PlanofService2016–2021

June2016

48MainStreetPhoenicia,NY12464

845-688-7811Phoenicialibrary.org

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TableofContentsIntroduction...............................................................................................2

a.Background.................................................................................2

b.Demographics............................................................................2

c.Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,Challenges...................3

PlanofService............................................................................................6

GoalsandObjectives..................................................................................6

Implementation.........................................................................................8

AppendixA.FocusGroupResults............................................................11

AppendixB.SurveyofLibraryUsersandNonusers.................................16

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Introduction

TheLibrary’spreviousPlanofService,2015-2019,adopted9.18.14,waswrittenattheendofatimeofdisruptionandchangeforthePhoeniciaLibraryfollowingthedevastatingfirein2011,fundraising,andreconstruction.Theplanwasscheduledforevaluationandrevisionindepthin2016afterthelibraryhadfunctionedforayearinitsnewandexpandedspace.

ThePhoeniciaLibraryreopenedinJanuary2015.InAprilofthatyeartheBoardofTrusteesbeganaprocessofself-examinationandserviceevaluationtodeterminehowbesttodirectourresourcesdependingontheneedsandwishesofourpatrons.WithassistanceanddirectionfromtheMid-HudsonLibrarySystemstaff,theBoardconvenedacommitteetoorganizeacampaignseekingpublicinputandparticipation.Focusgroupswereheldinthesummerof2015andatownwidesurveymailedinthefallof2015.ThisdocumentdetailsthePhoeniciaLibraryPlanofServiceandcontainstheresultsofthepublicinputparticipation.ItprovidesdirectionfortheBoardofTrusteesandstaffforthecomingyears.

Background

ThePhoeniciaLibraryislocatedinPhoenicia,TownofShandaken,UlsterCounty,NY.Shandakenisaruralcommunityof3085residentsasofthe2010census.Itisknownforitsnaturalbeautywithglacier-carvedstreamsandruggedforestedmountains.

ThePhoeniciaPublicservesusersprimarilyfromShandakenofwhichPhoeniciaisitslargesthamlet.Italsoservesfamilieswithmorethanonehome,seasonalorpart-timepeopleinrentalsandvacationhomes,andresidentsofnearbyareaswhocomeforthelibrary’suniqueprograms.ThelibraryalsohoststheworldclassJerryBartlettMemorialAnglingCollection.

Demographics

SeventeenpercentofShandakenresidentsare65andolder.ComparedwithNewYorkStateasawhole,Shandaken’sagedistributionisweightedtowardolderageandahigherfractionofretirementage(65orover).DemographicdataforShandakenissimilarforPhoenicia,thelargesthamletinthetown.

Shandakenhasamedianincomeof$41,121butanaverageincomeof$63,275indicatingtheeffectoftherelativelyfewhighestincomesweightingtheaverageabovethemedianfor50%ofthetown.Overallincomesarelowerthanfortherestofthestate,amedianof$41,121

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comparedwith$58,878forNewYorkState.Forresidents65orolder,thedifferenceis$14,010vs.33,860forNewYorkState.TheUSCensusBureauestimates12.3%ofthepopulationlivesbelowthepovertyline.Thoselivingbelowthepovertylinearepredominantlysingleparentfamilieswithchildrenunder18andtheelderly.Over50%offamilieswithschool-agechildrenqualifyforthefederallunchprogram.

Thecommunityhasahighpercentageofseasonal,2ndhomes,orpart-timehousingunits,16%oroverfourtimesgreaterthanforNYStateandthecountry.

Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,andChallenges

Basedontheopinionsoflibrarypatronsthroughfocusgroups,surveys,andin-libraryinteractions,impressionsofthedirector,staff,andBoard,thereisgeneralagreementonthestrengthsofthePhoeniciaLibraryasofspring,2016.

1.Strengthsfallintofourgroupingsofenvironment,staff,collection,andprograms.

Patronsfoundthebuildingenvironmenttobefriendly,comfortable,relaxing,quiet,pleasant,warm,welcoming,homey,beautiful,clean,andbright.TheyareespeciallypleasedthatitisbackonMainStreet,handicapaccessible,andwithsomuchversatilespace.Patronsappreciatetheenergy-efficientdesign.Overallpatronsfounditamajorimprovementoverthemuch-lovedoldlibrarythatburneddownin2011.

Thestaffanddirectoraredescribedaskind,friendly,andhelpful.Theyareintegraltothefunctioningofallaspectsofthelibraryforlife-longlearning,asafeenvironment,programdevelopmentandmanagement,andcommunitybuilding.

Afterthelibrarylostitscollectioninthe2011fire,anup-datedcollectionwasacquired.Patronsliketheselectionofbooks,movies/DVDs,magazines,andnewspapersincludinge-booksandaccesstotheMid-HudsonLibrarySystem.On-sitecomputers,internet,andcellserviceareimportantaspectsofthere-vampedlibrary.

Programshostedinthelibraryareacurrentinnovation,astheoldlibrarycouldnotaccommodatethemduetolackofspace.Patronswouldliketoseethecurrentvarietyofprogramscontinue.

Children’sPrograms

Basedonsurveysandfocusgroups,children’sprogramsarepopularespeciallyStoryTime,LegoClub,andToddlerTime.

AdultProgramsarenotage-specificandaregiveinorderoffrequencyonsurveys:

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1.History/Lectures/Discussion/Classes

2.Bookclubs/readinggroups/summerreading

3.Artsandcraftsclassesandworkshops

4.Cards/games/backgammon

5.Movies

6.Communitymeetingsincluding“CoffeewithaCop”

7.Musicandukuleles

8.Talksandreadingsbyauthors

9.Everythingelse:computerhelpandstreamwalkwerementionedspecifically.Otherprogramandeventmentionswereinfrequentorcouldnotbegrouped.

2.WeaknessesIngeneral,mostpatronsfeelthelibraryisdoingagreatjobasitis.Ifanything,patronswantthelibrarytodomoreofwhatitalreadydoes:moreprogramsforadultsandchildren,andgreaterselectionofbooks,DVDs,andebooks.Afewwouldliketohavemoreopenhoursthough90%ofthosesurveyedfoundthecurrentexpandedhoursadequate.Somethingsthepublicwouldliketoseecannotbeaccomplishedduetocurrentresources:receivedonatedbooks,useofphoneforincomingFAXes,biggerspacewithmorerooms,moreparking,designatedteenroom,andadesignatedquietroom.(AtthistimeaquietspacemayberequestedintheJerryBartlettAnglersCollectionasneeded.)

3.Opportunities

Areasofidentifiedopportunitiesinclude:institutingmoregreenpracticessuchascompostingandreducingwaste,settingupmoreprogramsusingthebackyardspace,improvingcommunitypartnerships,developingtheFriendsoftheLibrary,andparticipationinthetownwebsiteandcalendar.Effortstoaddresstheseareasofopportunityarealreadyunderway.

4.Challenges

1.Thetopchallengeisfundingthelibraryoperations.Thisrequiresthecommunitytopassaballotmeasuretoensuresufficientfundingoflivingwagesforthestaffanddirector.

2.Secondbiggestchallengeiscarryingouttheprograms,events,andresourcesthepublicwantswithavailablestaffing.

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3.Fundraisersbeyondthebasicoperationsballotmeasureareneeded.CultivatingdonorsandcreatingfundraisersaredifficultwithoutanactiveFriendsoftheLibrarygroupofvolunteers.

4.Communicatinglibraryandtownnews,events,andmeetingsremainsdifficultwithoutalocalnewspaperalthoughthelibraryusesallavailablemeansinsocialmedia,sidewalkandbulletinboardpostings,emailsandwebsite.

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PlanofServicePhoeniciaLibraryMissionStatement

TheMissionofthePhoeniciaLibraryistoprovideandmaintainaccesstoaworldofenlighteningandeducationalresourcesinallmedia.Westriveforexcellenceinallareasofservicetoourcommunityandrecognizeourresponsibilitytoencouragealife-longloveoflearninginourcommunity’schildren.Wewishtoprovideawelcomingandsafespaceforallagesaswellasguidanceinthepursuitofknowledge.

InApril2016,theBoardreviewedthegoalsofitsoperationsbasedontheLibrary’sexperienceinthelastyearandinformationgatheredfrompatronsandstakeholdersthroughthestrategicplanningprocess.TheBoardidentifiedthefollowingthreegoalsconsistentwiththePhoeniciaLibraryMission,andspecific,measurablestepstomeetthesegoals.

Goal1.CreateYoungReaders:EmergentLiteracy

Objectives ActivitiesContinueoutreachtochildren

Summerreadingprogram,arthour,storyhour

Partnerwiththeschools

Artgalleryexhibits,onsiteprograms,outreachtoPTA,monthlyflier,openhouse

Continueoff-siteprogramming*

WoodlandPlayhousePhoeniciaElementarySchool

Outreachtodiversepopulations*

ESLpopulation–identifyandcontact

*requiresadditionalresources

Goal2.SatisfyCuriosity:LifelongLearningObjectives ActivitiesDigitalLiteracy–adultlearningprograms* Strengtheneffortstoimprovetechnologyskills

anddigitalcommunicationsthroughclassroomworkshopsandindividualhelp.e-audio,e-books,e-zines

JobSearchSupport HelpresearchjoblistingsandapplyforjobsResumewriting

SkillImprovements WritersinMountainspartnership,fishingworkshops,ukuleleworkshopsandjams

InformationTechnologyLibrarian* HireatechnologyspecialisttoassistpatronsProvideexcellentmaterials Keeplendinglibraryfresh–weedingcollection

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andaddingnewbooksbasedoncirculationtrendsandpatronrequests.

TargetTeens Math,writingassistancecollegeadmissionhelp;magicalcards;identifyintereststodevelopprograms,suchasserviceprojects

AdultProgramming* Continuetoofferbroadrangeofprogrammingincludingeducation,leisure,culturaltopics,readings,localhistory,arts,movies,music,gardening,localnature,outdooractivitiesandotherinterests

*requiresadditionalresourcesGoal3.MaintainaHarmoniousEnvironmentfortheCommunity:PublicandVirtualSpace

Objectives ActivitiesComfortablephysicalenvironment Clean,welllit,uncluttered,wellmaintained

physicalspacewithcomfortableseatingandtables

Culturaleventstobringpeopletogetherandencouragenewinterests

Concerts,movies,localhistory,ukuleles,fishing,artexhibits

Highlightlocaltalent/culture Designprogramsledbylocalresidentsintheirareaofinterest/expertise

Staffing* Friendly,skilledpeopleOutreachcommunications Facebook,calendar,bulletinboard,websiteProgramsdesignedtofostercommunitycommunicationsandcivicresponsibility

Coffeewithacop,Medicare,healthcarenavigation,voterregistration,legalassistance

Offerpatronsachoiceofrelaxing,socialandquietspace

CreateaquietzonebyrequestinAngler’sParlor

Partnerwithlocalbusiness,town,andcivicgroups

Providemeetingspace;AttendmeetingsofPhoeniciaBusinessAssociation,TownBoard,andhostmeetingoflocalcommitteesandcitizengroups.

*requiresadditionalresources

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ImplementationofthePlanofService1. EconomicSustainability

AttheheartofdeliveringtheplanofserviceisinsuringthePhoeniciaLibraryhassustainablefunding.AsrecommendedbyMid-HudsonLibrarySystem,PhoeniciaLibrarywillendeavortocoverallitsessentialfunctionsthroughtheguaranteedfundingofthepropertytaxlevy.Whendemandforservicesexceedsthelevy,theBoardwillreturntothevoterstodecidewhethertohaveadditionalfundingsothatthereisnotastateofdeficitorausterity.Shouldthetownrejecttherequestforincreasedfunding,serviceswillbecutbacksothattheyarewithinourmeans.Essentialfunctionsinclude,forexample:programmingcosts,annualadditionstothecollection,personnelcosts,buildingexpensesandmaintenance,andadministrativecosts(insurance,accounting,legal).Non-essentialfunctionscanbecoveredbydonationssuchasextraprogrammingandeventsforthecommunity.TheBoardwillcommittoreviewingtaxlevyfundingannually,withacommitmenttodoaballotmeasurecampaign(414)atleasteverythirdyeariffundingisnolongeradequate.

2. Strong&EffectiveStaffThestaffistheheartofthefunctioningofthelibrary.Staffmustbeselectedwithcare,andadequatelytrained.Ongoingtrainingandstaffmeetingsshouldoccurregularlysothatstaffiskeptup-to-dateinbestpractices.Adequatefundingmustbeinplacetobeabletoprovidestaffwithwagesandbenefitssufficienttoattractandretainstaffsothereisnotconstantturn-overorskilldeficit.

3. Strong&EffectiveBoardTheBoardofTrusteesprovidesoversight,determinespolicyandfundraises.TheBoardwillengageinregularTrusteeTrainingwithMidHudsonLibrarySystemforeachboardmemberevery3yearstokeepuptodateontheirresponsibilities.TheBoardwillmonitoranticipatedretirementsfromtheBoard,andworktorecruitgoodcandidates.BoardcandidateswillbevettedthroughinvitingpotentialBoardmemberstoparticipateonacommittee,involunteeractivities,orintheFriendsofthePhoeniciaLibrarypriortobeinginvitedtojointheBoard.ThisistoensureBoardmemberswhoareskilled,reliableandworkwellwithothers.ProspectiveBoardmemberswillbegiventheTrusteehandbookandrealisticunderstandingofexpectationsfortheircommitment.

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ConsiderationshouldbegiventothespecificskillssomeonehastoofferthatmightbeusefulontheBoard(p/r,legal,accounting,communications,fundraising,etc.)

4. CultivateLong-termMembershipinFriendsofthePhoeniciaLibraryTheFriendsofPhoeniciaLibraryfunctionasaneventandfundraisingarmofthelibrary.Theyalsooffersupportasvolunteersasneededandduringtheballotmeasurecampaigns(414taxlevy)operatingexpensescampaign.Cultivatingastrong,long-termmembershipoftheFriendsofthePhoeniciaLibraryisanimportantgoalforthefuture.BoardsupportbyattendingmeetingsandinvolvingFriendsinspecialeventplanningisanecessarycomponent.

5. PolicyUptodatepolicyforthelibrarykeepsthelibraryfunctioningfairly,safelyandoptimally.TheBoardanddirectorwillreviewthepolicyeveryfiveyears,andaddorchangepolicieswhentheneedarises.

6. PhysicalBuildingTheintegrityandaestheticofthebuildingisimportanttotheexperienceofthepatronsofthelibrary.Thedirectorandthebuildingcommitteewilloverseemaintenanceandrepair.Thestaffwillmaintainthebuildinginterioronaweeklybasis.

7. RelationshipwithLocalOfficialsandtheTownofShandakenAgoodrelationshipwithLocalOfficialsandtheTownisessentialforgoodlibraryservicetoresidents.TheTownBoardandtheTownClerkprovideinformationontheneedsofresidents,aswellasofferresourcesandfeedbackforthelibrary.TheDirectorwillmaintainongoingcommunicationwiththeTownSupervisorandTownClerk.TheDirectorwillworkwiththeTowntoshareeachinstitution’soutreachpublicityandtocreatecollaborationsforeducationalorTownevents.TheBoardwillattendTownBoardmeetingsregularlytospeakaboutthelibrary’sactivitiesandtokeepcurrentonwhattheissuesareintownthatthelibraryshouldbeawareof,especiallyincreatingprogramming.

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8. YearlyReviewThePlanofServicewillbereviewedannuallytoensurethelibrarystaffandBoardarefollowingitsguidelines.EachJune,thedirectorandBoardwillevaluatestrengthsandweaknessesineachoftheplan’scategories.InJuly,theresultswillbepresentedtothecommunityduringtheAnnualMeeting.Ifnecessary,arevisedServicePlanforthefollowingyearwillbeconsideredandadoptedbytheBoardinSeptember.

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APPENDIXA

PhoeniciaLibrary

FocusGroupResults

ExecutiveSummary

ResidentsofShandaken,NYthePhoeniciaLibrary’sprimaryservicearea,wereinvitedtoparticipateinoneofthreefocusgroupsconductedinmid-July2015.Thoseinvitedrangedinagefrom25to85withequalnumbersofmenandwomen.Bothusersofthelibraryandnonuserswereinvitedalthoughthemajorityofvolunteerswerelibraryusers.Finalgroupsizeswere8-10members.

Therewerethreeareasofdiscussion:communityandtrends,whatpeoplelikeaboutthelibrary,andsuggestionsforwhatthelibrarycandobetter.Highlightpointswere:

1) Allparticipantsexpressedgreatloveofthearea’snaturalbeautyandclosecommunitylife.Themostimportanttrendnotedwastheinfluxofmorepart-time,2ndhomeowners,andretirees.

2) Appreciationwasvoicedforthelibrary’snewbuilding,itssupportivestaff,collectionsincludingtheanglers’parlor,anditsgrowingnumberofprograms.Participantssawthelibraryasacenterofcommunitylife.

3) Suggestionsforchangefellintotwogeneralcategories–whatthelibraryalreadydoesandwhatitcannotdobecauseofbudgetandspaceconstraints.Mostsuggestionsarecoveredinexistinglibraryprograms.Extendedopenhourswereaddedshortlyafterthefocusgroupswereconducted.Anareaofparticularconcernwasimprovedoutreachtodiverseandunderservedresidents.Thelibraryhason-goingeffortsforoutreachunderitsprimaryaimsofemergentandlifelongliteracythoughadditionalfundingisrequired.Eveninthediscussionofsuggestedimprovements,participantscontinuedtosay,“Youaredoingagreatjob.”

FocusGroupParticipants

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Threefocusgroupsof8-10participantseachwereconvenedfrominvitedusersandnonusersofthePhoeniciaLibraryAssociation.Allthreewerefacilitatedusingthesameprocedures.Sinceallthreegroupsshowedverysimilarparticipantcharacteristics,observations,andopinions,resultsaresummarizedbelowbytopicarea.

Thegroupstakenasawholecontainedamixofmalesandfemalesaged30sto70s,mainlyfull-timelocalresidentswithafewpart-time/weekenderorseasonalpeople.Mostwerelibraryusersthoughequalnumbersofnonusershadbeeninvited.Groupparticipantstypicallyworkedintheareaorownedbusinesseshere.Manywerecommunityleaderswithexperienceinlocalorganizationsandpolitics.

CommunityandTrends

Eachfocusgroupbeganwithageneraldiscussionofwhatparticipantslikedabouttheareaandwhattrendstheysawovertime.

WhatDoYouLikeaboutLivingHere?

Asenseofcommunitywasofcentralimportance.Allgroupsspokeeloquentlyabouthowwarm,friendly,andsupportivethepeopleofthetownare.Theyhighlyvaluelivingina“quirky”,“loveable”,and“unique”townwitha“villageatmosphere.”Theunpretentiousqualityofthetownissomethingtheycherishandwishtomaintain.

ThegroupsspokeoflifeafterHurricaneIrene,notingnewandstrengthenedconnectionsamongsttownspeople,agencies,othertowns,andthecounty.

Otherpositivedescriptorscitedwere:naturalbeauty,wildlife,outdoorsportsandactivities,peacefulplacetolive,tourismanddining,creativeandtalentedresidents,culturaleventse.g.FestivaloftheVoice,andsocialclassdiversity,safeforkidsaseveryonelooksoutforthem,aplacefullofactivitiesforkids,walkabletown,accessibleviagoodroadsandpublictransportation.

Asoneparticipantputit:Itisaprotectedandnaturallyspiritualplace–“foreverwild.”Allagreeditisaspecialplace.

TrendsIdentified

Allgroupsspentagreatdealoftimediscussingon-goingchangesinareaeconomics,business,anddemographics.Tourismhaslongbeenandcontinuestobeacentralcharacteristicofthetown.NYCresidentsflocktoPhoeniciaasaplacetorecreateorhaveasummer/weekendhome.Theynotedtherearepoorintheareaandjobscanbescarce.

Ofparticularinterestwere“weekenders,”“retirees,”“seasonalpeople,”“transplants,”andthosewithtworesidencesespeciallysplitbetweenPhoenicia/ShandakenandNYC.Thepart-time,weekenders,andseasonalpeopleweretypicallyseenassuccessfulelsewhereyetcommittedtothePhoeniciaarea.

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Therewasaperceivedincreaseinthesepart-timeandseasonalpeopleespeciallycomingfromBrooklyn.Someofthegroupparticipantsidentifiedthemselvesaspart-timeorweekendersandspoketotheirloveoftheareaandneedforlibraryaccesscompatiblewiththeirschedules.

Allagreedtherehasbeenaculturalshifthere,sayingthatPhoeniciaisthe“NewHamptons”or“EastVillageNorth”andnow“BrooklynNorth.”Therewasclearprideincommunityalongwithsomeworrythattheinfluxmayupsetthelocalcommunitybalanceandraisecostofliving.AtthesametimetheywelcomedanincreaseinbusinessincludingnewbusinessesbythoserelativelynewtotheareasuchasTheGrahamandThePhoeniciaDiner.Theynotedsometensionbetweenthosebornintheareaandstilllivinghere,otherlong-termresidents,andnewcomersbutthemajorityagreednewcomersenrichedtheareaandthatmosttownspeopleweresupportiveandwelcomingtonewcomersandnewbusinesses.

LowwinterbusinessactivitywasaconcernbutnoonecouldsayhowthathaschangedovertheyearsasShandakenisnotaknownski/wintersportstown.Thefull-timeresidentsappreciatedthewinterquiet.

AtrendtomoreSpanishspeakingresidentswasnoted.Oneparticipantalsopointedouttherearenon-EnglishspeakerswhoarenotHispanicsuchasRussiansandothergroups.Theyfeltthereisaneedtobringtheparentsandchildrenintothebroadereducational,social,andsafetynetworksofthetownandthelibrarycouldplayaroleindoingthis.

Socialclassdiversitywasnotedalongwithapaucityofethnicdiversity.(Thisisborneoutincensusdata–3%Hispanicand5%allothernon-whiteincludingAfrican-American,Asian/PacificIslander,NativeAmericanandmixedrace.)

Technologywasdiscussedasacentralissue.Mostwereinfavorofimproved,updated,internet,andcellularserviceswiththelibraryasahub.Aminorityexpressedconcernformaintainingtheimportanceofbooksandnon-digitalmediaandformsofcommunications.

WhatWeLikeAbouttheLibrary

Participantswerehandedthreelargestickynotestojotdownwhattheylikedaboutthelibrary.Thepointsareintheformof“mentions”similartoopen-endedsurveyquestions.Oncethestickynoteswerecollectedandrevealedtothegroup,discussiontookplacewithgeneralagreementontheimportanceofallthequalitieslistedintheorderoftheirmentions.

SaturdayJuly11,2015group

1. Computersandinternetaccess2. Staff-patientandcaring,friendly3. Building/Facility-Communityhuborcenter,gathering,events,networking,“anchoronmain

street”4. Programs–rangeofprogramsfreeforadultsandkids5. Collection–books,DVDs,CDs,ebooksandMHLSaccess,ukes,fishingrods

TuesdayJuly14,2015group

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1. Building/Facility–meetingrooms,inviting,comfort,esthetics,centrallocation2. Staff–cheerful,friendly,competent,hard-working,efforttobecommunitypartner3. ComputersandOnlineAccess–ordering,access,resourceswebaccessible4. Programs–especiallykids’programs5. Anglers’collection

WednesdayJuly15,2015group

1. Building/Facility–centrallocation,lovelyenvironment,heartofthetown2. Staff–wonderfulwithkids,social-communityoriented,warm,friendly3. Computersandinternetaccessandcommunication–booksonline,computersinlibrary,online

magazinesandbooks,DVDs,accesstoMHLS4. Programs–tutoring,ukes,readings,poetry,kidsprograms,art,movies,“groundzerofor

communityresources”

Whatthelibrarycandobetter?

Threestickynoteswerealsohandedoutforthisquestionandtheresponsesaresummarizedbyfocusgroupbutnotinorderoffrequencyofmentionsaspointsdidnotfallintodistinctgroupsorshowstronggroupconsensus.Typically,theseweremoredisjointeddiscussionsoncethestickynoteswerehandedinandread.

SaturdayJuly11,2015group

1. Hours-extendedespeciallyforweekendersandworkingadults2. Gettingwordoutbetter,signs,calendarsetc–“ambassadors”forlibraryincommunity3. Teenservices–separatespaceforteens4. OutreachtoseniorsandSpanish-speakingresidents5. Morecollaborationwithschools6. Makegoalsoflibraryapparenttocommunityeachyear,boardtobeaccountableforfollow-up7. Educatepatronsonparking8. Needbooksale/bookexchange

TuesdayJuly14,2015group

1. Hours,longerhoursforfull-timeandweekenders–moreeveningandmorninghours,consensusforatleastFridayevening.

2. Outreachtopoor/illiterate,Spanish-speaking,teens3. Parking–wholecommunityneedstoaddressparkingintown4. Collection–morebooksinstacks,separateromanceandmysteriesfromgeneralfiction5. UseeBooks–(groupoutoftouchwithfactlibrarydoeslendebooks)6. Spacesformeetingsetctoosmall7. Usedbooksales

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WednesdayJuly15group

1. Raiseawarenessoflibraryincludingtheflyfishingcollection,rolesincommunityespeciallyforballotmeasure–mentionedpeople“alittleburntout”fromcapitalcampaignbutstillneedtogetvotersonboard

2. Parking–community-wideissue3. Expandedroleforvolunteers–“likeChristiandid”(noawarenessofFriendsofPhoenicia

Library)4. OutreachtoseniorsandSpanish-speaking5. Installbikeracks,openoutdoorreadingarea,specialplaceforteens,addflowerbox,cellservice

extender(unawarealreadyinstalled)6. Moreprograms–seniors,teens,kids,kidsscience,adultsintheevening,socials,meetings,life

skills,authorreadings,movies,lecturesandprogramsbylocals,spiritualormeditationclasses/workshops,health,baby-sittinghours,communitydancesorstreetevents

Ingeneral,themembersofthefocusgroupswereenthusiasticandpleasedwiththenewlibrarybuilding,staff,collections,andprograms.Mostsaid“Youaredoinggreat”alongwiththeirlonglistofthingstheywouldlike.Mostunderstoodthelibraryisalreadydoingmostofthethingsonthelistandthatitisalotofwork.Thebottomlineseemedtobe“Keepupthegoodwork.”Thefocusgroupparticipantswouldliketoseefocusgroupandsurvey(groupswereinformedasurveywouldbedone)summaryresultsavailabletothepublicalongwithasummaryofwhatthelibraryalreadydoes,itson-goingeffortsandlimitationsontheseefforts.

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APPENDIXB

PhoeniciaLibrary

SurveyofLibraryUsersandNonusers

ExecutiveSummary

Asurveywasdesignedpartlybasedonlocalfocusgroups.Thesurveywasmailedto2,232Shandakenresidentswithavailableaddresses.Surveyswerealsoavailableonline,atthefrontdesk,andthroughstreetoutreach.Bymid-November2015,337surveysfromusers(81%)andnonusers(19%)ofthelibrarywerecollectedandanalyzed.

1.LibraryCollectionandServices.Checkingoutbookswasbyfarthemostcommonactivityin90%ofthosesurveyed.Allagescheckedoutbookswiththehighestpercentagesforthoseunder56(95%)comparedwiththose56andolder(89%).OtheritemsfrequentlycheckedoutwereDVDs(58%),audio/CDs(34%)e-books(20%),ukuleles(10%),andfishingrods(8%).Closetohalfusedcomputers,29%madecopies(29%),readmagazines(20%),readnewspapers(20%),andsentfaxes(19%).Librarypatronsalsoreportedusingthelibrarytorelax(34%)ormeetfriends(28%).Ninetypercentfoundthelibrary’scurrentextendedhourstobeadequatefortheirneeds.

2.Programs.Sixty-sevenpercentofrespondentsattendedprogramsinthepast6months.Children’sprogramswerepopularaswere(inorderofmentions)classes/lectures,readingevents,arts/crafts,games,movies,communitymeetings,andmusic.Theprogramscloselyreflectanswerstotheopen-endedsurveyquestiononpreferredhobbieswiththeadditionofgardenandnatureprogramsthattoppedthehobbylist.

3.LikeAbouttheLibrary.Therewasoverallagreementthelibraryisdoingagreatjob.Ahighpercentagesaidtheylovethenewbuilding,thefriendlyandhelpfulstaff,thelibrarycollectionincludingfishingrodsandukuleles.Therewasapprovalforlibrary’sevolvingroleasacommunitycenterwithfreepublicprograms.

4.SuggestionsfortheFuture.Thesinglegreatestwrite-inforthisquestionwastosaythelibraryisdoingagreatjobasitis.Otherresponseswererequeststodomoreofwhatthelibraryalreadydoes:moreprograms/activities,morechildren’sprograms,moreandbetterselectionofbooks,moreDVDs,moreebooks,andmorecommunityhubactivity.

Thesesuggestionswillallbetakenintoconsiderationwithimplementationbasedonthelibrary’sstaffingandbudget.

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TobestmeettheneedsofthePhoeniciaLibraryAssociationpatrons,weconductedamulti-pronged“ListentotheCommunity”study.Theapproachesincluded:

1.Informalmeetings/interviewswithtownleaders

2.Focusgroups

3.SurveysmailedtoallShandakenresidentswithknownaddresses(2232)sentoutthefourthweekofSeptember,availableonline,atthelibraryfrontdesk,andthroughstreetoutreachnetting337respondents.Surveyscamefromusersandnon-usersofthelibrary,full-timeShandakenresidentsaswellaspart-timeandnon-residents.

Thesurveydata,includingopen-endedsurveyquestions,aresummarizedhere.

SURVEYRESULTS

Therewere337completedquestionnaires,ofwhich85(25%)weredoneonline.Thevastmajorityofquestionnaireswerefilledincompletelyexceptforwrite-inresponsesthatvariedbythequestion.Onlinesurveyshadinadvertentlyomittedthecheckboxesformaleorfemale;thus,allpointsregardingsexofrespondentsarelimitedtothepapersurveys.

Onlineresponseswereingeneralagreementwiththeresponsesofpaperquestionnairesalthoughtheyweremorelikelytohaveinternetaccessathome(95%vs.83%),tohearaboutlibraryeventsonlineandtouseonlineresources.Bothsourcesattendedprogramsandeventstoroughlythesamedegreeorslightlygreaterforonlinerespondents.Thelatterwere10%morelikelytolistreadingasahobbybutreportedlessfrequentusageofthelibrary(30%vs.18%).Theyweremorelikelytobenonresidentwithahouseholdsizegreaterthan2,andlargelyinprimeworkingyears,ages30-55.Thisprofilefitstwo-householdfamilieswhereoneparentmayliveandworkoutoftheareabutattendprogramswiththeirfamiliesorfriendsinShandaken.

Thesummariesbelowdonotbreakouttheonlineandpaperrespondentsbutgiveoverallresultsastheyareroughlysimilarinhowtheyviewthelibraryanditsservices.

SurveyRespondents’GeneralCharacteristics

Overall,agesofrespondentsrangedfrom8toover65withamedianageof51.Theagegroupswereroughlythesamebygenderuptoagefifty.Duetoahigherprevalenceoffemalesinagegroupsoverfifty,thesamplewas59%femaleoverall.Householdsizeswerefrom1to5ormorewith2themostfrequent(43%)and¼householdsofone.Sixty-sixpercentansweringthesurveywerefull-timeresidentswith22%part-timeandtheremaindernon-resident.

Eighty-sixpercentofthosecompletingthesurveyreportedinternetaccessathome.

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Tosummarize,surveyrespondentswereprimarilylocal,full-timeresidentsofthePhoeniciaLibrarycatchmentarea.Therewasgoodrepresentationinawiderangeofages,fairlyevenlysplitbygenderwiththeexceptionofthoseover59inwhichfemalesweremorefrequent.

Non-usersandUsersoftheLibrary

Attemptsweremadetoreachnon-usersofthelibrarythroughpublicannouncementsincludingsocialmedia,posters,flyers,on-the-streetoutreachandafullmailingtoallShandakenresidentswithaknownpostaladdress.

Eighty-onepercentofrespondentssaidtheyhadalibrarycard,similartotheoverall79%comingtothelibraryoften(39%)orsometimes(40%).Infrequentandneveruserscompletingsurveyswere18%and3%respectively.Theselatterarelikelyanundercountofareanon-users.

Infrequentorneverusersreportednotlivingnearbypart-timeorfull-time(41.2%),toobusy(18%),usedtheinternettoaccessmaterials(8%),orhadnoneedtovisitthelibrary(10%).

Thoseunderage65reportedthemostfrequentlibraryusewithanearlyequaldistributionofmalesandfemales.

TypesofLibraryServicesUsed

Achecklistthatalsoincludedopen-endedorwrite-inresponsestosomeitemsweregiveninthesurveywithrespondentscheckingallitemsthatapplied.Checkingoutbookswasbyfarthemostcommonactivitynotedin90%ofthosesurveyed.Allagescheckedoutbookswiththehighestpercentagesforthoseunder56(95%)comparedwiththose56andolder(89%).Thistallyincludedlargeprintbooks.

OtheritemsfrequentlycheckedoutwereDVDs(58%),audio/CDs(34%)e-books(20%),ukuleles(10%),andfishingrods(8%).

ComputerUse

Inspiteofanoverall86%prevalenceofhomeinternetaccess,46%ofthosesurveyedreportedusingcomputer-basedservicesatthelibrary.Inorderoffrequency,librarypatronsusedcomputersforemail(32%),onlinenews(19%),socialmedia(15%),work(14%),school(12%),researchonhealthissues(11%),games(10%),researchonlegal/governmentissues(9%),otherresearch(9%),andjobsearch(8%).

ReadingandOtherIn-LibraryServices

Apartfromcheckingoutitemsorusingcomputersatthelibrary,themostcommonactivitywastomakecopies(29%),readmagazines(20%),readnewspapers(20%),andsendfaxes(19%).Librarypatronsalsoreportedusingthelibrarytorelax(34%)ormeetfriends(28%)especiallyfemalesinthe20-39yearoldagegroup.Accesstothechildren’sroomwithotherchildrenandmotherslikelyfillsmultipleneedsforyoungwomen.Jobsearcheswerealsomostcommoninthisgroup.

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ProgramsandEvents

Two-thirds(67%)ofthosecompletingthesurveysaidtheyattendedprograms,events,andactivitiesinthesixmonthspriortothesurvey.Programdevelopmenthasbeenanimportantpartofthelibrarygivenitsexpandedphysicalenvironmentandcommunitycenterrolesincecompletionofthenewbuilding.

Programsattendedwererecordedbasedonopen-endedquestionsandmultipleresponseswerepossible.While67%saidtheyorfamilymembershadattendedaprogramoreventinthepastsixmonths,thismaybeanunder-countofprogram/eventsasawhole.Forexample,thegrandopeningofthelibrarywasattendedbyalargenumberofpeoplebutonly4%ofsurveyrespondentssaidtheyattendedtheopening.Theprogram“mentions”intheopen-endedquestionscanserveasarelativemeasureofprogrampopularitywithinthegroupcompletingthesurveybutnotforthelargercommunityoverlongerperiodsoftime.

Children’sPrograms

Forprogramsandeventsfocusedonchildren(notincludingteens),themostfrequentwrite-inwasagenericmentionof“Children’sPrograms”followedbyKids’Room,StoryTelling/StoryTime,LegoClub,Mr.Bubbles,andToddlerTime.

ProgramsforGeneralPublic,notage-specific

1.History/Lectures/Discussion/Classesasagroupingofprogramsnettedthegreatestnumberofmentions(24%ofthoseansweringthisquestion).Itwillbenecessarytoexamineactualattendancenumbersforspecificprograms/eventsinthisgrouptoforthoseofgreatestinterest.Thesurveydatadonotpermitspecificbreakdown.Someofthesementionsmayoverlapotherswrittenindifferentterms,forexample,“classes”mayincludeart,computers,healthinformationetc.whentheyarenotgivenspecificdescriptions.

2.Thesecondmostcommonsetofmentionswereforbookclubs/readinggroups/summerreading(19%).

3.Artsandcraftsclassesandworkshopswerecommonlymentioned(16%).Theseprograms,regardlessofagegroup,areastrongpartofthelibraryprogramservicesandareoftenwellattended.

4.Cards/games/backgammonasagroupranked4thinprogrammentions(11%)

5.Moviesrankedfifthinmentions(10%).

6.Communitymeetingsincluding“CoffeewithaCop”werenotednearlyasoftenasmovies9%).

7.Musicandukulelestogetherranked6thnotedby8%ofrespondentstothisquestion.Asmoremusiceventsaresetup,thesenumberswilllikelychangeespeciallygiventhelibrary’spackedhouseforarecentlivemusicevent.

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8.Talksandreadingsbyauthorswerementionedby7%ofthosefillingoutthisquestion.

9.Everythingelse:computerhelpandstreamwalkwerementionedspecifically.Otherprogramandeventmentionswereinfrequentorcouldnotbegrouped.

Theprogramsandeventslistedinthisopen-endedquestionarepartlyareflectionoftheprogramsthatwereavailableinthesixmonthspriortothesurveyandnotnecessarilyanaccountingofwhatpatronswouldliketoseeandattendinthefuture.Anopen-endedquestionaddressesthispointasdidthefocusgroups.

Hobbies/Pastimes

Inordertoassessthefitofcurrentprogramsandtodeveloppotentialfutureprogramsorevents,thesurveyaskedrespondentstolisthobbiesandpastimes.Thisquestionwasawrite-inandmorethanoneitemcouldbelisted.

Seventy-eightpercentofallthosesurveyedansweredthisopen-endedquestion(greaterthanthe66%answeringopen-endedquestionsaboutlibraryprograms/events).Themostcommonsingleresponsewasreading(47%),followedbygardening(21%).

Whengrouped,outdoorsports/activities(notincludinggardening)werementionedby1/3ofallthoseansweringthisquestion:hiking14%,nature/outdoors7%,biking5%,swimming5%,fishing4%,skiing4%,andgolf1%.

Groupedtogetherartsandrelatedmentionswerecommon:art7%,writing7%,photography6%,crafts4%,painting4%,playinganinstrument4%.Musicwaslistedby13%ofrespondentsbutitwasnotclearifitreferredtoplayingmusiconeself,listeningtoothers,orboth.

Domesticartsmentionsincluded:cooking15%,sewing3%,knitting4%,andwoodworking(asahobby)4%.

Exercisenotspecifiedasoutdoorswaslistedandincluded:genericphysicalexercise/fitness5.8%,yoga4%,anddancing4%.

Theremainingmentionsweremovies9%(unclearasanartorentertainmentorboth),socializing6%,travel5%,andcomputers2%.

Ingeneral,thepastimesandhobbiesofrespondentscloselytracktotheprogramsandeventsofthelibrary.Thoseansweringthesurveyareaboveallelsebookreadersandthatisreflectedthroughoutthesurveyincludinginusagesofthelibraryservicesanditsprograms.

AdequacyofHours

PhoeniciaLibraryextendeditsopenhoursbeforethesurveylaunchand90%oftherespondentsfoundthehoursadequate.Priortothesurvey,focusgroupparticipantsandlibrarypatronshadexpressedtheneedformoreopenhoursespeciallyaneveningwhenpart-timeresidentsandthosewithlong

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commutescouldgettothelibrary.Fridayhourswereextendedasaresultwiththesurveyconfirmingtheadequacyofthischange.

GettingtheWordOut

Wordofmouthwasthenumberonemethodoffindingoutaboutlibraryeventsandprograms(41%)closelyfollowedbyFacebook(38%),bulletinboardsatlibrary(37%),Sandwichboardatlibrary(36%),flyers(28%),email(26%),librarywebsite14%),andaheterogeneoussetoflessfrequentmethodsincludinglocalpapers.

Ingeneral,thelibraryisusingmultipleapproachestonotifythepublicandthepublicisdoingthebiggestjobitselfthroughwordofmouth.

WhatPeopleLikeabouttheLibraryandWhatWeCanDoBetter

Theseopen-endedquestionswereattheendofthesurvey.Eighty-eightpercentofthosesurveyedansweredthefirstquestiononwhattheylikeaboutthelibrary.Thesecondquestiononwhatthelibrarycandobetterhadafarlowerresponserateof55%andthefinalquestiononwhatthelibrarycandotoserveneedsbetterwasansweredbyonly40%.

Thissectionsummarizesoverallresponsestothesethreequestions.Thenextsectionoffersasamplingofspecificquotes.

WhatPeopleLikeabouttheLibrary(88%response)

Forty-one%ofthoseansweringthisquestionfoundthebuildingenvironmentoratmospheretotheirliking.Descriptorsinthiscategoryincludedfriendly,comfortable,relaxing,quiet,pleasant,warm,welcoming/inviting,homey,social,beautiful,easyaccess,nicespatiallayout,clean,bright.

Thirty-sevenpercentmentionedthestaffasnice,friendly,andhelpful.

Librarymaterialswerementionedby25%ofrespondentswholikedtheselectionofbooks,movies/DVDs,computers,magazines,newspapers,andart.Programswerementionedby15%whoindicatedtheylikedthevarietywithsomespecificmentionsforchildren’sprograms.

Patronslikedthelibrary’sroleasacommunitycenter(13%).

WhattheLibraryCanDoBetter(55%response)andWhattheLibraryCanDotoServeNeedsBetter(40%)responseswerecombinedasrespondentstooktheytobethesamepointaskedtwoways.

Thesinglegreatestwrite-intothiscombinedquestionwastosaythelibraryisdoingagreatjobasitis(26%)orthatthereisnothingitneedstodobetter(13%).Otherresponseswererequeststodomoreofwhatthelibraryalreadydoes:moreprograms/activities,morechildren’sprograms,moreandbetterselectionofbooks,moreDVDs,moreebooks,morespace,morecommunityhubactivity,morechairs.Somerespondentsaskedforlongerhoursandmoreweekendhours,butaspointedoutpreviouslyinnumericaldata,90%werepleasedwiththecurrenthours.