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The Newark Public
Library
Service Plan
for 2000-2002
Adopted by the Board of Trustees
March 22, 2000
Values
Vision
Roles
Mission Statement
Goals and Objectives
Acknowledgements
Values
The library board, administration, and staff share these core
values of the library profession, which shape their common vision
and guide their work:
- Connection of people to ideas. We guide the seeker
in defining and refining the search; we foster
intellectual inquiry; we nurture communication in all
forms and formats.
- Assurance of equitable access to recorded knowledge,
information and creative works. We recognize access
to ideas across time and across cultures is fundamental
to society and to civilization.
- Commitment to literacy and learning. We aid people
to become independent lifelong learners by selecting and
offering materials that support the differing needs of
all learners and that entertain and delight the human
spirit.
- Respect for the individuality and the diversity of all
people. We honor each request without bias, and we
meet it with the fullness of tools at our command. We
respect the individual’s need for privacy,
confidentiality, and the right of access to library and
information services and resources regardless of race,
creed, national origin, age, ability, gender, or sexual
orientation.
- Freedom for all people to form, hold, and to express
their own beliefs. All people have the right to seek,
to know, and to find.
- Preservation of the human record.The cultural
memory of humankind and its many families, its stories,
its expertise, its history and its evolved wisdom must be
preserved so it may illuminate the present and make the
future possible.
- Excellence in professional service to our communities.
Our commitment requires integrity, competence, personal
growth, effective stewardship, and service to our
discipline as well as to our public.
- Formation of partnerships to advance these values.
We believe in the interdependence of libraries and
librarians and advocate collaboration in all areas and
between all types of library, knowing that collections
and services evolve successfully through such
collaboration.
1 American Library Association,
Librarianship and Information Service: A Statement on Core Values
(March 2000).
____________________________
1American Library Association,
Librarianship and Information Service: A Statement on Core Values (March 2000).
Library Vision
The people of Newark and the greater Newark
community will:
have free and ready access to information,
ideas, resources, programs and technology to support
their educational and lifelong learning goals.
enjoy free reading, viewing and listening
materials and diverse cultural programs to enrich their
lives, enhance their knowledge, and energize their
communities.
benefit from access to useful information,
and develop the skills they need to achieve their career
goals and improve the quality of their lives.
experience the advantages of the Library's
participation in cooperative partnerships with Newark
businesses, government and other community agencies in
revitalizing the City - its downtown and its
neighborhoods.
be aware of and take pride in having a
library that offers distinctive collections, services and
programs to the greater metropolitan area.
Library Roles
education and lifelong learning support
center
reference and research library
community cultural center
popular materials library
Library
Mission Statement
The Newark Public Library is a vibrant center for community life
and learning, offering people of all ages abundant opportunities
to enrich their lives.
The library encourages and supports all people in the discovery
of the joy of reading, the achievement of educational goals and
the pursuit of lifelong learning.
The library provides current, accurate information, diverse
collections, instruction in the use of technology and resources,
and assistance to researchers creating new knowledge.
The library serves as a free community cultural center, a focus
point for community activities and a forum for community issues.
The library provides popular, high interest, high demand
materials in a variety of formats and languages.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1 - Education and Lifelong Learning
Students will have the information, resources and skills they
need to succeed in school.
1.1 - 80% of users identifying themselves
as "students" on the annual survey indicate
that they "always" get the information that
they need.
1.2 - Maintain Saturday hours at the
branches with continued support from the city and outside
funders.
1.3 - Continue Club Success (the after
school homework assistance program) with support from the
city and outside funders.
1.4 - Continue computer classes for
children and young adults with support from outside
funders.
1.5 - Continue kindergarten and preschool
programs with support from outside funders.
1.6 - Initiate by December, 2002 at least
three new cooperative programs with educational
institutions to support students' success.
Goal 2 - Education and Lifelong Learning
People will value reading and learning.
2.1 - Offer at least 20 literary programs
a year.
2.2 - Continue support of the Newark
Literacy Campaign.
2.3 - Continue to provide literacy/ESOL (English
for Speakers of Other Languages) programs with support
from outside funders.
2.4 - Continue the summer reading
challenge with support from outside funders.
Goal 3 - Education and Lifelong Learning
Job seekers will find information to acquire the skills they need
to succeed at work.
Goal 4 - Education and Lifelong Learning
People will know how to find the information that they need and
how to evaluate its quality and usefulness.
4.1 - Maintain the current number of
library tours and class visits.
4.2 - By December, 2000 initiate classes
for the public on how to use the library's catalog and
other electronic information resources.
Goal 5 - Education and Lifelong Learning
The public will develop a basic level of comfort, confidence and
competence with computers.
5.1 - By January, 2001, increase by 10%
the number of classes available to the public systemwide.
Expand offerings at branches and target new user groups.
5.2 - Develop a new Technology Plan by
September, 2000.
Goal 6 - Education and Lifelong Learning
People of all ages will have library resources to support their
independent learning pursuits.
Goal 7 - Reference and Research
The public will have access to the current, accurate, reliable
information and the assistance that it needs.
Goal 8 - Reference and Research
Researchers will have access to unique resources, primary sources
and special collections to assist them in their creation of new
knowledge.
8.1 - Acquire new special collections.
8.2 - Catalog special collections with
support from the city and outside funders.
8.3 - Maintain and develop special
indices.
Goal 9 - Reference and Research
Current and future generations will benefit from the Library's
efforts to preserve and provide global access to the records of
their cultural heritage.
Goal 10 - Community and Culture
The people of Newark and the greater Newark area will enrich
their lives by attending the Library's programs and by viewing
its exhibitions.
10.1 - 75% of respondents to the annual
survey who say they visit the library for its programs
and exhibitions report that they find them "interesting
and informative."
10.2 - Enhance the scope, diversity, and
quality of programs and exhibitions with support from
outside funders.
10.3 - Develop public programming that
encourages use of library collections and services.
10.4 - Increase attendance at public
programming by 25% by December, 2000.
Goal 11 - Community and Culture
People will find the Library a safe, attractive and welcoming
place for the community to meet, discuss and learn.
Goal 12 - Popular Materials
People will expand their knowledge and enrich their leisure by
ready access to current, popular library materials.
Goal 13 - Management Goal for Customer
Service
Library customers will consistently receive excellent service
that reflects the best practices of customer care:
approachability; attending/listening; courtesy; professionalism;
timely response; thoroughness; confidentiality; fair and equal
treatment.
13.1 - 90% of respondents to the annual
survey report that staff "always ... answer (their)
questions courteously and promptly."
13.2 - Customer service areas are
adequately staffed.
13.3 - Customer service staff are
appropriately trained.
Goal 14 - Management Goal for Public
Awareness
Patrons and potential patrons will be aware of library services
and programs.
14.1 - 75% of respondents to the annual
survey report that they are aware of library collections,
programs and services.
14.2 - Increase the quantity, enhance the
quality, and diversify the range of public information
products.
Goal 15 - Management Goal for
Collaboration and Cooperation
The people of Newark will benefit from the library's involvement
in collaborative and cooperative efforts with other libraries,
agencies and organizations.
Goal 16 - Management Goal for Diversity
and Access
People will find the library a welcoming, comfortable and
accessible environment which reflects and responds to the
diversity of their needs and interests.
16.1 - By December, 2002, install a new
entrance ramp and new signage at the Main Library to
improve access for the disabled.
16.2 - By the end of 2000, review and
revise all library programs and publications for
compliance with A.D.A. guidelines.
16.3 - By the end of 2000, provide all
public service staff with training in providing customer
service in a multicultural environment.
16.4 - By June, 2001, provide all public
service staff with training on sensitivity to patrons
with special needs.
Goal 17 - Management Goal for Finance and
Development
Patrons will benefit from a Library that has stable and adequate
funding from the city and increased funding from other sources.
17.1 - Increase funding from the city by
10% in each year of the planning cycle.
17.2 - Increase funding from other
sources by 10% in each year of the planning cycle.
17.3 - Increase the number of individual
donors by 25% each year.
17.4 - Increase the proportion of the
Library's budget allocated to resources to 15% by
December, 2002.
Goal 18 - Management Goal for Human
Resources
Library staff will know and understand the responsibilities and
objectives of their jobs and be held accountable for fulfilling
them
Goal 19 - Management Goal for Human
Resources
Library staff will be deployed so as to accomplish the library's
goals most efficiently.
Goal 20 - Management Goal for Human
Resources
Library staff will have the information, skills, equipment and
materials they need to do their jobs effectively.
20.1 - Provide at least one formal staff
training class each week.
20.2 - Develop and distribute a Personnel
Handbook by September, 2000.
Goal 21 - Management Goal for Human
Resources
Library staff morale will improve.
Goal 22 - Management Goal for Facilities
Library facilities will be accessible, clean, safe, attractive
and convenient to use.
Acknowledgements
The Newark Public Library gratefully acknowledges
the following individuals and groups (see Appendix), who
contributed to the process that resulted in this Plan for Service:
1,265 library users who responded to the
Library 2000 survey. Their ideas for creating a better
library are clearly evident throughout the plan.
the library staff planning team, who
infused their passion for public service into the plan.
These publications served as significant
resources in the development of this plan:
Himmel, Ethel, and Wilson, William James. Planning for
Results: A Public Library Transformation Process. Chicago:
American Library Association, 1998.
Mc Clure, Charles R., et al. Planning and Role Setting for
Public Libraries. Chicago: American Library Association,
1987.
Appendix: Planning Participants
Paula Baratta
Ingrid Betancourt
Michele Cappetta
Dale Colston
Heidi Cramer
William Dane
Marie DeSimone
Dolores DiLeo
Curt Idrogo
Leslie Kahn |
Donald Lewis
Jeff Papier
Paul Pattwell
Maureen Ritter
Heather Rivera
Mary Teasley
Albert Tucher
Delores Whitehead
Mabel Williams
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Alex Boyd, Ph.D.
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Director
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Marianne K. Avery
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Assistant Director for Central Library
Services and Planning Coordinator
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| Joseph C. Casale |
Assistant Director for Finance |
| Charles F. Cummings |
Assistant Director for Special
Collections and Statewide Outreach |
| Gerald Fitzhugh |
Assistant Director for Human Resources
and Facilities |
| Bruce E. Ford |
Assistant Director for Access Services |
| Wilma J. Grey |
Assistant Director for Community Library
Services |
| Luis Hernandez |
Manager of Information Systems |
| Paul A. Stellhorn |
Assistant Director for Development |
| Alberto Coutinho |
President |
| Betty S. Rufalo |
Vice President |
| Joseph Yeadon |
Treasurer |
| Trish Morris-Yamba |
Secretary |
Sharpe James, Mayor
Alternate: Delores Henry Metz |
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| Clement Alexander Price |
|
Marion A. Bolden, State District Supt.
of Schools
Alternate: Doris Culver |
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| Frank Salsano |
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