Chautauqua - Cattaraugus Library System
Co-Central Libraries Plan:
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2016

The mission of the James Prendergast Library is to provide access to information resources, staff, facilities and services that respond to the pursuit of knowledge, education, lifelong learning opportunities and cultural enrichment by the people of the City of Jamestown and Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

The mission of the Olean Public Library is to improve the community's quality of life by providing equal access to materials in various formats, programming and services for patrons of all ages, and a capable and professional staff available to assist members of the greater Olean community in support of their educational, informational and leisure needs.

The mission of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus library system is to foster, strengthen, and improve public library services within its two county service area. 

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.

The Central Library Plan describes the services funded by state aid for Central Library Development Aid and Central Book Aid.

Section 1 – Collection Development and Resource Sharing

  1. Goal: Member libraries will have access to digital and non-fiction print materials that complement their collections.
  2. Actions:
    1. Central Library Book Aid (CBA) funds will be used to update and enhance popular non-fiction and foreign language materials in targeted subject areas in the print and digital collections.
  3. Measurement:
    1. Annual Central Libraries Advisory Committee assessment of CBA purchases and usage statistics.

Section 2 – Reference Services

  1. Goal: Member library reference services will reflect best practices.
  2. Actions:
    1. Central Library Adult Services staff will pilot new effective reference services to patrons for implementation in member libraries.
  3. Measurement:
    1. Survey member libraries about Central Libraries new reference services

Section 3 - Professional Development and Continuing Education

  1. Goal: Member libraries’ staff will benefit from the expertise of Co-Central libraries’ staff in order to provide improved public service.
  2. Actions:
    1. Co-Central libraries will assist the System in training initiatives for staff of member libraries.
    2. Staff from the co-central libraries will continue to act in a “train-the-trainer” capacity for member libraries
  3. Measurement:
    1. Central Libraries Advisory Committee will review evaluations, and assess effectiveness of trainings using surveys and attendance statistics

Section 4 – Delivery and Interlibrary Loan

  1. Goal: The Central Libraries will participate in and support lending between the Member Libraries as well as regional and national lending via ILL.
  2. Actions:
    1. Member libraries will receive training in ILL procedures and Central Library staff will suggest ILL when patron requests something not owed by the system
    2. Member library materials will be promoted on system listserv and website
  3. Measurement:
    1. Number of member libraries who attend ILL training, ILL statistics
    2. ILL webpage statistics

Goal Statements and Action Plans developed by Co-Central Library Directors and Adult Services staff. Full plan reviewed by the Board of Trustees at James Prendergast Library and Olean Public Library. September-November 2012.  Approved by the Olean Board of Trustees November 27, 2012 and the James Prendergast Library Board of Trustees on November 29, 2012.