2018 Strategic Plan Progress

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1	BDL Strategic Plan Completion Progress Report
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3	Number of Actions Completed or In Progress as of June 2023: 53 out of 56.
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5	Goals	Strategies	Actions	Status	Year Was / Will Be Completed	Comments
6	Goal 1: Future-Ready Facilities	Strategy 1: library will serve as the community's living room	Conduct feasibility studies for Algansee, Sherwood, and Coldwater	Completed / Ongoing	2018	A detailed report was drawn up by local engineering firm, FTC&H, and presented to the BDL Board at the September 2018 board meeting.
7			Implement Community Art Displays	Completed / Ongoing	2018	Branch County Art Guild has displays at the Coldwater Branch. Bronson Head Start provides art to display at the Bronson Branch. Coldwater Kids’ Place displays art from the Tibbits’ “Kids Art Rocks” program.
8			Create coffee nooks in all locations	Not Currently Feasible		It won't be possible to have coffee at all locations due to space and utilties constraints.
9			Create more quiet study areas	Completed / Ongoing	2019	Rearranging of furniture and fixtures at the Coldwater Branch allowed for improved study spaces. Quincy has a quiet table in the basement. Bronson’s media center is a quiet space. All other branches are severely limited in what they can do, due to space constraints.
10			Provide adequate community meeting space	Not Currently Feasible		Major building projects would be required to take this action, as none of our existing buildings can accomodate the kinds of space that we would need to allow for community meetings. We would need to expand existing facilites or otherwise acquire additonal space.
11			Use outdoor spaces more with reading areas and picnic tables	Completed / Ongoing	2021	Outdoor reading and/or programming spaces exist at all branches. Outdoor community spaces, like parks, are in use by multiple branches. All branches are planning for increased outdoor programming.
12			Update furniture and furnishings for all ages	In Progress	2023
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14		Strategy 2: library will be accessible to all	Conduct ADA self-assessment	Completed / Ongoing	2021	Self-assessment completed, with some concerns. Entrances and Internal pathways are accessible. Elevators are present in multi-level branches. Fire alarms include visual elements. Currently grandfathered-in restrrooms at the Algansee, Coldwater, and Sherwood Branches are not-ADA compliant and should be addressed. Website includes alt-elements and is tested for screen readers.
15			Additional parking for Coldwater	Completed / Ongoing	2019	Two spaces previously reserved for staff use were repainted for public use as a van-accessible space. In our limited space available, there are few additional options.
16			Audit of electrical outlets	Completed / Ongoing	2021	There are outlets available for public use in public study areas at all branches. Power poles have been installed in some places to accommodate this, but the age and design of our buildings prevents this situation from being optimal.
17			New options for patrons to pick up and return items	Completed / Ongoing	2021	Increased outreach services and materials by mail budgeted for 2021. Curbside service to continue after pandemic.
18			Exterior signage	Yet to Come	2023
19			Implement RFID	Completed / Ongoing	2021	RFID implementation with TechLogic completed!
20			Increase storage opportunities	Completed / Ongoing	2023	Bronson has a large storage area in the basement. Algansee, Coldwater, Quincy, Sherwood, and Union have external storage.
21			Improve exterior lighting as needed	Completed / Ongoing	2019	Exterior lighting improvements to Coldwater and Union Twp. No other known deficiencies.
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23	Goal 2: Multiple Literacies	Strategy 1: Patrons will have access to resources they need to thrive	Provide STEAM, either in-house or as kits	Completed / Ongoing	2018	Union Twp. Branch has a wide variety of STEAM kits for circulation throughout the district. Other branches offer in-house programs or take-home kits emphasizing STEAM topics.
24			Hands-on introduction to technology and devices (tech petting zoo)	Completed / Ongoing	2019	The library has laptops, smartphones, and a Kindle available for staff to demonstrate concepts to patrons.
25			Library of things	Completed / Ongoing	2021	We already have the seed library, wifi hotspots, voltage meters. We plan to continually increase library of things items.
26			Information/programming on civic responsibilities	Completed / Ongoing	2020	National Voter Registration Day information distributed. Ongoing information distribution of civics information from our state representative.
27			Partnerships to support ESL	Completed / Ongoing	2018	BDL provides office space and support for the Branch County Literacy Coucil.
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29		Strategy 2: Patrons will have access to activities that increase knowledge	Offer life skills courses to YA	Completed / Ongoing	2019	Courses offered in 2019 on balancing checkbook, change tire, change oil, applying for scholarships, etc. After a pause on YA programming in 2020-2021, we have resumed in 2022.
30			Offer courses on how to use the library	Completed / Ongoing	2020	Videos posted to YouTube on a variety of library use topics. We have handouts available and regularly conduct in-person sessions on how to use library digital services. We regularly host tours of students from local classrooms.
31			Incorporate existing community resources for library programs	Completed / Ongoing	2019	BDL partners with the numerous groups to conduct programming and services: 4H, the Conservation District, Coldwater Parks & Rec., Shelterhouse, Burnside Center, MSU Extension, and more. Local Author Fair.
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33		Strategy 3: Young children will have access to early learning experiences	Implement an early childhood literacy program	Completed / Ongoing	2021	1000 Books Before Kindergarten started!
34			Encourage parents to be active in ECL	Completed / Ongoing	2019	Distributing ECL “Story time to go” flyers for parents for over a year now.
35			Programs should represent all types of families.	Completed / Ongoing	2020	This remains a commitment.
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37		Strategy 4: Help the community to appreciate other cultures	Offer programs that introduce community members to different cultures and views	Completed / Ongoing	2018	Mexican Heritage Day, Traveling Tales, Polish Fest, numerous onsite and digital displays highlighting notable monthly cultural topics. Cultivating Community event in 2022.
38			Arts programming for all ages	Completed / Ongoing	2018	We do this by default.
39			Provide collections that focus on diverse populations	Completed / Ongoing	2021	Foreign language collections at 2 branches, adult manga collections, DEI committee recommendations, Amish-focused literature, sheet music collection, Craft In America DVD Collection.
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41	Goal 3: Sustainable Stewardship	Strategy 1: make the community aware and appreciative of the quantity and quality of services offered at BDL	Budget visible on web site	Completed / Ongoing	2020	Reorganized budget document more clearly shows the scope of BDL operations. Website menus redesigned to make finding the budget easier. More obvious widget on each website page to search the BDL website.
42			Itemized savings on checkout receipts	Completed / Ongoing	2018	All Evergreen checkout receipts tell a patron how much the items they checked out would have cost if they had purchased them.
43			Monthly update on amount saved by using library	Completed / Ongoing	2018	Improved statistical report clearly shows the value to our patrons for materials and services.
44			Annual report displaying return on investment	Completed / Ongoing	2019	Annual reports are being created, placed on the website, and print copies available at each branch.
45			Expand marketing and publicity	Completed / Ongoing	2018	A marketing team was created, and marketing strategy exists, and BDL uses a variety of different media to get the word out on materials, programs, and services.
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47		Strategy 2: BDL will secure funding to maintain and add services	Continue Fiscal Stewardship	Completed / Ongoing	2020	Staying within our means and within our budget is a foremost directive from the library Director, which all staff with purchasing authority are expected to follow. Introduced financial controls to place checks and balances and more eyes on all financial transactions.
48			Strengthen Friends Groups	Completed / Ongoing	2018	Initial successes 2018-pre-pandemic with Bronson, Coldwater, and Algansee. Branch managers attend all Friends meetings
49			Renew Millage	Completed / Ongoing	2022	Millage renewed for another 8 years!
50			Seek grants for special projects	Completed / Ongoing	2018	BDL has secured grants from Branch County Community Foundation, Library of Michigan, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, Apex Clean Energy, and local service clubs.
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52		Strategy 3: Provide consistent, current, and equitable services at all locations	Evaluate hours of service to achieve maximum accessibility	Completed / Ongoing	2020	Using circulation numbers, computer usage stats, and door counts, hours at all branches were re-evaluated to serve the most patrons possible. Each branch has at least one day open later. Coldwater covers the latest time slots. Expanded Saturday hours since 2020.
53			Explore establishing consistent hours	Completed / Ongoing	2021	While each branch is a little different from the next, hours of operation overall are the most consistent they’ve been.
54			Maintain standards of custodial service	Completed / Ongoing	2018	Branch managers will coordinate with our municipal partners and/or commercial custodial vendors to keep all locations in good custodial repair.
55			Analyze collections and update collection dev. policy.	Completed / Ongoing	2021	New policy adopted July 2021
56			Conduct technology assessment	Completed / Ongoing	2019	A 5-year technology plan was adopted by the BDL Board to keep our tech relevant and appropriate. Constantly evaluated.
57			Develop training plan for all staff	Completed / Ongoing	2018	All new staff go to beginner’s workshop. Two training days each year for all staff plus regular training sessions at staff meetings. Will be using “secret shopper”, short quizzes, and more.
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59	Goal 4: Community-Embedded Services	Strategy 1: patrons will have wide-ranging and convenient access to materials and services	Explore pop-up libraries	Completed / Ongoing	2021	Pop-up libraries to be at Mother’s Day car show and Famer’s Markets, Polish Fest, and anywhere else we can this year!
60			Bookmobile	In Progress	2023	Bookmobile budgeted for and a bid approved, and now under construction!
61			Provide reference assistance	Completed / Ongoing	2018	We do this by default.
62			Provision Little Free Libraries	Completed / Ongoing	2022	Working with Friends and school groups to provide little free libraries in the Bronson area.
63			Deliver materials by mail	Completed / Ongoing	2022	Materials by mail went live in 2022!
64			Promote and develop digital resources	Completed / Ongoing	2020	New digital resources launched in 2020 & 2021. WiFi hotspots launched in 2021.
65			staff will participate in the life of the community	Completed / Ongoing	2018	Library Director is on the Coldwater DDA and Branch County Community Theatre Boards. Bronson Branch Manager is on the Bronson DDA Board. Quincy Branch manager was on the Quincy DDA Board. Sherwood Branch manager is a member of the Union City Rotary Club. Director of Public Services participates in the Branch County Community Network. Assistant Director is a member of the Coldwater Kiwanis Club and participates with the Branch County Workforce Development Partnership. Bookkeeper on the Branch County Children's Museum board. All library branches involved with various community events.
66			staff will promote library services	Completed / Ongoing	2018	We do this by default.
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68		Strategy 2: Community cooperation to expand the reach of library services	Seek out community partnerships	Completed / Ongoing	2018	We are always looking open to new partnerships, but we have active connections with BCCF, BCCN, Michigan Works, BISD, local schools (Library1 Card), Conservation District, historical societies, and more.
69			Explore creating a school liason	Completed / Ongoing	2018	While a full-time position to do this ultimately wasn’t funded by the grant we applied for, Branch Managers have long been linchpins to our schools. The Director of Public Services is also deeply involved with schools as part of the Library1 initiative.
70			Explore partnerships with respite care and daycare centers	Completed / Ongoing	2018	Visiting locations like Adapt, Masonville House, etc., for deliveries of materials. Day care centers coming to our branches for programming, and we go to them for storytimes and more.
71			Build relationships with homeschool communities	Completed / Ongoing	2018	Active participation pre-pandemic with homeschool groups in Coldwater and Bronson. Bronson continues, need to reinvigorate the efforts in Coldwater and explore creating groups at other branches.
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