About Us

Dynamic Collections for All

Offering dynamic and excellent collections is the cornerstone of the library. Dynamic means that we are regularly assessing and changing our collections; excellent means that we are using American Library Association's best practices for collection development.

Objective 1: Collection Development:

Maintaining and developing our collections is critical to the growth and operations of the library. We also recognize that our Tool Library and Library of Things have become important collections to our patrons. With this in mind we will also continue to develop these collections.

Actions:

• Create a Collection Development Review team and update collection development policy to ensure our plan reflects our current print and non-print collections, and includes a  philosophy for future collections.

• Diversity audit: research different methods for diversity audit of all collections and establish a plan for ongoing audits.

• Ongoing Weeding: Removing irrelevant, damaged, low circulating books allows us to keep our collections relevant and fresh. 

Objective 2: Spanish Language Collections:

Developing our Spanish language collection has proven to be a challenging, yet rewarding endeavor. In 2023 we successfully eliminated outdated literature, revitalizing our collection. We continually strive to enhance and diversify our collection while actively seeking input from both parents and children. With 45% of our community identifying as Latine/Hispanic, our commitment to providing relatable content is important to maintaining our mission.

Actions:

• Identify any barriers to usage or access to Spanish language collections.

• Create an outreach plan to ensure the Spanish speaking community is aware of and has access to these collections.

Community-centered Services, Programs, and Events

LCPL offers library programming for all ages that promotes an array of literacies, community development, recreational opportunities, and the utilization of library collections. With a focus on auditing the community impact and reception of all programs, the library aims to keep all offerings relevant to community member needs and interests, as well as remain on the cusp of change in libraries and Lake County. We will also work with our partners to collaborate.

Objective 1: Offer Diverse Programs:

Offer a wide spectrum of programs that serve all age groups and all communities. Additionally, we will host programs that develop a range of literacies, recreational outlets, and community-building opportunities.

Actions:

• Evaluate and Audit Program Offerings: Audit programs across all age groups for DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), attendance, content, and currency. Be self-reflective as an organization regarding program offerings and impact. Practice vigilance by remaining up-to-date on new and emerging approaches to programming. 

• Procedure for program development: Create procedures for program proposals, development, and preparation to ensure efficiency and quality.

Objective 2: Community programming:

Develop and offer events throughout the year with the intent of bringing together multiple sectors of the community. 

Actions:

• Author talks: Continue to develop Banned Books Week Celebration in September/October; work toward hosting an additional author talk annually in the Spring.

• Open house: Host at least one open house a year.

Objective 3: Partner with community organizations to carry out programming:

Recognizing the significance of collaboration and partnerships is instrumental in our growth and commitment to our community. Our alliances with organizations such as Lideres Latinoamericanos, C4, and LCBAG underscore our commitment to community engagement. By actively participating in these influential groups, we foster meaningful connections and share the wealth of programs and resources available at our library. This collaborative spirit not only enriches our offerings to our community,  but also serves as a catalyst for inspiring patrons and future patrons to explore the diverse array of opportunities we provide.

• Quarterly evaluation of our partnerships. Within this review we will evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the partnership, as well as if there are ways to expand the partnership.

Objective 4: Services and Policy Review:

To ensure currency and effectiveness of our internal and external policies, and services a regular review will occur. 

• Assign policies for review to individual staff members or committees to provide recommendations to the director. 

• Conduct annual review of services. 

Outreach & Community Engagement

We recognize outreach as a crucial component of our services and an important measure to keep us connected to the community. Outreach activities give us an opportunity to provide awareness of our offerings to community members and to provide library services in various community locations. We will continue to engage in community events to offer library services, build community connections, and encourage lifelong learning for all ages.

Objective 1: Robust marketing plan

Objective 2: Reaching Underserved Populations:

Evaluate ways that we are providing information and services to the community and ensure that we are being flexible and inclusive. 

• Identifying underserved populations in our community.

• Identify barriers to accessing services and collections. 

• Use outreach tools such as, library card sign-up, mobile checkouts, and/or pop-up storytime events in public places such as courthouses, mexican stores, Safeway etc. 

Objective 3: Create Diversity Statement:

A diversity statement will demonstrate our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within our operations of the library and with staff development. 

• Create a committee of library staff to research and draft a statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Capacity Building

Objective 1: Recruitment of Spanish-speaking Staff:

Lake County consists of approximately 40 - 45% Latine people. Many of these people speak primarily Spanish or are English Language Learners. Having staff members that speak Spanish is important to ensure we are reaching as many community members as possible.

• Research best practices for recruitment of Spanish-speaking staff.

• Develop policy and procedure for posting open positions and recruiting Spanish 

Objective 2: Staff Development and Training:

We put the utmost value in our staff and will continue to prioritize staff development by improving our new staff training program, providing opportunities for training and professional development for all staff, and supporting applicable continuing education endeavors. 

• Improve new staff training procedures by utilizing google forms and knowledge checks throughout, as well as an improved training schedule customized to fit the new staff member’s availability.

• Provide opportunities for staff at all levels to increase their knowledge and skill sets through training and professional development including but not limited to library conferences, webinars, as well as online and in-person courses

  • Work with supervisor to create an annual professional development plan (during review process)

Objective 3: Building and grounds:

LCPL strives to be the best steward of the building we were entrusted with. We are always maximizing the space we have on the inside of our building, much like the outside, the inside needs to be repainted and refreshed. As being good stewards also to our public we will look at the best ways to make our building accessible to all. 

• Work with the Maintenance Department to prioritize repairs and upgrades.

• Look into pathway from Ice Palace to Library parking lot.

• Conduct an ADA compliance review.

• Improve the accessibility of the library’s public access computers. This would include acquiring alternative input devices such as joysticks, large and small keyboards, and trackpads and training employees on available easy access software on the computers.  

• Revitalize landscaping with perennial and native plants

Objective 4: Financial maintenance

Review of budget

• Review as a group at staff meetings monthly at the beginning of the month.

• Review budget in 1:1 meetings with staff

Care for Community Memory

LCPL and CMHC prioritize Lake County history, in that we want to collect and preserve the stories of our past. Maintaining and growing our current CMHC collection not only helps preserve our community memory, but also helps researchers of the future. We also look to collect the personal narratives of the community to humanize history and fill the gaps with local voices. 

Objective 1: Local Archive Maintenance & Growth 

• Procurement, archive maintenance, use

• Inventory and catalog items that have been in our possession for a while and new donations that we accept.  

• Continually look for new items and information that will fit within our collection policy.

• Maintain and develop our digital collection.

Objective 2: Oral History

• Creating an outline for the information we are looking to acquire through oral histories

• Identify locals that have a story to share

• Processing histories and a transcript from these conversations

• Adding these histories to our collection for future generations

Strategic Plan 2021 - 2023

Goal: Community Engagement

Objective: to help identify needs, ideas, and barriers to participation in library programs and services

• Use social media platforms and newsletters to communicate with patrons and promote surveys and other forms of data collection

• Work with local partners to help determine community needs

• Ensure all communication is available in Spanish

• Ensure all communication is available in paper form

Objective: To be a community partner, facilitate lifelong learning, and encourage engagement with collections through programming 

• Each department engages with ongoing program and collection development

• Identify and maintain partnership with local organizations

Goal: Marketing and communication

Objective: Promote programs, collections and news in the library with a marketing plan. 

• Maintain a social media plan for all departments

• Send biweekly newsletters

• Create and send regular press releases

• Create a long-term marketing plan

Goal: Fundraising 

Objective: Facilitate the creation of a foundation to support fundraising efforts through events, campaigns, and grant writing

Objective: Maintain list of prioritized projects that are not supported under the library's regular operating budget (If I had a million dollars…).

• Identify projects through:

  • Evaluation of departments

  • Communication with Lake County community

Goal: Collections 

Objective: Promote collections of all formats through reading lists, social media, and reading challenges:

• Create on-going reading challenges

• Develop reading lists and research guides, accompanied by displays

• Identify underutilized print and digital collections

Goal: Engage Underserved Populations

Objective: Identify underserved populations through research and data collection

• Review library literature to identify existing research

• Partner with local organizations for data collection

Objective: Develop ongoing plan for engaging the Spanish speaking community, including development of programs, library collections, and services.

• Ensure all marketing and communication materials are available in Spanish

• Offer interpretation for all in-person and virtual programming

• Maintain collection of relevant Spanish language books and DVDs 

Goal: Promote, develop, and preserve local history collections

Objective: Assessment and preservation of physical materials: FY 2021 

• Conduct assessment and plan; 

• Identify at-risk materials

• Assess and prioritize uncataloged materials

• Create Collection Development Policy

Objective: Develop and assess digital collection: FY 2021-22

• Develop digital preservation plan

• Develop standard for selection and digitization of materials

• Migrate digital collection to new platform

Objective: Promotion and engagement FY 2021-22

• Programming: Provide at least 6 programs a year

• Research support & tools: research guides

  • Creating bilingual "research" materials

  • Spanish language materials

• "Informal" ideas for engagement

Oral History FY 2021-22

• Develop interview guidelines 

• Identify and prioritize interviewees

Goal: Leaving room for the unexpected! 

Unexpected opportunities and barriers arise, and we want to be nimble and responsive in those situations. To assist in this, we will have our priorities laid out for each goal as an organization and as members of the library team. Additionally, the actions associated with each goal will be tied to our operations plan. Our ultimate goal is to support every staff member’s ability to carry out the Library’s mission and create a joyful space for our community.