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Plan of Service

Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Plan of Service

Mission
We advance libraries in successfully serving the evolving needs of their communities.

Introduction
This Plan of Service acts as an annual to-do list for the System staff and board. The Plan is based on the System’s long-range plan, discussion with the Librarians Advisory Council, comments from the membership, trend forecasting by the consultants, and the System’s anticipated funding. The Plan of Service is envisioned to serve as a mechanism that enables the membership to grow and to assist libraries in better meeting the needs of their communities.

Unless otherwise noted, the following applies:

  • The System’s services are available to all eligible system members.
  • LCLS libraries must be full members to participate in automation, bibliographic access, interlibrary loan, reciprocal access, and delivery. Full and developmental members participate in consulting, continuous learning, and communication.
  • Non-member non-LCLS libraries may participate in continuing education and interlibrary loan.
  • Compensation from libraries that are not members of an Illinois Library System and other organizations is being pursued during FY/10.
  • Libraries in the GateNet consortium (LLSAP) will pay an estimated total of $577,141.00 in fees.
  • Member libraries not part of the GateNet consortium will pay an estimated total of $11,000.00 in fees to place holds directly into the database.
  • The System reserves the right to charge cost-recovery fees.
  • Delivery will be provided at the FY09 volume frequencies at no cost to member libraries; delivery stops will be adjusted based on the same volume levels utilized in FY09.  Other institutions will be charged for delivery services.
  • Support for the GateNet consortium from Area & Per Capita grant funds will remain at the FY09 level.
  • LCLS will participate in cooperative programs as directed and funded by the Illinois State Library.
  • LCLS activities and programs will be supported beyond the Area & Per Capita grant funds by reserves in order to proactively plan for the future.

Lewis & Clark Library System
Plan of Service 2009 – 2010

Expectations

  1. Focus on continuous improvement
  2. Continually assess trends impacting libraries
  3. Identify and implement added value for member libraries, as funds allow
  4. Embrace transformation of System and library services
  5. Ensure communication
  6. Remain agile

Assessment

  1. Document results through monthly reporting structures
  2. Highlight outcomes over outputs
  3. Address tasks in the Annual Plan of Service

GOAL A:  Support organizational stewardship and sustainability

STRATEGIES:

  1. Invest in the resources necessary to recruit and retain quality employees; update equipment; ensure System staff competence as responsibilities evolve
  2. Evaluate programs and services to increase efficiency and effectiveness; assess policies and procedures and revise as appropriate
  3. Research, identify, and implement supplemental funding sources for LCLS
  4. Identify and implement methods of reducing costs
  5. Innovate to proactively manage change

Targets and Tasks
1. Provide staff training

  1. Envision the future of regional multitype Library Systems
  2. Market and promote LCLS
  3. Provide advanced training on Financial Edge accounting software
  4. Initiate a new Employee Performance Management process

2. Pursue opportunities to adapt and strengthen the System’s infrastructure

  1. Develop and maintain a master contract schedule
  2. Pursue opportunities to revamp the building and grounds using high-energy-efficiency equipment and strategies i.    Replace HVAC system if funding can be obtained

3. Envision the future of regional multitype Library Systems

  1. Initiate member feedback regarding System service priorities
  2. Develop an action plan based on findings from member feedback

4. Pursue and market supplemental funding sources

  1. Seek sponsors for the item bands
  2. Recruit sponsors for ads on our Web site
  3. Seek sponsors for vehicle donation
  4. Research, develop, and initiate alternative funding for illinoismap.info
  5. Seek other revenue-generating opportunities

5. Strengthen and update business office procedures

  1. Complete the documentation for business office activities
  2. Implement a reporting system for managing financial projects
  3. Investigate and consider implementing online bill paying
  4. Investigate and consider implementing a process to accept credit cards for payment
  5. Review financial manual

GOAL B:  Orient members to new and evolving opportunities and challenges impacting library services

STRATEGIES:

  1. Provide relevant consulting to share discoveries and assist members in improving the effectiveness of library services
  2. Increase the outreach of consulting
  3. Support staff development of libraries through professional development programs and consulting services
  4. Provide professional development beyond traditional delivery methods
  5. Partner with educational organizations, consortia, and library organizations to enhance professional development opportunities
  6. Share new information, ideas, and trends obtained via conferences, training, and the reading of professional and trade literature

Targets and Tasks
1. Regularly post to the Conduit blog concerning new trends, professional development ideas, and other issues impacting library services

2. Identify specific needs of members to proactively deliver timely information

  1. Share research findings on specific library-related topics with appropriate members
  2. Assist member library boards/governing bodies with director searches

3. Contact members regularly to touch base, especially those members rarely in contact with LCLS staff

  1. Continue site visits to members (year two of the three-year cycle)
  2. Continue the Executive Director’s welcome packets to new member librarians
  3. Visit member boards/governing authorities to convey what services the System provides
  4. Initiate phone calls by Executive Director to members
  5. Implement e-list management of member contact information
  6. Continue statistical analysis to determine under-represented members

4. Implement findings and recommendations from the Continuing Education Survey

  1. Explore implementing CE2Me project, to provide direct on-demand staff training at member libraries
  2. Develop core CE classes
    1. i.    Present core classes internally for development and feedback
    2. ii.    Develop and implement LCLS staff presenter process to provide peer feedback
  3. Deliver instruction and materials to members unable to attend events
  4. Institute a minimum charge for all LCLS events (other than GateNet and core classes); recover actual costs for events with outside presenters

GOAL C:  Enhance resource sharing among LCLS members

STRATEGIES:

  1. Provide courier services to deliver materials
  2. Act as legal authority for the Local Library System Automation Project (LLSAP), known as GateNet
  3. Investigate larger units of shared resources

Targets and Tasks
1. Continue seeking efficiencies and best practices about resource sharing

  1. Encourage growing use of WebJunction Illinois
  2. Seek out and promote use of OCLC tutorials on a wide variety of topics  relevant to members

2. Continue exploring and developing group discount offers for the members

  1. Coordinate with Library Partnership Trust whenever possible
  2. Update appropriate direct vendor discounts as needed

3. Continue evaluating courier services for efficiency and effectiveness

  1. Deliver material using USPS as warranted
  2. Use FY09 volume levels to make delivery adjustments
  3. Develop and administer charges for any additional delivery services beyond those required by the State Library

4. Continue expanding the LLSAP capabilities

  1. Investigate and test a discovery layer for GateNet with possible implementation by others
  2. Continue efforts to increase LLSAP membership

GOAL D:  Strengthen alliances and partnerships

STRATEGIES:

  1. Encourage member participation in System and statewide initiatives
  2. Seek projects and/or funding with regional and/or statewide library implications
  3. Pursue appropriate partnerships with non-library organizations to advocate the value of libraries
  4. Share resources, expertise, and knowledge among members and with other regional multitype Library Systems
  5. Represent the System and members in regional, and state library and policy forums

Targets and Tasks
1. Use the Participation Survey results to encourage member participation in applicable projects

2. Develop relationships with legislators that benefit members

  1. Initiate semi-annual meetings between local legislators and Executive Director
  2. Conduct visits to local legislative offices with member libraries’ staff

3. Share LCLS-developed instruction and programs with other Library Systems

4. Widely market findings and recommendations from Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future grant project

5. Focus efforts more regionally to develop networks and relationships that benefit member libraries

6. Continue consultant representation in regional and state organizations

7. Encourage member libraries to share expertise in content-specific workshops

8. Continue to promote the Illinois Talking Book and Braille services

Adopted by Lewis & Clark Library System Board of Directors May 19, 2009

Revised by Board of Directors September 15, 2009

2009-2010 Plan of Service (printable version)

2008-2009 Plan of Service