CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
Nov
ember 7, 2022
TO: S
imi Valley Library Board of Trustees
FR
OM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJ
ECT: RECEIPT OF THE F ISCAL YEAR 2021-22 SIMI VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT AND ADOPTION OF THE 2023 -2027
STRATEGIC PLAN
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Simi V alley Library Board of Trus tees accept the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Simi Valley Public Library A nnual Report (page 5) and adopt the 2023-2027 Simi Valley P ublic Library Strategic Plan (page 23).
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
On February 28, 2013, the City Manager executed a contract for the transition of services and day-to-day operation of the Simi Valley Public Library (Library) with Library Systems & Services, LLC (LS&S). In the first four years of operation, from 2013 to 2017, the Library focused on forming community partnerships, conducting outreach within the community, and improving service levels for all Library users.
The Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees (B oard) adopted a Collection Development Plan to guide the types of materials the Library should purchase, and a Technology Plan to address the increasing demand for online and wireless services.
In 2017, the Board adopted a five -year Strategic Plan (2017-2022) to guide the Library’s direction for t
he future, with intentional focus on the following priority areas: Making Access Easier; Telling the Library’s Story; Empowering Customer Service; Cultivating Community Creativity; and Supporting Educational Pursuits.
Each year staff presents an Annual Report to the Board, which inc ludes information on L ibrary usage trends throughout the year, and an update on how the efforts of Library and City staff are supporting the Strategic Plan’s priority areas.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
FY 2021- 22 saw the completion of the 2017-2022 Strateg ic Plan, which included the following: an intensive community engagement campaign, analysis of statistics and trends from annual reporting to develop a greater understanding of the community’s 17/10-22
AGENDA ITEM NO.
9B
wants and needs from the Library; and the subsequent development of the Library’s new Strategic Plan for 2023-2027.
Annual Report – FY 2021-22
The Simi Valley Library Annual Report for FY 2021-22, attached as Exhibit 1, includes a narrative of Library activities and a brief overview of statistics. The priority areas for the former Strategic Plan were again the focus of staff efforts in FY 2021-22, while continuing to orchestrate a remarkable recovery from the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
A brief overview of some of the Library’s successes in FY 2021-22 are provided below:
• 2,77
4 Service Hours
• 112,336 Library Visitors
• 3,768 New Library Card Holders (33,549 Total Library Card Holders) • 309,132 Physical Items Borrowed
• 53,226 Digital Items Borrowed
• 8,075 Computer Users
• 128,680 Wi-Fi Sessions
The Library also hosted two Job Fairs, two Wellness Expos, and three Blood Drives, and served as a polling loc ation for two elections, with 11,315 ballots cast during the past year. Additionally, the Library introduced a trial model for mobile-library services, partnering with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District to offer Library services at off-site locations, such as Simi at the Garden and Varenita, a local senior living facility. As COV ID-19 restrictions continued to ease this fiscal year, the Library promoted an in-person Summer Reading Program at the spring Street Fair, sharing activities related to its outdoor camping theme, “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.” FY 2021-22 also saw the City’s second annual Community Reads programming, selecting the book “Rising Strong” by Brene Brown, containing themes of resilience and perseverance that successfully complemented the strength of the Simi Valley community through the trying times resulting from the pandemic.
Grant funding from the California State Library provided for a Zip Books program, which allowed library patrons to request books through Amazon.com and have them shipped to their homes, and later to be added to the Library’s collection. The Library has also continued to receive generous financial support from the Simi Valley Friends of the Library, providing funding for a wide variety of programming and services to our Library customers, including electronic and streaming content from Hoopla and other digital platforms.
In the continued support of educational pursuits, the Library has continued to develop programming featuring literacy, STEM, arts, teen topics, and supplemental support for K- 12 students and lifelong learning for adults. Adult literacy programming and tutoring has continued to see great participation and success, even when only available virtually, and 17/10-22
2 Bilingual Storytime allows f or p articipation from children a nd families w hose primary language at home is Spanish.
Proposed Strategic Plan – 2023 - 2027
City staff worked with LS&S, along with collaborative input from stakeholders and the Simi Valley community, to draft a new Simi Valley Public Library Strategic Plan (Exhibit 2) , which will provide the guidance and framework for the Library from 2023 through 2027.
The new plan consist s of four priority areas : Build Community; Connect and Increase Access; Enhance Services; and Build Awareness.
The Library hosted seven focus groups to gather ideas and feedback from local business, education and nonprofit leaders, key stakeholders, Library customers, volunteers, and City and Library staff. Roughly, 400 community members participated in the process by way of responding to surveys, attending these focus groups and participating in individual interviews. Through these various engagement activities, Simi Valley residents directly shaped a plan that will support the Library’s continued success and provide ongoing exceptional service to the public.
The Strategic Plan includes priority area goals that will expand community partnerships and service development to meet local needs, and host interactive events and programming to create community connections and teach new skills. It addresses service gaps through unique offerings and engagement, creating a Library that is even more accessible and welcoming, and can meet the needs of modern learners. It provides programming for diverse learners with emphasi s on multilingual elements, technology needs, and mental and physical health, and offers reimagined and expanded youth and teen services.
The Strategic Plan increases access to technology and digital offerings, promoting digital literacy and competency throughout the community. The plan also continues to prioritize the service levels that residents have come to expect and appreciate, with a renewed focus on bringing awareness of the Library’s services and offerings to all of Simi Valley to expand its reach and impact.
The priority areas of the new Strategic Plan will be foundational in the preparation for an upcoming renovation of the Library’s interior space. Following approval of the Strategic Plan, staff will be drafting a request for proposal for architectural services for the design of the reimagined space, which will allow for more flexible use of space for informal gathering opportunities such as small group study rooms and exhibit space. The priority areas have also helped to identify service level enhancements that can be added to our existing contract with LS&S. Staff is currently in discussion with LS&S and will return to City Council with se rvice level enhancement options for City Council consideration with the upcoming FY 2023-24 budget.
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3 17/10-22
The following alternatives are available to the Library Board of Trustees:
1. R
eceive the Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report for FY 2021-22;
2. A
dopt the Simi Valley Public Library 2023-2027 Strategic Plan as presented;
3. A
dopt the Simi Valley Public Library 2023-2027 Strategic Plan with changes;
4. P
rovide staff with alternate direction.
S
taff recommends Alternative Nos. 1 and 2.
SUGGESTED BOARD MOTION
I mov
e to receive the Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report for FY 2021-22 and to adopt the Simi Valley Public Library 2023-2027 Strategic Plan as presented.
SUMMARY
F
Y 2021-22 saw the completion of the Simi Valley Library’s 2017-2022 Strategic Plan, which included the following: an intensive community engagement campaign; analysis of statistics and trends from annual reporting to develop a greater understanding of the community’s wants and needs from the Library; and the subsequent development of the Library’s new Strategic Plan for 2023-2027. The new plan consists of four priority areas:
Build Community; Connect and Increase Access; Enhance Services; and Build Awareness, and each of these priorities were developed to support the Library’s continued success and provide ongoing exceptional service to the public. It is recommended that the Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees receive the Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report for FY 2021- 22 and adopt the Simi Valley Public Library 2023-2027 Strategic Plan as presented.
___
_________________________________
Linda Swan
Assistant City Manager
P
repared by: Kelly Tinker, Management Analyst
INDEX Page
E
xhibit 1 – Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report FY2021-22 ..... 5 Exhibit 2 – Simi Valley Public Library 2023-2027 Strategic Plan .... 23 4 ANNUAL REPORT
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
2969 T apo Canyon Rd, Simi Valley, CA 93063 | (805) 526-1735 | simivalleylibrary.org EXHIBIT 1
17a/10-22
5 2
CONTENTS
Letter From the Library Director......................................................................3 Simi Valley By the Numbers...............................................................................5 Strategic Plan Implementation and Capital Projects Updates...................6 Special Projects and Additional Funding.......................................................11 Community Partnerships...................................................................................12 Library Facility.....................................................................................................13 Library Collections.............................................................................................13 Library Events.....................................................................................................14 Contributors........................................................................................................16 Table of
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6 3
Letter from the Library Director
Developing an even deeper
understanding of Simi Valley’s wants
and needs for library service was a
highlight of Fiscal Year 2021-22.
In-depth conversation with our community about your goals and aspirations formed the heart of the Simi Valley Public Library’s 2022-2026 strategic plan. In developing our new plan, we identified service priorities to realize community goals and lead us into the future. Another highlight from the past year is our focus on customer-driven collection development. Residents have numerous ways to suggest a book or other item, resulting in a collection that reflects the people and interests of Simi Valley. A California State Library Zip Books grant enhanced our ability to fulfill your suggestions for physical items and digital purchase suggestions are a popular feature of the CloudLibrary platform.
The City of Simi Valley renewed its relationship with
Library Systems & Services (LS&S) to continue providing full management, staffing and collection development services through 2027. The new contract builds capacity for service through expanded open hours and the addition of an Assistant Director.
We will build on innovative services like ‘Meet [Me] at the Library’ during the coming year. The successful event brought school personnel and families to the Library and nearly 60 students registered for a library card. A new monthly program for adults with developmental disabilities brought fun and specially tailored engaging activities for attendees and caregivers.
The Library continues to be a vital community gathering place.
Simi Valley residents visited the Library for Job and Wellness Fairs, Neighborhood Council meetings, blood drives and Stroke Survivor’s Support Group gatherings. Community members
voted in September and again in June at the Library, and purchased hundreds of boxes of books at Friends of the Library Blowout Sales. We are planning a refresh of the building that will make it a more comfortable gathering place and Simi Valley destination.
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7 4
During the year, the Library experienced excellent recovery from COVID-19 closures and service changes. 55% more teen materials and 56% more adult materials were borrowed compared to the previous year. Children’s materials were borrowed at a 72% higher rate this year! We are pleased to see that the number of readers in the summer program is approaching pre-pandemic levels.
Kelly Behle | Director
55% 56% 72%
MORE TEEN
MATERIALS
BORROWED
MORE ADULT
MATERIALS
BORROWED
MORE CHILDREN'S
MATERIALS
BORROWED
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8 5
Simi Valley Public Library
2,774
3,768
128,680
112,336
33,549
309,132
8,075
53,226
BY THE NUMBERS
SERVICE HOURS
NEW CARD
HOLDERS
WIFI SESSIONS
LIBRARY VISITORS
TOTAL CARD
HOLDERS
PHYSICAL ITEMS
BORROWED
COMPUTER USERS
DIGITAL ITEMS
BORROWED
LIBRARY CARD
LIBRARY
CARD
Data From
FISCAL YEAR
2021-2022
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9 6
Strategic Plan Implementation and
Capital Projects Updates
Making Access Easier
Fiscal Year 2021-2022 saw the completion of the Library’s five-year strategic plan, with notable successes in each of the five priority areas:
Plan service priorities were
Make Access Easier, T ell the Library’s Story, Empower Customer Service, Cultivate Community Creativity, and Support Educational Pursuits.
Laptop Kits: The Library is a key access
point for computers and the internet in
Simi Valley. By offering laptop kits for
checkout (including a wifi hotspot and
power cables!), these resources can now be
used anywhere, not just in the Library.
Mobile Library: Mobile Library outreach
continues to grow through partnerships.
Library staff visited Rancho Simi Recreation
and Park District sites, Simi at the Garden,
and retirement communities.
California State Library Parks Passes: In partnership with the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the California State Library, Simi Valley Public Library began lending free passes to California State Parks in April 2022. Library Parks Passes provide equitable access to state parks, encourage good physical and mental health and support outdoor education. The Library created six hiking kits residents to borrow. Kits include trekking poles, binoculars, maps and other items that will enhance a hike. 17a/10-22
10 7
Telling the Library’s Story
Empowering Customer Service
Street Fairs: In a break from tradition, the city of Simi Valley held two street fairs and staff represented the Library at both events. In Fall 2021, staff in Halloween costumes
handed out candy to early trick-or-treaters. In Spring 2022, Library staff promoted the first in-person Summer Reading Program in two years, sharing activities related to its outdoor camping theme, “Read Beyond the Beaten Path. ”
Attendance at both of these events was strong, and staff met many Library customers who were overjoyed to learn
that the Library was open again.
Zip Books: Through the California State Library’s Zip Books Grant, customers are able to request books through Amazon.com and have them shipped to their homes. When the customer is finished with the book, it is returned to the Library and added to the collection.
Updated Events Calendar: in response to community input during the Strategic Planning process, the Library implemented a more user-friendly events calendar. Customers can view the calendar in a format and date range that suits their needs and use filters that show personally relevant programs. The calendar is easily viewed on mobile devices.
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11 8
Cultivating Community Creativity
Pressbooks Public and Indie Author Project: California State Library-funded Pressbooks Public allows authors to format, design and create their own professional quality print-ready and eBook files for free.
Indie Author Project (IAP) gives local writers the opportunity to submit eBooks for inclusion in the Library’s catalog.
In 2021, the Library held its second annual Community Reads. The book Rising Strong by Brene Brown focused on themes of resilience and perseverance. This book spoke to our collective experience during the pandemic and a community beginning to get back up on its feet and open up again.
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12 9
Supporting Educational Pursuits
Library Unlimited: In 2022, the Library launched a monthly adult adaptive program called Library Unlimited. The event includes reading, interactive activities and tours to increase familiarity with Library staff and resources. Event themes in 2022 were Super-Heroes, Spring Dance Party, Star Wars, and Outdoor Adventures. Seven to twenty people attended each month.
Meet [Me] at the Library: Schools often struggle with transportation to the Library for field trips. Meet [Me] at the Library is a unique program designed to improve the school tour experience. School district personnel with strong rapport with students act as a featured host and tour leader at the Simi Valley Public Library, while Library staff provide craft activities, a game and streamlined card registration for families.
Two Meet Me events held just before the school year ended each brought more than 80 people and resulted in more than 50 Library card registrations.
Left: T ownship Elementary Library T echnician, Julia Hammon, with a student family; Right: Mountain View Elementary Principal, Jennifer Goldman, with a student family. 17a/10-22
13 10
Strategic Planning Process for 2022-2027
The Library hosted seven focus groups to gather ideas and feedback from local business, education and nonprofit leaders, key stakeholders, and Library customers, volunteers and staff. Roughly 400 community members responded to a survey, attended focus groups and participated in individual interviews.
Simi Valley Public Library’s crucial role in the community is evident.
The final plan is both visionary and realistic, and it will guide Library decision-making for the coming five years. Simi Valley residents directly shaped a plan that will support continued Library success and exceptional service to the public.
Development of the 2022-2027 Simi Valley Public Library Strategic Plan was a true community effort.
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Special Projects and Additional Funding
Día de los niños / Día de los libros
The California State Library provided grant funds for Día de los niños / día de los libros festival on May 7, 2022, in addition to program supplies, printing costs of promotional material and approximately 20 multicultural children’s books for the Library’s collection.
Zip Books Grant
SVPL received $4,550 from the California State Library for Zip Books. Since the program’s launch in March, the Library has fulfilled 118 customer purchase requests and added 64 items to the collection. Not only does this program help create a collection that reflects the community’s interests and needs, it also increases access by delivering items directly to customer’s homes. 17a/10-22
15 12
Community Partnerships
Rancho Simi Recreation and Parks District (RSRPD)
This summer, the Library developed a new relationship with Simi Valley Trail Blazers, which provides outdoor and historical education.
This organization helped the Library expand its services beyond its walls by leading an educational hike at Corriganville.
City of Simi Valley Youth Council
City of Simi Valley Youth Council and the
Library hosted a Rock Painting night during
Suicide Prevention month. The program
was held in the Library Rose Garden and
reached approximately 250 people with
positive messaging and support. People of
all ages painted rocks and visited with one
another, celebrating the importance of human
connection.
Youth Employment Services / Simi Valley Chamber
of Commerce
The Library is proud to work alongside the Youth
Employment Services team and the Simi Valley
Chamber of Commerce to bring job opportunities to
Simi Valley residents. On April 23, ,the Library hosted nearly 50 local businesses at a Job and Career Fair.
Visitors had the opportunity to learn about local
businesses and apply for openings.
Kiwanis
The Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley offered inexpensive hot dog lunches during Summer Reading Kickoff on June 4. Club members arrived early in the morning with the locally famous ‘hot dog trailer’ and served lunches to families.
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Library Facility
Library Collections
The Library is a popular location for community events, hosting two Job Fairs, two Wellness Expos, three Blood Drives and two Elections with 11,315 ballots cast during the past year.
A T esla battery system from the California Public Utilities Commission provides backup energy storage. The system provides 20 hours of backup power to ensure the Library can operate uninterrupted as a cooling center. Installation began the first week of October and continued through the end of November.
Cloud Library pay per use (PPU) launched in
March 2022, with over 2,000 items borrowed
during the first year. PPU items are not purchased
by the Library. Instead, an extensive collection
of items are available to Library customers, and
Simi Valley Public Library is charged only when
an item is borrowed. This model is cost effective
and instantly provides more items of immediate
interest to Simi Valley customers.
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17 14
Library Events
Family literacy mini storytimes were held outdoors in the Discovery Garden, four times per week, prior to the return of full-length face to face programs.
The T een Advisory Group met twice per month to discuss the needs of local teens, and middle school students participated in a teen book club. Events for adults included Writer’s Workshops, Meditation Workshops, Adult Craft programs and Senior Fitness programs.
The Yellow Heart
Memorial created a
special opportunity for
those who lost loved
ones to COVID-19
to come together
and share memories.
Congresswoman Julia
Brownley, County
Supervisor Carmen
Ramirez and City
Councilmember Dee Dee
Cavanaugh all attended
the event, with music
by local professional
vocalist Lynzee Fraye.
The Busy Hands Garden
Club provided beautiful
centerpieces, presented
as gifts to each of the
individuals who spoke at
the event.
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After a two year hiatus of the annual Read Across America festival, the Library held a combined Día de los niños/ Día de los libros and Children’s Book Day event in May. Community leaders delighted children with book readings, and a Native American story-teller from Redbird’s Vision shared a tale and talked about the value of stories.
In June, the first fully in-person Summer Reading in two years kicked off with an interactive science storytelling program. The summer theme, Read Beyond the Beaten Path, invited readers of all ages to track summer reading, redeem prizes, attend Library events and get outdoors! Outdoor events included a hike at Corriganville, a Discovery Garden Open House and a Picnic Storytime in the Park. National Park Rangers from Channel Islands spoke about the natural history of the islands and how to enjoy time there.
Children’s Book Day / El dia de los ninos
Ventura County Community College District
Board Member Bernardo Perez
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Contributors
Simi Valley Public Library Board of Trustees
Keith L. Mashburn, Chair
Elaine Litster, Trustee
Mike Judge, Trustee
Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Trustee
Ruth Luevanos, Trustee
The Board of Trustees provides citizen oversight
of Library operations. During this fiscal year,
the Board endorsed entering a 5-year contract
with Library Systems & Services for 2022-2027.
The Board’s commitment to supporting Library
services, planning for the Library’s future and
ensuring the Library’s fiscal health is foundational
to the success of the Library in meeting the needs
of the community.
Library Staff
A team of twenty dedicated staff members provide service to the community seven days per week.
Staff participated in ongoing professional development and training throughout the year. In August, an All Staff Training Day featured local career coach, Camille McKinney, whose interactive presentation taught staff how to utilize emotional intelligence to improve teamwork and customer service. The day-long training covered evacuation drills, first aid, trends in library innovation and digital resources.
Children’s Services staff completed “Storytime Bootcamp” , a comprehensive eight week course on early childhood literacy. Adult Services staff participated in a one-day virtual summit on reinventing library services organized by Library Journal. Staff also took advantage of these training opportunities (partial list):
• Data Literacy for Librarians
• Extreme Customer Service
• Future Thinking Panel
• Media Smart Libraries
• Public Libraries and the Battle against Misinformation • Serving Library Users on the Autism Spectrum
• Storytime Bootcamp
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Friends of the Simi Valley Library
The Friends generously donate funds each year to support the cost of supplies for events. In addition, contributions from the Friends cover the majority of costs for the Hoopla streaming service. The Friends bookstore is open six days a week, conveniently located inside the Library and stocked with gently- used, donated materials. Special events such as Blow Out Book Sales offer materials for purchase at very low prices. Thank you to our dedicated Friends volunteers!
Lisa Trent, President
Claudia Allen
Diane Annis
T eresa DeGagne
Jennifer Frank
Fran Harders
Julia Hammon
Gloria Hasson
Caroline Hucker
Roshni Khiantani
Cathy Meininger
Susan Miller
Gail Rich
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Community Partners
The following organizations were valuable partners during 2021-2022:
AAUW (American Association of University Women )
Art of Living, Purvi Shukl Pathak, Meditation Instructor Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley
Busy Hands Garden Club
Cal Coast Martial Arts
California State University, Channel Islands
City of Simi Valley Public Works
First 5 of Simi Valley/ Moorpark
Homes with Heart Ventura County
Justin Early Learners Academy
Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley
Kopy King
Literazzi
National Park Service, Channel Islands Education
Nora Hayes, Health Educator and CPR Trainer
Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District
READ Ventura County Library Adult Literacy
Redbird's Vision
Regal Medical Group
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Simi at the Garden
Simi Institute for Careers and Education
Simi Valley Arts Alliance
Simi Valley Art Association
Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce
Simi Valley Community Council
Simi Valley Friends of the Library
Simi Valley Police Department
Simi Valley Samaritan Center
Simi Valley Senior Center
Simi Valley Trail Blazers
Simi Valley Unified School District
Simi Valley Youth Council
Simi Valley Youth Employment Service (YES)
Stephanie Hicks, Confidence and Style Coach
and Educator
Strathearn Historical Society
Varenita of Simi Valley
Ventura County Behavioral Health
Ventura County Community College District
Ventura County SCORE
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22 STRATEGIC PLAN
2969 T apo Canyon Rd, Simi Valley, CA 93063 | (805) 526-1735 | simivalleylibrary.org
FIVE YEAR PLAN
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2027
EXHIBIT 2
17b/10-22
23 2
Simi Valley Public Library
PRIORITY AREAS
BUILD
COMMUNITY
ENHANCE
SERVICES
BUILD
AWARENESS
CONNECT
AND
INCREASE
ACCESSBuild a stronger
community through
Library services.
Serve the diverse
community through
excellent library
services.
Benefit the full
community by building
awareness of library
services.
Connect community
members to each other
and to their library.
17b/10-22
24 3
Build Community
Build a stronger community through Library services.
Develop services to
meet local needs
Position library as
partner organization
for job fairs and
career discovery
Launch practical
set of programs and
services designed to
teach new skills
• Research needs of community members and businesses
• Develop plan to address needs and develop partnerships, consider satellite services through partner organizations
• Launch services and assess impact
• Develop partnership with Chamber of Commerce and City services to complement offerings
• Host job discovery fair, where community members learn about potential careers• Host Do-It Fairs for learning hands-on, practical tasks, featuring local experts • Provide unique learning tools for checkout such as STEM kits, digital devices, sports equipment, art kits, and musical instruments
• Offer business and investing related programming
• Create collaborative work area for small business support • Partner with Simi Institute for Careers & Education to cross-promote services Community has access to workforce development
opportunities
Job-seekers are connected to potential employers
Community is equipped to learn new skills
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
TACTICS
TACTICS
TACTICS
GOAL
GOAL
GOAL
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25 4
Connect and Increase Access to Services
Connect community members to each other and to their library.
Update aesthetics,
accessibility, and
functionality of
library building
Serve as a physical
and digital hub for
service providers
Address service
gaps through unique
offerings and
outreach
• Create community connection spaces for informal gathering opportunities • Consider needs of diverse community when developing signage, displays and exhibits
• Reconfigure library layout to allow for more flexible use of space. Consider requested services: small group study rooms, café with gift shop, exhibit space, performance or recording space
• Update and add electrical outlets; provide charging stations throughout building for both casual needs and as a response to community crisis• Develop digital presence for community volunteer opportunity information • Host mixers for businesses and service groups to complement library offerings
• Host informal meet-ups for service providers to discuss needs and goals of organizations
• Offer workshops on civic engagement and community advocacy • Extend hours to include Friday mornings
• Explore expanded service options, including a Mobile Library, holds lockers and book return locations throughout community
• Provide library services through agency partners, explore other opportunities to provide library programs and services outside of the library building.
Library environment is a welcoming and comfortable
destination spot that meets the needs of the modern learner Community service providers coordinate needs and
opportunities
Library services are accessible to full community
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
TACTICS
TACTICS
TACTICS
GOAL
GOAL
GOAL
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26 5
Enhance Services
Serve the diverse community through excellent library services.
Provide programs
for diverse
learners focusing
on multilingual
elements, technology
needs and mental and
physical health
Reimagine programs
to provide social
and community
connection
opportunities
Develop and
maintain collection
based on community
needs and create
engaging displays
• Incorporate multilingual elements into children’s programming • Provide English Conversation groups and connect with appropriate partners • Develop programs to support technology needs of adult population • Coordinate with partners to meet social, developmental, and behavioral health needs of students ages 0 -12 and their caregivers, post pandemic • Provide dedicated Adult Literacy staff, resources and programming • Expand T een Advisory Group
• Engage youth volunteers to contribute to larger community goals • Incorporate social and emotional competencies into teen programming • Make the Library an appealing and safe space for teens via furniture, art, interactive gaming areas, and group study areas
• Develop video gaming area/Virtual Reality for teens, providing unique items for checkout and competitions• Develop marketplace to display popular new items • Enhance the manga, anime, and graphic novel collections for all ages • Enhance the non-English language collection
• Maintain the collection using data analytics and industry best practices All ages are served by library programs
T eens are connected to the community and each other
Library collection is well used and maintained
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
TACTICS
TACTICS
TACTICS
GOAL
GOAL
GOAL
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27 6
Increase access to
technology within
the physical space.
Improve access to
digital offerings
• Raise quality of technology services for patrons, adding services such as:
scanning, express computer use, portable charging stations, gaming, wireless printing and accepting credit card payments
• Evaluate the need for public computer desktop versus mobile devices (laptops/tablets)
• Provide smart tools in study rooms
• Provide tools and programs in order to expose community to innovative technology
• Increase internet speed through broadband
Provide current and reliable technology
OBJECTIVE TACTICS
GOAL
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28 7
Build Awareness
Benefit the full community by building awareness of library services.
Focus marketing
efforts on core
services
Connect with
potential users
through education
networks, outreach
and partnerships
Brand Library
as a community
destination
• Develop tools to welcome new community members to the library • Improve website calendar
• Share images and stories of library users
• Launch electronic newsletter
• Create campaigns to drive usage of services and materials • Increase opportunities for local educators to engage with library services • Develop opportunities and recruit people to participate in volunteering, fundraising, and library advocacy
• T ake library services to where people are with a mobile library, use patron mapping to determine outreach opportunities
• Attend community events and share updates of library services • Connect with new community members in cooperation with business and real estate partners• Provide concerts in the courtyard
• Market Rose Garden as a place to enjoy
• Display local and traveling art displays
• Host large family events quarterly
More Simi Valley residents are aware of Library services New community members are aware of the library and its
services
Community considers the Library as a place to relax and connect with each other
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
TACTICS
TACTICS
TACTICS
GOAL
GOAL
GOAL
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