Melissa Flores • Pinnacle city editor
mf*****@pi**********.com
Hollister
Difficult economic times haven’t stopped library officials from laying out ambitious plans for the future.
San Benito County Librarian Nora Conte presented a compact fold-out 2010-11 annual report as well as a strategic plan for the San Benito County Free Library at last week’s board of supervisors meeting.
“I want to say in regards to the annual report that the library is becoming one of the most visited agencies in the county,” Conte said. “This is the smallest little annual report. We will use it when we go out to funding sources.”
The fold-out brochure is something that can be picked up by residents at the library and is small enough to fit in a pocket or wallet. It has basic contact information on it as well as some statistics and facts about the county. It also lists some of the resources and services available at the library such as a story time, homework club, tax assistance and more.
“I want to thank the staff for making the library what it is,” said Supervisor Anthony Botelho. “Without the partnership and a love of the task, it would not be possible. The strategic plan looks for what we need in the future.”
Conte presented the library’s strategic plan, which came together based on community surveys, public meetings and a summit.
“The Strategic Plan addresses the library’s mission to continuously plan to keep library services aligned with the needs of San Benito County residents,” Conte wrote in the agenda item.
The report highlighted the main ways in which residents have been using library services as well as a direction to take services.
According to the report, the library averages 50 daily computer users. It has 19 computers with Internet access, including some for children and others that are specialized for employment searches or literacy services.
The library has 30,000 registered users, including 9,700 children under the age of 14.
“Our vision is for an information and culturally rich, healthy and economically vibrant San Benito County, where residents are inspired to imagine and prepare for the future together,” the strategic plan reads.
The values listed in the plan include a dedication to life-long learning, excellence in customer service, public trust and intellectual freedom.
The input from the community highlighted a variety of needs for the library including a need for more materials to meet informational, educational and entertainment needs. Teens also wanted to see programs and materials specifically for them, and English language learners would like more materials in their native languages, according to the plan.
“In five years, I’ve collected a lot of information and it took a lot of thought,” Conte said. “But I didn’t want it be Nora’s vision or the staff’s vision.”
The report noted a lack of physical space to accommodate a larger collection, expanded technology center, children’s story times and tutoring. There were also concerns about parking around the library.
“We may have an opportunity in the near future,” said Supervisor Margie Barrios, of the new courthouse being built on Fourth Street. “We may have some space available in the current courthouse that could accommodate the (San Benito County) Office of Education and the library.”
Other concerns included hours of operation on the weekends – due to budget cuts, the library hours were scaled back last year. Residents also want more technology, including e-books and self-check out kiosks. The last concern was a need to build more community partnerships and programs.
Based on those needs that came out of the community surveys and meetings, the strategic plan includes some specific items on which to focus in the statement of direction:
– Provide customer-focused service
– Train staff on the newest customer service techniques and technologies.
– Centralize and streamline the main service desk, with standardized signage.
– Offer more community programs, including book clubs, Book Club in a Box, teen programs and digital emergent/family literacy.
– Provide specialized equipment to the visually impaired and elderly.
– Seek additional funding to address information and collection needs.
– Build community ties
– Participate in local events, such as holiday parades, the county fair and farmers market.
– Develop new relationships with local organizations such as Hazel Hawkins, Memorial Hospital, the Law Library and others.
– Develop new relationships with local, for-profit businesses, including various book and electronic vendors.
– Continue to build and nurture existing community relationships, and explore additional avenues for partnering with Gavilan College, the YMCA, Friends of the Library, Probation and Sheriff’s Department, Superior Court, First Five and more.
– Enhance technology
– Continue to use and update Koha/open source software
– Increase number of eBooks offered through the website, with mobile compatibility for all titles.
– Explore new technologies such as QR codes, self-check machines, remote rental kiosks, resource-sharing databases and mobile-compatible website access.
– Offer computer/technology classes for the public and staff.
– Add additional computer work stations for both children and adults, and consider a separate teen computer lab.
– Optimize space
– Remodel existing space to accommodate 21st-century library needs.
– Integrate literacy and library services.
– Investigate possible expansion to neighboring Office of Education building.
– Seek funding for optimization of existing library space through grants.
– Update fixtures and equipment to meet modern standards.
