Cape Vincent Community Library
Five-Year Plan
Mission Statement:
The Cape Vincent Community Library exists to provide quality service to the residents of the Township and Village of Cape Vincent in an open and non-judgmental environment with free access to library materials in a variety of formats, and
- To assemble, preserve, and administer a collection of books, non-print and electronic materials in order to promote the enrichment and education of the lives of the citizens of Cape Vincent and the surrounding areas.’
- To serve the community as a general center for current reliable information.
- To provide resources for informed public opinion, personal recreation, and education.
- To support civic and cultural activities of groups and organizations.
- To support groups and programs whose primary goal is the eradication of illiteracy.
- To seek and identify community needs, provide programs to meet such needs and to cooperate with other organizations that can provide programs or services to meet such needs.
Standard #1 – Bylaws that outline the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees
Goal Statement: Written Bylaws which define the structure and governing functions of the Library’s Board of Trustees.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: To meet the standard as stated above in the goal statement.
Evaluation Method(s): Review at least once every five years or as required by changes in the law or regulations. Approve any changes made.
Standard #2 – Long-Range Plan
Goal Statement: Have a written, Board of Trustees approved long-range plan of service developed by library staff and Trustees that meets the community’s needs.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: To meet the community’s needs as far as the Library is capable.
Evaluation Method(s): The Cape Vincent Community Library will create a survey for patrons once every five years to assess satisfaction with the Library’s programs, services, and collection. The survey will also ask for input on future additions, changes, or offerings the public would like to see at the Library. Data from the survey will be analyzed to proceed with future action.
Standard #3 – Annual Report
Goal Statement: Provide a board-approved, written annual report to the community on the Library’s progress in meeting its mission, goals, and objectives, as outlined in the Library’s long-range plan of service.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: To meet the standard as stated above in the goal statement.
Evaluation Method(s): Review and evaluate annually.
Standard #4 – Board of Trustees Approved Policies
Goal Statement: To have policies required by law or regulation for the operation of the Library.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: A policy handbook of written, current and or updated policies approved by the Board of Trustees for the operation of the Library.
Evaluation Method(s): Every five years have a review of the policies or sooner if required by law or regulation.
Standard #5, Board Approved Budget
Goal Statement: Annually prepare and publish a board approved, written budget, which enables the library to address the community’s needs, as outlined in the Library’s long-range plan of service.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: Continue the percentage of increase of public funding to meet the library’s yearly operating needs. Continue the annual fundraising letter with the goal of the total to increase each year for the next five years.
Evaluation Method(s): Monitor, assess, and analyze the increase or decrease of both public funding and fundraising efforts for the effective operation of the Library.
Standard #6, Assessment of programs, services, and collections
Goal Statement: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Library’s program, services and collections to address community needs as outlined in the long-range plan of service.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: To effectively serve the needs of the Library’s service area.
Evaluation Method(s): The Cape Vincent Community Library will create a survey for patrons once every five years to assess satisfaction with the Library’s programs, services, and collection. The survey will also ask for input on future additions, changes, or offerings the public would like to see at the Library. Data from the survey will be analyzed to proceed with future action.
Standard #7, Hours of Operation
Goal Statement: To serve the community’s needs through hours of operation most convenient and that meet the minimum weekly hours of operation.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: To effectively serve the needs of the Library’s service area.
Evaluation Method(s): The Cape Vincent Community Library will create a survey for patrons once every five years to assess satisfaction with the Library’s programs, services, and collection. The survey will also ask for input on future additions, changes, or offerings the public would like to see at the Library. Data from the survey will be analyzed to proceed with future action.
Standard #8, Facility that meets community needs
Goal Statement: Maintain the Library building that adequately addresses community needs, as outlined in the Library’s long-range plan of service. This includes adequate space, lighting, shelving, seating, power and data infrastructure, and a public restroom.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: Same as the goal statement. With that in mind, the Library installed in 2020 a generator for use during a power outage. Also in 2020, the Library underwent a major renovation project and addressed space, lighting, shelving, seating, power and data infrastructure, and a public restroom.
Evaluation Method(s): The Trustees will have a monthly building report from the Director and a yearly walk through with the Village’s DPW to address any building concerns/issues. Create a work order requesting any building repair and/or maintenance to be done by the Village DPW. Implement a building log of repairs, replacement, or maintenance with the date performed and what was done and/or replaced. Every three years the chimney will be sealed. A list of building projects and or improvements funded by grants or library monies will be created and maintained.
Standard #9, Programming
Goal Statement: To provide programming that addresses community needs, as outlined in the long-range plan of service.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: Same as goal statement.
Evaluation Method(s): The Library will use the survey as outlined in Standard #6. The Board reviews through the Director’s monthly report staff changes and implementation of services. The Board will have periodic reporting on programming.
Standard #10, Automation of circulation and technology and internet access
Goal Statement: Provide a circulation system accessible for library patrons to access the library’s collection and other library catalogs. To provide the equipment, technology, and internet connectivity that addresses the community’s needs and facilitates access to information.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: Same as goal statement.
Evaluation Method(s): The Library will use the survey as outlined in Standard #6.
Standard #11, Website that provides public access to services and transparent governance
Goal Statement: To provide access to current library information in print and online that includes library services, operations, and governance. Information provided online shall include items referenced in Standards 1 – 5.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: To facilitate access to the library’s services, operation, and governance.
Evaluation Method(s): The Library will use the survey as outlined in Standard #6.
Standards #12, Paid Director
Goal Statement: To employ a paid Director in accordance with the provisions of Commissioners Regulation, Section 90.8 of this Part.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: To employ a competent, well-trained Director that will bring effective and quality library services to the community
Evaluation Method(s): Yearly evaluation of the Library Director in meeting his/her goals as well as the Library’s goals.
Standard 13, Staff Technology Training
Goal Statement: Working through NCLS, the Library will annually continue to provide staff with a minimum of one technology-based training session appropriate to each employee’s position to address community needs, as outlined in the long-range plan of service.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: To give each library staff member an opportunity for technology training appropriate to their position.
Evaluation Method(s) During a staff member’s evaluation, a review of training opportunities, appropriate to their position, that were taken.
Standard 14, Community Partnerships
Goal Statement: Maintain programming in cooperation with the Thousand Islands School District and the other village libraries in the Thousand Islands School District (Clayton and Depauville). Continue to be active in sponsored events and activities with the Chamber of Commerce, NCLS programs, the Cape Vincent Improvement League, Cape Vincent Community Food Pantry, the little libraries throughout the community, and with The Friends of the Library.
Years: 2022-2026
Intended Results: Maintain partnerships with other education, cultural, or community organization in order for the Library to meet the community’s needs
Evaluation Method(s): Data from the survey in Standard #6 will be used to assess and analyze to prepare a plan of action.