FIRST REGIONAL LIBRARY
2012-2015
Or…Work
has to
change with
the times…
Library’s Vision Statement:
FIRST REGIONAL
LIBRARY
…where discovery
begins!
Library’s Mission Statement:
The Mission of the First Regional Library is…
THE PEOPLE’S PLACE FOR
LIFELONG LEARNING
GOAL I
Provide the public with quality
physical facilities that are
handicapped accessible, as safe and
as comfortable as possible; operate
open hours convenient for the
public
GOAL I
OBJECTIVE 1
Libraries to operate efficiently and safely, meeting ADA
standards
ACTIVITY 1
Update building facility audits annually to determine landscaping,
lighting, and ADA issues (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Utilize a member of the Business Office at Headquarters, part of
whose job is now to help the branch heads/managers work with
local trustees, governmental agencies and/or volunteer groups to
fix or repair facility shortcomings, inside and outside the physical
buildings within the Library System (2011-2015)
ACTIVITY 3
Add security personnel and/or security cameras as situations
warrant and the budget allows (2012-2015)
Responsibilities: Director, Assistant Director for Public Services, Branch
Head Librarians and Managers, Business Office
GOAL 1
OBJECTIVE 2
Libraries to provide open hours, perceived as needed by the various
communities in which they operate
ACTIVITY 1
Utilize current and projected census data, branch community analyses,
pertinent library usage data, along with relevant staff and resident input to
determine ideal branch open hours (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Open as many of these hours as the operational budget will allow;
recognizing when cuts or additions to staff and open hours become
necessary and making those adjustments as needed within budgetary
constraints (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 3
Explore the possibility of providing community bookmobile service to the more
outlying areas of our service area in order to reach people – especially children –
who are mired in the grips of rural poverty and isolation (e.g. Dundee and
Robinsonville in Tunica County; Crowder, Courtland and Pope in Panola County;
Harmontown and Abbeville in Lafayette County; Independence in Tate County;
Lewisburg in DeSoto County)
Responsibilities: Director, Assistant Director for Public Services, Branch Heads and Managers,
Regional Board of Trustees
GOAL II
Expand and enhance 24/7 access
to information through
Library’s web portal, mobile
and tablet apps and social
media
We won’t automatically be
the “go-to” place
Golden Triangle Regional Library Consortium
GOAL II
OBJECTIVE 1
EBSCO Discovery Service™ (EDS) — The
fundamental element of the complete
solution, providing the most comprehensive
collection of searchable data
Maintain highest possible level of computer network efficiency,
following the Library’s Technology Plan by replacing older
equipment as the budget will allow
ACTIVITY 1
Integrate SirsiDynix upgrades as they become available (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Make available new software, hardware, web enhancements, WiFi improvements, plus
relevant apps for mobile and tablet devices as budget allows (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 3
Incorporate patron-initiated Interlibrary Loan (2012)
ACTIVITY 4
Integrate EBSCO’s Discovery package – which will give our patrons the “one-stop
shopping” experience (or Power Search) in terms of showing the patron books,
articles from databases, etc. when they search for information on any given subject
Responsibilities: Assistant Director for Technical Services, Staff Development Coordinator,
Network Specialist, Public Relations Specialist, Director
Circulation Period and Fine Policy
- Golden Triangle Regional Library Consortium
Library
Loan Period
Grace Period
Fine
Mississippi State University Libraries
28 days
28 days
$10.00 after grace
period
Mississippi University for Women Library
14 days
No grace period
$.25 per day after due
date
Starkville-Oktibbeha County Libraries
New Books:
7 days
Other Books:
14 days
No grace period
$.25 per day after due
date
Starkville Public High School Library
14 days
No grace period
$.10 per day maximum
of $10.00
Tombigbee Regional Libraries
14 days
No grace period
$.10 per day maximum
of $5.00
Columbus-Lowndes County Public Libraries
New Books:
7 days
Other Books:
28 days
No grace period for
new books.
$.10 per day maximum
2 day grace period for of $5.00
other books.
Mid-Mississippi Regional Libraries
New books:
7 days
Other books:
14 days
No grace period
$.25 per day maximum
of $8.00
East Mississippi Community College Libraries
14 days
No grace period
$.25 per day after due
date
FRL’s participation in the Golden Triangle Regional Library Consortium with a hoped-for
“soft opening” in March;
and a big publicity announcement in time for National Library Week.
A committee has been formed whose charge it will be to develop a plan for a
seamless transition into GTRLC consortium membership.
The members of this committee will be:
Alice Pierotti - Como
Amy Poe - Headquarters
Blake Adams - Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library
Glinda Jaynes - M.R. Davis Public Library in Southaven
Jesse Pool – Horn Lake
Robin Warren-Busigo - Hernando Public Library
Ruth Harris - Tunica
Plus:
Marty Coleman - Headquarters, Technical Specialist
Barbara Evans - Headquarters, Recorder
Judy Card – Headquarters will serve as the Moderator
Total
Intralibrary
Interlibrary
Branch
Fiscal Year Circulation Circulation
Circulation
Circulation
2008 1,266,279
333,144
5,528
927,607
2009 1,351,463
347,614
7,253
996,596
2010 1,332,249
345,593
7,633
979,023
2011 1,266,315
334,100
6,594
925,621
4 Year
Totals
5,216,306
1,360,451
27,008
3,828,847
FRL Circulation
Intralibrary
Circulation
26%
Interlibrary
Circulation
1%
Branch
Circulation
73%
GOAL II
OBJECTIVE 2
Expand informational offerings through the FRL Digital Collection
ACTIVITY 1
Complete digitizing the 1983 DeSoto County interviewing project (audio
left to be digitized) and transfer to University of Southern Mississippi (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Digitize as much of the Coldwater Room collection as possible; add this digitized
information to the FRL Digital Collection (2012-2013).
ACTIVITY 3
Locate other unique area collections in our branch libraries and/or communities to
add to the FRL Digital Collection (2013-2015)
ACTIVITY 4
Continue working with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, local
county museums, and the Mississippi Digital Collection maintained by the University
of Southern Mississippi to expand offerings and to preserve and make available local
history (2012-2015)
Responsibilities:
Law Librarian & Archivist, Assistant Director for Technical Services,
Assistant Director for Public Services, Branch Head Librarians and Managers, Director
Specifically local, less
generic!
Preserving Panola's Musical Heritage
Briana Patton and Shaquille Conrad
review their video interview with blues
artist R.L. Boyce. The footage is
available for viewing on YouTube. The
Panolian photo by Rupert Howell
GOAL II
OBJECTIVE 3
Prioritize collection development needs, especially in terms of
striking a balance between providing access to content and actual
owning the physical item
ACTIVITY 1
Maintain awareness of and be familiar with new formats and
technologies (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Provide sufficient access to needed online informational resources
through the Library’s network by purchasing access to eBooks and
databases not available to FRL via the MAGNOLIA Project within
budgetary constraints (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 3
Re-evaluate and re-write the Library’s Collection Development
Policy (2012-2013)
Responsibilities: Assistant Directors for Technical and Public Services,
Branch and Department Heads, Director
GOAL III
Improve and enhance relationships with all area schools,
public and private
GOAL III
OBJECTIVE 1
Work closely with all area schools and school systems, using social media and
web instruction whenever and however possible
ACTIVITY 1
Offer training to students and teachers on First Regional Library
Resources: those in print, electronic and database (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Visit schools on a regular schedule to present book talks, puppet
shows; provide andpromote Read-a-chapter time – in library,
classroom, or via social media – for older kids; have copies for the
students to check out and/or have books on similar topics.
Especially for grades 3 – 5 – provide regular booktalks on new
books available to the students at their local public library (20122015)
Responsibilities: Youth Services Coordinator,Youth Specialists, Branch
Heads and Managers, Assistant Director for Public Services
Goal III con’t.
OBJECTIVE I con’t. Work closely with all area schools and school
systems, using social media and web instruction whenever
and however possible
ACTIVITY 3
Host and encourage regularly-scheduled Family Reading Time to be
held at the Public Library or at area schools (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 4
Host onsite or web interactive after school or library period book
clubs (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 5
Prepare classroom boxes; take to classes on a regular schedule
(2012-2015)
Responsibilities: Youth Services Coordinator,Youth Specialists, Branch
Heads and Managers, Assistant Director for Public Services
GOAL III
OBJECTIVE 2
Strengthen and improve relationships with area school
librarians
ACTIVITY 1
Visit school librarians to discuss what the public library
could do with/for them (at least once every school year
2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Obtain and annually update email addresses and/or use
social media to communicate directly with area school
librarians and interested teachers and administrators (20122015)
Responsibilities:
Youth Services Coordinator,Youth Specialists, Staff
Development Coordinator, Branch Managers, Assistant Director for Public
Services
GOAL IV
Play a vital role in the
communities we
serve to help all area
preschoolers reach
school ready to read
and succeed
GOAL IV
OBJECTIVE 1
Continue to support and strengthen FRL’s Early
Childhood Resource Center
ACTIVITY 1
Strengthen and promote the specialized collection of
resources available to caregivers and homeschoolers within
the Center at the Headquarters Library (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Continue to maintain, promote, and make available the
Library’s database of area daycare information (2012-2015)
Responsibilities: Early Childhood Services Coordinator, Public
Relations Specialist, Director
GOAL IV
OBJECTIVE 2
Provide outreach to preschoolers by “Taking the
Public Library” to area preschoolers with stories and books chosen
to help them be ready to read and to succeed in school
ACTIVITY 1
Continue operating the Library’s Words on Wheels
BookWagon Program of services within budgetary
constraints (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Maintain FRL’s association with Mississippi State University’s
Early Childhood Institute and Extension Service (20122015)
Responsibilities: Early Childhood Services
Coordinator, Public Relations Specialist,
Director
GOAL IV
OBJECTIVE 3
ACTIVITY 1
guidance as
of the
Association’s
at
ACTIVITY 2
Structure Library storytimes and other preschool
programming to help children reach school ready to read
and for those in school to stay on level and succeed.
Continue to provide staff training, encouragement and
needed for all FRL Youth Services Specialists on the use
proven Between the Lions and the American Library
Every Child Ready to Read curriculums and techniques
preschool storytimes in their branches (2012-2015)
Provide all appropriate resources needed to deliver effective
storytimes that encourage early literacy skills in all preschoolers
who participate (2012-2015)
Responsibilities: Early Childhood Services Coordinator;Youth Services
Coordinator; Staff Development Coordinator, Branch Heads and
Managers, Assistant Director for Public Services
GOAL V
Provide assistance to all school-age young people as they
attempt to succeed in their schoolwork; keep in mind
reluctant readers, young people with learning disabilities,
and youth living in poverty
How to Raise Boys Who Read!
How to Keep Girls Reading!
GOAL V
OBJECTIVE 1
Provide specialized materials, services and programs designed to
minimize the effects of the so-called “falling-off ” periods
associated with the documented reading decline years (i.e., 3rd
and 5th graders)
ACTIVITY 1
Continue to provide FRL’s excellent Summer Library Program, a program
designed to help all students maintain their reading levels over the summer
months (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Develop and promote special programs, collections, and other library
resources using “hooks” specifically designed with the reluctant reader in
mind – especially using social media, colorful bookmarks, etc. (2012-2015)
Responsibilities:
Youth Services Coordinator,Youth Specialists, Public Relations
Specialist, Branch Heads and Managers, Assistant Director for Public Services
GOAL V
OBJECTIVE 2
Provide quality homework and readers’ advisory services
to area students
ACTIVITY 1
Train all staff to assist students in using HelpNow! – the Library’s
online homework help program
ACTIVITY 2
Train staff in J and YA Reader’s Advisory services (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 3
Schedule specially-designated library staff members to “float” in
youth areas of the Library after school, after library programs have
ended, and on weekends to provide direct assistance with
homework and readers’ advisory (2012-2015)
Responsibilities:
Staff Development
Coordinator, Branch Heads and Managers,
Assistant Director for Public Services,
Youth Services Coordinator, Director
First Regional Library
Brainfuse: Help Now!
Report Period: FY 2011
General Statistics
Total Usage
16,464
Database Usage
14,896
Homework Help, Skills Building, Writing Lab, and Test Prep Sessions
1,568
Homework Help/ Skills Building Sessions
1,344
Remote Homework Help/ Skills Building Sessions
1,184
In-Library Homework Help/ Skills Building Sessions
Average Length of Tutoring Session (minutes)
160
22
Test Center Visits
120
Writing Lab Submissions
104
Unique Visits
2,661
Sessions by location
Remote
main
1,184
160
GOAL VI
Improve and enhance services to the Library’s adult
users, recognizing that the very large Baby Boomer
Generation is entering retirement in record numbers
Promote Brain Health as People Age
Let’s Get A Piece of This Action!
- Bilingual Brains Delay Aging Effects
***Talk about the power of words—
speaking at least two languages may slow
dementia in the aging brain, new research
shows. – from National Geographic News,
February 18, 2011
Now 31 seats!!!!
GOAL VI
OBJECTIVE 1
Enhance collection on “how-to” materials in all
subjects and formats; Provide exceptional
lifelong learning opportunities
ACTIVITY 1
Purchase and/or make available resources deemed
helpful to lifelong learning (2012-2105)
ACTIVITY 2
Create timely book displays, bookmarks, provide special
programming to promote and explain these resources
(2012-2015)
Responsibilities: Branch Heads and Managers, Public Relations
Specialist, Assistant Director for Public Services, Assistant
Director for Technical Services
GOAL VI
OBJECTIVE 2
Emphasize intergenerational programming
ACTIVITY 1
Provide regularly-scheduled programming for all members of the
family so that going to the local Public Library becomes a part of
“the family routine” recognizing the need to provide this
programming during the “family-friendly” hours of evenings and/or
weekends (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Make craft and/or activity programs accessible to all of the varying
ages within the family (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 3
Utilize the public performance rights purchased by the Library
System to provide free family movie time (2012-2015)
Responsibilities: Youth Specialist, Branch Heads and Managers, Public
Relations Specialist, Assistant Director for Public Services
How the Public Library Can Save You Money
Creativity rules in Olive Branch
library's free jewelry class
Horn Lake library program brings
together people from different
backgrounds
Horn Lake Family Cultural event features songwriters
A FREE Concert Will Bring Out the Families!
In March, celebrate National Women’s History
Month by each generation sharing a significant
moment in women’s history they experienced.
Or look at photos of women marching to get the
right to vote. Many may not realize women
couldn’t always vote!
In September, host a Grandparents’ Day tea,
sharing stories of grandparents along with
refreshments.
A little LINE dancing???
Use the Many FRL BiFolkal kits!
Programs can be done at a library or at a senior center, church, etc.
Two examples:
•Remembering Farm Days Share what life was like when living on a farm
GOAL VI
OBJECTIVE 3
•Remember School Days Share your memories of school, which will be
very different from today’s student experiences!
Engage in outreach opportunities for adults who are unable
to come to the Library because of illness or other disability
ACTIVITY 1
Provide programming activities in area assisted-living and
nursing home facilities, using Bi-Folkal kits as appropriate
(2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Promote FRL’s Books-by-Mail program to all area
homebound residents, whether they are permanently
disabled or temporarily so due to surgery, illness, etc. (2012-2015)
Responsibilities: Assistant Directors for Technical and Public Services,
Branch Heads and Managers, Staff Development Coordinator, Public
Relations Specialist
GOAL VII
Remain a strong and vital
community partner in all
communities we serve
GOAL VII
OBJECTIVE 1
Promote First Regional Library’s strong
brand
ACTIVITY 1
Maintain contacts with local traditional media
(print, TV, radio) (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Explore any and all other advertising options
in order For us to help “Get the word out!”
including the use of social media (2012-2015)
Responsibilities:
Public Relations Specialist, Branch Heads
and Managers, Director
GOAL VII
OBJECTIVE 2
Partner and participate in community discussions
ACTIVITY 1
Participate in local civic club and Chamber activities
whenever possible; actively look for “seats at the
table” where information about the Library’s services
can be promoted and where information needs of the
community can be discerned (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Identify and partner with area civic clubs, businesses,
chambers and other Community stakeholders to help
provide a better quality of life for all northwestern
Mississippians (2012-2015)
Responsibilities:
All Library Staff and Trustees
GOAL VIII
Streamline and consolidate processes and operations
GOAL VIII
OBJECTIVE 1
Improve technical services and public services operational
functions by automating, outsourcing, consolidating and/or
re-assignment whenever possible
ACTIVITY 1
Explore electronic bill payment of accounts payable (2012-2013)
ACTIVITY 2
Work with Library Material Acquisitions to fully utilize EDI
ordering (2012)
ACTIVITY 3
Continue active participation and partnership with the libraries
within the Dancing Rabbit Library Consortium; and look for other similar
opportunities to provide the best possible service for FRL patrons (20122015)
Responsibilities:
Assistant Directors for Public
and Technical Services, Business
Manager, Director, Trustees
GOAL VIII
OBJECTIVE 2
Encourage all staff to take advantage of relevant staff development
offered educational opportunities (and other identified educational
opportunities, conferences, etc.) to become prepared to think
quickly and make changes about how best to change or enhance
service levels; to be able to think “out of the box” as technological
advances press ahead at lightning speed (2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 1
Encourage all Library Assistant staff members to take classes and
to advance according to the Library’s advancement plan (20122105)
ACTIVITY 2
Develop a similar advancement plan for Youth Specialists (2012)
Responsibilities: Assistant Director for Public Services, Staff Development
Coordinator,Youth Services Coordinator, Branch Heads and Managers,
Director,Trustees
Some of what we know may have
passed its “use-by” date
Some of the
things we
“know” have
passed their
use-by date
GOAL IX
Secure adequate funding to achieve the mission
Sources of Revenue Amount of Revenue Percentage of Total Revenue
Cities
$1,418,256.92
26%
Counties
$2,501,159.93
46%
State of Mississippi
$626,805.58
12%
Federal/LSTA
$271,648.30
5%
Other Sources
$583,993.55
11%
Total Revenue
$5,401,864.28
First Regional Library
Sources of Revenue, FY 2011
Federal/LSTA
5%
Other
Sources
11%
State of
Mississippi
12%
Counties
46%
Cities
26%
GOAL IX
OBJECTIVE 1
Demonstrate how vital public libraries are to the
way of life of the local communities served by the
First Regional Library to local funding officials
ACTIVITY 1
Continue to collect stories about how First Regional
Library services have directly impacted people’s lives;
Use Tell-a-Tale pads; Relate info on those pads upward
(2012-2015)
ACTIVITY 2
Communicate these FRL success stories to elected officials,
including statistics and public comments whenever possible
(2012-2015)
Responsibilities:
All Library Staff
Promoting and
Preserving the
Value of Public
Libraries in our
Communities!
Horn Lake Mayor Nat Baker recently read to kids at the Kids 'R Kids day
care center in Horn Lake. The event was held aboard First Regional
Library's Words on Wheels BookWagon.
GOAL IX
OBJECTIVE 2 Continue to pursue grants and other
opportunities for funding available outside the
public funding stream
ACTIVITY 1 Search and apply for relevant grant opportunities
ACTIVITY 2 Search and apply for relevant foundational and
personal donations
Responsibilities:
Director, Grant Writer,Trustees
Folks Are Flocking to the Library, a Cozy Place to Look for a Job
Books, Computers and Wi-Fi Are Free, But Staffs Are Stressed by Crowds, Cutbacks
The number of Mississippi children
living in poverty jumped in the last 10
years from 16.4 percent to 33.7
Library use up statewide in the wake of financial crisis
percent