Front of Yonge Township Public Library Strategic Plan 2014 - 2019
Board Members: Annette Kaldeway, Chair Laurie Sponagle, Vice Chair Sandra Wells, Treasurer Donna Hunt, CEO & Secretary Bob Morrison, Council Liaison Joan Ruman, Council Liaison Nancy Clow, Trustee Carson Massey, Trustee Dana Purcell, Trustee
Prepared for Front of Yonge Township Public Library Prepared by Laurie Sponagle
Table of Contents
Mission Statement … 3 Introduction … 3 History and Profiles … 4 Library History … 4 Library Profile … 5 Community Profile … 6 The Research … 7 Survey … 7 Process … 7 Results … 8 Focus Groups … 9 Process … 9 Results …10 Other Feedback Sources …10 Process …10 Results …11 Situational Analysis …12 SOLS Pre-audit Report …12 Six ways to Describe your in terms of… …12 External Library Trends …14 The Plan …15 Library Roles …15 Library Objectives …16 Programs and Communications …16 Training and Relationships …18 Our Future, Our Opportunities …21 Significant initiatives undertaken by the Library (over past 4 years) … …21 Monitoring and evaluating… …21 Opportunities with the school…. …23 Library as business… …23 Appendix …25 Front of Yonge Township Public Library Survey …26 Front of Yonge Township Public Library Survey Results …30 Survey Appendix 1: Resources Priorities Summary …39 Survey Appendix 2: Times & Days Summary …40 Session ONE Summary …41 Session TWO Summary …43 FOY School Additional Feedback …46 Wish List Feedback …49 Front of Yonge Public Library Pre-Audit, April 2008 …52 SOLS Pre-Audit Update 2014 …59 Appendix 10: Six ways to Describe your Community in terms of… …60
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Mission Statement (Carried April 23, 2007)
“Front of Yonge Public Library promotes the love of reading and the pursuit of knowledge for life-long learning and literacy.”
Introduction The citizens of Front of Yonge Township have “had their say”, and this community cares deeply about the Front of Yonge Township Public Library! Overall, they are happy with their library, but they are looking for some changes. And so too is the library board of trustees, especially in terms of planning.
As with a majority of smaller, rural libraries, budget deliberation time brings to mind what could be done with proper planning for the long term, versus the difficulty of just ye ar-by-year “core” budgeting. This was the discussion that arose at a 2011 fall meeting of the Front of Yonge (FOY) Township Public Library Board (the “Board”). The Board agreed, that the Front of Yonge Township Public Library (the “Library”), could greatly benefit from the formulation of a 5 year plan. A plan would be a great asset, in terms of guidance for budget, staff time, services and resources, to the Library, the Board and library staff.
This Strategic Plan Report for the Library documents the process, the information compiled in this process, identifies the strategic directions and methods to obtain these objectives. This strategic plan could be a solid foundation onto which future Boards would be able to continue the development of Library services and programs and secure funding. It may be a valuable resource for incoming new trustees as part of their Library introductory package.
It is hoped that this plan will create a focused path for our leadership (Library CEO, staff, Board and FOY Township Council (the “Council”)) in utilizing our resources to ensure the long term sustainability of the Library. On all levels, we need a commitment to improvement and willingness to change, which is not deterred by any barriers created by our sometimes limited resources or situations.
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“Bad libraries build collections. Good libraries build services (of which a collection is only one). Great libraries build communities.” David Lankes, author
HISTORY AND PROFILES
Library History
Library services were re-introduced in Front of Yonge Township in the early 1970’s after a hiatus of many years. Ms. Louise Poole, a retired teacher from Junetown, was instrumental in doing much of the ground work for small township libraries in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. A book mobile made regular visits to the township at first. Then with a group of interested citizens, Louise met with Council to bring a permanent library to Front of Yonge. A by-law was drawn up and passed by Council in November 1974 to establish the Front of Yonge Township Public Library.
In partnership with the Leeds and Grenville Board of Education, the first library was established in the Front of Yonge Elementary School (the “School”) with the school librarian, Jean Van Dusen, responsible for the public library as well. This proved a very successful venture and worked for a few years but the public library soon outgrew the allotted space. New accommodation was found in the former Koerber’s General Store just to the north of the railway tracks in the village. After some renovations, the library opened with a new librarian, Jennie Koerber, with the retirement of Mrs. Van Dusen.
Soon this space also became very cramped and was deemed inadequate. The Library Board signed an agreement with the Oddfellows Lodge #245 to rent the bottom floor of the Oddfellow’s building on Quabbin Road. Within a year of moving into the new space, Mrs. Koerber retired and Jack Tennant was hired. When Council purchased the Masonic Hall, it was decided that the Library would have the basement area and the second floor would be a Community Centre. Plans were drawn and work began. Soon the new facility with good lighting, new shelving, etc. was ready and the library moved to its present location on County Road 5 in 2002 with Diann Turner as the librarian. Further renovations included adding an elevator to make it accessible to all. Donna Hunt became the new librarian in 2008 and remains in this capacity.
The Front of Yonge Township Public Library continues to be an important asset to this community.
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Library Profile
The Board completed a Library profile 1, which captures what the Library is currently doing to serve the community, early in the strategic planning process. The Library is centrally located in Mallorytown, the main village within the township, and occupies approximately 1200 square feet in the lower level of a municipally owned, accessible building. It is open 18 ½ hours, amongst 4 days and is staffed by 3 persons. The CEO is a graduate of the Librarian Technician program, and the two staff have completed the introductory course for SOLS Excel certification. The Board has strongly encouraged staff to continue their training and has suggested the creation of a training plan so that the appropriate funds will be budgeted. Currently, the Library training budget is $1200 (or .05% of the overall salary budget) and is spent on attending the Super Conference and regional meeting, and for educational purposes (Excel courses and online learning).
The Library collection contains approximately 13,500 articles which equates to 4.9 volumes per capita.2 Adult fiction, picture books and junior fiction are considered the best developed while the young adult, junior fiction and adult non fiction are areas requiring improvement. Assessment and maintenance of the collection is continuous by way of book condition, circulation rate, identifying shelf life of volumes, and shelf reading. The collection is automated (JASI program acquired in 2013) and accessible to patrons online via the Library’s website. Circulation for 2013 was approximately 5400 articles from approximately 3600 visits by 408 Library cardholders.
Computer and internet usage over the past 5 years has increased with the new acquisitions such as e-readers (for loaning), an early literacy focused computer, and Zoom Text installed on a computer for the visually impaired.
The 2014 budget for the Library is $46,600 (85% funded by Council, 10% Public Library Operating Grant) and has increased only with the cost of living for the last 3 years. The Library has been successful in procuring grants from the following organizations over the last few years - Criminal Court (2013 - $4000), Sarah Badgley Fund (2013 - $500), SOLS Internet and Telecommunication Connectivity Project (Yearly - $700). A Trillium Grant in 2003 was utilized to update the children’s section, juvenile non fiction, reference and juvenile fiction areas. The Library hopes to resubmit a Trillium grant for the upgrading of the parking lot and lighting. Operational expenditures include materials (23% of budget), staffing (45%) and facilities (20%).
For a small rural community such as FOY, it is imperative that community partnerships be utilized in a meaningful and successful manner for all parties. The Library has had successful partnerships with the School (Student Art Show), The 1000 Islands River Heritage Society (Adult Topical presentations), Mallory Coach House, and Council.
As with many small libraries, facility improvements needed for the Library include more space, more shelving space, better lighting in parking lot, and two dedicated small meeting rooms - one for teens and one for use by the community.
Distressingly, attendance and circulation numbers have been declining since reaching a peak in 2007 with just shy of 5,900 in attendance and circulation of 10,000. Over the last 5 years (2009 - 2013), the average annual circulation has been approximately 8,500 and attendance has been approximately 4,400 visits. The most recent full year numbers (2013) were 7,064 circulation and 3,596 patrons (down 17% and 19% from the 5 year average). While some of the drop in numbers is due to the suspension of class visits by teachers at the School, this may have created a snowball effect with the students’ families attendance outside of school hours.
1 Library Profile Worksheet, Appendix 3 from Creating the future you’ve imagined: a guide to essential planning , The Library Development Guide #3, prepared by Anne Marie Madziak for Southern Ontario Library Service, February 2007. 2 Total number of print volumes in collection divided by total population of community. Recommendation is 2 - 3 per capita. 5
Community Profile
The Library serves a population of 2,752, within 1,035 households 3 over an area of almost 124 square kilometres. Seasonal or cottage residencies represent approximately 400 households and approximately 300 people live within the main village of the Township, Mallorytown. Since 1991, the Township has seen a 15% growth, but the population receded by 4% between the 2006 and 2011 census. 4 Overall, Township growth is considered moderate and is projected to continue at 6 to 7 new dwellings per year. 5
In respect to the Township’s population, the median age is 46 (compared to Ontario 40.4), and approximately 24% of the population is aged sixty years old and over. With strong numbers in the over 45 years of age, this results in a lower percentage, within the 15 to 30 age group, 14% compared to Ontario’s almost 20%. 6 This explains the higher percentage of two person families in a dwelling (52%) 7 and an average family size of 2.8 compared to 3.1 for Ontario. 8
Over 80% of the Township population has a High School Certificate or equivalent, with the majority identifying as having a College level certificate or diploma 29%. FOY Township has a strong apprenticeship and trades (10%) and 16% identifying a University or above degree. 9
With many retirement aged persons (41% are not in the labour force), 59% of the Township’s population is employed, and of those who are in the labour force, only 6% are unemployed. The Township’s median family income and average family income is lower than Ontario averages ($75,568 versus $80,987 and $86,302 versus $100,152 respectively). Those persons who are working, the median individual income is higher than Ontario ($34,280 versus $30,526), however, the average individual income is lower ($38,605 versus $42,264).10 The community is below the provincial average for low income before and after tax (6.7% and 3.3% versus 14.7% and 11.1%). 11
3 Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Population 4 Statistics Canada, 1991 to 2011 Census of Population 5 Community Profile , Front of Yonge Township, 2013, www.mallorytown.ca/index.cfm/invest/community- profile/community-profile-2013/ 6 1000 Islands Region Workforce Development Board, Front of Yonge Community Profile, 2013 . 7 Community Profile , Front of Yonge Township, 2013. 8 1000 Islands Region Workforce Development Board, Front of Yonge Community Profile, 2013 . 9 Ibid. 10 Ibid. 11 Community Profile , Front of Yonge Township, 2013. 6
“It is okay to take a risk and completely flop. The community will support you when you fail and celebrate with you when you succeed. … if you play it too safe, you end up repeating what you’ve always done and you come full circle.” Heather Berringer (Librarian UBC Okanagan)
THE RESEARCH
In the March 2012, an informal “Wish List” survey was distributed to Library patrons, and then expanded in June to community daycare providers, Council and the School. With the responses from this informal survey, additional preliminary research into a Library plan was taken on by Board trustees in the fall of 2012. At the January 2013 Board meeting, the Board adopted the Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS) publication “Creating the future you’ve imagined: a guide to essential planning” as a guiding workbook for the planning process. The original idea of a 5 year plan had now developed into creating the first strategic plan for the Library.
With the guidance of the SOLS publication, worksheets pertaining to the Library’s profile, community demographics, community information, were completed by the Board during meetings in 2013 and 2014. A formal survey, looking into the community’s needs, wishes and desires of its Library, was researched by the Board, and distributed in September 2013. The survey was tallied in late fall, and presented to the Board in January 2014. Additional community feedback was sought in Focus Group discussions in March, as well with informal dialogues with other community members.
The Board and Library staff met monthly in the spring of 2014 to decipher the contents of the survey, focus groups and community members. The purpose was to identify the gaps between the community needs & current library services, define the Library’s role for our community, and identify the strategic areas the Library would like to focus our resources on over the next 5 years. After 3 special strategic planning meetings, the Board was able to define the Library’s goals, objectives and outcomes and create the tasks to accomplish them.
Survey
Process
A survey entitled “Have your Say”, the foundational component in the development of the Library’s strategic plan, was mailed in September 2013 to the 990 households in Front of Yonge Township via Canada Post. Additional surveys were available and advertised, via community posters, Library newsletter and website, as available at the Township Office and the Library. To encourage residents to complete the surveys, the Board offered respondents the opportunity to win one of three $50 gift certificates (one each from Purcell’s Freshmart, Petro Canada, and Staples).
Geared for both the Library user and non user, the survey asked respondents satisfaction and use of library resources, programs & services (including online digital services), present day usage, why library was not utilized, where to allot Library funds and Library hours.
The 22 question survey was designed 12 by the Board and could be completed by most respondents in approximately 10 minutes. While a majority of the questions were closed ended, open ended questions were
12 See Appendix: Front of Yonge Township Public Library Survey. The majority of the questions for the survey were garnered from Appendix 6: Sample In-House User Survey, from Creating the future you’ve imagined: a guide to essential planning , The Library Development Guide #3, prepared by Anne Marie Madziak for Southern Ontario Library Service, February 2007. 7 utilized to garner more information - specifically to non users, to address what would make the respondent use the Library more - as well as at the end of the survey for any respondent to give any additional comments not covered in the survey. Quite a few of the questions also had an “other” category that could be filled in by the respondent.
Results
Overall, the survey was positively received by the community. The Board was very pleased to receive 73 completed surveys, a 7.3% response rate. The importance of the community to provide “good quality public library service” was identified as either “very important” or “important” to 68 respondents (93%) 13 . Users, who have visited the library in the last 12 months, were 57 (78%) of the respondents versus 15 non users (20%) 14 .
The next section of the survey focused on those who identified themselves as a “non user”. The main reasons non users are not using the Library were due to, in order: purchasing of books/media elsewhere, lack of time, use of a computer at home, use of an e-reader at home and operating hours being inconvenient.
Improvements or changes suggested by the non user group focused mostly on the improvement of hours, improvement of Library communications, and programming.
Users of the Library found our services, in general, good or excellent (84%), and there was much praise with the quality of library staff service as well as our library quality, considering the size of it and the size of our Township. Over half the respondents (53%) visit the Library in person, at least once a month, while approximately one quarter (26%) visit more sporadically through the year.
Library users, when they visited the Library, utilized our existing services: borrow books (67%), Interlibrary Loan pick up (40%), librarian assistance (36%), read or browse (30%), find information for personal interest (25%), visit book sale shelf (23%), use the wireless network (18%), use the computers (12%), attend programming (12%) and use the local history and genealogy research section (10%).
The Library website is accessed, at least once in a month by 12 users (21%) and rarely to never used by 48 of the respondents. User satisfaction of the Library’s digital resources, via the website, was responded to by 39 of the 57 respondents. Out of 14 respondents of the question regarding downloadable E-books, only one person was dissatisfied. All 10 respondents to the reference databases and 19 respondents to the online catalogue were satisfied with the service. However, when asked if these digital resources are of importance to them, 47% of the survey respondents implied that they were not of importance to them.
Currently offered programs identified by survey respondents as most important to the community, were providing library materials (81%), promoting literacy among children and adults (71%), providing technology/materials to those who might not otherwise have access (66%) and hosting literary programs (53%). 15
Only 4 respondents did not answer the question regarding interest level in “potential new programs and services”. The response rate was over 63% for each possible new programs or services. Highest interest was in cultural events (76%), adult interest topics (68%), help with government services and programs (59%) and student programming (56%). Daycare programming would be next at 50%, when combining the 24% interest in daytime programming with the 26% interest in the afternoon programming.
Significant feedback was given (all but 3 respondents) to the question as to where the Library should focus its investments. The respondents’ highest priorities for Library funding went to books (50 respondents made it a #1 priority), followed by a tie with children’s events and CD/DVD collection (each had 37 respondents that made it a # 1 to # 3 priority). In each of these categories, less than 20 respondents had ranked them at a low
13 See Appendix: Front of Yonge Township Public Library Survey Results. 14 One respondent marked two boxes, one in each of the defined terms of “user” and “non user”. See Survey Summary in Appendix. 15 Of the 39 respondents for literary programs - 30 for children, 24 for youth/teen, 21 for adult. 8 priority. The adult event and youth event followed with another tie. An equal number of 23 respondents ranked it as a high priority however this was countered by 30 and 31 respondents ranking it as a low priority.
Days and times of the week most convenient for respondents had feedback from 65 respondents. Current library hours were definitely reflected in the high percentages of respondents - 27 to 49% - the lowest percentage was Friday 12 to 2 pm and the highest Thursday 6 to 8 pm. Of current non open hours, respondents identified Monday and Wednesday 6 to 8 pm as desirable, as well as Friday afternoon and evening and Saturday 12 - 2 pm.
Winter and Fall were identified by respondents as the most likely season to visit the Library, and unfortunately with the timing of the survey, there were few responses from seasonal residents of the community.
The Library newsletter (31%) was the foremost way 51 respondents were informed of Library events, followed by e-newsletter/email (29%), in-library print material (26%), website (23%) and traditional media (18%). Accessing the library resources via a mobile device was not a priority by 50 respondents, but 13 were interested in this capability.
As with any survey, the Board wanted to consider the demographic features of the survey respondents, to best identify which portions of the community were not reflected in the survey. True to the composition of the Township, the age groups of the adults within the household were largely over 55 years of age (63%) compared to those under 55 (31%). A large percentage (78%) has lived in FOY for over 10 years. Only 10 respondents have children under 18 living at home with 6 children who were 13 to 14 years of age and 15 children were 12 and under. Six respondents identified themselves with a disability. Mode of transportation to the Library tends to be by car (75%), but walking (10%), bicycle (3%) and parent (1%) were responded to as well.
At the end of the survey, the section for “Additional Comments” was completed by 21 responders who took the time to give this additional feedback. Many comments reflect the Library, “it is an excellent library - especially considering the small size of the township.” and the wonderful Library service, “staff are very friendly and know you by name”.
Focus Groups
Process
The focus group sessions provided the chance for additional information from members of the community who did not complete or receive the survey, and for those who had indicated, on their survey, their interest in “continuing the dialogue”. An email was sent from the Library to survey respondents and posters were placed in various locations within the community for people to take part. Individuals were offered the opportunity to sign up for one of six sessions with a range of dates and times to accommodate people’s schedules.
Participants in the focus groups were informed that the survey results indicated that the Library excelled in the “traditional” library sense - with our customer service and books. The Board wished to have the participants look forward to what the Library needs to offer in terms of services and resources, next year, and in 5 years or even 10 years. Topics included: What are our community’s interests, how their library needs are changing, how their information needs are changing, interest in programs, how to get residents to come to the Library, best ways to inform residents, as well as any additional challenges they saw in using the Library.
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Results
Of the six sessions offered, two sessions were run, each taking approximately two hours of time. The first session was on a weekday afternoon with 4 attendees, 2 men and 2 women, who were mostly retired. The second session was on a weekday evening with 11 attendees, 6 women (3 retired, 3 mothers), 2 men (1 father, 1 young adult) and 3 youth. Sessions were facilitated by Board Trustee Laurie Sponagle with an additional Board member present.
Session one topics seemed to focus on the Library programming and services (e-book resources, programming offered, school partnership) and the Library’s needs (volunteers, fundraising). 16
Session two, was livelier with its cross section sampling of the community. Topics seemed to focus on the refreshing and expanding of our current services (books, magazines), programs (family and children participatory focused, partnering opportunities with community for programs), communications (ideas for getting in contact with families) and family participatory fundraising ideas. 17
Other Feedback Sources
Process
The “Wish List”, a very informal survey consisting of 4 questions, asked what respondents felt was important to keep at the Library, what they felt needed changed at the Library and suggestions about the Library’s hours, resources and programs, as well as any other suggestions. It was originally distributed to Library patrons, and then circulated to community daycare providers and Council.
It was at this time, the Library was noticing the decline in visits by the teachers of the school, since the start of the 2011/12 school year. A letter was submitted to the school in late June, asking the same “Wish List” questions as well as a few additional questions in regards to the teacher’s use of the Library. In particular, the Board was wondering how the Library was used, reasons it was not utilized, how the Library could accommodate scheduling, Library programs or resources that could be offered or if the Library could be of assistance in facilitating, and any other concerns. Upon the start of the new school year, the Library received a response from the school that was discussed at the September Board Meeting. A follow up meeting was held between the Principal and Library CEO in November of 2012. The Principal reinitiated communication upon return from the Christmas Break and offered additional feedback to previous questions and dialogue from the November meeting. At this point, it was suggested that interested parties within the UCDSB (Principal Amanda Neiman, Learning Commons Informationist Marg Mannseichner, and UCDSB Manager of Learning Commons Services Patricia Sutherland) and the Library (CEO Donna Hunt, Board Chair Annette Kaldeway and Vice Chair Laurie Sponagle) meet to further discuss the opportunity to re-develop the school/Library partnership, which took place in mid February 2013.18
Additional one-on-one discussions have been conducted with the CEO, Principal, parents, Board trustees and other key partners and community members that the Board felt was not covered in the survey and focus group sessions.
16 See Appendix: Session ONE Summary 17 See Appendix: Session TWO Summary 18 See Appendix: FOY School Additional Feedback 10
Results
While the data from the initial distribution to Library patrons has been lost, the redistributed “Wish List” brought in responses from 3 community daycare providers (and families) and Council. 19
Many resources and services were listed as “important to keep at the Library”, but there were many comments on the items listed that “needed change” and suggestions for our hours, resources and programs. Since many of the respondents were families or daycare providers, many of the resources and services were requested to move to “non napping” times (TD Summer reading program, any children’s activities) and extend the Saturday hours. Refreshing the atmosphere, shorter loan periods on “hot” items, expanded winter programming for children were suggestions of note.
The February meeting between the School and the Library was very engaging and the UCDSB party was very helpful with ideas and suggestions for curriculum enhanced visits by the teachers. One of the main reasons for the change in use of the Library by the School is the school’s move to a 5 day cycle (versus the Monday to Friday cycle). The teachers also noted that it would be more useful to “connect the Library visits to curriculum work that we are doing at the school” and to move away from the librarian “book read to students and book exchange” which is deemed a “duplication of services” with the School Learning Commons.
In a 2013 email with the principal, it was indicated that teachers would like to visit the library a minimum of once per month, but many would visit more depending on schedule and research needs. To make the Library visits more meaningful, information regarding local history, interactive reading with students, preparing curriculum based books before visits, partnering with the school for “Silver Birtch” and “Red Maple” programs, Educational Assistance time with students for extra research, art activities, and reciprocal visits to school were suggested.
Further discussions noted that while visits could be mandated by the principal, the Library, as well as Ms. Neiman, would prefer that teachers “buy in” and want to visit the Library. Additionally, the use of School and Library volunteers for the partnership was discussed as well. The School would like to see a measurement of the success of the visits by the teachers and students. It was suggested that the School could include the Library events in the Schools’ monthly newsletter, and this was initiated in 2014.
The Library has had a few visits in 2013/2014 school year - in November, the Dinosaur Lady and in early June the 2 kindergarten class. The Dinosaur Lady was well received by the grade one class and it was noted that the Library “has been very helpful”.
19 See Appendix: Wish List Feedback 11
Situational Analysis
SOLS Pre-audit Report
When researching for past information regarding the Library, it was discovered that a SOLS “pre-audit report” for the “pre-accreditation exercise” was completed in 2008. 20 While accreditation may not be feasible for a community of our size, the accreditation is considered a “best practices” standard for the Ontario public library community. The Ontario Public Library Guidelines were created to help improve the quality of public library service across the province. 21
This report is considered an in-house ‘situational analysis’ of the library’s existing policies, procedures and services. 22 To include this report as a current situational analysis for the Library, it was reviewed in 2014, by the CEO and a trustee.23
While the Library has improved in many areas on its 2008 assessment, there remain quite a few areas where the Library has still not achieved the minimum requirements of the SOLS guideline, mainly the minimum opening hours of 20 hours per week and 35 staff hours. In the 2008 pre audit report, it states that by not achieving these minimum guidelines, the Library “will not have the time necessary to support the work of the Board nor will they have the time needed to work on improving and developing the procedures necessary to ensure the delivery of services to the community”. 24
Areas still requiring improvement from the 2008 pre-accreditation include:
• Community participation (at both board and staff level) • Advocacy (at the board level) • Technology plan (3 or 5 year) • Continuing education and training policy • Programming (all ages) policy (structure approach to programming)
Six ways to Describe your Community in terms of…
The Board further discussed our community’s profile and noted trends that Trustee’s have seen over the years, both within the Library and the community. 25 These discussions may aid in future Library developments as a gauge of shifting community needs and interests.
Social and Economic factors
While the township boasts a wide variety of small and home based businesses in a variety of industries, even the largest employers in the township are considered “small business”.26 This translates to limited opportunities for those with post secondary education or trade, unless they want to start a new business! For those looking for part time and full time employment, many local community jobs are generally not high paying.
20 See Appendix: Front of Yonge Public Library Pre-Audit, April 2008. 21 www.sols.org/index.php/develop-your-library-staff/accreditation 22 See Appendix: Front of Yonge Public Library Pre-Audit, April 2008, pg 2. 23 See Appendix: SOLS Pre-Audit Update 2014. 24 See Appendix: Front of Yonge Public Library Pre-Audit, April 2008, pg 2. 25 See Appendix: Six ways to Describe your Community in terms of…, from Appendix 10: from Creating the future you’ve imagined: a guide to essential planning , The Library Development Guide #3, prepared by Anne Marie Madziak for Southern Ontario Library Service, February 2007. 26 Industry Canada defines a small business as one that has fewer than 100 employees (if the business is a goods- producing business) or fewer than 50 employees (if the business is a service-based business).
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The majority of the businesses are located throughout the township, and a few businesses and facilities are centrally located in the village, thus in close “walking distance” proximity.
Along with the school, located in the village, there are a variety of private and public (Catholic, French, Montessori) elementary and secondary schools within 20 minutes (Brockville, Lansdowne, Athens, Gananoque). As with any change within the schools (roles, boundary lines, and transportation routes), the reduction of the grades 7 & 8 at the school to the secondary schools has had an impact on the township.
Lifestyles and Interests
Summer season sees the greatest fluctuation in population due to the township’s proximity to water - to the south (St. Lawrence River), encompasses one lake (Graham Lake) and north with Charleston Lake – with cottagers/second homes, and long term campers.
While many residents have lived here their whole life, new people move here to live in a quiet, safe community that is within easy commuting distance to regional amenities.
Groups and Affiliations
If a newcomer to the township is active or interested in joining an organization, club or service group, there is quite a variety of opportunities in a township of this size. Most information on these groups may be found at the Township Office. While the teens are able to participate in soccer and baseball, this age group lacks the most opportunities with the loss of such activities as Girl Guides and Boy Scouts.
Agencies and Services
With the above province average in early retirement and retirement age groups, there are services in the township to offer assistance to them. This includes: SAIL (Services to Assist Independent Living), under CPHC Community & Primary Health Care (CPHC), holds walking classes and low impact exercise to seniors and the Royal Canadian Legion offers support to veterans and their families as well as equipment for sick or disabled in the area.
Gaps and barriers identified by the Board include: except for monthly visit by the CPHC mobile unit, residents must travel to Brockville or other centres to access their doctor, pharmacy or hospital; there are no nursing or retirement homes, but several exist within a 20 minute drive (Brockville, Athens, Gananoque) and 30 minutes (Prescott); there are only a few private day care spaces available in the area; youth services are not available here; and few services for economically disadvantaged are available. Residents must travel to Brockville.
Community Assets This township has grown in leaps and bounds, due to a very active volunteerism base. This may, in part, be due to the above provincial average of recent retirees, who have the health, acquired skills, and most importantly, the time to devote to the wealth of volunteer driven committees and organizations. The most noticeable ones have been the Mallory Coach House and the Communities in Bloom.
Municipal Council must be recognized for the many important achievements over the years:
• purchasing of and development of the Community Hall and Library building • purchasing of and development of the Mallory Coach House • redevelopment of the Recreation Park • rebranding of the Township with logo (Community Development Committee) • purchasing of decommissioned CN property for possible future use for water treatment • upgrading and improvement of the Township’s road system • implementation of a growing and successful recycling program;
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External Library Trends
This section presents to the reader those external issues and trends that may affect the Library, currently or in the future. Information gathered here was acquired from a 2011 SOLS document entitled, Environmental Scan for Ontario Public Libraries. The reader must take into consideration the context, in terms of local trends and issues and the author has identified trends that correspond to topics brought forth by community members during the Focus Group sessions. Some trends identified are:
• consumer behaviour is moving from material consumption to experience consumption; • more information is available to consumers more directly (i.e. by passing libraries), however the accuracy of this information is becoming questionable because of increased user created information/content • attitudes towards learners engaged in game based learning is being received better (computer/online); • evolution of e-books and electronic access to media has issues regarding copyright and digital rights management (DRM) • organizations must adopt a culture of continuous innovation and enhancement in order to stay relevant and to retain and expand their customer base. • libraries working closely with municipalities are realizing funding goals when they align library’s objectives with municipalities and library activities are specific and measurable benefits for the community. 27
27 Environmental Scan for Ontario Public Libraries, Prepared for Southern Ontario Library Service by Frances Stocker, Kestrel Info Services, November 2011 www.sols.org/files/docs/develop/publications/miscellaneous/environmental_scan_2011.pdf 14
“Focus on the BIG idea and not on the mechanics” Charles Campbell, Thunder Bay Public Library trustee
THE PLAN Library Roles
The role and purpose of the library for their communities, rural and urban, has been categorized into 8 roles. 28 While it would be commendable and desirable to be able to offer the resources and services to accommodate all 8 of these roles, many small libraries struggle to satisfactorily fulfill all, mainly due to hours, funds and resources.
The Board and Library staff have identified the following library roles as the Library’s priorities that will be the focus of Library resources and funding (in priority) during the lifetime of this plan:
• Popular materials library - features current, high demand, high interest materials in a variety of formats for persons of all ages; • Pre-schooler’s door to learning - encourages young people to develop an interest in reading and learning through services for children and for parents and children together; • Independent learning centre - supports individuals of all ages pursuing a sustained programme of learning independent of any educational provider.
The Board and Library staff have identified the following library role, as one that will be maintained with appropriate Library resources or funding during the lifetime of this plan:
• Formal Education Support Centre - assists students of all ages in meeting educational objectives established during their formal courses of study .
The Board and Library staff have identified the following library roles, as roles that will be maintained and not augmented with Library resources or funding during the lifetime of this plan:
• Community Activities Centre - a central focus point for community activities, meetings, and services; • Community Information Centre - a clearinghouse for current information on community organizations, issues, and services; • Reference Library - actively provides timely, accurate, and useful information for community residents; • Research Centre - assists scholars and researchers to conduct in depth studies, investigate specific areas of knowledge, and create new knowledge.
28 Library roles as defined in Planning and Role Setting for Public Libraries: A Manual of Options and Procedures . Prepared for the Public Library Development Project by Charles R. McClure, Amy Owen, Douglas L. Zweizig, Mary Jo Lynch and Nancy A. Van House. Chicago: ALA, 1987. 15
Libraries Objectives
At the Board’s special meetings, the trustees were asked to reflect on information given to them.29 Each trustee then had the chance to input the community’s suggestions and feedback within the categories of: services, collections, programs, technology, staffing, training, facilities, relationships, and communications. Each category was then further discussed individually and in relation to the other categories. After the discussion, trustees were given the opportunity to “vote” on which strategic areas would most contribute to the Library’s future success. After the vote was tallied, further discussions were had pertaining to the ranking of the categories.
In the end, the Board felt that programs and communications paired well together, as did training and relations. The Board was then divided into 2 groups to work on analysing the community’s suggestions and feedback within the category and formulating an objective to fulfil those needs identified by the community. With each objective, the groups were asked to create an action plan, designate who was in charge of the objective, a time frame, identify methods of completing the objective and if needed identify methods of funding. Listed below are the two pairings. Under each heading, the Board has designated priority sequencing. Programs and Communications
1. Communications Objective • to increase awareness of the library and the hours it’s opened Action Plan o to have a new sign erected closer to the road Who Board When ASAP How o Board to design a new sign and to get pricing for having it made and installed; o use of an “open” flag; o joint costing with council; o additional space at bottom to add information regarding library (like current sign).
2. Programs Objective • to make the reading area safer for small children Action Plan o close the door when small children are in attendance and put notice on outside of library door Who Library CEO and staff When immediately.
3. Programs Objective • to get people to be involved and to increase usership/attendance
29 The information sent to the trustees before the meetings included: Front of Yonge Township Public Library Survey, Front of Yonge Township Public Library Survey Results, Session ONE Summary, Session TWO Summary, FOY School Additional Feedback and Wish List Feedback. 16
Action Plan o to update and enhance programming Who Board When current year How o change by-law or policy, if necessary Funding Who CEO and staff When current year How - Board will address budget and provide appropriate funds for each activity Yr. 1 Task: to increase or change the Library’s hours to accommodate children (daycare) programming in the mornings; Yr. 2 Task: as above but adding programs to include after school and youth; Yr. 3 Task: as above but increase to include adult programming.
4. Programs Objective • to create a technology updating schedule Action Plan o to have a schedule that teens could book a number of computers for playing games with friends Who CEO/staff When as soon as the next newsletter How o advertise that teens can book the computers and/or i-pads for at least an hour at a time for playing games with friends; o begin fundraising or setting aside funds for new computers; o ensure budget reflects the technology schedule; o increase the number of computers for public use.
5. Communications Objective • to have all board members and library staff on the same page regarding emails Action Plan o to create an etiquette procedure for emails Who policy committee When this year to become effective by 2015 How o develop a policy for emails.
6. Programs Objective • to connect with the younger crowd through “teen-lead” programs and to increase library usage by teens 17
Action Plan o advertise in newsletters, Face book and web page Who CEO/staff and current student volunteer When current How o put in next newsletter; o recruit a teen volunteer to help with Face book; o teen volunteer under guidance of staff; o volunteer description and recruitment each year; o partner with recreation committee to host a “teen” night where a survey of interests would be filled out before the event and refreshments (what are they looking for to do, and how to get hold of them).
7. Communications Objective • to investigate the feasibility of separate direct FAX/phone lines Action Plan o contact Bell to confirm that separate lines are necessary and to identify what is already in the building Who CEO When ASAP How o costing and options for a second direct line.
Training and Relationships
1. Relationships Objective • increase library marketing Action Plan o creation of a marketing plan (that includes event, in house, print, online, web, facebook etc.) Who CEO, Staff, Board When 2014 or 2015 How o creation of a simple marketing plan (calendar of when, what medium, who, topic and could include advocacy dates, community events, etc.); o sign - change township library info; o banner outside the building.
2. Relationships Objective • to improve Library advocacy within the community Action Plan 18
o have physical participation by the Library at community events by having at least one member (CEO, library staff or board trustee) in attendance at community events. Who CEO, Library staff, Board Chair and board trustees When ongoing and annual update of calendar of community events How o CEO, Board Chair and board trustees to review at monthly board meetings upcoming community events; o encourage staff and trustees to sign up to attend community events; o purchase of generic identifier of a library member (ie. nametag, vest, t-shirt etc.) to be worn by library representative at community event; o business cards for larger events as well.
3. Relationships Objective • to renew relationships with other community groups Action Plan o educate and encourage partnerships with other community groups. Who CEO, Board Chair When ongoing How o creation of a list of other community groups, primary contact person and contact information: o contact SOLS to see if information on school partnerships; o educate what we can offer; o contact committee and notice for social gatherings.
4. Training Objective • to create a CEO succession plan Action Plan o to update and review current CEO responsibilities and identify the process of creating a CEO succession plan. Who CEO & Board Chair When 2015 How o CEO to contact SOLS regarding the process of a CEO succession plan; o webinars, online learning, regional and/or provincial training opportunities.
5. Training Objective • to improve CEO and library staff training . Action Plan o to create a library training plan - individually, and as a team - and update training procedures Who CEO & library staff
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When Fall as well as ongoing How o creation of a policy - schedule for training for Excel, workshops etc and budget per year; o CEO to inform library staff educational opportunities - webinars, online learning, regional and/or provincial training opportunities (SOLS); o ensure library staff contact information is current with Library organizations (OLA, OLBA etc.); o creation of individual and team training plan (calendar for key monthly topics or events); o updating, or creation of, any policy and procedures for staff training Funding o CEO to present a proposed training budget in the Fall (training costs, transportation etc.) that Library staff has indentified for training in the following calendar year; o Board to look at increasing funding for staff and CEO
6. Relationships Objective • create partnerships with township bordering libraries Action Plan o approach Lyn and Athens libraries regarding interest in reciprocal loans agreements Who CEO When 2014 or 2015 How o report back to Board regarding interest from other libraries; o complete policy and procedures for reciprocal loan agreement.
7. Training Objective • to improve Board trustee training Action Plan o to inform and educate new and existing board trustees on what is available for trustee training Who CEO & Board Chair When ongoing How o inform trustees at monthly board meetings regarding educational opportunities; o ensure trustees contact information is current with Library organizations (OLA, OLBA etc.); o creation of a training and meeting calendar for key monthly topics or trustee meetings for board trustees to sign up to attend; o encourage one or more trustees to attend regional and/or provincial meetings and events on library’s behalf; o contact SOLS and encourage them to send out information for regional events and meetings at least 2 months in advance with a reminder email 2 weeks prior to meeting; o annual reviews of the trustee description sheet.
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Our Future, Our Opportunities
Significant initiatives undertaken by the Library (over past 4 years) …
The Library has seen some updating in the facility with the upgrading of the front desk and the JASI program which will both assist our staff in the ease to which they can offer services to the community and maintain data on the communities use of our resources. Technological resources - children’s computer, a large print keyboard, e-readers and ipads - have been funded for upgrades or for new purchases.
Public outreach with the newsletter (started in Fall 2007) has seen an increase in new patrons in the month following its distribution which is three times a year (fall, winter, summer). It has also helped in educating our community to what is happening in the Library as well as new services and activities offered in the upcoming months. The Library has attended and had special programming for community organized events such as the Village Fair, Winterfest and Purcell’s BBQ.
The Library has had a successful partnership with the school for 7 years now with the “Books Inspire the Imagination” Student Art Show. Each year, the School has welcomed a regional artist who has shared his/her love of books and how they have inspired his/her art. The School and the Parent Council have been monetary contributors as well for the awards.
The process of the strategic plan has been a significant undertaking by a library of our size and resources. It has had a wonderful effect of opening up the dialogue with the community and with our partners on how they participate and engage with the Library.
Monitoring and evaluating…
Over the last 8 years, every budget planning session, as well as any mid year opportunities for the Library, have entailed “reactivity” planning on the Board’s part. The Board’s hope is that the strategic plan will assist the Board and the Council in reducing this “reactivity” planning and budgeting. As the plan is implemented, the Board must ensure consistent and accurate monitoring of each objective’s outcomes. The Library, Council and community will all benefit from our successes and learn from our failures.
Accountability and follow up protocols should be implemented for all associated with the strategic plan. Disappointingly, this Board and CEO have, in the past, tried to create goals for the Library (April 2011, February 2012, and March 2102 list of community events the Library was to participate in). Neither party took the next step that would assign goals to staff or Board members to carry out or follow up.
With this in mind, staffing issues need to be addressed. Staff would be recommended to monitor and assess the day to day “library” duties, and time spent to facilitate any additional programming. Once duties and responsibilities are reassessed for redistribution amongst CEO, staff and volunteers, the CEO and Board would need to address gaps in job descriptions, and the availability for additional hours to accommodate the programming or other opportunities. The CEO should be devoting more of his/her time and resources to the implementation of the strategic plan, fundraising and addition planning that arises from the continued assessment of Library data. Short term staffing options include hiring of a summer student and offering a placement opportunity to a Library and Information Technician Program student from Algonquin College. With a clearer definition of roles, this may alleviate the elongated planning process that has transpired with the School over programming.
Staffing issues may be alleviated with our community’s main asset - volunteerism. Many times, with the School and especially in the Focus Group sessions, the term “volunteer” was addressed and questioned why volunteers were not utilized more by the Library. There are many people interested in volunteering their time at the Library and there are a great variety of skills in our community waiting to be shared! Compiling a list of desired volunteer roles, defining the role requirements (time, car use) and any special skills (bookkeeping, techie, Shut Ins delivery, scrapbooking or crafts) required, would be a great asset. A staff member would be 21 responsible for maintaining the Library’s volunteer base and recruiting appropriate community members. At the same time, the Board should address what specific roles, requirements and special skills (accountant, lawyer, fundraising, policy development) are desired by the Board and Council for future trustee appointments and replacements.
In order to monitor and evaluate the successes and misses of the Library’s initiatives, the Library staff needs to continue to collect user data. Additional data that would be of use:
• more demographic information on library users (age, family, resident, seasonal etc.); • usage numbers on other library resources (E-book, stats on computer use (Adult, Large Print and child), volunteer hours, website visits, Face book); • regional library happenings (the Library’s competition in the area - what activities are they doing?); • observations and notes by staff regarding what is asked for, used and requested by patrons.
Other methods of feedback from Library users could be gathered through the continued use of “suggestion” forms or a “question of the month” which addresses a specific topic (i.e. teen use of library).
Any data of relevance to the operation of the Library should be analysed (monthly, quarterly or yearly) by the Library staff. Any missing data should be acquired so that Library staff can create opinions and options on what needs to be changed and why (i.e. policy recommendations, fundraising opportunities, open or close certain hours on which days, buying of equipment, planning of and evaluation of programming, volunteer needs, budget, staffing productivity, etc.) for presentation to the Board in a timely fashion. This will give the Library more transparency in operations, issues may be dealt with in as few as one meeting, and this will allow the Library to adjust its resources to accommodate the changes seen in the data.
Often, the Board would also be interested in receiving information on trends that may be a benefit or a detriment to the Library community, regionally and provincially. As a result of the strategic planning process, each monthly CEO report should update the Board with the monitoring of the Library’s resources and services in relation to the strategic plan as well as if expectations have been met.
Communications on all levels have been an issue within the Library, staff, Board and Council. With the creation and implementation of a communication plan (which would include monitoring and evaluating all methods of communication), the Library will be prepared for any upcoming opportunities and will show our professionalism in sustaining our relationships with our current and future community partners. The Library needs to continue to inform and educate all partners and residents about our services, partnering opportunities and advocate our value to our community.
Since the rest of the Library staff is evaluated, the Board should consider the implementation of a self evaluation as well. This would allow the Board to reflect on how they have completed their job, and there should be a section for the CEO to complete. Board development through the Ontario Library Boards Association (OLBA - Leadership by design program) has methods of finding out what educational opportunities would best address gaps in the Board leadership and governance. Boards need to remember that they are there to govern the organization and not to manage - especially micro manage - it. The Board is there to focus on the future and not the day to day activities. 30 Board orientation information and the creation of a Library policy for board orientation may be found in the Library Board Development Kit , available thru SOLS.
To assist on the implementation of this strategic plan, the Board and CEO should see if SOLS could be of any assistance. SOLS is a free form of assistance, advice and guidance available to the staff, CEO and Board members. There are a great variety of materials - downloadable information, webinars, workshops - as well as regional representatives that can offer assistance.
30 Library Board Development Kit - 2010, Southern Ontario Library Service, p. 15. http://www.sols.org/files/docs/develop/publications/boarddevkit/kit_complete.pdf 22
Opportunities with the school….
“We are responsible to the communities we serve. We pledge to work with local partners to strengthen our communities’ economic base by providing students with skills that business and industry require. We will work with community agencies to promote social and economic development. … We will assist our local partners to provide the necessary services that enhance community life.”
From UCDSB “Our living credo” from C.R.E.W. Integrated Strategic Plan 4.0 2013 - 2016
Reading this quote, a Library partnership could certainly address the UCDSB School with regards to addressing the skills (for business or industry) and to promote social and economic development. In so many of the meetings, it has been reiterated by the Library as well as school staff, that no one wants the school visits to be redundant or a repetition of school offered programming (book exchanges and class readings) or a crux for the school’s formal education. The Library staff, Board and school staff all desire that the Library visits be there to augment school learning and encourage the students to seek out the Library with other family members. The Library must be careful not to devolve into event-based activities without a discernible strategy.
With the continued reduction of libraries and library staff within the UCDSB, 31 this may create an opportunity for the Library. The Library could educate the students to what public libraries can offer and be to them, as both an educational resource and as a place for recreational reading. Partnering with the school to offer “during school time” curriculum enhancing programming has the possibility of increasing participation by students in future out of school activities offered by the Library, such as programming for afterschool, March break, PD days, summer or weekend events.
To be flexible with the school’s five day rotating schedule, the Library could implement one block of 3 hours per week that is labeled as “floating hours”. These hours would be able to “float” around and be utilized when the Library is not currently open. It would be able to accommodate any special programming - in theory it would accommodate 2 one-hour special programs, with 15 minute set up and 15 minute clean up time per hour session.
To assist in the reinitiating of classroom visits by the teachers, the Board has approved a proposal submitted by a trustee, to create a “trial” program based on curriculum enhancing programming suggested by the teachers. Funds to assist in program development, program costs and presentation time have been allocated by the Board. The trial is set for the Fall 2014 and to conclude by the December Christmas Break.
Library as business…
The Library needs to think of itself and be operated as a business. This strategic plan is the first step towards this need. From this, the creation of a communications/marketing plan, technology plan and financial plan could develop a more succinct business plan. Within these plans, long term planning could develop, which could look at the possibility of a library expansion, a topic that has been broached in many discussions within the community, at Board meetings and in the Focus Groups.
31 “Ontario’s school boards continue to have varying policies toward school libraries. Some boards strongly support the presence of professionally staffed libraries in their schools, while others are reducing or eliminating library space and/or staff. The number of public schools with teacher-librarians has declined in Ontario from 80% to 56% since 1997, and from 78% to 66% in high schools”, from Environmental Scan for Ontario Public Libraries, Prepared for Southern Ontario Library Service by Frances Stocker, Kestrel Info Services, November 2011 23
The issue of fundraising has often been a topic of discussion for the Board, as well as at Council level. There have been many opportunities for select funds for goal oriented programs and services within the Library. Suggestions for possible fundraising initiatives are as follows:
• Re-establish Friends of the Library - the mandate would be fundraising for a specific capital cost goal; • Establish a program for bequest, endowment and memorial donations; • Educate public that the Library does have a charitable number for donations; • Research private sector partnership; • Research various levels of government funding opportunities (Ontario - Cultural Strategic Investment Fund; Canadian Subsidy Directory, Ontario Library Association - Discovery Fund to start up a new project, Community Futures Development Corporation Funding; Jobs Connect - summer student program placement)
As a community and as a Board, we have to continue to ask ourselves - what is going to shape our Library’s future?
When we decide, let’s get doing it!
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Appendix
Front of Yonge Township Public Library Survey …26 Front of Yonge Township Public Library Survey Results …30 Survey Appendix 1: Resources Priorities Summary …39 Survey Appendix 2: Times & Days Summary …40 Session ONE Summary …41 Session TWO Summary …43 FOY School Additional Feedback …46 Wish List Feedback …49 Front of Yonge Public Library Pre-Audit, April 2008 …52 SOLS Pre-Audit Update 2014 …59 Appendix 10: Six ways to Describe your Community in terms of… …60
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Front of Yonge Residents -
your the user and the non user! anonymous survey Thank you very much for your participation in this important process! 1. How important is it to you that your community provides good quality public library service? � � � � �
2. Over the past 12 months, have you either visited the Library or used the library website? � skip to Question # 5) � skip to Question # 5) � � �
Questions for Non Users or Infrequent Users
3. What are the reasons that you do not use OR have not used, the FOYPL in the last year? � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 4. What, if anything, would make you use the FOYPL more? What improvements or changes would encourage you to come to the library?
______(skip to Question # 10) 26
5. When you have visited the Library, would you say that, in general, the library’s services are: � � � �
Your Use of Library Buildings
6. How often do you visit, in person , the FOYPL? � � � � � � � 7. What do you typically do when you visit the FOYPL building? � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
Your Use of the Library’s Catalog and Website
8. In a typical month, how many times do you access the FOYPL website? � (skip to question # 10) � � � �
9. How satisfied are you with the following library digital resources? � � � � � � � � � � � � �
What’s Important to You - Resources and Services
10. Which of the following resources and services, currently offered by the library, do you think are most important for the FOY community? � � � � � � � ‐ � � � � � � � � � � � 27
11. How interested would you be in the following potential new programs & services? � � � � � � � � � � � � (daytime) � � � � (afternoons) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ______ � � � �
12. Where would you like to see the library focus its investments? Please rank the resources below from the highest priority (1) to lowest priority (6). Adult Library events and programs ____ Youth/Teen Library events and programs
Library
13. What days & times of the week are most convenient for you to visit the library? Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. 9 - 12 a.m. 12 - 2 p.m. 2 - 4 p.m. 4 - 6 p.m. 6 - 8 p.m.
14. Is there a season when you are most likely to visit the FOYPL? � � � � � � � �
Survey continues on page 4
(Prize Ballot - tear off here & submit when returning survey to Township Office or Library)
Are you interested in continuing the dialogue during the next few months? � � For Prizes & Contact info
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15. What is the best way to inform you about library programs, events & library services? � � � � � � � � � � � �
16. Are you interested in accessing the library resources via a mobile device? � � � � �
About you & your family
17. How many years have the adults in your family lived in FOY Township? �� �� �� �� ��
18. What are the age groups for the adults in your household? �� �� �� �� �� �� ��
19. Do you have children under the age of 18 living in your home? � � (please skip to question # 21)
20. Please indicate the ages AND number of children living in your home. � � � � _____
21. Do you have any disabilities? � �
22. How do you usually get to the library? � � � �
Any additional comments, about library services in this community, would you like to share?
______
Board Library Staff Library
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Session One Summary Tuesday February 4 th , 2014 from 1 to 3 pm. 4 Attendees - 2 men, 2 women - mostly retired Comments obtained below, obtained thru brainstorming sticky notes. Group then discussed to clarify and expand on comments.
Library Fair Day - one day event - book sale, local authors, readings (programming for all ages of patrons) - part of August Festival or during Library week or anniversary - versus spreading out over many
School visits - looking things up - the journey to finding info - using encyclopaedia - find real info versus virtual - calligraphy - knitting - may need smaller groups of 6 and project may be over 3-4 visits; cost of supplies - read quietly - carpentry - fishing
EBOOKS - better fantasy section - have entire series - not just vol. 1, 2 & 4 (missing # 3) - more award winning authors - “epic” or “high” fantasy is lacking (versus the vampire genre) - erotic literature has more copies available than most other book themes - what online stats are we getting - what is being used and when - are there other ebook services available to FOY; make us more unique and more balanced in offerings; are there different versions of overdrive?
Books - increase of books - new release - hard copy
Partnerships - Brockville Library - waive fee or partner for events - other libraries - along with Escott - Athens, Lyn - are they reciprocal?
Hours - is there a consistently quiet time - close at this time and open another/switch hours - more hours in summer - winter = health focus “months” (ie. Feb = Heart & Stroke - have CHPC come and do blood pressure) - encourage summer resident use - campgrounds, cottages
Leisure/Interest - preparing for golf season (or other sport) - info on outdoor activities in the area (winter or summer) - genealogy - partner with Brockville Museum to offer program - how to get started? How to use the Ancestry.com - office training - how to sessions (computer use, ebooks, crafts, health etc. )
Fundraising - what is the fundraising going towards - may get better community support if indicated on the fundraising activity - new computers, salaries, new furniture, books, children’s programming - be careful - small resident base to pull from and nickel & diming people with fundraising - tie in with other events - one day fundraising day - gov’t programs available? (Overdrive got grant to start?) - Micheal Belanger (Pat & Jake - Leeds County) Author for visit to library 41
Volunteers - nothing is clear on what is needed - need to know what they are volunteering for - create a need/service for them to do - shut in service - travel library to school, old age residences (Miller Manor), or in home - sorting thru donations;
Space - space for interest groups to meet - versus using the larger community centre
Informing community - EMC - insert newsletter inside EMC versus Canada Post? (cost) - mural - posters in 401 kiosks - store, restaurant, campgrounds *** (even around area if reciprocal with surrounding townships), churches, - newsletter - increase circulation - once a month, more in summer, try for 6 months; every 2 months - more info in newsletter re gatherings, services available and one on one and group services
Additional challenges? Expand (note - the physical size of library).
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Session Two Summary Tuesday February 11 th , 2014 from 6 to 8 pm. 11 Attendees - 6 women (3 retired/older, 3 mothers), 2 men (1 father, 1 young adult), 3 youth Comments obtained below, obtained thru brainstorming sticky notes. Group then discussed to clarify and expand on comments.
Resources - purchase admission to national or provincial museums or galleries - Expand DVD selection - new current stuff - like older selection as well - audio - more in areas where borrow/frequency rate for these are higher; - more magazine subscriptions; Lansdowne has better selection - better periodicals - quilting, crafts, sports, children (owl), gardening; who wants what periodicals - have people donate their subscription; will need a procedure to donate - donate in a timely manner to library - keep only 1 year; have to sign up to donate so not multiple issues; drop off - must be in a envelope to protect if putting in book shoot - sheet music & music books - can we get donated from community? - suggestions from patrons - “I just want libraries to continue with books - it’s all about Chapters, Indigo, and Kobo now - “ I am really pleased with current library” - continued availability of current best sellers - more books current & new - in library access to ebooks and popular /new book access as well - “overdrive” - is there an in house version? Keep popular books; need longer than 2 weeks - same as current 3 week rental; formatting on OD not compatible with other media; more popular books - relaxation café or do coffee and snacks during a social media workshop (etiquette, different groups) - photocopier - do we have one? Cost? Enlarge option? - “library saves me about $1500 or more every year” - more “booker” and “Canada reads” books
Staff - need the right people to spearhead the programs - especially teens - love any book Donna picks out - knows likes and responsive to needs
Programming - “secret santa” book exchange - wrap a book and do a swap - movie based book club - read book and see movie and discuss; what about new remakes of old movies - online learning - edx.org or corsera - mass online learning opportunities that are free (U of T, Yale etc.) - have support for online courses - ie. Further education (computer, word etc.) - jigsaw group for older patrons - or part of shut ins programming - programming for all ages of patrons - need for social - expand book club - more members and post books far enough ahead for library to get copies - scrapbooking - Amber Poole available - shut ins - partner with Meals on Wheels (Sonia possible resource for connection); pair with a neighbour program - neighbour can pick up, drop off (mailbox) and return books for patron; - discarded books - package up and pass on to shut ins - no need to return at due date then - Social Media workshop - parents roles and managing social media - community programs
Teen programming - have to engage them & put ownership on them to build the program their way; “accomplishment” - enticement for the teen groups - Mythbusters
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- business entrepreneur “club” (also fundraising) - students make product, market and sell; locally (market) or etsy; part money to library; local business owners talk to students; team process; could be product or service (snow shovel; gardening etc); patrons could vote for best with award; - “elder stories” - any day or for special days - Remembrance Day - vet to read and share his story; Mother’s day, or other milestones - blind date with a book - wrap up all fancy (boy or girl teen theme); take home to open and read then come back and discuss with group; could evolve to book report and prize for best (partner with teacher) - Robotic/science workshops - treasure hunt - ie ; find a book and read a page which sends you to next clue etc - PJ night - literacy day - acting out book - students or have special guests in like high school or SLC performing arts - movie nights - bowling nights - kids in kitchen paired with book or movie - food group - making jam (in season) - “self directed” student book clubs - student run - they pick & direct club - give programs that give students somewhere to hang out - tea & book clubs - movie in library day - Sat afternoon for teens; need specific themes; put books up related to movie; - story telling competition - local vs other regional libraries? Pick a story and put in your own words; fairy tales - but done from a different point of view (contemporary 3 little pigs)
Children’s programming - reading program - even early teens still like to be read to - crafts - literary support programs for kids to support schools - March Break camp - story time - before & after school programs (need to coordinate with sports as to not conflict) - excited Early Years programming is here but numbers do not support it - lego club - get a book and study it
Space -creative workspace - small “office” outside of home (for people whom want to work in other spaces other than their own home); whiteboard & other office needs? - workspace - more tables for groups like scrapbooking etc.
Hours - extend summer hours only - do not like going out in winter after dark - open for none library hours for programming if guarantee people will come -need to communicate - expand hours - long stretch from Sat 1 pm to opening of Tues 11am - need a morning open for daycare & children’s programming - children’s programming on weekends or evenings
Volunteers - can volunteer be used to open library - take advantage of student volunteer hours - to assist in the Facebook posting, website updating, inputting library materials
Fundraising - librarians can sell scholastic - book fair - set up a sale with community book exchange - funds to library 44
- special “day” for above book fair and invite other community groups (exercise, winterfest etc) to be part of it - set up info boards for their organizations as well - donations in lieu of cost (no idea on this one….) - “Kids friends of Library” - loom bracelet - or capture other “hot” thing in teens, etc; engage them - kids make & sell lemonade, ice cream or a bracelet etc. - talent show with a coffee or tea house idea - students performing - Kurig machine - this would be a good way to fundraise - and promote people to come - people love to have free food and beverage!
Newsletter - peer recommended books - give book reviews (1 book versus 5 book) - post in library and on facebook - student book reviews on library board & online - do something interactive with schools with the newsletter - publish more regularly - every 2 month - add favourite author in CEO report - add children’s books 6 & under suggestions
Promotions - increase facebook - poster to advertise our facebook and to “like” - we have it need to use it & keep updated - this very much used by teachers etc now. - post images of students participating in library events - then can “tag” to increase Library exposure - more regular newsletter - have a email sign up for newsletters - FOY School newsletter - share a space in each others publications - promote the coffee/tea @ library - get out at more community events & be more visible in the community and surrounding areas - partner with other partner libraries - ie. Escott to promote us and we promote them. - contact other youth groups to partner & get them in - contact other libraries to see what they are using for promotion - it is a lifestyle thing - more time once retired versus work
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FOY Elementary School Additional Feedback
September 2012 Response to Library Board Letter
How was the Library used? -predominantly for book exchange - some classes took part in a Read Aloud
Reasons not used: - All teachers, except Kindergarten, were on the schedule for Library visits. With Kindergarten, having only one teacher with 16-20 students, we did not feel that this was a safe way to leave the school. In addition, getting snowsuits, boots, hats, and mitts gets very time consuming for these little people in the winter months.
I have included two schedules and information that was provided to staff last year (note: not included here).
I cannot explain why phone calls were not made to cancel times scheduled. I was notified one time that a class did not show up for their time. Therefore, my assumption was that classes were in attendance. In addition, on poor weather days, the teachers would not know far in advance if they were unable to meet their commitments. As you can see on the schedule, notification is an expectation for our staff. This is something that we would need to reinforce further.
Days/Hours - we have moved to a 5 Day cycle (Day One thru Five, as opposed to Monday - Friday). I would be happy to discuss this with Library Staff. The rotation of five days applies to use of the gym and our school Learning Commons, so it is going to be more of a challenge to use a Monday - Friday Schedule for public library visits.
Programs: - I haven’t had any feedback with regards to programs. I will investigate this further. I do know that teachers would find it useful to connect the Library visits to curriculum work that we are doing at school. Perhaps a mechanism for pulling resources that fit what the classes are working on world be useful? I do know that at least one teacher did have this connection with the Library.
Concerns: - I haven’t heard concerns, other than the students are really just going for a book exchange. I will speak with staff further about other options for these visits.
I would much prefer to discuss this feedback in person, as it is not my intention to sound negative. I truly value the partnership with the Library, and hope that we are able to facilitate a connection that is useful and exciting for both the Library personnel and the students and staff at Front of Yonge Elementary School. I am truly, at this point, just answering the questions as they were laid out on the communication.
Many thanks for your dedication to the students and staff. Amanda Neiman Principal
November 2012 (?) Meeting @ FOY School - (notes from Nov 12 CEO Report) - Donna met with Amanda; were going to start class visits in January; Amanda asked staff for suggestions to improve visit; Donna and Amanda were to work together to improve services offered by the Library and the school; Amanda offered to include library news or events in the next school newsletter. It was a positive meeting.
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January 16, 2013 Email follow up to meeting
Hi, Donna!
I hope that you had a wonderful holiday. We are back at it here at FOY, and I wanted to provide you with the feedback that was given to me by the teaching staff, in hopes that we can come up with some “out of the box” ways to promote the township library. As you will recall, we had this discussion when we met earlier in the year. I am hoping that once you have an opportunity to digest this information, that we can meet to discuss. Perhaps I could ask you to prepare a little summary for staff with regards to some things that they can think about when getting ready for their visits. I have cc’d members of the Library Board (Annette & Laurie) so that they know that we are working hard to put something together.
I am always open to responding to any questions that this information may spark. Here we go….
1) How often would you like to visit the Library? Responses: -once per month; -once every three weeks- have times available to sign up if something comes up that staff would like to make an “unscheduled” visit; -as schedule permits; -once a month or for a specific reason- we could come to research on an “as needed” basis; -once per month; -one – two visits per month
2) What would make your visits to the Library more meaningful / desired? Please provide recommendations. Responses: -Read Aloud from Librarian; -highlight areas of the library (non-fiction, children’s, novel sets) and feature books that the students might be interested in; -Maybe some work on teaching the students about the history of Mallorytown and Front of Yonge Township- local history; -Read Aloud- get students really interested in the kinds of books that are in the Library; -Maybe have a group read part of a story like an interactive response (example: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear…and the students fill in the rest.”- interactive reading -Have the Library show students how to download books onto MP3/ ipod/ ipad, etc. This could be done at the school, as well. -We would like to connect our visits to curriculum- maybe the librarian could pull books that are connected to our units of study- we could email back and forth in advance; -We would like to partner up around Silver Birtch and Red Maple reading programs- this would be really wonderful- the students could vote on their favorite books; -Make times available for groups of students of different grades who maybe need some extra time to research- an EA could bring them over. It would be great to have the support of Library Staff with this; -Read Aloud- a variety of different types of books for students to engage them in reading; -Specific topics that could be shared with students- (i.e. the history of Mallorytown); -focus related to what we are doing in class (i.e. if we are studying government, we could look at documents, hear information, see film clips, etc.) -Maybe the librarian could come to the school sometimes, to have more of a back and forth relationship; -An art activity related to a read aloud would be great! -Current resources- ipads, ipods, e-readers, etc.
3) Additional Comments: -The library is a valuable resource in our community and I hope that we can work together to promote it with our students. -The students like visiting the Library. -I love my time going to the Library- it would be really nice to show its full potential to the students.
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So, I could go ahead and draft a schedule and have teachers sign up, if that is how you would like to proceed. Or, you can take some time to digest this information and make some plans. Perhaps a visit to the school to promote the Library and have classes sign up for times with Library Staff here would really raise some excitement.
I am not trying to be difficult, Donna, I just really want the visits to be meaningful for both your staff and our students.
Please let me know how you would like to proceed.
Sincerely, Amanda
February 12, 2013 Meeting @ FOY Township Library - Donna, Annette and Laurie with Amanda, Mary & (Mary’s boss) (these are Laurie’s notes from meeting - may have added to or lost some of initial thoughts)
Do not want to see duplication of services (ie. Straight book exchange, Read Along, or Story Telling) Do more to visit - visits though were rushed Need teachers input (when) in advance - have to commit to teachers schedule and not imposed - have say and need to “buy in” to program Book sign out is not prime purpose of visits - science / literature engagement Clarity of books - from which library Youth “school” programming - mix fiction with non fiction and become reference material School Library card - to loan out books to school/teacher - in a “basket” (to carry books) Activities - “basket of books” - with a “task” (ie. Flag Day, historical events, guest authors) During school day - so visit is really a “field trip” each time Scheduled flex time (still in confines) versus just in time (immediate) Creativity, “learning”, “discovery”, information exchange - “heritage” - community volunteer and expertise 5 minute promo for following week Library visits do not have to be during times open to public. “Benefits” teacher can document while at Library Library programming into newsletter (ours and schools?) Book wish list for Library Info for teachers - system on how it works FOY School - computer club at lunch Need to “measure results” of teacher and students Quarterly (meetings ?) - committee to program 5 months in advance What activities - have a sign up sheet for program 11 volunteers at school - and parents too - to partner with
Re; Updated FOY Library info 11/04/2014 11:30:25 A.M
OK- here is the feedback that I have received: -LOVED the Dinosaur Lady opportunity -Library has been very helpful- thank you! -Winter weather – teachers feel that they will be accessing the Library more now -Teacher asked for books about Toronto- sent encyclopedia type books and one really good one -Teacher asked for information about candy making- told not possible- should contact the Coach House -Teacher asked for books about holiday traditions around the world, told that there were none -Teacher asked for specific titles to work with the students on “voice”- told they didn’t have the titles- teacher asked for an interlibrary loan- told not possible for those titles
That’s all I have. Don’t hesitate to ask me if you have any questions.
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Wish List Feedback Fall 2012
What do you feel is important to keep at the Library?
- We love the library! There is a good variety of books, movies to rent and computers to use. My son loves the kids computer programs. We also like the summer reading program (see note below). We have never had a problem finding something to read. We also really like the staff. They have taken the time to get to know us and that makes us feel very welcome. - Good variety of books, movies, computers - Like summer reading program - Great staff - WiFi Internet connection for residents - Children’s programming to encourage interest in reading - E-readers made available - Current best sellers, popular magazines and periodicals
What do you feel needs to be change at the Library?
- I would like to see the library run the summer reading program in the morning and perhaps also have a preschool reading program throughout the year…it could be utilized more by the younger “napping” crowd. - Add more shelving - Run the summer reading program in the morning, have preschool reading program during the year - Preschool group is napping in afternoon - Have the children’s activities before 11 am or after 4 pm so families with kids in school or kids who nap are able to attend - if possible make the library more inviting…hare to when it’s stuck in the basement but by improving the lighting, playing background music and switching out some of the tables to comfortable reading chairs you will encourage people to spend more time there. Also maybe just move everything around completely… put the kids stuff in one corner so it’s not right at the door so parents fell more comfortable letting their kids play while they look at books. The books are constantly changing but because nothing else does people don’t realize it. If you are wanting to revitalize it you will need to make some changes that people will notice. - use the board out front for more than just the hours…have it change or get another one which can advertise what is gong on…unless you already go the library you will not be aware of the activities it offers - Unknown at this time. Frequent users should be asked this question. - Hours of Operation- maybe open an extra day during the week or longer hours on Saturdays? (Most kids activities happen Saturday mornings so the time they get home, the library is closed) - Start up a Kid Book Club where they have their own card (similar to a coffee card) and with each visit they get a stamp. On the 5th or even 10th visit, they get a sticker. This might encourage kids to read more and to get their parents to take them to the library on a regular basis. (Might even get enough people to donate gently used kids books so after a certain amount of visits, they can choose a book to keep) - TD Summer Reading Program for kids is really good. Can something similar be offered during the winter as an after school program? - More Computers (have kid friendly programs and learning games, offer basic to general computer skills classes for seniors/adults) - Expand the size of library? (then you can have a separate kids room, quiet/reading room, computer/research room). - Get more DVDs to borrow rather than VHS tapes - Advertise programs/classes that are offered as well as hours of operation more often. Maybe include in monthly newsletter or have own newsletter once in a while and place in everyone's mail box at the post office. (I was actually excited to find a library newsletter this month!)
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Suggestions about our hours, resources and programs.
- I would like to see the library open more…not sure if there is a reason for it to be open Thursday 5 - 8 pm and then Friday only 12:30 to 4:30…maybe another full day like Tuesdays would be possible. It would also be nice to have it open Monday rather than being open for three days straight and then closed for two. I would like to see a shorter loan period for books that are in high demand…three weeks is a long time to wait for a book that may just be sitting on a shelf in someone’s house. - Would like to see library open more - maybe another full day like Tuesday - Monday would be a great day to open - Need to add Microsoft Word to public computers - More mystery talking books - Update website - keep website current - Current DVDs - Open on Sunday during the Winter, longer hours on Saturday - More children’s picture books - maybe join a rotation with other libraries - More evening programming, children’s story time, adult book club - Shorter loan periods for books in high demand - Perhaps follow the example of the Brockville Library and start showing movies on a Saturday afternoon? Or feature a book for the month and then show the movie at the end. - start a books club for kids using books that are popular (wimpy kid, the hobbit, hunger games) - start a teatime/book club or social thing one day a week for adults to come and discuss different topics which link to books available to sign out, guest speakers from the community about nature, travel etc. - Keep an accurate, detailed record of number of users over a set period - Ensure the number of users is sufficient to keep current hours of operation - Look at streamlining hours to meet peak demand - Ask regular patrons what they are looking for in their Library
Other suggestions for the Library Board to consider.
- Last year I was not impressed with the School’s involvement in the Library Drawing Contest. I think the idea is wonderful, but he school should not be involved if they are not going to have a presence at the Awards Ceremony. I was disappointed that none of the teachers were there to congratulate the winners from their classes. Maybe an independent contest would be better and let the children pick what book they want to submit a picture for. - The school should not be involved in the Art Contest if they are not going to have a presence at the Awards Ceremony - have an art gallery when you do down the stairs for local kids art which could change every month - Basically just don’t’ think about what had already been done or the way it has always been done…break the mold and try some new things….change is good. - Services geared to elderly and shut-ins - Interactive training offered through software or videos
Spring 2014 Additional info collected
Additional letter:
April 2014 (have left writers spelling or grammatical errors)
Front of Yonge Library Board,
After completing the library survey that was sent around months ago, I found myself thinking more about our library here, wishing that it could be more. I do visit the library with my three young children; however I do feel guilty that I do a lot more regularly visit a neighbouring library to the west of the township. So I have been asking myself why? And I’m sure that you would like to know why also? 50
- The selection is better for DVD’s, magazines, and children’s books. And they are always changing the books with the other 3 or 4 branches.
- I think my children and myself have made a connection with the staff (3 or 4 of them) like for the past 8 years, 5 of which we have lived in FOY. I do like the staff here and know them, but we like them more, seem more kid friendly. We go to a public library probably once a week.
- For, wow like 8 years I been going to play groups here and Lansdowne, in my opinion it’s the personality of the story reader that can draw the child into the story. The person can make it fun and interesting by brining puppets, crafts, actions, acting out parts, props, bells, etc. that go along with a story time. The other library always has a craft or activity out on the table and sometimes takes a moment to read a book with my smaller children. Is really friendly, asking work you like a sticker, a treat or a new book mark. If my child makes a picture, asks to hang it and then they like to see it the next time we are there.
- We always attend Lego Club, the third Thursday of the month. - We have gone to movies on March Break - We love the stuffy sleep over, their own stuffed animals on you tube being crazy in the library. - They have a play station 4 game time, mine would love to go to a dance thing with friends but have not made it yet.
I have attended the summer TD reading program, and like it, but morning is better as I usually have napping children in the afternoon.
Maybe an afterschool craft club or group something would be an idea.
Thanks for listening to my thoughts.
Additional e-mail
My main concern for the library, moving forward, is access to electronic books. I feel this will become more and more important to people as time goes on. Ideally, I would want us to stay as current as possible with our subscription to the Overdrive program.
I also think the library itself is a wonderful resource for children. This is a bit of a contradiction with my first statement, but I think it’s really important for children to see actual books, and have the opportunity to choose what they want to read.
Being able to use tablets and the internet at the library is also helpful for both adults and children to let them see what’s available to them.
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SOLS Pre-Audit Update 2014
Notes regarding pages 3 & 4:
‐ still not open 20 hrs./wk ‐ do not have 35 hrs. staff time ‐ do have policies in place i.e. personnel and salary scale ‐ have done community surveys (analysis ) from time to time ‐ are working on a strategic plan ‐ have limited participation in the community both on a board and staff level ‐ more advocacy is needed at the board level ‐ do provide money for training and education ‐ our collection is in excellent shape ‐ do keep track of collection and patron usage ‐ CEO has collection maintenance procedures to keep collection current ‐ do have a web based collection ‐ do look after safety & security measures ‐ have a system in place for confidentiality of records, etc.
NEEDS:
‐ collection and maintenance procedures should be a policy including section on local history ‐ technology plan (either 3 or 5 year) ‐ we need to add Intellectual freedom to one of our policies
Trustee Sandra Wells has the info for the intellectual freedom clause for the policy and has info from CEO Donna Hunt for Collections Policy. Sandra is working on both policies and hopes to present to Board for discussing, changes and implementation before Board dissolves on Nov. 30 th 2014.
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Appendix 10 Six ways to Describe your Community in terms of….
1 Social and Economic factors …
Demographic breakdown (age, language, education, etc.); how it compares to that of the Ontario and/or neighbouring communities (see http://www.frontofyonge.com/index.cfm/residents/community‐profile/ )
Employment • Largest employers - Purcell’s Freshmart, Sersa, east & west bound 401 Service Centers, Parks Canada, Ontario Provincial Parks, UCDSB (FOY Elementary School), FOY Township, Dive Tech, Mallory Landing Restaurant, Corell Kitchens,
• Small businesses/home based businesses - accountants, artist/artisans, welders, electricians, child care, advertising, auto body, cabinet makers, auto sales, scuba diving, bed & breakfasts, lawyer, hair salon, authors, 2 small motor repair, hobby farming
• Service industries - restaurant, 5 campgrounds, a garage with 2 mechanics, house cleaning, floor refurbishing, general contractors, plumber,
• Opportunities for new grads and young people - limited opportunity for those with post secondary; opportunities to start a new business or trades apprenticeship
Economic well being • Downtown vitality - Township has a loosely defined downtown within the village - there are several businesses and facilities in close “walking distance” proximity - Legion, Post Office, Grocery/LCBO store (with an ATM machine), Restaurant, Fire Hall, museum with archives, church, Township Office, Elementary School, Library/Community hall, new retail development
• Development - There is a new office/retail development near the 401 being constructed.
Education/learning • Number, level of and type of schools? Private? Home schooling? Transportation? - One elementary public school; some local students are home schooled; few students can walk, most are bussed; there are a variety of other private and public (Catholic, French, Montessori) elementary and secondary schools within 20 minutes (Brockville, Lansdowne, Athens, Gananoque) in which case, students are transported (bus or parents)
• Continuing education? Access to technology/internet? Access to different libraries? - Local continuing education opportunities are generally self motivated and on-line via home or Library computer access; continuing education, in person or via computer, are available at St. Lawrence College (Brockville/Kingston); many on-line courses are available through colleges/universities; access to internet is available at the Library (wifi), and CAP computers; specialty books may be acquired through Library inter library loans; FOY residents may access the collections of TLTI Libraries; other regional libraries may charge an additional fee to obtain a Library card;
Community identity and awareness
• Media - newspapers (weekly; daily); Radio; Television; Other - Recorder & Times, The Mural (regional that includes FOY), Council and the Library provide newsletters throughout the year and have web sites; CFJR, Bob FM, Cogeco Brockville, Eastern Ontario Network (EON - online media); locally authored books about life in Mallorytown, Yonge Mills and Front of Yonge promote our township.
• Public gathering places - Legion, Mallory Coach House, Library, Community Center, Fire Hall, School, churches.
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2 Lifestyles and Interests …
What do people do to socialize/meet other people? - Join local organizations or interest groups; participate or attend local socials, festivals and events; coffee at Legion or restaurant; Do public gathering places attract families? Seniors? Teens? - Soccer or baseball fields; church; Where do they shop for groceries? Clothes? Books? Home Repair? - Many grocery staples and LCBO items may be found locally, however for shopping in general, residents travel 20 minutes to Brockville or Gananogue. Where do they go to see a doctor? Financial Advisor? - regionally and CPHC; Is it a commuter community? - Mainly yes; within the village, residents may get around by foot; anyone living outside of the village needs transportation to get to the village; many commute regionally for all need Do people work from home? - Yes there are residents that work from home What do people do on a Sunday? - Family visits, presentations, farmer’s market, church, time on river; What do people do for recreation? - there is an active soccer league (youth and adult); rejuvenated youth softball league; Sunday morning co-ed slo-pitch league, horseback riding, scuba diving, hiking, swimming, snowmobiling, fishing, boating, outdoor skating, Xcountry skiing (McIntosh Mills), biking on and off road. Public/private recreational facilities (eg. golf, curling, etc.) - there is a recreation park with two baseball fields (one lit), two regulation size soccer fields, tennis court, two play structures, pavilion, pond for winter hockey, and washroom facilities; natural waterways for fishing, campgrounds; Sports teams with a high profile - Are residents interested in home improvement, renovations, gardening and landscaping? - A very active and award winning Community in Bloom group (CIB), has had a huge impact on the look of our village and township in general; there has also been a noticeable change in home improvement and general upkeep of property, due to CIB, encouragement from Council and the upgrading of homes by new owners. Does your community experience large fluctuations in population during different seasons? - Summer season sees the greatest fluctuation in population due to location to water - border on the south (St. Lawrence River), encompasses one lake (Graham Lake) and border on the north (Charleston Lake) - cottagers/second homes, and long term campers. Annual/special events that draw crowds - socials (strawberry and blueberry), Winter festival, Village Fair, speaker series (four times per year), open houses (Sersa, Purcell’s); Remembrance Day, Christmas Parade, School events (BBQ, graduation, etc.), Road to Remembrance, Village movie night, Doors Open, New Years Levy Geography - are there physical features that divide the community geographically (eg. highway, rivers, lakes etc.) - The township is divided into quarters with the major highways traversing it from west to east (401) and north and south (Leeds # 5); Are there geographic features that result in particular interests (eg. wildlife conservation, boating) - Parks, Boating, waterways. Are there other special interests widely shared in the community? CIB Annual Clean Up day Are there smaller communities within the community served by the library? - The elementary school; What do residents appear to value? - many residents have lived here their whole life; people move here to live in a quiet, safe community,
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3 Groups and Affiliations …
What of the following exists in your community?
• Churches - Mallorytown United and St. Paul’s Presbyterian (Caintown)
• Civic Organizations - Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 484
• Service Clubs - Lions Club (Rockport and Athens)
• Chamber of Commerce/Business Association - Economic Committee (sub committee of Council)
• Cooperatives -
• Environmental interest groups - Environmental Committee (sub committee of Council)
• Social Justice groups/initiatives -
• Ethnic clubs/associations -
• Mutual support/self-help groups - seniors exercise group, yoga, senior's walking group
• Women’s/Men’s groups/organizations - Junetown Women's Institute, FOY Ladies Auxiliary
• Scouts/cubs/brownies/Junior Farmers/4H - 4H
• Clubs (eg. common interests/hobbies (gardening, book, investment) - Communities in Bloom; Library Book club; Card making group (meets 1st Thursday each month); 1000 Islands Rug Hooking group; Loose Threads Quilting Group, Craft & Chat at church, Ladies Breakfast Club
• Age related clubs/organizations (eg. teens, seniors) - Recreational Committee (sub committee of Council) organizes activities for the youth of the community; adult volleyball group;
• Arts/cultural groups/organizations, and events - Thousand Islands Arts (TIA) - artist and artisan group who organize studio tour and other events; Winter Festival Committee; Mallorytown Village Fair Committee (August Festival); Mallory Coach House Committee (Museum); Christmas Parade Committee; Thousand Islands River Heritage Society (afternoon speakers series 4 times a year)
• Other groups or affiliations? FOY Fire Department Association
• Are there gaps? Areas of concentration or duplication? Teens
• Do some groups have a high profile in the community? FOY Fire Department Association, Communities in Bloom, Mallory Coach House, Legion;
• Imagine being a newcomer - how easy is it to get “plugged” in? Fairly easy if you are active and interested! Lots of information at Post Office and at Township Offices.
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4 Agencies and Services ...
What health care services exist in your community? CPHC Mobile Health Buss visits the 2 nd Tues of each month from 9:30 to 2:00pm in the Legion parking lot within the main village.
• Do residents have access to family doctors? Hospital? Alternative Healthcare? Most area residents seem to have a family doctor, and can access the hospitals in Brockville, Kingston, Smith Falls or Perth. Various alternative healthcare providers are available in Eastern Ontario.
What social service agencies exist in your community?
• Nursing homes/retirement homes
• Daycares - 4 private or Y affiliated ones
• Youth services, eg. Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Early Years - Early Years is available weekly
• Affordable housing - United Counties of Leeds and Grenville operate Miller Manor, a 17 unit public housing
• Services for economically disadvantaged - No
• Counselling Services - counselling services (individuals and families) and mental health training is available ( www.powerofthree.info )
Other not for profit organizations - what services do they provide? To whom? - S.A.I.L (Senior Assisted Independent Living under CPHC) holds walking classes and low impact exercise to seniors; Royal Canadian Legion offers support to veterans and their families as well as equipment for sick or disabled in the area.
Are there government offices in your community? What kind of services? - The municipal office, fire hall, roads department/garage, Library;
Are there gaps? Barriers?
• except for monthly visit by the CPHC mobile unit, residents must travel to Brockville or other centres to access their doctor, pharmacy or hospital;
• there are no nursing or retirement homes, but several exist within a 20 minute drive (Brockville, Athens, Gananoque) and 30 minutes (Prescott)
• There are only a few private day care spaces available in the area
• Youth services are not available here
• Few services for economically disadvantaged are available. Residents must travel to Brockville.\
• Educational system - available locally to grades 6 & under, with students transported outside of township for the higher grades.
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5 Changes Occurring …
Is population increasing/decreasing? Certain ages/segments? Multicultural? Certain people moving away? - the population tends to be more middle aged to senior as our younger people move away to school and/or job opportunities;
Are there residential developments being planned? Kind of housing? Who is target population? Community development is more geared to small/lighter businesses;
Are services (roads, sewers etc.) being planned to accommodate new developments? NO. Plan to meet ministry standards (ie. bridges etc.), there are plenty of vacant lots along roads in township. New housing does not imply population increase.
Are there new employment opportunities? New businesses? Limited opportunities for students, part time and full time employment seekers; local jobs are generally not high paying
Where are the nearest large anchor store (eg. Zellers, Walmart etc)? - Brockville is the closest big box store
What is the rate of vacancy in the downtown core? - currently rate is low; currently there is one office space for rent;
Are area schools stable with sufficient enrollment? New schools being built? - the local school was recently reduced to grades JK to 6 and a new school was built 15 minutes west of the village;
Are there new organizations? Agencies? Services?
Are the health/social needs of the population changing? Are these new needs being met?
Is the crime rate increasing/decreasing? Property crime has decreased; as well as other incidents;
Are there community initiatives to deter crime and/or promote community pride? - many of our volunteer groups (CIB, Mallory Coach House, Recreation Committee (Christmas banners)), Remembrance Road
New parks, recreations facilities, other amenities? New park behind and beside Coach House has been developed;
New festivals or events? Performing groups?
Is there public transportation? Other transportation issues? No public transportation; when highway # 2 is activated as the 401 Emergency Detour Route, it makes if more difficult and dangerous for our community residents to maneuver on foot, bike or in car; community safety zones exist near community park and school; vehicles travelling on highway # 2 have a posted 50 km speed limit.
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6 Community Assets …
Take an inventory of all the good things in your community… • Natural Assets (environment/water, rivers, lakes, wooded areas, other topographical features): Graham Lake, St. Lawrence River, bike path, Thousand Islands National Park nature trails; Charleston Lake, Stump Lake
• Built Assets (buildings, parks, paths, public spaces, infrastructure): Parkway bike path, Recreation park, Museum grounds which includes Heritage garden, Butterfly garden behind Library, gazebo at museum grounds and beside township office, Thousand Islands National Park, and Browns Bay Provincial park
• Social Assets of living in the community (skills and strengths of individuals and local associations/organizations): Our volunteers, artists, cabinet makers, FOY Public Library, Loose Threads Quilting Group, Different organizations promote the village and community pride
• Economic Assets (local economy, jobs, tourism, attractions, businesses): Sersa-Total Track, On Route Service Centres, Mallory Coach House, Purcell’s Freshmart, Dive-Tech, Corell Kitchens and Paul Graham Kitchens, All Weather’s Small Engine Repair, Avery T Construction, Antenna-Man, Bangma Construction, Bob’s Building Service,
• What successful events have taken place? Winter Festival, Village Fair, Strawberry and Blueberry Festival, Pancake Breakfasts (Ladies Auxiliary, Legion), Sunday speaker series, Doors Open, New Years Day Levee
• What were the components contributing to success?
• Community-wide initiatives and major fundraising: Community in Bloom - community clean-up, flower pots and garden planting and maintenance throughout the village and township; Thousand Islands River Heritage Society, Mallory Coach House - restoration of house, gardens and installation of gazebo and historical plaques and displays,
• Who are the key players in community? Why? - Municipal Council and the many volunteers on the various Council sub committees; volunteers - fire department, Thousand Islands River Heritage Society, Community in Bloom, Socials, Festival & Fair volunteers, Youth Soccer and Soft Ball, Recreation, etc.
• Are there skills that are dominant locally? Volunteerism
• Important Achievements of Municipal Council: Sersa/Total Track, Mallory Coach House; logo and rebranding of the Township (through Economic Committee sub committee of Council); improvement of the road infrastructure throughout the township.
• Problems turned into opportunities? - implementation of a growing and successful recycling program; Mallory Coach House, enlarged recreation park; Community Hall; acquisition of CN property for future water treatment facility;
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