8-12-98 BURKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM’S FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR 1998-2003 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY During Summer 1996, a long range planning team was formed by Library Director H. Steven Farlow, Jr. The team was asked to examine the current mission of the Burke County Public Library System, the roles that it plays, and how an average public library may achieve excellence in a highly competitive funding environment. The planning team studied Burke County socioeconomic data and performance statistics for the Library System. Based on this information and our current service profile, the team determined the mission and roles of the Burke County Public Library System needed to be more focused to achieve quality results on a consistent basis. In pursuit of the Burke County Public Library, Inc.’s emphasis on continuous improvement of services and collections, the long range planning team developed an ambitious Five-Year Plan for 1998-2003 which was revised during Summer 1998. While the Burke County Public Library offers services and collections to many different stakeholders and customers, the planning team recommends an institutional focus on lifelong learning support services to achieve quality results on a first time, every time basis. The Burke County Public Library System will provide popular materials and learning support services for adults, preschoolers, homeschoolers, public school students, and private school students. With an educational mission philosophy and informational service roles in mind, the following organizational objectives were identified by the planning team: Provision and maintenance of an extensive collection of popular materials on a wide variety of topics of interest to the general public. Instruction in and provision of digital and electronic information through public Internet access and automated library system. Provision of informational resources, personal assistance, and/or educational tools such as microcomputers that support curricular objectives of private schools, homeschools, Burke County Public Schools, and lifelong learning needs of area adults. Provision of programming, collections, and informational services for preschoolers in Burke County. The planning team also developed specific performance criteria for the Burke County Public Library, Inc. during 1998-2003 to ensure local accountability with the Board of Trustees, Burke County Commissioners, Morganton City Council, Valdese Town Council, and general citizenry. Major performance criteria for the Burke County Public Library System during the next five years are as follows: Registration of 100% of Burke County elementary and middle school students as Public Library customers by 2003. Involvement of 50% of Burke County preschoolers as Public Library customers by 2002. Increased customer satisfaction(80% or higher very satisfied or excellent) with Burke County Public Library System by 2003. The Burke County Public Library System’s Trustees and staff are committed to the continued success of the Public Library by providing superior lifelong learning support services to all citizens. BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW Library service in Burke County may be traced back to 1921 when the Morganton Woman’s Club agitated for a local public library and formed a library association. Other clubs became interested, and in November 1923 the Morganton Public Library opened in one room of the second floor of a building on West Union Street in Morganton. Erected by the Kistler family and friends as a memorial to A.M. Kistler, Senior, a new Morganton Pubic Library on King Street was formally opened on October 16, 1935. Renovation projects were implemented during 1958 and 1980 which expanded the facility to its present size of 18,064 square feet. There have been no significant changes to the Main Library since the last expansion in 1980. The Morganton Main Library will undergo a major restoration during 1998-1999 which will include renovation of all interior and exterior surfaces, new HVAC system, new homework center, new learning support center, and revitalized Youth Services Department with 150% increase in space. The Burke County Public Library System also formally includes two member libraries located in Valdese and Hildebran. The C.B. Hildebrand Public Library opened in 1997 and contains 2,000 square feet of space for services and collections. The Valdese Public Library is 6,181 square feet in size. The Library System also maintains a full-size bookmobile and outreach service van. SERVICE AREA OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM NAME OF CITY OR TOWN 1990 POPULATION 1996 POPULATION Connelly Springs 1,349 1,541 Drexel 1,746 1,979 Glen Alpine 563 584 Hickory (part) 79 114 Hildebran 786 1,293 Long View (part) 358 584 Morganton 15,085 16,129 Rhodhiss (part) 226 275 Rutherford College 1,126 1,230 Valdese 3,914 4,167 For persons 25 years of age or older(as of 1990), educational attainment is as follows for Burke County: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT NUMBER PERCENTAGE Less than 9th Grade 9,413 19% 9th-12th Grade, No Diploma 10,603 21% High School Graduate 14,232 28% Some College, No Degree 7,207 14% Associate Degree 3,442 7% Baccalaureate Degree 3,539 7% Graduate or Professional 1,787 4% As of 1998, the following age groups resided in Burke County: AGE NUMBER PERCENTAGE 0-4 Years 5,378 6.3% 5-9 Years 5,053 6.5% 10-14 Years 5,385 6.3% 15-19 Years 5,446 6.4% 20-24 Years 4,887 5.7% 25-29 Years 6,077 7.1% 30-34 Years 6,253 7.3% 35-39 Years 6,653 7.8% 40-44 Years 6,352 7.5% 45-49 Years 6,206 7.3% 50-54 Years 5,672 6.7% 55-59 Years 4,857 5.7% 60-64 Years 4,163 4.9% 65-69 Years 3,594 4.2% 70-74 Years 3,124 3.7% 75-79 Years 2,552 3.0% 80-84 Years 1,696 2.0% 85 Years Plus 1,224 1.5% TOTAL 85,106 100% The County Population for Burke has increased from 75,740 in 1990 to 85,106 in 1998. This represents an increase of 9,366 or 12%. Fourteen percent of Burke County households have an income of $50,000 or more. The median household effective income for Burke County was $29,176 during 1997. BURKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM’S SURVEY OF CUSTOMERS According to a user survey conducted at the Main Library and Valdese Public Library in 1997, the average library user is female, age 30-39, and college educated. Library users indicated that more books represented the single change that would most increase their satisfaction with the Library System. According to a customer survey conducted at the Main Library in 1996, only 5% of current customers are dissatisfied with services and collections offered by the Library System. 62% of customers rated Library services and collections good(27%) to excellent(35%). 93% of current customers rated the Library staff as good(26%) to excellent(67%). The average customer in 1996 utilized the Public Library System at least once per month(73%). MISSION OF THE BURKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM It is the stated mission of the Burke County Public Library System to provide materials and services to meet lifelong information and recreational needs of area customers. The Public Library will especially develop services and collections for homeschoolers, preschoolers, lifelong learners, public school students, and private school students. ROLES OF THE BURKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM While the Public Library System plays many roles in Burke County, the planning team believes that by emphasizing two significant roles the Public Library will be able to achieve its major mission as an important information provider for area citizens. The Burke County Public Library System will serve as a popular materials center and learning support center. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE BURKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM To fulfill its two major roles, the Library System identified goals and objectives associated with these major roles to be achieved during the next five years. MAJOR ROLE FOR BURKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM To serve as popular materials center for area customers. SERVICE GOAL To provide popular materials in all formats relevant to the leisure time and recreational needs of area customers. SERVICE OBJECTIVE To increase customer satisfaction with books, audios, videos, magazines, and newspapers from 15%(excellent rating) to 80%(excellent rating) by 2003. ACTION STEPS Increase local per capita funding from $5.75 (FY 98-99) to $7.35 or 28% by FY 2002-2003. Increase book budget for adults by 50% FY 98-99 compared to FY 2002-2003. Increase AV budget by 75% FY 98-99 compared to FY 2002-2003. Increase periodicals budget by 25% FY 98-99 compared to FY 2002-2003. Conduct customer surveys on annual basis from FY 98-99 through FY 2002-2003. Market Public Library collections for adults through weekly newspaper column, Internet homepage, cable TV advertisements, and radio spots on annual basis FY 98-99 through FY 2002-2003. Increase percentage of collection (adult fiction & nonfiction) published within last five years to at least 25% of total collection (adult fiction & nonfiction) by 2003. MAJOR ROLE FOR BURKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM To serve as a learning support center for area customers. SERVICE GOAL Goal A – To provide lifelong learning support services for customers to facilitate personal growth and intellectual development. SERVICE OBJECTIVE FOR GOAL A Increase customer satisfaction with general informational services provided by Burke County Public Library System from 33% (excellent rating) to 80% (excellent rating) by 2003. ACTION STEPS FOR GOAL A Increase number of adult programs sponsored by Burke County Public Library System from four per year during FY 98-99 to twelve per year during FY 2001-2002 through FY 2002-2003. Increase materials budget for Information Services Department by 100% FY 98-99 compared to FY 2002-2003. Increase reader seating for adults at Main Library from 60 to 75 during FY 99-2000. Replace computer hardware as per Computer Equipment/Upgrade Policy for Burke County Public Library, Inc. during FY 98-99 through FY 2002-2003. Add position of Electronic Information Services Librarian during FY 99-2000. Offer customer orientation seminars for public access Internet during FY 98-99 and FY 99-2000. Increase number of public access catalog workstations from 6 to 12 at Morganton Main Library during FY 99-2000. Increase number of public access catalog workstations from 1 to 3 at C.B. Hildebrand Public Library during FY 99-2000. Provide dial-up access to automated system during FY 98-99. Provide customer access to collections in Unifour area and interlibrary loans to Burke County Public Library System from Unifour area libraries during FY 2000-2001. Develop and implement staff development program for employees assigned to Information Services Department from FY 98-99 through FY 2002-2003. SERVICE GOAL Goal B – To assist students enrolled in a formal program of education through public schools, private schools or homeschooling to attain educational goals. SERVICE OBJECTIVE FOR GOAL B Register 100% or approximately 11,000 elementary and middle school students as Burke County Public Library System customers by 2003. Register 100% of homeschoolers or approximately 200 students as Burke County Public Library System customers by 2002. ACTION STEPS FOR GOAL B Increase reader seating for students at Main Library from 68 to 107 by FY 99-2000. Continue implementation of comprehensive registration drive for public school students, private school students, and homeschoolers (elementary and middle) FY 98-99 through FY 2002-2003. Increase materials budget for Youth Services Department by 100% compared to FY 97-98 to FY 2002-2003. Implement homework center for Morganton Main Library during FY 99-2000. Increase registration for Summer Reading Program by 100% FY 97-98 compared to FY 2002-2003. Increase operational hours at Main Library from 62 (FY 98-99) to 68 (FY 2002-2003). Increase operational hours at Valdese Public Library from 49 (FY 98-99) to 54 (FY 2002-2003). Increase operational hours at C.B. Hildebrand Public Library from 20 (FY 98-99) to 24 (FY 2002-2003). Increase staffing for Burke County Public Library System from 17.55 FTEs (FY 98-99) to 20.55 FTEs (FY 2002-2003.) SERVICE GOAL Goal C – As a discovery place for parents and children, the Burke County Public Library System will instill in every preschooler a love of reading and active learning. SERVICE OBJECTIVE FOR GOAL C Involve 50% of Burke County preschoolers as Burke County Public Library System customers by 2003. ACTION STEPS FOR GOAL C Increase number of professional librarians (MLS) in Youth Services Department from 1 to 2 by FY 2002-2003. Increase number of programs to preschoolers by 50% FY 97-98 compared to FY 2002-2003. Renovate and expand Youth Services Department to include active learning center and student reading room during FY 99-2000. Increase audience for preschooler programming by 50% FY 97-98 compared to FY 2002-2003. Design, develop, and implement marketing campaign for preschoolers, parents, caregivers, and day care providers concerning Public Library during FY 99-2000. Provide outreach services to day care centers utilizing existing van FY 98-99 through FY 2002-2003 and purchase additional outreach services van during FY 2001-2002. FOLLOW-UP Much can change in the course of five years. The planning team and the Burke County Public Library Board of Trustees will, on an annual basis, review progress towards the mission, goals, and objectives outlined in this document. Citizens of Burke County are invited to comment on this plan for the Burke County Public Library System. Please direct your comments to members of the planning team: Ms. Lyvonne Ellison, Burke County Public Library Board of Trustees Mr. Steve Farlow, Library Director for BCPLS Mr. Jim Wilson, Library Manager for Circulation and Technical Services Ms. Valerie Poust, Library Manager for Youth Services and Outreach Services Ms. Wendy Evans, Information Services Librarian STATISTICAL APPENDIX TO FIVE YEAR PLAN Burke County Adult Population, 16 years plus(estimated) 67,821 Burke County Juvenile Population, less than 16 years(estimated) 17,285 TOTAL POPULATION FOR BURKE COUNTY, 1998 85,106 Total number of Books for BCPLS 132,432 Books per capita for BCPLS 1.56 Circulation per capita, BCPLS 2.44 Total number of visitors, BCPLS 130,500 Visitors per capita, BCPLS 1.53 Program attendance for BCPLS 17,945 Program attendance per capita for BCPLS .21 Professional staff with MLS for BCPLS 5.15 Other staff for BCPLS 12.40 Total staff for BCPLS 17.55 Circulation per staff member for BCPLS 11,875 FTE per 25,000 pop. 5.16 Cost per circulation for BCPLS $3.31 Local support per capita for BCPLS $5.75 Burke County support per capita for BCPLS $4.29 Total circulation for BCPLS 208,410