Hancock County Public Library
Strategic Plan 2006—2009

Description of Service Area and Facilities

The Hancock County Public Library District includes all of Hancock County except for Vernon Township.  Residents of Vernon Township are eligible for a reciprocal borrower’s card.  The Library operates one main building in Greenfield and a branch in New Palestine—Sugar Creek Branch.  Construction of the main library in Greenfield was completed in November, 2005.  A Techmobile serves the district with stops at schools, senior centers, businesses, etc.  Drop boxes for return of materials may be found at the Eastern Hancock Schools location and at the Mount Comfort Elementary School in Buck Creek Township.  A courier service expedites delivery of materials through pick-ups at the drop boxes and transferring materials back and forth between the main library and the branch library.

Vision, Value and Mission Statements
Vision: The Hancock County Public Library provides superior county-wide library service convenient to and used by all residents through excellent programs and materials in a financially responsible way. We do this one life at a time.

Value: We, the Hancock County Public Library value lives the best way... one person at a time.

We are:

W E V A L U E L I V E S

Windows to the world Enabling personal growth and entertainment Valuable, educational, family, and business resources Accessible to all Hancock County citizens Long distance learning capable Uniquely financed, not by property taxes Enhancing the quality of life Life long learning providers Informing and stimulating Varieties of friendly services programs and materials Economically delivering value and fiscal responsibility Serving all people

Mission: Deliver quality information service, multiple resources and technology tools, and a variety of programs for life long learning and enjoyment to all residents of Hancock County in a caring and innovative setting.
Marketing, Promotion, and Partnership Goals

Goal:  Capitalize on the perception of the library’s positive brand in the market.   

            Objectives: 

• Use the strong brand recognition to provide the library a competitive market edge in the community. 
• Leverage this edge with positioning of the library’s services in the competitive arena that includes all informational and recreational services in the marketplace.

Background:  Community leaders feel that the library has a strong identification in the community with roles in education/lifelong learning and literacy.   It is also perceived that the library is an avenue and a mainstay in the community for civil discourse.  However, the competitive forces acting upon the library are huge and have to do with the organization and delivery of information in multiple formats, platforms, and timeframes.  These forces are primarily from outside of the library field, i. e. Google, Amazon.com, Dell, Sony, Starbucks, etc.  (Source:  Board planning retreat, 1-14-06)

Goal:  Strengthen and/or pursue partnerships to leverage the library’s positive brand in the market.

Objectives:

• Create partnerships for economic development where applicable to help strengthening the economy of the community.
• Pursue partnerships that lead to digitization of local resources for enhanced access to rare and valuable materials (such as the LSTA grant received by the library for digitizing James Whitcomb Riley material in partnership with the Riley Old Home Society and IUPUI).
• Strengthen partnerships with schools that enhance students’ ability to achieve (such as the current Covered Wagon Program, Accelerated Reader List, etc.)
• Pursue partnerships with community organizations that provide citizens with knowledge and/or enrichment of their lives.

 

Goal:  Promote a shift in the public’s perception of the library to include virtual information and services beyond the walls of the library.

Objective: 

• Investigate taglines and/or subtext that include words like “portal”, “connectivity”, and “resource”.  Use these terms in publicity where applicable.

Background:  The very name “library”, while important because of its connection to what the public understands it does, serves in limiting the perspective of the breadth of services provided.  (Source:  Board Planning Retreat, 1-14-06)

Goal:  Leverage the opportunities available with Channel 19 (community access channel) and radio (operated by the high school).

            Objectives: 

• Encourage promotion of the library’s programs and services on radio and Channel 19 during prime viewing or listening hours.
• Investigate taping of library board meetings for Channel 19.

Goal:  Investigate opportunities to publicize HCPL through billboard advertising.
 
Objective: 

• Market/promote the library and its endowment fund through advertising.

Goal:  Expand the scope of the marketing committee of the Board.

            Objective: 

• The marketing committee will also function as a research & development committee.

Background:  Since the Board’s committee structure is in place and functioning well in supporting the operations of the existing system, the Board would like to focus on other strategic issues as part of their meetings.  Therefore, the Board will streamline the distribution of committee reports and consider consent agendas to deal with operational issues at its monthly meeting in order to focus on its role of research and development.  (Source:  Board Planning Retreat,
1-14-06)

 

Service Goals

Goal:  Investigate changes in delivery systems to include technological adaptations in the way people choose to receive library materials.
 
Objectives: 

• Adapt delivery systems to allow value added content to be accessed via the web. (e. g. downloads to home computers).
• Explore options for podcasting and videostreaming.  (e.g.  library board meetings could be available through videostreaming on computers; podcasts to MP3 players could provide a walking library orientation, promote library resources and programming, or make available book reviews, book talks, and storytelling).

Background:  The library’s constituent base continues to diversify and demand customized product delivery.  The library cannot continue to serve in the business model that has historically made it successful.  Constituents demand for multi-streaming products, on demand access, and other “high-tech” services will require the enhancement and/or creation of services ahead of, or in immediate response to the market. (Source:  Board Planning Retreat, 1-14-06)

Goal:  Develop discretionary services beyond core library services.

Objectives: 

• Enhance and/or create services ahead of, or in immediate response to the market.
• Offer services, products and delivery methods that differentiate the library in the marketplace.

Background:  Build on the existing and burgeoning diversity (educationally, ethnically, financially, etc.) of Hancock County. (Source:  Board Planning Retreat, 1-14-06)

Goal:  Research demographics of the Hispanic population in Hancock County to better serve this “hidden” population.

            Objectives:

• Provide a Spanish speaking staff person(s) as a point of contact.
• Be proactive in establishing services and programs to reach Hispanics, especially the next generation.

 

Goal:  Create policies and guidelines for providing service to those who cannot use regular library facilities (i. e. homebound).
 
            Objective: 

• Form a staff committee to create the policies and guidelines for the homebound program and formalize the current program of delivery to the homebound.

Goal:  Investigate new ways to get library cards in students’ hands.

Objectives:

• Provide an opportunity for students to sign up at all county school registration nights. 
• Conduct a beta test to help students register for a card by asking Techmobile staff to send the card registration form home with children so that parents may fill them out.  Techmobile staff will send a confirmation letter to the parents when the form is received and processed. 

Goal:  Continue to enhance the library’s website.

Objective:

• Users of the website will be informed of library programs and services and will be able to understand how to access their library account, place holds, etc.

Goal:  Expand use of the television monitors over the AV section to provide more
information about library programs and services.

Objective: 

• Explore the possibility of taping music performances of the library’s concert series, taping children’s programs and taping library board meetings to show on the television monitors.

Goal:  Enhance use of the Local History Room and its collection.

Objective:

• Develop policies and guidelines for genealogy searches and use of the Local History Room, including computer use in the Room.
• Create a collection development policy for local history and genealogy.
• Expand the local history/genealogy collection.
• Encourage volunteers to help staff the Local History Room.

 

Goal:  Investigate the facilities’ ease of use and make changes, if appropriate.

            Objective:

• Explore the need for additional signage and other ways to facilitate a user’s visit to the library.
• Conduct a baseline evaluation of the ease of use of the facility, make adjustments, and re-evaluate the ease of use in 6 months.

 

Programming Goals

Goal:  Create new programs to meet the information needs of the business community.

            Objective: 

• Provide a late afternoon or early morning event at the library for individuals from the business community to network and learn about the library’s resources (a model for this type of program is the Chamber of Commerce’s Biziness After Hours).

           
Goal:  Build on the library’s position as a community cultural center by growing services in programming, book talks and music presentation. 

Objectives: 

• Build on the library’s current programming and look for new programs of interest, such as a Master Gardening Class from Purdue Extension, a program in home decorating, basic Spanish classes, basic sign language classes, etc.
• Leverage the opportunity to immerse all users of the community room in the breadth of services the library offers and engage them in the organization.

Goal:  Build on the library’s position as a community learning center, both onsite and with the Techmobile.

Objectives: 

• Enhance the library’s role in linking outside learning opportunities with local needs.
• Provide opportunities to link patrons with formalized institutional learning or other “content driven” services.

 

Goal:  When possible, given resources and staff, expand children’s programming and services.

Objectives: 

• Include outreach programs to teen parenting groups, early childhood literacy classes for parents, storytimes to Head Start children at their location, baby sign language classes, LEAP Pad check-outs, and upgrading to CD players from the current cassette players.
• Commit to developing the Imagination Library program.
• Seek community involvement by asking volunteers to occasionally conduct a storytime program in addition to staff-conducted storytimes.  (Utilize expert storytellers from the Hancock County Retired Teachers group or other community leaders/volunteers identified by staff.)

Goal:  Adjust library programs to the lifestyle of young families.

Objective: 

• Investigate new ways to engage and serve young children of working parents (e. g. additional storytimes on evenings and weekends or story book delivery to homes weekly by volunteers).

Goal:   Provide avenues of collaboration for programming between staff at the main library and the branches.

            Objective: 

• Form a committee of staff from the main library and the branches to share and discuss programming ideas, especially Young Adult program ideas for Sugar Creek Branch.

Goal:  Provide adequate numbers of computers for public Internet use.
 
            Objective: 

• Conduct space planning and design to add new computers if necessary.

Goal:  Provide computer classes for the public by anticipating the need for computer instruction in the community.
 
Objectives:

• Provide instruction in library databases available to the public and promote the classes to the appropriate audience.

• Provide instruction in online databases that are geared to the business community (i. e. Reference USA, etc.) 
• Provide instruction in online databases that are geared toward genealogists (i. e. HeritageQuest and Ancestry)        
• Provide instruction in other online databases (i. e. Mitchell for auto enthusiasts and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for real estate and mapping information)

 

• Provide instruction to the public on using iBistro and the library’s website, either formally or informally.
• Provide additional computer classes for teens.
• Provide classes in Child Internet Safety for parents.
• Provide INSPIRE training for teachers in the community.

 

Resource and Staff Goals

Goal:  Provide employees with opportunities to achieve the full extent of their potential in order to maintain quality service and retain a superior staff.

Objectives: 

• Provide adequate staffing levels.
• Provide opportunities for training and improve cross training between departments.
• Conduct a review of the merit and increment raises within the salary schedule.

Goal:   Provide channels for communication among the staff.

Objective:

• Evaluate, improve, and add as necessary, channels for staff communication, input and feedback. 

Goal:  Increase, when possible, the budget for materials within the overall budget.

Objective:

• Look for economies of scale within the budget to provide for the increase in the materials’ budget.

Background: The public have shown a high demand for books and AV materials, especially new materials. (Source:  Circulation Statistics)

Goal:  Investigate ways to provide more selection of materials on the shelves.

            Objective: 

• Form a committee of Selectors and Technical Services staff to accomplish this goal (e. g.  possibly lowering the number of Fiction DVDs that may be checked out at one time, looking at areas of high demand such as GED materials, etc.)

Goal:  Study and improve practices currently in use for ordering, processing, receiving, and cataloging of all materials.

            Objective: 

• Form a committee of Selectors and Technical Services staff to accomplish this goal.

Goal:  Provide efficient procedures for registration and check-out of materials.

            Objective: 

• Form a committee of staff to look at options to enhance the experience for patrons at the Circulation Desk.  Possible ideas include:

• Investigating online registration for library cards to reduce the amount of time spent on registering individuals at the circulation desk.
• Investigating whether the formation of a queue would eliminate some individuals waiting longer for service than others.
• Investigating adding self-check stations and enabling the current self-check stations so that they can check out AV material as well as books.
• Implement the option of users’ paying fines and fees online.

 

Goal:  Expand the volunteer program.

Objective:

• Look for ways volunteers could help expand library services or programs, such as shelf reading, assisting librarians with specific tasks, etc.

 

Facilities’ Goals

Goal:  Provide safe, comfortable and well-maintained physical facilities.

Objectives: 

• Develop procedures to ensure energy-efficient buildings.
• Investigate new procedures to put in place in the parking lot of the main library to ensure pedestrian safety.  
• Purchase barriers by front doors of the main library to prevent a vehicle accidentally going through the doors of the building.
• Enhance the presence of security personnel from 3:00 – 5:00 on weekday afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Goal:  Enhance space design to accommodate needs for collections, programs and services.

Objectives:

• Investigate expansion of stack areas in the adult sections of the main library (look for unused space to expand to, such as AV areas, or collections that could be moved, such as the Friends sale area, etc.)
• Adjust and refine workspaces and workflow within the new main building as needed to better serve patrons.
• Provide an outdoor meeting space at the Sugar Creek Branch (such as rental tents for summer programs).

 

Finance Goal

Goal:  Focus on building the library’s endowment by encouraging philanthropy and revenue generation to build the endowment (after completion of Phase II of the Capital Campaign).

Objectives:

• Investigate ways to encourage philanthropy.
• Investigate methods for revenue generation to grow the endowment, such as podcasting programs for download to computers or MP3 players.
• Investigate adding fees for special programs for out-of-district residents.

Background:  To continue to provide quality and diverse services, the library’s endowment must be grown.  (Source:  Board Planning Retreat, 1-14-06)

Goal:  Monitor EDIT funding.

Objective:

• Remain fiscally responsible and live within the revenue stream of the unique funding model for HCPL.

Goal:  Investigate the use of a Capital Projects Fund.

Objective:

• Use the Capital Projects Fund to replace technology on a planned schedule.

 

Research and Evaluation Goals

Goal:  Explore expansion possibilities for the library district boundaries and 
evaluate how to respond to the needs of growing markets in the county. 

Objective: 

• Research demographics of people living in areas outside the library district but using the services of HCPL.

Goal:  Re-evaluate the potential for service in eastern Hancock County.

Objective: 

• Either survey or conduct a focus group session with people in eastern Hancock County to evaluate needs that the library could fill.

Goal:  Evaluate current programs and services from the perspective of library users in the HCPL district and explore potential new ideas for the future of the library.

Objective: 

• Survey the entire county once patrons have had time to visit the new main library and use its services.

Goal:  Re-evaluate, when necessary, library policies and review fees annually.

Objective: 

• Examine policies that may be out-of-date or inadequate for current situations (e.g. computer users, age 12, wanting to use software only available on “adult” computers)
• Annually review fee policies and adjust fees if appropriate.

Appendix

Methodology of Plan

The Board of the Hancock County Public Library met on January 14, 2006 in a planning session to update the Strategic Plan 2002.  Rick Roberts was the facilitator for the meeting.  Several strategic areas were identified by the Board for growing the organization:
 

• product development
• market saturation
• delivery systems
• public positioning of the library as a tool to aid economic development in the community.

Four focus group sessions were held on April 4th and April 19th, 2006 to gather input from library staff.  Twenty-nine staff members attended the sessions or approximately 75% of the full and part-time staff.  Ginny Andis (staff member) facilitated the focus group sessions.  Questions asked were:

1. What can the library do to help you meet the needs of the patrons?
2. What new programs and services should be offered?  Are there any programs and services that should no longer be offered?
3. How can we get information and library services out to where people are rather than waiting for them to come to us?
4. What kinds of staff training should be offered?
5. Is there a need for any change in benefits or adapting workspaces?
6. What trends or outside forces may affect the library?

 

Goals and objectives were formulated from ideas presented by the Board, Director, and the Staff.

Demographics of Hancock County

Hancock County is growing at a rapid rate.  Population for Hancock County was 45,527 in 1990 and 63,138 in 2005, an increase of 39% over the 15 year period.  The population in the County is projected to grow to 67,426 by 2010.  It ranks 5th out of 92 counties in net domestic migration (2004 to 2005) and it ranks 15th out of 92 counties in natural population increase (births minus deaths).

For 2003, median household income in Hancock County ranked 3rd out of 92 counties in Indiana.  The April 2006 unemployment rate for Hancock County was 4.1%.  Seventy-four counties had higher unemployment rates than Hancock County.

Population of school age children (5 to 17) in Hancock County is slightly higher than the state average.  Also, Hancock County has slightly higher than the average number of older adults (45 to 64).  While the state median age is 35.7, the median age in Hancock County is 37.7 or slightly higher than the average for the state.

Hancock County ranks 6th out of 92 counties for adults with a high school diploma or higher degree (87 %).  Twenty-two percent (22%) of Hancock County residents have a B.A. degree or higher degree.
 
(Source:  The Indiana Business Research Center makes available on its website a demographic profile of Hancock County using data from the U. S. Census Bureau.   http://www.stats.indiana.edu/profiless/pr18059.html)

Library Statistics—Changes from May, 2005 to May, 2006

• 15% increase in total circulation
• 78% increase in online renewals
• 63% increase in reference questions
• 64% increase in total computer users (over 4,900 sessions)

• 89% increase at the Sugar Creek Branch

• 200% increase in adult Internet class attendance at the main library

 

(Source:  Director’s Report, June, 2006)