Agenda - 05-14-2013 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Orange County Public Library Strategic Plan 2013 -2016 vibrant community center focusing on both the community's repository of information and training but also as the community's hub for cultural exchange, self- empowerment, and civic activity. This library would emphasize user - centered design in all that it does and make use of pervasive user needs assessment, data mining, and use of big data to ensure it is well aligned and continuously improves in an agile, relevant, and efficient fashion. This library would also have seamless services throughout the county and reach out to those who traditionally face major barriers such as transportation, illiteracy, and poverty. This library would have information common areas to encourage and support collaboration and group work, as well as private space for studying, research, training, and literacy tutoring. In addition, this library would have lots of community space and a business incubation center that supports the unique business needs of small business and entrepreneurs. The library's primary strengths are its staff and existing high quality resources and services, as well as strong county and community support. Its main opportunities for improvement involve continuing to work towards seamless library services with municipalities such as Chapel Hill, increase outreach and partnership activities with fellow city and county agencies and other community organizations, continuing to offer relevant programming and services, and seeking to reach out to underserved populations. The community surveys suggest that its highest, most prevalent sources of information and entertainment are books, email, browsing the Internet, watching TV, using cellphones, listening to music on the radio and CD, reading /watching news online, and reading print newspapers. Orange County residents overwhelmingly view libraries as a place whose most important services include books for adults, maintaining a Website that provides access to its digital resources and services, free wireless access, public computing, books for children and teens, programs for children, and e- books. On the whole, the community is very satisfied with overall library services although they would like to see a greater increase in number of materials and services with an emphasis on maintaining an up -to- date and relevant collection and technology services. They would like to see both hours and parking improved. They view libraries as very relevant, a community resource that levels the playing field for all residents, provides free access to quality resources and entertainment, and community engagement. A number of statistically significant differences were identified by demographic factors. Women placed a higher value on a number of information and library services than men. Black or African American participants placed a significantly higher value on laptops, MP3 players, and tablets than all other groups and were less satisfied with library parking, locations, and computer access. In terms of age, the 65+ age group were more dissatisfied with library location and hours than all other age groups. Those without a computing device at home placed a significantly higher value on magazine and newspapers and foreign language library services than those who had technology at home. In terms of library usage, those who used the library daily or every week placed the highest priority on study space, laptops, tablets, and wireless access, while those who use the library once or twice a year prioritized these the least. 41 Page ORANGE -ZOU NfTY 31