El Paso Public Library
Strategic Plan, 2005 - 2007
Approved by the El Paso Public Library Association
April 12, 2005
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Goals
Critical issues identified by the El Paso Public Library Board and
staff: |
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1. Funding |
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2. Staffing |
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3. Technology |
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4. Facilities and growth |
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5. Advocacy |
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Goal 1: Funding
To secure new and reliable funding sources for the El Paso Public
Library (EPPL).
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A. The El Paso Public Library Association (EPPLA) Development
Director and other designated staff will research current and
potential foundation opportunities. |
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Action Steps:
1. By June 30, 2005, the EPPLA Fundraising Committee and Development
Director will research private foundations’ funding protocols.
2. The EPPLA Development Director, Director of Libraries, and other
designated staff will submit a minimum of 3 funding proposals to
private foundations per fiscal year.
3. The EPPLA Board, Director of Libraries and Development Director
will work with the El Paso Community Foundation to make the most
effective use of current Library funds.
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B. The EPPLA Board, Director of Libraries, Development Director and
designated staff will develop a fundraising program for the El Paso
Public Library to solidify funding goals and earnings potential. |
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Action Steps:
1. Hold an annual fundraising gala/event.
2. Include information on bequests and planned giving in the El Paso
Public Library’s web page.
3. Design, print and distribute a bookmark with information on
bequests and planned giving.
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C. The EPPLA Board, Director of Libraries and designated staff will
research bond issue for collection development funds. |
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Action steps:
1. The Director of Libraries and designated staff will research the
following:
- Usage of materials i.e. types of materials requested
- Per capita expenditures
- What are the items other systems are buying with
general fund
money
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D. The EPPLA Board, Director of Libraries and designated staff will
research the possibility of establishing a separate taxing district
for El Paso area library service. |
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Action steps:
1. Members of the EPPLA Board will work with EPAL (El Paso Area
Libraries) to explore possible strategies for the development of a
separate taxing entity, by December 31, 2005.
2. Members of the EPPLA Board will work with EPAL (El Paso Area
Libraries) to develop a Public Relations strategy to promote the
separate taxing entity.
3. By December 31, 2005, the Director of Libraries and designated
staff will research the following:
- Texas State Law regarding the establishment of library districts
- The development of a feasibility study for the establishment
of an
El Paso City-County Library District
- Per capita expenditures
- The experience of other cities in the Southwest that
have taxing
districts |
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Goal 2: Staffing
To increase the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce.
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A. The Director of Libraries and designated staff will develop
strategies to promote an improved image and reputation for El Paso. |
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Action Steps:
1. By June 1, 2005, Library Administration will work with City Human
Resources to create a staff recruitment packet that promotes El
Paso’s quality of life and the El Paso Public Library. Packet will
include information from:
- The University of Texas,
- City of El Paso,
- The El Paso Community College,
- The Convention & Visitor’s Bureau,
- And El Paso Public Library publications that promote the Library.
2. The Library Public Relations Coordinator will develop a brochure
for library staff recruitment by December 31, 2005. The brochure
will include information on:
- tuition reimbursement
- continuing education opportunities
- weather
- cultural events, and
- other positive selling points for the city
3. The brochure will be digitized and included in the EPPL Website,
as a link under Career opportunities. http://www.elpasotexas.gov/library/career_opportunities.asp
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B. The Director of Libraries, Staff Development Committee and other
designated staff will work to effectively recruit and retain a
diverse workforce. |
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Action Steps:
1. Beginning at the ALA Annual Conference in 2005, the Director of
Libraries and other designated staff members will disseminate
recruitment packets at library conferences and professional
meetings.
2. The Library’s webmaster (Children’s Specialist) will regularly
post job openings on the EPPL website.
3. The Director of Libraries and designated staff will work with
City Human Resources to regularly post job openings on a diverse
array of websites and electronic discussion lists.
4. The Public Relations Coordinator will regularly post job openings
at school libraries.
5. An Ad hoc committee of the Staff Development Committee will
research the viability of an international exchange program by June
30, 2006.
6. The Director of Libraries and designated staff will work with
City Human Resources to reengineer the Library staffing table by
August 31, 2006.
7. The Staff Development Committee will study better salaries and
fringe benefits for staff and make recommendations for the Director
of Libraries to forward to City Administration. Recommendations may
include:
- Testimonials from current staff;
- Information about comparable positions in the City and regionally;
- Differential pay for Spanish speakers;
- Department Heads given discretion to extend contracts
and convert
contractual positions to permanent ones; and
- Encourage promotion from within the library |
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C. The Director of Libraries, Staff Development Committee, and other
designated staff will work to improve Staff salaries. |
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Action Steps:
1. By August 31, 2005, the Director of Libraries, the Staff
Development Committee and designated staff will conduct a salary and
pay equity study.
2. Strategies will be identified by the Director of Libraries and
designated staff to advocate for better salaries and direct the
following items:
- Ad hoc committee to make recommendations regarding
current related
Civil Service rules.
- Recruitment and training of EPPL staff advocates.
- The Staff Development Committee, with staff input,
will establish concrete points for more levels of
professional & para-professional positions.
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D. The Director of Libraries and designated staff will work to
increase Staff Development opportunities. |
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Action Steps:
1. The Director of Libraries and designated staff will continue to
seek additional funding for continuing education.
2. Supervisors will encourage staff to seek continuing education
opportunities.
3. Library Administration and Management will broaden types of
activities that staff can attend.
4. The Staff Development Committee will work with the Library
Management Team to update or create procedures manuals for
cross-training.
5. The Staff Development Committee will create a program for job
sharing by August 31, 2005.
6. The Staff Development Committee will conduct a feasibility study
of paid internships for international exchange programs by March 31,
2006.
7. The Staff Development Committee will research staff development
opportunities and mentoring programs available through the American
Library Association by December 31, 2005.
8. The Staff Development Committee will continue to encourage
training of library staff by EPPL staff trainers. |
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E. The Director of Libraries and designated staff will work to
recruit additional volunteers and interns. |
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Action Steps:
1. The Director of Libraries will request a Volunteer Coordinator
position for EPPL for FY 2007.
2. The Public Relations Coordinator will promote volunteer positions
in mass and targeted media.
3. Until the Volunteer Coordinator position is filled, Branch
Mangers and Section Heads will work with Library Administration to
undertake the following:
- Develop individualized volunteer job descriptions.
- Develop training and orientation for volunteers.
- Hold an annual Volunteer recognition event underwritten
by the EPPLA and Friends groups.
- Implement a library aide program coordinated by the
Children’s
Specialist for school-age children, which
would promote
librarianship as a career choice.
4. The Volunteer Coordinator will determine what the Library
System’s needs are for Interns by March 31, 2007.
5. By June 30, 2007, the Volunteer Coordinator will develop
guidelines for job levels, job descriptions and means of
remuneration for Interns.
6. The Library Webmaster (Children’s Specialist) will advertise
Intern openings on the Library website.
7. The Public Relations Coordinator will send Intern openings to
area universities.
8. The Director of Libraries will work with designated grant writers
(City, EPPLA) to fund paid internships.
9. The Volunteer Coordinator will contact universities regarding
Intern needs on an ongoing basis. |
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Goal
3: Technology
To increase technology capacity for service efficiency. |
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A. The Director of Libraries, Systems Librarian, and designated
staff will take a leadership role in the development of an
inter-local information policy, information technology applications,
and information literacy. |
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Action Steps:
1. Work with local partners to foster EPAL (El Paso Area Libraries)
consortium activities.
2. Develop a mechanism whereby training costs and resources can be
shared among libraries, institutions, and agencies participating in
EPPL.
3. By December 31, 2007, Install touch screen directories (kiosks)
throughout the community for information and referral regarding
Library services and programs, community events, City and County
government, arts and recreation, and civic and social agencies. |
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B. The Director of Libraries, Systems Librarian, and designated
Staff will work with the City’s IS Department to expand and upgrade
the Library's network and communications infrastructure. |
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Action Steps:
1. Increase bandwidth of the Library network by March 31, 2005.
2. Replace existing cabling and hubs with fiber optic cable in all
facilities as the technology becomes available.
3. Expand the number of network drops on each floor or Section of
each library building.
4. Develop online library service for bookmobile clientele by June
30, 2005.
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C. Library Administration and designated staff will add/replace
equipment associated with accessing information in various formats
as needed. |
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Action Steps:
1. Replace obsolescent equipment as required (approximately every 3
years.)
2. Install and upgrade workstations as needed.
3. Maintain an inventory of all library equipment and plan for the
upgrade/replacement of each item.
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D. The Library Staff Development Committee will provide a
continually evolving staff development program oriented toward the
integration of technology in all areas of work.
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Action Steps:
1. By December 31, 2005, develop and implement an ongoing “train the
trainer” program for training of customers to help them confidently
and competently use well-designed, easy to use information tools
that the Library provides.
2. Create instructional handouts for staff use, in print and
electronic file format, by December 31, 2005.
3. Facilitate distance learning when feasible. |
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E. Library Administration and designated Staff will provide adaptive
technology designed to facilitate access by the disabled to the
Library's electronic resources.
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Action Steps:
1. Install and test technology by August 31, 2006.
2. Train staff in operation of technology by August 31, 2006.
3. Promote new technology.
4. Create instructional handouts in print and electronic file format
by August 31, 2006. |
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F. Library Administration and designated Staff will work to increase
and enhance resource sharing.
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Action Steps:
1. Further the development of our web site to embrace the concept of
a "virtual library", which includes digital collections.
2. Translate selected Library Web pages into Spanish and other major
languages spoken in the El Paso area by December 31, 2005.
3. Begin and continue to expand document delivery at all sites.
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G. Library Administration, Branch Managers, and designated staff
will explore the need for more and expanded computer labs
system-wide. |
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Action Steps:
1. Determine size and location of the lab for libraries currently
expanding or being constructed.
2. If remodeling will be required, work with architect to create
specifications for suitable conduit, wiring, circuitry, computer
room, etc.
3. Prepare specifications for equipment and software, which includes
a centralized system for the allocation and enforcement of time and
use limits for public access computers by March 31, 2005.
4. Acquire and implement a debit card system for public-use
printers, such as Venda Card, by December 31, 2005.
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H. Library Administration will work with the Library Business Office
and Staff to purchase and install ergonomically designed hardware
and equipment. |
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Action Steps:
1. Hire a consultant to evaluate workstations and make
recommendations by August 31, 2005.
2. Provide training to staff on how to reduce stress and injury. |
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I. The Staff Automation Committee and other designated staff will
research ways to provide new technology and increase self service
options for Library customers. |
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Action Steps:
1. The Library Automation Committee will explore options for new
technology on an ongoing basis.
2. Library Administration and Management will explore self-service
options for customers and make recommendations by March 31, 2005.
3. Library Administration, the Systems Librarian and designated
staff will explore options for implementing RFID systems by December
31, 2005. |
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J. Increase funding for technology. |
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Action Steps:
1. Director of Libraries will work with City or outside grant writer
to seek grants/funding via corporate sponsorships.
2. The Library Board will create a more interactive website specific
for fundraising.
3. The Library Board will target a portion of fundraising for
technology.
4. The Director of Libraries will work to increase funding for
library technology through the City budget.
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Goal
4: Facilities and Growth
To plan for the maintenance/replacement of existing facilities and
future expansion of El Paso Public Library. |
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A. Assess all library facilities to determine
maintenance/replacement needs. |
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Action Step:
Branch Managers will complete facility needs self-study
by December 31, 2005. |
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B. Prioritize maintenance/replacement needs. |
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Action Step:
An Ad Hoc Committee (Director of Libraries, Extension Services
Administrator, Library Board Representative, City Building
Maintenance Representative and Architect) will conduct site visits
to the branches by March 31, 2006. |
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C. Determine the need for additional branches based on demographics
and surveys. |
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Action Steps:
1. By March 31, 2005, surveys will be distributed to El Paso
residents, public and private schools, EPCC, UTEP, and available at
the branches and on the Library's website.
2. By March 31, 2005, Public Relations Coordinator and designated
staff will analyze and disseminate results from survey. |
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D. Plan for expanding local partnerships in support of facilities
and growth. |
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Action Steps:
1. Identify potential community partners and the
advantages/disadvantages of potential partnerships.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of our current
partnership
with EPCC at the Northwest Community Library.
- Evaluate similar partnerships in other library systems,
such as
the Reagan High School's partnership with
San Antonio Public
Library. |
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Goal
5: Advocacy
To cultivate support for El Paso Public Library. |
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A. Create advocacy-training packages for recruitment and training of
library advocates by June 30, 2005. |
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Action Steps:
1. Create an advocacy committee to include Library Administration,
Executive Board, Public Relations Coordinator, Graphics Department,
and Development Coordinator.
2. Develop training guide/packet for advocates.
3. Print packets for distribution. |
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B. Library Administration and the Library Board will recruit and
maintain an advocacy network for EPPL by September 30, 2005
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Action Steps:
1. Library Administration and the Library Board will meet to
identify advocates after approval of strategic plan.
2. Recruit qualified individuals from target groups: Board, Friends,
Patrons, Staff, Library Associations, Civic Leaders and
Organizations.
3. Contact individuals identified to secure participation. |
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C. Train Advocates |
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Action Steps:
1. Director of Libraries will schedule quarterly training dates and
assign trainer from the Advocacy Committee.
2. Provide training of advocates using the materials developed (first
training to be held by October 31, 2005) |
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D. Implement advocacy campaign
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Action Steps:
1. The Advocacy Committee will identify target audience groups and
schedule presentations, with a minimum of once a month per group.
Target Audiences:
- Civic Groups
- Political Leaders
- Corporations and Local Businesses
- Library Stakeholders/Public at-large |
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