CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS LIBRARY SYSTEM

CENTRAL LIBRARY PLAN

2007-2011

Mission Statement: The James Prendergast Library and the Olean Public Library, co-central libraries of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, support the System’s mission by functioning as a major reference, information, interlibrary loan and electronic materials resource for the member libraries and their patrons, and by serving as incubators for innovation.

Goal: Establish a Central Libraries Advisory Committee composed of representatives from the co-central libraries and member libraries.

Intended Results: Member libraries will have an opportunity to communicate their central library service needs on a formal basis.

                                    A.  Committee will meet twice a year to advise the central libraries on needed services to member libraries.

B.  Committee will survey member libraries once a year to evaluate central library services to members and to solicit requests for additional services.

Evaluation Methods: Minutes of committee meetings; survey of  member libraries 

Resource Sharing

Goal: Co-Central libraries will use CBA funds to acquire adult non-fiction resources in a variety of formats.

Intended Results: Member libraries and their patrons will have access to a collection of adult non-fiction resources in a variety of formats to meet their information needs.

                                    A.  Continue to select and purchase adult non-fiction materials based on interlibrary loan needs of member libraries;

B.    Electronic resources purchased with CBA funds will include remote access capabilities; electronic resources purchased with local funds will include remote access capabilities when possible;

C.  Coordinate purchase of electronic resources in order to avoid duplication;

D.  Central libraries will investigate the need to increase non-book acquisitions.

Evaluation methods: Tracking of CBA purchases by material types, and by circulation and interlibrary loan statistics; survey of member libraries.

Goal: Co-Central libraries will work with the System to investigate the need for second weekly delivery to and from the Olean Public Library once that library is “live” with the System’s Integrated Library System (ILS).

Intended Results: Residents of the system area will have increased and quicker access to materials in the collections of the co-central libraries.

                                    A.  Track the quantity of materials requested by member libraries from Olean’s collection and the length of time before materials arrive at requesting libraries;

                                    B.  Based on results of above activity, determine if second delivery                                is cost-effective.

Evaluation Methods: Track number of requests and delivery time frames.

Technology Services

Goal: Co-Central libraries will serve as incubators for emerging technologies.

Intended Results: The member libraries will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of introducing emerging technologies in their own libraries and the policies established for their use after reviewing the experiences of the Co-Central libraries.

                                    A.  Assist System staff in exploring the development of virtual reference;

B.  Consider the feasibility of e-mail reference service to member libraries;

                                    C.  Participate in System digitization project;

E.  Experiment with emerging technologies when feasible and develop policies for their use.

Evaluation Methods: Member library surveys; anecdotal and statistical data collected by Co-Central libraries.

Special Client Groups

Goal: Central libraries will provide and promote the establishment of services to special client groups by member libraries.

Intended Results: System residents with special needs will receive library services at the Co-Central libraries or at member libraries.

                                    A.  Continue to provide adult literacy programs through Prendergast’s Library Literacy Center and Olean’s collaboration with Literacy Volunteers of Cattaraugus County;

B.  Acquire and make available System-wide, materials of use to various special client groups such as large print books, audio books, GED and other testing materials, and  job information resources;

C.  Provide assistance to member libraries applying for Adult Literacy or Family Literacy grants;

D.  Collaborate on the development of services to special client groups.

Evaluation methods: Member library surveys; anecdotal and statistical data collected by Co-Central libraries

Continuing Education and Training

Goal: Co-Central libraries will assist the System in training initiatives for staff of  member libraries.

Intended Results: Member libraries’ staffs will benefit from the expertise of Co-Central libraries’ staffs in order to provide improved public service.

                                    A.  Conduct one annual workshop for member libraries;

B.  Staff from the co-central libraries will continue to act in a “train-the-trainer” capacity for member libraries;

C.  Share materials developed for programs that provide instruction to patrons.

Evaluation Methods: Evaluations of workshops and other training activities conducted for and with member libraries.

Consulting and Technical Assistance

Goal: Co-central libraries will provide member libraries with consulting and technical assistance when appropriate.

Intended Results: Member libraries will be able to draw upon the expertise of co-central libraries staffs to improve and expand service to their patrons.

                                    A. Assist member libraries automating their circulation and cataloging functions by conducting training and developing common policies;

B.  Assist member libraries with providing reference service to their patrons;

                                    C.  Provide “best practices” information to member libraries on a                                               regular basis.

Evaluation Methods:  Member library surveys; anecdotal and statistical data collected by Co-Central libraries

Awareness and Advocacy

Goal: Co-central libraries will make member libraries aware of their roles and services.

Intended Results: Each member library will be aware of the special services available at the central libraries in order to provide additional service to their patrons.

                                    A.  Develop and conduct a marketing program about their respective services;

B. Provide a special column in each issue of the System’s newsletter to highlight services.

Evaluation Methods:  Member library surveys; anecdotal and statistical data collected by Co-Central libraries.