in improving their information-gathering skills, the Library will promote
its resources and classes as well as make internal improvements to help patrons find
the materials and information they seek.
Activities:
• By end of FY 2000-01, the Library will actively promote its informational resources
and classes through Cityscape and a variety of other resources.
• By FY 2002-03, the Library will improve signage and shelf labeling for all its
collections.
• By FY 2004-05, explore adding electronic pop-up maps to the Online Public Access
Catalogs (OPACs) to indicate item location.
• In FY 2002-03, develop program for Library docents to work with patrons as
personal library guides.
Objective Four
By July 2004, the Library will have language interpretation assistance available during
all Library open hours to help provide Library services to at least three designated non-
English speaking populations.
Purpose:
With the growing number of people in the Tigard area for whom English is a second
language, the Library recognizes that language barriers sometimes bar people from
receiving good service. The Library will focus on providing assistance in other
languages to respond to this growing need in the community.
Page 7
Activities:
• Identify the three ethnic groups who make up the greatest number of Tigard's non-
English speaking population.
• Have translators readily available in person or via telephone or the Internet, to assist
with patrons who do not speak English.
• Write grants to hire a staff member to provide outreach to the Spanish-speaking
population and to inform them about the Library's programs and services.
Page 8
Current Topics and Titles
To fulfill community residents' appetites for information about
popular cultural and social trends and their desire for satisfying
recreational experiences.
Goal: Tigard Library users will have materials and programs available
to support their interests in popular culture and their desire for
recreational reading, viewing and listening experiences.
Objective One
The number of individuals who participate in library programs will increase by ten
percent each year.
Purpose:
Tigard Library's programming efforts have been well received in the community.
Programming includes bringing authors, members of the business community and
performers into the Library for educational and entertaining programs. The Library
wishes to broaden the scope of its programming, so that more individuals take
advantage of these events.
Activities:
• Offer new targeted audiences at least one program each year during FY 2001-2005.
Examples include:
■ Presentation by well-known personality about volunteering or the importance
of community service.
■ Workshops by outdoor recreation enthusiasts on topics such as fly fishing and
birdwatching.
■ Book talks by authors who are sports personalities or other professionals.
■ Classes/workshops focused on specific hobbies, such as woodworking or
collecting.
■ English as a Second Language (ESL)
■ Bilingual book discussion group.
■ Cultural awareness seminars.
• Survey patrons to determine whether they have participated in other library
programs during the year.
• Expand outreach efforts in programming—for example, develop programs to be
presented at Summerfield, King City or Community Partners for Affordable Housing
(CPAH). Examples of programs include:
■ Book talks on personal investments, such as investing after age 55 or
stretching retirement dollars.
■ Introduction to using the Internet/email.
■ Introduction to library catalog, databases and programs.
Page 9
■ Cultural discussion at a CPAH housing complex.
■ Schedule visits to Library by outreach populations, such as ESL, seniors, low-
income members of the community, as well as those who have difficulty
getting transportation to the Library.
Objective Two
Beginning in FY 2001-02, the number of patron suggestions regarding their interests
and desires for recreational reading, viewing and listening experiences will increase by
five percent each year.
Purpose:
A primary way the public can influence the acquisition of library materials is through
suggestions. The Library will make a concerted effort to encourage people to make
their interests known.
Activities:
• Create a place in the library for patron input using a suggestion box, comment cards
and signs.
• Establish email and web site suggestion boxes; explore creating a web board to
solicit suggestions.
• Establish patron advisory groups for specific genres.
■ Examples:
■ YA music
■ Videos
■ Mysteries, etc.
• Distribute feedback forms after each program. Ask participants what they liked,
what they did not like, what else we need to do.
• Publish patron suggestions and comments in Cityscape and/or display in library.
Objective Three
The usage of ESL materials relating to current topics and titles will increase by at least
ten percent per year through FY 2004-05.
Purpose:
The Library maintains a collection of current books and other materials that address
topics of interest to Library users. During the next five years, the Library will focus
attention on its ESL collection to ensure that it is updated and geared to the interests of
the population it serves.
Activities:
• In FY 2001-02 appoint a staff committee to develop contacts and publicity for ESL
outreach efforts—including research into established programs at other libraries.
• Send a Tigard Library representative to other countywide Language Services
Committee meetings beginning in FY 2001-02.
Page 10
• By the beginning of FY 2004-05, explore the possibility of creating an ESL Outreach
panel, with Spanish, Korean, Russian, Chinese and Eastern European speakers, to
suggest fiction and non-fiction materials to be added to the collection, as well as
library programs.
• In FY 2002-03, add ESL sections to library web site in such areas as class
information, medical sites, business information, job search, resume writing
information, links to ESL sites and county services. Add Spanish versions of some
existing sections like "Parents and Children" and "What's Going on this Month," and
offer lists of newly added Foreign Language titles.
• In FY 2002-03, offer programs that target the non-English speaking community and
encourage checking out materials from the library.
Page 11
Lifelong Learning
To help address the desire for self-directed personal growth and
development opportunities.
Goal: Tigard Public Library users, beginning at birth and extending
throughout their lives, will find opportunities for personal growth,
continued learning and the pursuit of knowledge.
Objective One
Beginning September 2003, the Library will host one program a month that fosters
lifelong learning based upon patron suggestions.
Purpose:
Lifelong learning is the desire for and pursuit of continual learning opportunities and
experiences throughout one's life. It is not limited to formal educational opportunities,
but also includes opportunities for continued learning, personal growth and a thirst for
knowledge. To assist library users in their ongoing desire to learn and experience a
variety of new ideas, the Library will broaden its programming efforts based on patron
feedback.
Activities:
• Print messages on receipts to solicit ideas for future programs.
• Begin patron groups, such as the teen idea group, to assist staff in planning
programs (providing ideas, speakers, etc).
• Create patron suggestion forms to solicit program ideas, and make the forms more
accessible throughout the Library.
• Survey other libraries in the area to learn more about their programming and
publicity efforts.
• Offer classes on Web site design and creation.
Objective Two
By July 2002, fifty percent of Tigard Library users surveyed rate the Library's map,
signs, shelf labels and informational/directional fliers as "good" or "excellent" in helping
them to find what they are seeking.
Purpose:
Giving people tools to find materials on their own allows them to take a more self-
directed approach to their pursuit of knowledge. There are times when people would
rather find things on their own than ask Library staff. The following activities are aimed
at developing more self-sufficient library users.
Page 12
Activities:
• Add signage in other languages, especially to designate foreign language/ESL
collection.
• Number each section of shelves and designate three popular subjects per aisle.
Provide signs that show numbers and subjects.
• Coordinate map of the Library with the new signs and shelf labels.
• Add new shelf labels that can be moved as collection shifts.
Objective Three
By FY 2004-05, the Library will increase both its Adult Literacy and Foreign Language
collections by twenty-five percent each.
Purpose:
To better serve library users who wish to better their reading skills or those whose first
language is not English, the Library has created two special collections containing
books, cassettes and videos. Recognizing the increased demand for these resources,
the Library proposes to expand these collections and enhance its outreach efforts to
these members of the community.
Activities:
• Develop outside referrals to experts for the Adult Literacy and ESL communities.
• Develop community partnerships to provide Adult Literacy tutors and outreach to
ESL patrons.
• Explore developing classes to meet the special interest needs of the Adult Literacy
and ESL.
Objective Four
By FY 2004-05, the Library will increase its opportunities for newborn through high
school patrons to use library resources by twenty percent.
Purpose:
Young people of all ages will be able to learn about the resources provided by the
Library, contributing to their lifelong learning.
Activities:
• By FY 2004-05 increase the number of programs and activities offered for young
children and their caregivers.
• Continue to expand the summer reading program for the young people of the
community.
• Continue to work in partnership with local schools and community organizations to
promote reading and library resources.
• Periodically, evaluate areas of programming for children of all ages to ensure that
their needs are being met.
Page 13
Business and Career Information
To address a need for information related to businesses, careers,
work, entrepreneurship, personal finances and obtaining
employment.
GOAL: Tigard Public Library users will find current resources and
services that address their entrepreneurial interests, investment
needs and the changing business environment.
Oboective One
During FY 2002-03 public use of the Library's investment resources will increase by ten
percent.
Purpose:
Investment resources, such as Value Line and the Red Chip Review, are vital to many
users of the Tigard Library. In response to local demand, the Library proposes to
expand its investment information service by increasing its investment resources
collection.
Activities:
• Establish links to Value Line or other similar financial resources from the Web site.
• Arrange workshops for patrons on investment tools.
• Solicit input from current patrons on affordable investment tools that would make this
collection more useful.
• Develop partnership with the Small Business Center at Portland Community College
in order to identify and promote useful resources.
Oba ctive Two
By FY 2003-04, the Library will create sections of the Library's Web site specifically
devoted to assisting the informational needs of self-employed business people and
individual investors.
Purpose:
As more business and investment resources get published on the Internet, the Library
will expand its role in directing people to these resources.
Page 14
Activities:
• In FY 2001-02, research existing Web sites dedicated to business interests.
• By the end of FY 2001-02, write a grant proposal to develop the Library's own
business and career Web site.
• Beginning in FY 2000-01, work with WCCLS and Washington County libraries to
develop a county Web site that is useful to local businesses.
Objective Three
By FY 2004-05, the Library will create a self-contained Small Business Center with
information available in multiple formats and programs provided on business-related
topics.
Purpose:
Small business owners often do not have the resources to teach them to run a profitable
operation. A Small Business Center would assist them in all aspects of running a
business from writing a business plan to determining market demographics.
Activities:
• In FY 2002-03 identify resources and purchase titles to establish a Small Business
Center.
• In FY 2003-04 continue to expand the Small Business Center collection.
• Arrange business workshops for patrons on a variety of topics, including writing
business plans and managerial skills for small business operators.
• Maintain a collection of Oregon Business forms both online and in hard copy.
• Partner with the Small Business Center at Portland Community College and
establish a link from the Library's Web site to theirs.
• Host quarterly early-bird open house for community to promote awareness of
business resources.
Page 15
GOAL: Tigard Public Library users will benefit from an array
of resources and services that address their career needs in
a changing work environment.
Objective One
By FY 2001-02, the public's use of the Library's career information resources will
increase by ten percent.
Purpose:
Enhancing the Library's career information collection means not only expanding
resources in certain areas but also assisting patrons in finding the information that is
already available.
Activities:
• During FY 2000-01, double the Library's juvenile career information resources and
coordinate them with elementary school curriculum guidelines.
• Beginning in FY 2001-02, expand the Library's adult career collection to include
resources in multiple formats.
• Improve signage in the career information area during FY 2000-01.
• Review the Library's current cataloging practices for career information to ensure
that they are catalogued in a patron-friendly manner.
• Improve/increase shelving for this collection.
• Develop partnerships with local high schools and middle schools to inform them of
the Library's career information collection through presentations and other outreach.
Objective Two
By FY 2001-02, the Library will make available Oregon and Washington post-secondary
school catalogs either in online or hard copy format.
Purpose:
Because education is often a first step in making career decisions, the Library will
expand its school information resources.
Activities:
• Create a list of schools to contact for current catalogs and/or identify their URLs.
• Create a routine system to continuously update requests for catalogs and/or their
URLs.
• Develop a plan to make school catalog information available to our patrons by
contacting local schools and other means.
• Promote these resources in a variety of ways including bookmarks, Cityscape and
posters.
Page 16
Objective Three
During FY 2003-04, the Library will create a job search workstation that will receive a
rating of "good" or "excellent" from seventy-five percent of its users when surveyed in
FY 2004-05.
Purpose:
Job hunting can be a tiring and befuddling process. The Library will assist people who
are searching for work by providing a dedicated job workstation with information on how
to conduct a job search and the resources with which to do it.
Activities:
• Offer patrons step-by-step instructions on what to do and where to look when
searching for a job.
• Offer a variety of resume-and business letter-writing programs at the workstation.
• Add links to Oregon and Washington State employment agencies on the Library's
Web site.
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Communication and Training
Tigard Library's Blueprint for Tomorrow outlines a wide-ranging strategy for providing
library services to the Tigard community. Public libraries in the 21St Century face the
challenge of staying current and providing resources and materials to help communities
cope with the ever-changing face of modern life. At the same time, public libraries play
a role in preserving history. Systematic staff training is necessary to ensure that we
deliver accurate and timely information and up-to-date research techniques.
For the Library to remain a vital part of the community, Library staff must also actively
promote its programs and services. The success of this long-range plan may lie in the
staff's ability to promote the library. Many innovative and exciting services are planned.
Communication is the key to making sure that the public takes advantage of them.
Therefore, the final section of this plan puts forth goals to foster the training and
communication components of this plan. Both propose actions to be taken internally
that will improve our abilities to reach out to patrons and engage them in library
activities.
Training Goal: All Library staff will receive continuous training and
resources to assist patrons efficiently and accurately.
Objective One
By FY 2001-02, all Library staff will have received the training and resources needed to
assist patrons with general information questions.
Activities:
• Establish a set of basic reference competencies for developing a reference services
training program.
• Produce a reference/procedures guidelines manual.
• Develop an orientation training program for all-existing and new staff and volunteers.
Training will include phone skills, an overview of City and Library services and
programs, basic online public access catalog (OPAC) searching, basic circulation
policies, and a basic overview of the library automation system (Polaris).
• Make available at all phones and public service desks a basic information sheet of
important City and Library services, programs, staff, directions, etc.
Page 18
Objective Two
By FY 2001-02 staff will have received training to assist patrons with information
literacy.
Activities:
• The Library will provide ongoing training to insure that all staff working with the
public can offer the patron a basic level of support for how to use Library resources.
• All staff/volunteers working with the public will be trained to provide one-on-one
assistance at the Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs). Training will include how
to teach the public to conduct basic searches, understand the search results and
locate the desired materials in the Library's collections.
Objective Three
By FY 2002-03, all Reference staff will be knowledgeable in business resources at the
Library.
Activities:
• Provide in-house training for Reference staff on the Library's business resources.
• Reference staff will attend a variety of workshops to develop their knowledge of
entrepreneurial business resources.
• Develop specific evaluation goals for all Reference staff that emphasize business
reference skills.
• Provide in-house training for Reference staff on investment resources available at
the Library.
Objective Four
By FY 2004-05, Library staff will receive additional training to assist them in providing
one-on-one support to patrons who are pursuing their lifelong learning interests.
Activities:
• Provide training for Library Guides on assisting patrons and using electronic
resources such as WILlnet and the Internet.
• Provide training and incentives to encourage staff to learn a second language.
Communication Goal: Tigard Library users will be informed of Library
programs and services through a variety of promotional methods.
Objective One
By the beginning of FY 2001-02, the Library will have developed a formal
communication strategy to inform patrons of its programs and services as well as issues
related to the Library.
Page 19
Activities:
• Create an in-house cross-divisional communication committee.
• Develop a marketing plan for promoting programs and services.
• Using the City of Tigard marketing plan as a foundation, develop guidelines for
working with the media.
• Assign staff person to media and public information tasks.
• Develop a communication plan for each major Library program.
Objective Two
By FY 2002-03, all Library staff will have received training on public relations in order to
better understand the role of staff in promoting the Library. After receiving training, staff
will propose new ways to reach the community.
Activities:
• Assign each staff member a specific promotional activity.
• Survey Library users to determine how they receive information about the Library.
• Develop at least three new ways to reach the public through promotional efforts.
• Ensure that Library promotions keep pace with advances in electronic technology.
• Expand promotional efforts to include outreach to non-readers and non-English
speaking members of the community.
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INTERESTING FACTS
About the Tigard Public Library
July 1999 - June 2000
• Issued 3,601 library cards
• Added 14,252 new items
• Benefited from the help of 295 volunteers with 11,560 hours donated
• Welcomed 226,632 visitors
• Loaned 606,901 items
• Answered 44,012 reference questions
• Presented 369 programs for children and young adults attended by 13,805 people
• Offered 116 programs for adults attended by 881 people
• Provided Internet access for 21,006 people
Some things have changed since 1996:
• In 1996-97, the library provided two Internet access terminals for 714 people-357
uses per terminal. In 1999-00, the 12 Internet terminals were each used an average
of 1,751 times—this is a four hundred ninety percent increase!
• Total registered borrowers at Tigard Public Library numbered 30,498 in 1995-96 and
have increased to 40,281 borrowers in 2000—a thirty-two percent increase. Library
card holders make up eighty-four percent of the service population in 1999-00—
compared to sixty-four percent in 1995-96.
• Although building size has remained the same-13,000 square feet; the number of
items checked out per year has increased by sixteen percent. (522,729 items
checked out in 1995-96 and 606,901 items checked out in 1999-00.)
Page 21
CHANGES OVER TIME
Tigard Public Library
1995-2000*
oRegistered Borrowers ■Service Population
60,000
0 50,000
CL
0 40,000
4k.y
30,000 ` y
E 20,000
10,000 ;
0
95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00
*Fiscal year is June through July.
Service population consists of Tigard residents and a percentage of unincorporated
Washington County residents.
Circulation at Tigard Public Library per Capita
1995-2000
20
L
CL
15
o0 7777La 10
Yy`
/L
E
w ,
95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00
Circulation is the number of items borrowed.
Page 22
PROGRAMS
Youth Programs
Tigard Public Library
1995-2000
15,000
CU 10,000
Q ;{ m
:a
95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00
Number of
programs 256 255 261 318 369
each year
Adult Programs
Tigard Public Library
1995-2000
1,600
1,400 -
a)
1,200 -
Ca
,200 Ca 1,000 -
800
600 <x' ti 12
400 SY w . . r
6.: v t1
200 . .
{L fY,,. ♦ti,r5`<
0 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 l
Number of
programs 5 91 124 167 116
each year
Page 23
COMPARISONS WITH NEIGHBORING LIBRARIES
Volumes per Capita for Tigard Public Library
compared to neighboring libraries
1995-1999
5 [3 Tigard
4 0 Cedar Mill
3 R.11 oTualatin
2
■Beaverton
0 Lake Oswego
0
95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99
Volumes per capita have remained fairly constant at approximately 2.2
volumes per person.
Circulation per Capita for Tigard Public Library
compared to neighboring libraries
1995-1999
25 -
20 - 0 Tigard
0 ■ Cedar Mill
0
1. 15 -
2L 0 Tualatin
10
5 ■ Beaverton
Ao
0 0 Lake Oswego ,
95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99
The circulation per capita for Tigard Public Library has increased from 11 to 14
items over the four years illustrated—an increase of 3%.
SERVICE POPULATION (1999-2000) SQUARE FEET
Tigard: 49,068 13,000
Cedar Mill: 51,411 15,700
Tualatin: 22,868 27,100
Beaverton: 106,728 8,600
Lake Oswego: 116,950 19,000
Page 24
PUBLIC SERVICES
Reference Questions Answered
Tigard Public Library
compared to neighboring libraries
1995-1999
c 140,000
N 120,000 ❑Tigard
as 100,000 ■Cedar Mill
cr 80,000
o 60,000 ❑Tualatin
v 40,000 ■Beaverton
20,000 Lake Oswego
c -
9596 96-97 97-98 98-99
Public Internet Use
Tigard Public Library
25,000
L 21 006
20,000
c 14,590
L 15,000
as
E 10,000
c
5,000
714 2,310
0
1996 ■1997 13 1998 ■ 1999
These graphs illustrate the continued demand for reference services along with the high
demand for Internet access. Fiscal year 1996-97 was the first year Intemet access was
offered.
Page 25
Strategic Planning Committee
Membe*r List
Dan and Jan Aamodt Teresa Laubach
Citizen Members Tigard Public Library
Susan Baker Helen Mason
Fowler Jr. High Citizen Member
Margaret Barnes Barbara O'Neill
Tigard Public Library WCCLS
Cliff Berger Linda Parker
Tigard Christian Church Tigard Public Library
David Chapman Mara Sani
Tigard Library Board Tigard Public Library
Linda Eaton Kathy Smith
Citizen Member Tigard Public Library
Shiela Fink Ken Vallance
CPAH Citizen Member
Renita Gerard Paula Walker
CPAH Tigard Public Library
Alan Griffin Mike Wilhelm
Citizen Member Citizen Member
Sue Kasson Susan Yesilada
Tigard Library Board Waddell & Reed
Page 26
Strategic Planning Teams
General Information Lifelong Learning
Team Captain: Sandy Birkner Team Captain: Teresa Laubach
Rich Allen Dianne Byrne
Craig Carter Carly Ingvalson
Tony Greiner Elizabeth James
Terri Smith Trish Stormont
Nikky Wiles
Information Literacy Business & Career Information
Team Captain: Kathy Smith Team Captain: Mara Sani
Ann Hunter Connie Anderson
Vivian Levine Tony Greiner
Xiaohong Lu Katie Hagen
Mary Madland Kathy Vincent
Marin Younker Bobby White
Current Topics & Titles
Team Captain: Linda Parker
Erik Carter
Amy Emery
Connie Martin
Kate Miller
Sandra Thorne
Page 27
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