Omaha Public Library

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007-2010

Quality of Community Matters

Rivkah K. Sass Tom O. Kelley, President Executive Director Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 1 Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 2 STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

INTRODUCTION On August 10 and 11, 2006, the Director, Omaha Public Library and the President, Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees, jointly sponsored a collaborative strategic planning process at Alegent Health’s Right Track facility, Omaha, Nebraska. Over forty stakeholders representing the library’s administration, branches, trustees, foundations, friends, customers, and community contributed to the development of the Omaha Public Library strategic plan, which charts the path forward for the time period 2007 to 2010.

MISSION Omaha Public Library enriches our community by providing unlimited opportunities for information, education, inspiration and imagination.

VISION Omaha Public Library is a nationally recognized public library known for its innovative programs, excellent staff and visionary community leadership.

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 3 STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS AND GOALS Service Excellence Omaha’s citizens consistently have fantastic library experiences.

Literacy Through Omaha Public Library’s commitment to literacy, Omaha is one of the “Top 10” most literate cities in the United States.

Facilities All Omaha citizens have convenient access to library services and facilities that are well maintained, attractive, welcoming, and functional.

Public Relations and Marketing The people of Omaha view the library as a vital, active force and a preferred source for information, leisure, resources, and entertainment for all ages.

Funding Omaha Public Library is securely and adequately funded to meet the needs of the community we serve.

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 4 VALUES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

INTEGRITY

 We have the courage to be honest and communicate openly  We do what’s best for OPL, not what’s easiest  We value the opinions and ideas of all staff and customers  We expect and act with good intent  We fulfill our commitments  We are committed to one another’s success

ACCOUNTABILITY

 We are responsible stewards of public resources  We embrace challenges as opportunities  We take personal responsibility for our successes and mistakes  We do not criticize or complain without offering a solution

SERVICE

 We are welcoming, our staff is enthusiastic, and our public is delighted  We treat every customer fairly and equitably  We identify and meet the needs of OPL’s unique communities  We encourage, recognize, and reward imaginative ideas  We will not be held back by “the way it has always been done”  We bring to the table innovative, imaginative, and visionary ideas and solutions to all OPL processes Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 5  We encourage diversity in staff, materials, and programming

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 6 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

SERVICE EXCELLENCE Board Champion: Mary Helms Staff Liaison: Deb Barelos

Challenge OPL has not been effectively keeping up with changing services and technology.

Goal Omaha’s residents consistently have fantastic library experiences.

Objectives Progress

By January 2007, create an OPL think tank to investigate, Implemented. Chair: Deirdre Routt identify, and plan implementation of at least two new or Members: Deb Barelos, John Bernardi, Nancy Chmiel, Sarah improved services per year. English, Mary Griffin, Gloria Sorensen

By January 2007, OPL will have a standard process to Implemented. Project Management tools can be found on insure the successful launch of new services. SamePage.

By April 2008, create innovative, welcoming, and intuitive In process. virtual library experiences for all users.  Web Team formed July 2007; Members: Carol Erkens, Patrick Esser, Judy Anghelescu, Russ Harper, Nicole Irvine, Cindy Zimmerman.  Writing for the Web training completed on 9/ 18/07.

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 7 (Funded through LSTA grant from NLC)  October 2007 – Deb Barelos and Gloria Sorensen attend Learning 2007 conference to research new and innovative training techniques. (Joint project with Lincoln City Libraries; funded through LSTA grant from NLC)  Discussions with USPS underway to begin project Boomerang for mailing books. Tentative launch date: February 2008 By July 2008, OPL has fully developed and implemented a In process customer service philosophy.  Spring 2007 -- Deb Barelos and Gloria Sorensen attended Zing Train  2008 Staff Day funded by LSTA grant. All staff to receive Zing Train Customer Service training. By December 2008, OPL will have a system-wide training program in place to ensure all staff and volunteers have the skills needed to provide excellent services.

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 8 LITERACY Board Champion: Sherman Willis Staff Liaison: Rivkah Sass

Challenge The illiteracy rate in Douglas County is too high.

Goal Through Omaha Public Library’s commitment to literacy, Omaha is recognized nationally as a “Top 10” most literate city.

Objective Progress

By May 2007, assess each library branch for early literacy Completed. development opportunities, e.g., space, collections, programs, staff, volunteers.

By September 2007, develop and implement customized In progress. literacy improvement programs.  Prime Time program funded for additional programs at South and Washington Branch Libraries

 Los Clásicos Intergenerational Book Club implemented at Washington Branch, Casteler Elementary School, and El Museo Latino (funded by LSTA grant from Nebraska Library Commission). By December 2007, identify and strengthen working  OPL participating in Community Literacy Partners relationships with literacy partners. meetings (begun in April 2007).

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 9 By December 2008, partner with immigrant and refugee Timeline revised, 3/21/2007 groups and/or associations to introduce new Omaha  Partnered with ICU Learning English/UNO for residents to the library. “Using the Library” episode SME/9-24-07  Partnered with Creighton University’s Asian World Center to cosponsor “Creighton’s Fifth Annual Non- Western Culture Day”, April 20, 2009 By December 2009, each library will have at least one Timeline revised, 3/21/2007 bilingual staff member or volunteer, and language-  January 2008 – 10-week Piccadillo Spanish will be appropriate services, programs, and materials. offered to 20 public service staff members. Funded by LSTA grant from Nebraska Library Commission.  April 2009—two immigrant resources library brochures were developed; one in Spanish and one in English along with bookmarks of resources in Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese.

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 10 FACILITIES Board Champion: Carol Gendler Staff Liaison: Janet Davenport

Challenge Library growth has not kept pace with the city’s geographic growth; many citizens do not have convenient access to a library facility; and existing facilities are in need of expansion, improvement, and improved maintenance.

Goal All Omaha residents have convenient access to library services and facilities that are well maintained, attractive, welcoming, and functional.

Objective Progress By July 2007, deliver library services to un-served areas by Discussed possibilities of automated book dispenser developing two or more creative pilot projects such as installations at December 2006 Facilities Committee remote self-service stations in retail locations, storefronts, or Meeting. mobile service.

By July 2007, implement suggestions resulting from the Library visits complete. evaluation and assessment project “Extreme Makeover” of the existing branches for appearance and function (Includes purchase of signage, furniture, shelving, and equipment).

By December 2007, complete an assessment of library Assessment of 10 existing library locations completed in location needs and develop a five-year facilities master October 2006, Elkhorn (added by annexation) needs to be plan. added. Updates to assessments need to be completed.

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 11 By December 2008, open the South Branch Library for As of Sept 2007 Building has building structure masonry business. and roofing completed and on target for Spring 2008 opening By December 2009, open the Saddlebrook facility for Design process completed business. Inter-local agreement adopted Sept 2007 Construction Documents prepared to let for bid in Sept/Oct 2007 on target for summer 2009 opening Complete the following already-defined Capital  Renovation planning began for Sorensen Branch; Improvement Projects: completion now estimated to be August 2008. 2007 – Renovation at Sorensen Branch  Willa Cather funding shifted to cover 3 year span 2008 – Renovation at Willa Cather Branch with planning beginning in 2008, work to be done in 2008 – Acquisition of land in southwest Omaha 2009 and completed 2010. CIP funding still on 2009 – Renovation at Abrahams and Florence Branches board for project.  CIP funding still on line for acquisition of land in southwest Omaha. Parks department partnership also a possibility.  CIP funding still on line for r Abrahams and Florence Branch projects in 2009  CIP funding added for W. Dale Clark parking lot and skylight renovations projects in 2008  CIP funding added for Swanson Branch ADA restrooms on main library floor in 2008 and roof replacement in 2009

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 12 PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING Board Champion: Caitlin Davis Staff Liaison: Linda Trout

Challenge Many Omaha residents are not aware of the library and/or what the library has to offer.

Goal The people of Omaha view the library as a vital, active force and a preferred source for information, leisure, resources, and entertainment for all ages. Objective Progress By January 2007, begin a marketing campaign that identifies and targets three existing services for specific audiences.

By December 2007, and annually thereafter, increase by 5%  Listing of new youth materials available under “Hot per year the usage of (1) library facilities, (2) collections, Reads” on the public webpage SME/9-24-07 and (3) services.

By December 2008, OPL will have “Get a Library Card” campaign that includes links on corporate and organizations’ home pages.

By December 2010, 75% of K-12 students in Omaha will have library cards.

By December 2010, 80% of eligible employees in major

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 13 corporations will have library cards, motivated by organized corporate competition.

FUNDING Board Champion: Tom Kelley Staff Liaison: Rivkah Sass

Challenge Our current funding stream is inadequate and unpredictable.

Goal Omaha Public Library is securely and adequately funded to meet the needs of the community we serve.

Objectives Progress By June 2007, OPL administration, Board of Trustees, and Completed. Meetings held with Board member, branch advocates will meet annually with elected officials to manager, Friends liaison and City Council representative. develop relationships in support of increasing public funding.

By December 2007, OPL will determine the feasibility and advisability of establishing a library fund as permitted by Nebraska Revised Statutes §51-201.

By January 2009, OPL will have in place a corporate adoption/sponsorship program to include locations, collections, and services.

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 14 By December 2010, private funding through individuals, foundations, and corporations will be at least $1 million annually.

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 15 CONTRIBUTORS TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees

Tom O. Kelley, President Mary Helms Caitlin Davis Bo Ochsner Carol Gendler Kevin Thompson

Staff, Community Partners Customers, Foundation, Friends Stacey Aldrich, Assistant Director, Omaha Public Library Patrick McNamara, Director of Philanthropic Services, Omaha Deb Barelos, Circulation Manager, Omaha Public Library Community Foundation John Bernardi, Branch Manager, Omaha Public Library Merrilee Miller, President, Omaha Public Library Foundation Bernita Bradley, Customer Leandra Murray, Customer Judy Brick, Administrative Office, Omaha Public Library Norma Pountney, Branch Manager, Omaha Public Library Nancy Chmiel, Librarian, Omaha Public Library Lori Rader, Branch Manager, Omaha Public Library Julie Cobb, Grant Analyst, The Hawks Foundation Deirdre Routt, Technical Services Manager, OPL Janet Davenport, Facilities Manager, Omaha Public Library Mary Jo Ryan, Marketing/Communications Coordinator, Jody duRand, Office Manager, Omaha Public Library Nebraska Library Commission Sarah English, Youth Collection Development Manager, OPL Rivkah Sass, Executive Director, Omaha Public Library Carol Erkens, Web Developer/Designer, Omaha Public Library Kay Scarpello, Branch Manager, Omaha Public Library Patrick Esser, Horizon System Administrator, OPL Pam Scott, Branch Manager, Omaha Public Library Sally Fellows, Member, Friends of the Omaha Public Library Gloria Sorensen, Public Services Manager, OPL Andrea Fox, Deputy Assistant to the Mayor, Office of the Mayor Jeanne Spence, President, Friends of Omaha Public Library Mary Griffin, Branch Manager, Omaha Public Library Deb Suttle, Omaha Public Library Foundation Kaitlin Grode, Member, Teen Book Club Maggie Tarelli-Falcon, Collection Development Manager, OPL Theresa Jehlik, Staff Development Manager, Omaha Public Susan Thornton, Branch Manager, Omaha Public Library Library Linda Trout, Community Services Manager, OPL

Omaha Public Library Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010 16 Kit Keller, Planning & Data Services Coordinator, Nebraska Roxanne Williams, Director, Omaha Public Library Foundation Library Commission Lillian Wunsch, Branch Manager, Omaha Public Library For additional information contact:

Rivkah K. Sass Executive Director Omaha Public Library 215 South 15th Street Omaha, NE 68102-1629 O: 402.444.4834 F: 402.444.4504 E: [email protected] http://omahapubliclibrary.org

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