Agenda - 09-12-2013 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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[01 From the Director A great community like Orange County deserves and expects a great library. But the notion of what constitutes a great library is changing in the 21st century as new technologies emerge, information consumption patterns evolve, and user expectations shift. According to the 2012 -2013 Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, the public still want libraries to provide books on the shelves. Orange County Public Library (OCPL) customers told us the same thing in our 2012 Community Needs Assessment (CNA) and this assertion is supported by the fact that the number of printed materials borrowed from OCPL continues to climb every year. However, the question of how to best serve our customers in a time of unprecedented change is more complicated to answer. This Strategic Plan —the first ever for OCPL —will be the touchstone that guides our work over the next three years, sharpens our focus on customers, and extends our services into the community. Strategic Plan Summary Recognizing that OCPL's external environment and customer needs will continue to change even as the Strategic Plan is implemented, this document was created as a high -level framework that directs future space and organizational planning, as well as annual budgeting and work planning. This plan identifies four key strategic priorities to be undertaken by OCPL in the next three years. These are: • Library Collections and Materials • Community Connections • Service and Community Space • Technology Tools and Training The Board of County Commissioners has allocated funds in the 2016 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for the development and construction of a Southern Branch Library. Based on staff evaluations from the Asset Management Services Facility Use Study, we will request future CIP funds be allocated for the re- design of the interior of the OCPL Main Library. A re- design will create a library space that is accessible, collaborative and flexible, and that meets the needs of 21St century library users. Additionally, the library will work closely with the Information Technologies department to identify and incorporate new technologies in a thoughtful way that responds to the community needs and maintains our commitment to being good stewards of public financial resources. The areas where we will dedicate the majority of our time and energy will be to enhancing customer service and going outside the walls of the library and into the community. OCPL DRAFT Strategic Plan 2013 -2016 Page 4