TECHNOLOGY

Goal 1) Members of the community will have reasonable access to current technology to meet their informational, educational and recreational needs.

Objectives:

A. Eliminate wait time for computer (access) use to less than 20 minutes wait time in two years.

IN PROCESS: In fiscal year 2003/2004 one additional computer was added to the available computers for Adults and two additional computers were added in the Youth Services area.

B. Own adequate disability assistance-related equipment in two years.

IN PROCESS:

In year 2003/2004 one additional large monitor was purchased for Adult public one computer was added to the Youth Services area.

In 2003/2004 Zoomtext software was installed on one computer station in the Adult Services area.

In year 2004/2005 one additional large monitor was purchased for the Youth Services area. An “Optelec Clearview” video magnifier was donated for use in the Library’s Reading Room. This enables any patron to view a magnified version of printed text (book, magazine, newspaper, letter, etc.) or other two-dimentional item (image, photo, etc.).

C. Increase the amount of time each person may use computers by 30 minutes in two years.

IN PROCESS:

Three public computers were added (see above 1.A).

Computer sign-up policy was changed to allow for scheduling one hour a day. This can be done at one time or divided into two half hour segments. This represents a shift rather than an increase. Previously, up to two separate half hour segments were allowed per day.

D. Provide for 100% of fixed access points in a privacy protected use environment in four years.

ACCOMPLISHED: Privacy hardware was installed on all computers.

E. 100% of computer hardware capable of operating current applications/ programs in five years.

ACCOMPLISHED: In 2004/2005 all sixteen public computers are using the Windows XP operating system.

F. Increase the number of access points (computer workstations) by 300% in five years.

IN PROCESS: Three computer workstations were added between 2003 and 2005. This represents a 25% increase over 2002.

Between 2003 and 2005 all adult public computers had memory upgrades that resulted in a minimum of 256MB of RAM, and all public computers have been upgraded to Windows XP SP2, all computers are equipped with optical scroll mice for easier computer navigation. Although new computers have not been added to the YS public area, because of the upgrades made to Adult Services, two computers replaced older out dated computers in the YS public area.

Goal 2) Members of the community will have available training and support to successfully use current technology.

Objectives:

A. Increase by 10% collection for self-training within one year.

NOT MET: 2003/2004 increase for the computer knowledge collection was 6%.

B. Increase by 40% the people trained in general computing skills within each of the next two years.

NOT MET: The computer specialist continued to hold classes for patrons interested in learning basic computer skills. Six topics were taught in all. Classes and attendance for the 2003/2004 year showed an increase of 100% over the year before. Classes and attendance for the 2004/2005 year showed a drop of 28% from the prior year. During this period it was discovered that patrons are interested in acquiring more sophisticated computer skills than the basic classes can cover. Also, patrons prefer one-on-one training over a classroom set up for the basic skills.

C. Collaborate with at least five other non-profit organizations in providing specialized training within two years.

NOT MET: Between 2003 and 2005 collaborations to provide specialized training have been set up with four groups: AARP, HMLV, Guilderland Central School District, Capital District Home Schooling Group.

D. Increase by 40% the senior citizens trained in computer communication within four years.

NOT MET: During the 2003/2004 year there was an increase of 100%, however, the numbers declined to a decrease of 18% during the 2004/2005 year.

Goal 3) Library users will have access to a wireless network anywhere in the building to provide flexibility/adaptability in using technology.

Objectives:

A. Install hardware for wireless network within five years.

IN PROCESS: In 2004/2005 two wireless access points were set up for public use and one was set up for Library Administration use.

B. Purchase hardware and adaptive devices for user based hardware to access wireless network within five years.

IN PROCESS: Through one Special Legislative Grant hardware was purchased to provide a wireless environment in the Helderberg Room in 2004/2005. Equipment and six onsite wireless cards were purchased to enable wireless access throughout the Adult Reading Room during 2004/2005.

Goal 4) All citizens will have reasonable access to library programs from remote locations through current technology to receive the benefits of library programs.

Objectives:

A. Purchase video production equipment within three years.

ALTERNATE PLAN: A local video production company contracted to produce two video programs for patron borrowing as well as uploading to the library’s website: Gregory Maguire Talk, 10/2004 and Riverways Storytelling program, 6/2005.

B. Re-engineer web site to permit increasing interactivity within three years.

IN PROCESS: In 2004/2005 additional web site memory was purchased to allow “chat” capability. In addition a cooperative arrangement was made with the Upper Hudson Library System to use storage for video programming.

C. Establish production collaboration with two organizations to provide technical assistance or content within three years.

ACCOMPLISHED: Worked with KnickNet to design “chat” software; worked with UHLS to create sufficient space to allow for video on the Guilderland Public Library website; and worked with local video company, What’s Happenin’ Productions, to create videos of programs for uploading to our website.

LEARNING ISSUES

Goal 1) Students will have the opportunity to enhance/supplement their school-based research skills to improve lifelong research abilities

Objectives:

1. Form a joint School District/Library District Committee on research skill enhancement within one year.

ACCOMPLISHED: The Research Skills Committee met first on March 2, 2004 and continues to meet quarterly. Discussions for sharing the new Library research Guides and the School’s Summer Reading list took place and are moving forward. We also held a discussion about the possibility of the Library participating in new teacher orientation and offering “in service” courses. By far the most useful part of the committee has been the sharing of information and increased comfort level between the Library staff and the school librarians/committee members.

2. Design and implement a system of notification of school research project assignments within two years.

ACCOMPLISHED: An “Assignment Alert” form was jointly developed in 2004/2005 for use by classroom teachers to alert the Library about special class-wide or grade-wide assignments.

3. Create age-appropriate guides to Guilderland Public Library research materials within two years and continuing.

ACCOMPLISHED: Teams of Adult Service Librarians and Youth Service Librarians worked together in 2004/2005 to produce research guides on focused areas in the collection. To date eight guides have been produced.

4. Provide appropriately increased size of collection designed to aid home school learning within two years.

IN PROCESS: The collection was increased by 21% 0ver the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 fiscal years to 1,510 titles.

5. Provide adequate space and a monitoring system for group study within five years.

IN PROCESS: During 2004/2005 one new eight to ten person study room was created from the former Youth Services Office one additional small study/TV viewing room was added in Adult Services area and a former computer lab was converted to a study room. Total of three additional study rooms added in 2004/2005.

Goal 2) Members of the community will have access to training in research skills and an adequate collection of materials to pursue appropriate research.

Objectives:

1. Create research guides to Guilderland Public Library research materials within one year and continuing each year.

ACCOMPLISHED: Teams of Adult Service Librarians and Youth Service Librarians worked together in 2004/2005 to produce research guides on focused areas in the collection. To date eight guides have been produced.

2. Conduct a public awareness campaign of the available adult research materials and resources within one year.

ACCOMPLISHED: The Late Winter 2004 newsletter announced 24/7 access to the electronic databases available from the library web page. The Winter, 2005 newsletter included information about the eight research guides available in the Library.

3. Periodically provide computer research training classes within two years and continuing.

ACCOMPLISHED: Classes were announced in the library newsletter. (See Winter 2004). These classes generated interest for patrons who want to learn computer basics. The Adult Services staff felt the most effective way to teach simple research skill is during a one to one transaction. These occur frequently right at a reference desk computer between a staff librarian and a patron. In addition, during one-on-one volunteer computer tutoring sessions basic internet and database access and searching skills are frequently covered.

Goal 3) Members of the community will have appropriate space to pursue group-learning projects.

Objectives:

A. Provide adequate space and a monitoring system for group study within five years.

ACCOMPLISHED: One study room, which can accommodate up to ten students, was made available for use in December 2004.

Goal 4) Children will have access to a rich variety of programs and materials to encourage lifelong love of learning, reading and library use.
Objectives:

1. Increase by 10% the number of children in the community engaged in a library sponsored pre-reading activity each year.

IN PROCESS: The purchase of a puppet theater and an activity box in the pre-reading area is one way we are hoping to increase participation. The addition, in spring 2005, of a Storytime at Crossgates Mall is a valuable program reaching children 3 and under throughout the community. The improvement in the area was completed by November 2004. A Story Hour Chair was donated in 2004/2005 and is often used by children & their caregivers. In 2003/2004 the number of children involved in a pre-reading activity at the library increased by 12.9% over 2002/2003. In 2004/2005 the increase over the previous year was 6.9%.

2. Increase by 10% the number of children in the community engaged in a library sponsored reading activity each year.

IN PROCESS: In 2003/2004 the number of children engaged in a library sponsored reading activity increased by 13.52% over 2002/2003 statistics. In 2004/2005 the increase over the previous year was 5.45%.

3. Increase by 5% the amount of teen-oriented programs & materials each year.

ACCOMPLISHED: With the addition of a full-time Youth Services librarian 90 programs were offered in 2003/2004 and 91 programs were offered in 2004/2005 this represents a 57% increase over 2002/2003. In 2003/2004 the Teen (Young Adult) materials collection increased by 9% (530 titles added) and in 2004/2005 the Teen materials collection increased by 22% (1425 titles added). The library’s focus on this part of the population by adding a full time librarian devoted to programming and collection development for teens has proved to be the appropriate approach for the library.

4. Continue to provide themed activities to attract children/young adult presence in library and promote appreciation of library functions beginning with year one.

ACCOMPLISHED: This objective is already being met. Additional program funding from the Town of Guilderland enabled the Library to do eleven additional programs in summer 2003 and twelve in 2004 and established an annual “Teddy Bear picnic”. The Youth Services Department continues to schedule programs related to holidays and historic events. An “un-valentine” party was held for teens on Friday, February 13 2004. The Teen Advisory Committee continues to work with the Teen Services Librarian to schedule activities that would appeal to teens.

Goal 5) Members of the community will have access to literacy training and materials to maximize their ability to function in the community.

Objectives:

1. Continue the ESL training programs and increase by 10% each year.

ACCOMPLISHED: The Library continues its relationship with Literacy Volunteers of America – Mohawk/Hudson Inc. Even without additional funds, the collaboration continued with training workshops for 20 new tutors in 2003/2004. Another training program for 22 tutors was held in 2004/2005, this time with a financial contribution from the Friends of the Guilderland Public Library towards workshop materials. The use of study rooms by literacy tutors increased by 11%. In 2004/2005 a grant was received by Wal-Mart for $750 to purchase additional materials as well as an award from the National Book Scholarship Fund for $1,497.25 worth of ESL materials.

2. Conduct an ongoing public-awareness campaign relating to Guilderland Public Library’s programs and materials.

IN PROGESS: One Adult Services Librarian continues to oversee the ESL programming and materials selection. In connection with this, a research guide of ESL materials has been compiled as well as the production of a periodic newsletter for Tutors trained through GPL workshops. Notices have also been included in Library newsletters. In 2004/2005 a “Meet and Greet” program was held at the Library for the families of children participating in the Guilderland Central School ESL program. This program is being planned as a yearly collaboration between the Guilderland Central School and the Guilderland Public Library.

3. Inform all area literacy providers of ESL collection and materials within one year.

ACCOMPLISHED: The Adult Service Librarian remains in contact and will also be applying for a possible grant to expand the program and work with other area libraries as well as the Literacy Volunteers.

4. Assess the need for general literacy training among Guilderland Residents

IN PROGRESS: An investigation into information pertaining to this need in the community has resulted in no information. During 2005/2006 we hope to conduct our own community assessment. Setting up focus groups would probably be the best approach.

5. If need is demonstrated, design and implement general literacy program within four years.

IN PROCESS: Awaiting any results from “D” above during the 2005/2006 year.

6. Provide adequate study rooms for ESL and Literacy Tutoring within five years.

IN PROCESS: In 2004/2005 three study rooms were added to the Library. One can accommodate up to ten people. The second one is a two person study space and the third is a six person space. These are ideal for tutoring sessions.

Goal 6) Members of the community will have access to a rich variety of programs and materials to help fulfill their desires for lifelong learning.

Objectives:

1. Create two new collaborative arrangements with subject-specialized interest groups to present joint programs each year.

IN PROCESS: Four collaborative projects with new groups were held in 2003/2004. The new collaborations were with 1) Suburban Sounds (musical group), 2) NAACP S.T.O.P. (dance and musical teen group), 3) UAlbany Archives (exhibition materials) and 4) Siena College (lecture discussions). In 2004/2005 two collaborations were begun: 1) a Local History group was establish so the Library can collaborate with the Guilderland Historical Society and the School Craft house group, 2) the Library’s health services reference program established a relationship for health related information and specialized programming with Seton Health Center.

2. Provide Guilderland Central School District Adult Education program with information about the resources of Guilderland Public Library within two years and continuing.

ACCOMPLISHED: In 2003/2004 information about the Library’s programs appeared in the Continuing Education bulletin.

3. Hold four significant quality programs/exhibits annually to increase the people reached by Guilderland Public Library sponsored programs, exhibits, lectures and presentations by year four.

IN PROCESS: In 2003/2004 four significant quality programs were: 1) a very successful lecture series “The Sixties” and associated exhibits, 2) The Reading Connections @ the Guilderland Public Library parent and teen discussion sessions, 3) Second Sunday Concert series, 4) Programs to assist teens and families in preparing for college. In 2004/2005 four significant quality programs were: 1) A program for families with children or adults suffering from ADD/ADHD, 2)Mammography screening and Seniors Health Fair, 3) Writers Group, 4) Gardening program.

COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Goal 1) Children will be provided with sufficient story hour times in adequate space to meet their pre-reading needs.

Objectives:

1. Hire two additional youth services staff and one additional circulation staff for story hour in year three.

IN PROCESS: In 2003/2004 one part-time youth services librarian position was increased to a full-time position.

2. Improve and expand by year five the existing story hour room to handle anticipated demand.

3. Increase each type of story hour available by 10% per year after appropriate and adequate space is created.

Goal 2) Members of the community will be invited to experience cultural events to enrich their lives and expose them to a variety of library services.

Objectives:

1. Increase by 25% the budget for performance and/or exhibits /visual displays each year.

IN PROCESS: Although a budget increase of $375 was not included in the2003/2004 or 2004/2005 Library budgets, in 2003/2004 a grant for $750 (of which $375 was awarded) for a concert with Old Songs from the Albany-Schenectady League of Arts and in 2004/2005 the Friends of the Guilderland Library approved $1,000 in funds to support the 2005 Riverway Storytelling Festival.

2. Allocate sufficient funds each year for publicity in media (local access, TV ads, radio) beginning with year one.

IN PROCESS: Although no additional funds were allocated for 2003/2004, a grant from the Public Library Association/DEMCO allowed the Library to advertise in two new venues, Crossgates Cine 8 and WVCR radio. In 2004/2005 funds were provided to advertise the series of “Sixties programs” at the Spectrum Theaters.

3. Designate a specific staff person for performance and exhibits liaison and outreach by year three.

Goal 3) Arts and performance groups in the community will be invited to utilize the library to present programs of community interest and entertainment.

Objectives:

1. Designate a specific staff person as community liaison and outreach by year three.

NOT MET: An additional position was not added and no staff member was reassigned.

2. Increase meeting room performance areas and/or explore alternate hours of operation to allow group use by year four.

3. Increase by 25% equipment budget to purchase necessary equipment to enhance performance space and meeting usage each year with sufficient storage and space needs to take precedence.

IN PROCESS: Storage space within the Library is still at a premium. The storage problem was exacerbated by a change in Education Department Fire Safety guidelines in 2003/2004 that required no storage within 24 inches of the ceiling. Materials in six different areas in the Library were shifted downwards. In 2004/2005 funds were allocated to purchase a riser for programs.

Goal 4) Members of the community shall have the opportunity at the library to engage in discussions of public interest to enhance the civic life of Guilderland.

Objectives:

1. Increase the level of public awareness of the availability of meeting rooms by individuals or groups to discuss issues of public importance by year two.

IN PROCESS: Increased awareness has been spread by word of mouth within the community. At this point the meeting rooms are at times booked to the maximum. Additional promotion of this service would just lead to frustration in booking times.

2.  Increase the availability and awareness of bulletin board areas to post materials of public or civic concerns by year three.

IN PROCESS: In 2003/2004 one large bulletin Board near circulation was designated for posters for non-library sponsored events.

Goal 5) Members of the community shall have the opportunity to explore the collective and personal family histories of Guilderland.

Objectives:

A. Create an ongoing partnership with all interested community groups dealing with local history by year three.

ACCOMPLISHED: In 2004/2005 a Local History interest group comprised of representatives from the Guilderland Public Library, the Guilderland Local History group, and the Town Historian began a partnership requiring periodic joint meetings to promote local history projects.

B. Increase the collection including electronic databases to meet the growing needs for genealogy research by year two.

IN PROCESS: In 2004/2005 three new databases for genealogical research were purchased by the Library, Heritage Quest Online, Ancestry.com, and Jewish Data.

C. Conduct a feasibility study to have the library serve as a properly designed and preservationally sound repository of local history/local genealogy by year four.

D. Take a leadership role in having local history/local genealogy resources digitized and accessible to the community through the Library by year five.

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Goal 1) Members of the Community unable to leave their place of residence will be provided with delivery of a variety of books, tapes and other materials to meet their informational, educational and recreational needs.

Objectives:

1. Increase by 20% per year the number of individuals to whom deliveries are made in each of the next five years.

IN PROCESS: In 2003/2004 homebound deliveries increased by 24%.

In 2004/2005 homebound deliveries increased by 140%.

2. Conduct an awareness program with respect to delivery at four community institutions within the library district each year.

IN PROCESS: Outreach to unserved Adult homes/Nursing homes is under evaluation. One Adult Services Librarian is assigned Homebound delivery. In 2004/2005 three regular volunteers made deliveries.

3. Maintain ongoing contact and provide information with respect to delivery service to activities directors at appropriate institutions and agencies.

IN PROCESS: Information about the service was included in Library materials distributed at the Senior Health Fair in November 2003and April 2005. In addition regular contacts are made with area assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

Goal 2) Members of the Community unable to independently visit the library will be provided with assistance in accessing library programs and services to meet their informational, educational and recreational needs.

Objectives:

1. Create one new partnership with an agency that provides transportation to libraries for attendance at programs each year.

IN PROCESS: In 2003/2004 the Town of Guilderland was approached about including the Library as a regular stop for the Senior Services van. Beginning in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005, flyers publicizing the Second Sunday Concert series have been sent to Beverwyck and Atria Assisted Living facilities.

2. Provide four community institutions with materials, training and for staff assistance in conducting a book discussion group at the institution each year.

IN PROCESS: The library currently provides materials to two local book discussion groups, one at Beverwyck the other at Atria. We also reciprocate book group collections between member libraries. For example, we have done a bulk loan to Colonie and Bethlehem for some titles. Patrons are also welcome to take a bulk loan for home or office book discussions.

Goal 3) Parents will be provided with helpful materials and connections to services to assist in acquiring or improving child rearing skills.

Objectives:

1. Increase parenting materials by 5% each year.

ACCOMPLISHED: In 2003/2004 titles were increased by 11% and increased by 10% in 2004/2005. In 2003/2004 the Reading Connections grant for Parent/Teen book discussion groups provided funds to add ten titles to the collections that specifically addressed issues related to parenting teenage children. Materials were also supplemented through a 2004/2005 Upper Hudson Library System Outreach Mini-Grant. Twenty more titles on the topic of Attention Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were added to the collection.

2. Outreach each year to two more agencies or groups providing parenting programs and provide assistance, material, meeting rooms and/or publicity.

IN PROCESS: During 2004/2005 we partnered with four community groups to provide parenting related programs: The Cornell Cooperative Extension offered a parenting series at the library; we worked cooperatively with Karner Psychological Associates to provide two programs on Attention Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); a series of programs on library skills was offered to the local Home Schooling group; a “Meat and Greet” program was arranged with the ESL program at the Guilderland School District to acquaint immigrant parents and children with public library services available to them.

3. Provide adequate space for the collection within five years.

IN PROCESS: We have moved many parts of the collection to increase ease of access. The purchase of adjacent land, and will allow for additional collection space in the future.

BUSINESS ACTIVITIES AND ASSISTANCE

Goal 1) For prospective businesses identify the variety of business information sources in the region and the types of information that can be obtained from such sources to assist in business endeavors.
Objectives:

1. Develop a business information source bibliography by year three and maintain thereafter.

2. On a yearly basis have a librarian attend additional training in business assistance beginning year two.

IN PROCESS: A Librarian has been identified to receive additional training. At this point we are looking into availability of such training.

Goal 2) Guilderland business people will have access to library facilities/resources, in partnership with not-for-profit organizations to learn business skills.

Objectives:

1. Develop a programming partnership with a not-for-profit organization to present at least one annual program at the library on business skills by year one.

IN PROCESS: A program for Women in Business was held at the Library as a partnership with the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce in September 2003. The GCC “Lone Rangers” group (single proprietorship group) has been meeting monthly at the Library.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Goal 1) Members of the community will have remote and onsite access to current health and wellness information to be knowledgeable in maintaining/improving their quality of life.

Objectives:

1. Maintain specialized health and wellness collection sufficient to meet the growing number of patrons needing such information.

ACCOMPLISHED: The health and wellness collection (615. – 618.) was weeded for outdated material. New material, where available, was added. Also, twenty-one new titles were added to expand and maintain an up to date medical Reference collection.

2. Increase the number of electronic accessible databases by two by year two.

ACCOMPLISHED: Currently, the library offers remote and in-house access to the commercial EBSCO database and New York Online Virtual Electronic Library (NOVEL) as well as Medline. For each of these, the health component is available to patrons 24/7. Also, we have a reciprocal arrangement with the Medical Librarians at Seton Health/St. Mary’s to receive specialized medical journal articles.

3. Increase the number of librarians with health information certification by two by year three.

IN PROCESS: As of the end of the 2004/2005 year one librarian has the certificate in health information and another is ¾ finished.

4. Maintain and increase by 100% sponsored programs on health and wellness topics by year two.

ACCOMPLISHED: During 2004/2005 there was an increase of 100% in the number of programs offered over the number offered in 2002/2003. Collaboration with the Guilderland Senior Center on the Senior Health Fair has continued and programs for receiving mammograms, searching health issues on the internet and learning more about both childhood and adult ADD/ADHD were added.

5. Create through the Online Public Access Catalog electronic user friendly bibliographies of existing health and wellness information by year one.

IN PROCESS: A health and wellness research guide was available in October of 2004 and made available on the website in 2005.

Goal 2) Health and wellness organizations will have access to library facilities/resources to promote and conduct programs related to health & wellness.

Objectives:

1. Develop a listing of potential presenting organizations and notify them of available resources and facilities for health and wellness programs by year two.

IN PROCESS: For the ADD/ADHD program a list of 33 contacts, mostly schools and parenting groups was developed, to advertise the programs and receive prepared material. We are in the process of developing a list of professional offices within the 12084 and 12203 zip codes.

2. Designate a specific staff person for health and wellness liaison and outreach by year three.

3. Make more prominent in the Library and on the website the health and wellness resources and programs by year two.

ACCOMPLISHED: In early 2005 we placed all eight research guides in a rack prominently displayed near the self-checkout machine. The guides were featured on the website’s index page and made available on the website in 2005.

Goal 3) Members of the community will receive information regarding the Library’s health and wellness resources and programs through a sustained multi-media outreach effort to encourage usage.

Objectives:

1. Video-record health & wellness programs and make available on the web or through local public access television by year five.

2. Develop a list of targeted health related organizations and providers to receive notices and training relating to the Library’s specialized health and wellness information by year two.

IN PROCESS: Current lists include schools and parenting groups.

3. On a yearly basis do a mailing to appropriate organizations (churches, etc.) informing them of the Library’s health and wellness resources beginning year one.

IN PROCESS: The creation of a database has started. We have the professional offices, and now we need to add the non-profit agencies in the area. The Community Contact Directory and the Greater Capital Region Human Services Directory are being used as general guides.