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01-17-2017 City Council Study Session Packet City of Grand Island Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Study Session Packet City Council: Linna Dee Donaldson Michelle Fitzke Chuck Haase Julie Hehnke Jeremy Jones Vaughn Minton Mitchell Nickerson Mike Paulick Roger Steele Mark Stelk Mayor: Jeremy L. Jensen City Administrator: Marlan Ferguson City Clerk: RaNae Edwards 7:00 PM Council Chambers - City Hall 100 East 1st Street Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 1 / 93 City of Grand Island Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Call to Order This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council. The City of Grand Island abides by the Open Meetings Act in conducting business. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is displayed in the back of this room as required by state law. The City Council may vote to go into Closed Session on any agenda item as allowed by state law. Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call A - SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE ITEMS Individuals who have appropriate items for City Council consideration should complete the Request for Future Agenda Items form located at the Information Booth. If the issue can be handled administratively without Council action, notification will be provided. If the item is scheduled for a meeting or study session, notification of the date will be given. B - RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS This is an opportunity for individuals wishing to provide input on any of tonight's agenda items to reserve time to speak. Please come forward, state your name and address, and the Agenda topic on which you will be speaking. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 2 / 93 City of Grand Island Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Study Session Item -1 Recognition of Life Saving Award to Police Officer’s O’Connor and McFarland Police Chief Robert Falldorf will present the Life Saving Award to Police Officer's Hank McFarland and Andre O'Connor for saving the life of Shawn D. Lehn on November 27, 2016. Congratulations and thank you for your heroic service. Staff Contact: Robert Falldorf, Police Chief Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 3 / 93 January,2017 Officer Hank McFarland Officer Andre O’Connor Grand Island Police Department Officer McFarland and O’Connor, The Grand Island Police Department is honored to present you the Life Saving Award based upon your actions on the early morning of November 27, 2016. A medical call at 1621 Virginia Drive was broadcast at approximately 12:13 a.m. on November 27th and was dispatched as a 45 year old male, not conscious and not breathing. You both responded to the address and arrived before paramedics. Upon arrival McFarland and O’Connor provided CPR (chest compressions) on the male patient, later determined to be Shawn D. Lehn. Captain Hale with the Grand Island Fire Department was also at the scene and praised both Officer McFarland and Officer O’Connor for your actions and advised that you were instrumental in saving Mr. Lehn’s life. Through your actions, treating the patient with CPR, you were able to come to the aid of one of our citizens. We are honored to award you the Life Saving Award for your actions. Sincerely, Robert Falldorf Police Chief Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 4 / 93 City of Grand Island Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Study Session Item -2 Presentation and Discussion Concerning the Grand Island Police Department Staff Contact: Robert Falldorf, Police Chief Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 5 / 93 Council Agenda Memo From:Marlan Ferguson, City Administrator Meeting:January 17, 2017 Subject:Review Grand Island Police Department Operations Review Grand Island Library Presenter(s):Police Chief Robert Falldorf Library Director Steve Fosselman Background During the budget process for the 2017 Fiscal Year Budget much discussion was held concerning future budgets and sustainability. The Mayor and City Council have determined to have a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2018. In order to accomplish that goal there will need to be some tough decisions made. Currently the City’s expenditures in the general fund are growing at a faster rate than the revenues in the General Fund. This is the result of a number of events, including becoming an MSA community which causes salaries to increase substantially by way of comparing to a different array of Cities. At the same time the City made the decision after a recommendation from a Public Safety Study completed by the ICMA; to increase the number of police officers and support staff in the police department by 17 FTE since 2012. In the FY 2017 Budget 62% of the expenditures in the General Fund is for the Public Safety Departments. In addition 77% of the expenditures are for personnel costs. It is the administrations intent to review each department’s operational activities to determine the level of service provided versus the cost of service. We will also have a presentation on the Grand Island Library. Discussion Tonight’s study session is for the purpose of discussing and reviewing the Grand Island Police Department. We want the City Council to have a good understanding of the current operating procedures in order to identify potential cost savings and what level of service is most desirable and at what cost. Chief Falldorf will provide details on the history, crime rates, department structure, operating budget, and future demands. The Grand Island Library Director Steve Fosselman will make a presentation on a proposed renovation project as well as operations and current events at the Library. Conclusion This item is presented to the City Council in a Study Session to allow for any questions to be answered and to create a greater understanding of the GIPD and Library. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 6 / 93 1 Grand Island Police Department History of GIPD April 1877 Grand Island Police Department was formed. June 1969 Police Department moved from City Hall to Old Central Chevrolet Company on E. 2nd Street. July 1978 Police Department moved from Old Central Chevrolet Company to Public Safety Center on S. Locust Street. January 2008 Police Department moved from Public Safety Center to Law Enforcement Center on Public Safety Drive. Personnel (109 Total, 107.96 FTE authorized) Chief of Police (1) Administration Division (sworn): Captain (1), Sergeants (2), Officers (1) Administration Division (civilian): Custodian (1FT, 2PT), Office Manager (1), Records Clerk (6), Victim Witness (2) Patrol Division (sworn): Captain (1), Sergeants (10), Officers (55)* Patrol Division (civilian): Crime Analyst (1), Community Service Officers (4FT, 4PT)* Criminal Division (sworn): Captain (1), Sergeants (2), Officers (11) Criminal Division (civilian): Evidence Tech (2), Records Clerk (1) *2 Police Officer positions froze FY 2017 and 1 part time Community Service Officer position froze FY 2017 Historical FTE’S Sworn Civilian 2003 75 16.41 2004 75 17.04 Add 1.0 Victim Assistance Coordinator, Subtract .37 Community Service Officer 2005 75 18.09 Add 2.006 Community Service Officer, Subtract .96 School Crossing Guard 2006 75 18.09 2007 75 18.34 Add 1.0 Evidence Tech, Subtract .75 Community Service Officer 2008 75 19.69 Add 1.0 Custodian and .35 School Crossing Guard 2009 75 20.94 Add 1.25 Custodian 2010 79 20.94 Add 4.0 Police Officers, 3 of the 4 were funded under 3 year Federal COPS Grant 2011 77 14.38 Subtract 2.0 Police Officers, .63 Community Service Officers, 1.38 Records Clerks, and 4.55 School Crossing Guard). Program Prioritization. 2012 77 13.76 Subtract .625 Police Records Clerk. ICMA Study presented. 2013 82 17.76 Add 5.0 Police Officers, 2.0 Community Service Officers, 1.0 Crime Analyst, Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 7 / 93 2 and 1.0 Records Clerk, 3 of the 5 Police Officers were funded under 3 year Federal COPS Grant. ICMA Study. 2014 87 19.76 Add 5.0 Police Officers and 2.0 Community Service Officers. ICMA Study. 2015 87 20.96 2016 87 20.46 Add 1.0 Evidence Tech and .20 Victim Witness Advocate. ICMA Study. 2017 86 20.46 Subtract 1.0 Police Officer and .50 Community Service Officer. 2017* 85 20.46 We currently have one additional vacant Police Officer position that we are leaving unfilled at this time *As of December, 2016. Officers Per 1,000 Residents United States 2.3 Nebraska 1.96 Grand Island 1.68 Sioux City, IA 1.5 St Joseph, MO 1.62 Lawrence, KS 1.53 Ames, IA 0.81 Cheyenne, WY 1.62 Iowa City, IA 1.10 Jefferson City, MO 2.06 Rapid City, SD 1.67 Source: Crime in the United States 2015 https://ucr.fbi.gov and individual agencies. Grand Island Population 2000 42,940* 2010 48,520* 2015 51,440** 2025 57,173*** 2030 60,387*** 2035 63,782*** 2040 67,368*** *Actual U.S. Census numbers. **U.S. Census estimate. ***Journey 2040 estimates. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 8 / 93 3 Budget Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 9 / 93 4 Patrol Division Patrol Captain (1) Special Operations Sergeants – one each day and night shifts (4) Patrol Sergeants – one per shift (6) Officers – sworn personnel currently assigned (42) 2 Day Shifts – each with 8 officers & 2 sergeants <<short 2 officers>> Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 10 / 93 5 2 Overlap shifts – each with 6 officers & 1 sergeant (includes K9s) <<short 1 officer>> 2 Night shifts – each with 8 officers & 2 sergeants <<short 3 officers,2 are unfilled positions FY2017>> Community Service Officers (CSOs) Civilian employees 4 – full time CSOs & 3 – part time CSOs 1 – part time civilian (runs the impound & found property) Vehicles towed to impound – department wide 2016 – 859; 2015 – 839; 2014 – 845; 2013 – 732 Code violation reports started by CSOs 2016 – 4461; 2015- 5247; 2014 – 6082; 2013 – 3586 5 - School Resource Officers – sworn officers 50% funded by Grand Island Public Schools 2 – Grand Island Senior High & Success Academy 1 – Walnut Middle School 1 – Barr Middle School 1 – Westridge Middle School & Skills Academy They also work with all GIPS Elementary Schools. 4 work with patrol and 1 works with CID during the summer New Officers in training (FTO program or at NLETC); (4) Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Officer; (1) = $50,000 funded by HUD annually Crime Prevention Officers – sworn officers; (2) Cyber Crime Investigator – sworn officer (1) Crime Analyst – civilian position (1) K9 Units - 1 assigned to each overlap road patrol shift (2) 254 Dog deployments since Jan. 1, 2014 (average 1.6 deployments per week) Officers have specialty training related to patrol. -Intermediate & Advanced Accident Investigations -Bike patrol -Child Abuse Investigations -Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) -Gangs -Emergency Vehicle Operator Instructors -Radar / Lidar Instructors -Numerous other specialty trainings, certifications, or are instructors Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 11 / 93 6 Administration Division -Administration and support of police functions -Budgeting and grants -Records and Service Desk -Training, Recruiting, Hiring, and Retention -Victim / Witness Services -Building Maintenance -Fleet Services Administrative Division Staff: Administrative Captain 2 - Sergeants- Fleet and Training 1 - Training Officer 1 - Office Manager 6 - Records Clerks (ICMA recommended 1 additional FTE-requested & denied.) 2 - Victim / Witness Advocates 1 - Full-time Building Maintenance employee 2 - Part-time custodians Training and Hiring Division: Sergeant (1) and Training Officer (1) Hiring = Recruiting; Testing and Interviews; Background Investigations (30-50 hours per candidate); Civil Service, State Statute, and Title 79 Hiring Compliance; Orientation, Field Training, and Oversight; 21 Officers hired since the start of 2013 Training = $42,000 budget ($388.88 per employee) Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 12 / 93 7 State Law Title 79 Training Requirements = *20 Hours of Continue Education annual requirement (1740 hours away from operations annually training received; 406 Instructional hours away from operations annually); Annual Firearms recertification §1983 Liability issues Records Division: Separation of duties; The Records Division is divided in to two (2) areas, One Office/Records Manager, Front Desk Clerks, Records Management Clerks Office Manager: Responsibility to hire, train & supervise six (6) Full Time Record Clerk Positions; Provides administrative support to the Police Chief and command staff; Accounts Payable and Receivable; Purchasing and Procurement; Grant account balancing; Payroll entry, review and approvals. Front Desk Clerks: Customer Service; Currently staffed with three (3) Record Clerks; Handle all walk in traffic at Law Enforcement Center; Responsible for answering 12 line phone system; Effectively relay messages to GIPD staff; All public record report requests; Input and tracking of all impounded vehicles, records, letters and titles; Input Parking and Traffic Records; Firearm application requests and background checks, solicitor permits, code enforcement letters, real estate liens, and Scoff Law violations. Records Management: Three (3) Record Clerks; Enter all traffic warnings & citations in to the RMS; Prepare Police Reports & Traffic Citations for prosecution to City or County Attorney; Review & audit Police Reports for accurate UCR / NIBRS coding; Maintain records and case files as required by State Statute; 34,000 to 39,000 incident reports annually Fleet Services: Fleet Sergeant (also supervises Community Service Officers); 65 Vehicle Fleet; 18 total alternately funded fleet vehicles (3 Units Asset Reallocation; 3 Units Impound Forfeiture; 1 Unit Drug Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 13 / 93 8 Seizure; 8 Units retained after patrol rotation (trickle down); 3 Federal Funded Leases); 13 Specialty vehicles or assigned to satellite locations Fleet Cost and Rotation: Patrol Units “hot seated”: -Less than 1 year: $ .10 per mile average cost -Year 1: $.18 per mile average cost -Year 2: $.19 per mile average cost -Year 3: $.51 per mile average cost -More than 3 years: $1.14 per mile average cost Building Maintenance: Responsible for approximately 44,000 square foot building; Building and Sanitary Supplies; Landscaping and rear yard maintenance; HVAC, Water, Security, Electrical Maintenance and Repair; Equipment and Furniture Purchase and Installation; General Cleaning Duties; Supervision of 2 Part-time Custodians Victim Witness Unit: 1 Victim Witness Coordinator; 1 Victim Witness Advocate (VOCA Grant Funded $95,907 w/City Match $23,977) Responsibilities include: Review reports to identify victims; Liaison between victims and criminal justice system; Track case status, provide court support, notify victims, and refer services throughout the process; Maintain statistical data and submit funding requests; Promote victims’ rights and services Benefit to Community = 854 individuals received services in 2015; 233 were victims of more than 1 crime Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Criminal Division Duties: -General Investigations -Child Abuse Investigations -Drug Task Force -Evidence Section -Pawn and 2nd Hand Good Stores Investigations -Law Enforcement Center Surveillance System -Social Media -Liaison with outside agencies -South Central Alliance for Law Enforcement Services (SCALES) -Hall County Inmate Messages -Liquor License Investigations -Adult Abuse Investigations -Cell Phone Account Management Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 14 / 93 9 Criminal Division Personnel: CID Captain 2 - Sergeants- General Investigations & Drug Task Force 5 - General Investigators 3 - Drug Task Force Investigators 2 - Child Abuse Investigators 1 - Evidence and Property Investigator 2 - Civilian Evidence Technicians 1 - Records Clerk shared between CID & Drug Task Force General Investigations: -Criminal Investigations outside of the Uniformed Patrol Division which generally work major or high profile cases or crimes which involve extended time requirements or where specialized work is needed. -Cases are assigned based upon severity and existence of some avenue of investigation, no matter how small. 518 cases assigned in 2016, 397 were cleared. Clearance rate of 77% Child Abuse Investigations: Criminal investigations of child abuse cases generated within the department or from the State Child Abuse Hotline. -Investigations required by statute. -Multi-Disciplinary Protocol from LB1184 -Work extensively with outside agencies – Department of Health and Human Services, Child Advocacy Center, and Grand Island Public Schools. -GIPD had 845 child abuse intakes in 2016. -288 child abuse investigations. 118 of those investigations were by CID. Central Nebraska Drug & Safe Streets Task Force: FBI sponsored Task Force consisting of several State, Municipal, County, and Federal Agencies in Central Nebraska. NSP / GIPD are major contributors of manpower to this Task Force. Crimes involving controlled substances, weapons, and gang activity. -50 federal drug related indictments -115 drug related state arrests -88 non drug arrests - $62,000 of property seized -$73,739.11 money seized -31 lbs. of methamphetamine seized Evidence: Handles the receipt, processing, storing and purging of all evidence brought in by the Police Department and Task force. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 15 / 93 10 Process, store, disseminate and purge all photographic and video evidence for the department including surveillance video, evidence photographs, officer’s dash camera footage and recorded audio and video from our 8 interview rooms. -6,423 items of evidence processed in 2016 (3,376 incoming, 3,047 outgoing) -1,787 requests for still photos/video Pawn & 2nd Hand Goods Stores: Leads Online used to monitor property sold to our pawn shops and second hand goods stores. Transactions must be monitored for accuracy and stolen items. When a stolen item is pawned or sold the investigation is assigned to a General Investigator. -Of the thousands of items sold in 2016, 469 were flagged as possibly stolen. -21 criminal investigations were started as a result. LEC Surveillance System: The 32 camera system inside and outside of the Law Enforcement Center is maintained by the Criminal Investigations Division. -Includes 8 interview rooms. -342 interviews were conducted in 2016. Social Media Management: Supervises several Social Media Administrators and handles all criminal intelligence surveys that go out; 162 Facebook posts made in 2016; 174 private messages received in 2016; currently, more than 10,500 people have “liked” the GIPD Facebook page. Liaison with Outside Agencies: The Criminal Division is the contact point for outside agencies that have investigations that overlap or involve the City of Grand Island. These investigations typically involve suspects who travel outside the jurisdiction to commit crimes. SCALES - South Central Alliance for Law Enforcement Services: Members of the Criminal Division are also members of SCALES. This group is comprised of numerous agencies around south central Nebraska who share intelligence and investigative manpower when the need arises. Inmate Messages: Unofficially known as “kites” by inmates. They are made up of a variety of grievances, filing criminal complaints, inquiring about property or evidence that might belong to them, and offering intelligence about other crimes. Filtered by a Criminal Division Supervisor and assigned to an investigator as needed. 134 Kites handled in 2016 Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 16 / 93 11 Liquor License Investigations: The general Criminal Division Sergeant handles liquor license background investigations but can, if needed, assign them to an investigator. Particularly time consuming. Twenty- four liquor license investigations conducted in 2016. Adult Abuse Investigations: Investigations of criminal complaints of adult abuse. Generally generated through the Abuse Hotline and are done in conjunction with the State DHHS. These investigations are increasing substantially with the aging baby boomer population. Cell Phone Account Management: The department issues several cell phones to key officers. The management of these phones includes number porting, phone replacement, and activating and deactivating lines. There are 21 phones currently on the GIPD account. Additional Duties: -Nation Crime Information Center (NCIC) Validations; average 60 per month -Department subpoenas; average 40 per month -Nebraska Fusion Information Network (NFIN) entries -Crime Stoppers tips; 80 Crime Stoppers tips received in 2016 The National Citizen Survey 2011-Revisited *Survey conducted by International City/County Management Association (ICMA) -Overall image or reputation of Grand Island: 39% responded fair and 28% responded poor. -To what degree are run-down buildings, weed lots, or junk vehicles a problem in Grand Island: 43% responded moderate problem and 28% responded major problem. -Rate how safe or unsafe you feel from violent crime in Grand Island: 24% responded somewhat unsafe and 17% responded very unsafe. -Rate how safe or unsafe you feel from property crime in Grand Island: 40% responded somewhat unsafe and 19% responded very unsafe. -Rate how safe or unsafe you feel in your neighborhood after dark: 21% responded somewhat unsafe and 4% responded very unsafe. -Rate how safe or unsafe you feel in downtown area after dark: 38% responded somewhat unsafe and 26% responded very unsafe. Police Operations and Data Analysis 2012-Revisited * A review of the operations of the Grand Island Police Department by the ICMA with a particular focus on workload and appropriate staffing. Crime Rate in Grand Island is high: Violent Crime Rate is 25.4% higher than state rate. Property Crime Rate is 79% higher than state rate. FBI UCR Crime Program: 9 top populated cities in Nebraska reviewed (Grand Island 4th largest). Grand Island ranks 3rd in Violent Crime Rate and 1st in Property Crime Rate. Combining these two Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 17 / 93 12 classifications is called the Serious Crime Rate, of which Grand Island again ranks 1st. Grand Island’s rate of serious crime is 79% higher than the state and 63% higher than the national rate. Consultants: Grand Island has indicators of Social Disorder. Several criminal gangs exist and their activity is a concern. Grand Island has a prime geographic location for moving drugs through. Grand Island has a rapidly diversifying population, with energy and culture to community being tremendous but this can also lead to cultures not always comporting to existing laws and norms of the community. The Grand Island Police Department is a highly professional, well-managed police agency. Workload Analysis-Rule of 60 The ratio of dedicated time compared to discretionary time is referred to as the “Saturation Index (SI)”. Patrol staffing is optimally deployed when the SI is below 60%. At or in excess of 60% then patrol is largely reactive and overburdened with calls for service. Months of February 2011 and August 2011 were studied: At critical and extended times during the day the 60 % SI is passed and in all likelihood proactive patrol ceases. This is not desirable from a police personnel deployment perspective, and it is recommended that steps be taken to alleviate this condition. ICMA recommendation to increase from forty-two officers assigned to patrol to fifty-two officers assigned to patrol to appropriately balance the department in order to have sufficient staffing for both patrol and other enforcement purposes. Other Impacts of the ICMA Study Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 18 / 93 13 Concerns Moving Forward: -ICMA set recommended minimum staffing. -Property Crime Rates and Violent Crime Rates may continue to rise if we move back to reactive policing. -Increasing population/diversity. -Grand Island Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (GIAMPO) Goals include: Increasing the safety of the Transportation System (ranked #2 goal). Increasing the security of the Transportation System (ranked #3 goal). Cost Recovery Issues and Options: -Police Departments don’t generally provide many revenue generating services. -Fees are pretty much set at comparable standards across the profession. -Grants/Interlocal Agreements. -Airport Security. Grand Island Police Department Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 19 / 93 City of Grand Island Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Study Session Item -3 Presentation and Discussion Concerning the Grand Island Public Library Staff Contact: Steve Fosselman, Library Director Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 20 / 93 Council Agenda Memo From:Steve Fosselman, Library Director Meeting:January 17, 2017 Subject:Presentation and Discussion Concerning the Grand Island Public Library Presenter(s):Steve Fosselman, Library Director and Alan Lepler, President, Library Board of Trustees Background The long range plans of the Grand Island Public Library have been incorporated into a process called GILIBRARY 2020. Past documentation provided to Council is attached with annual progress indicated. In 2015 our planning process was dovetailed with the Grow Grand Island initiative. Our library services touch upon all five of the Grow Grand Island pillars and 17 ways in which our community’s needs through Grow Grand Island and our library’s response through GILIBRARY 2020 most intersect. Discussion At its January 23, 2017 meeting, the Grand Island Public Library board of trustees will be approving a 2016 GILIBRARY 2020 progress report. Items for consideration will be shared with Council at this study session, along with the library’s progress toward a facilities master plan to be chiefly financed by donations in the 295 Special Projects fund. Staffing, budget and library usage patterns will also be highlighted. Conclusion This item is presented to the City Council in a Study Session to allow for any questions to be answered and to create a greater understanding of the Grand Island Public Library. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 21 / 93 1 GILIBRARY 2020 a report of the Grand Island Public Library long range planning progress to the Grand Island City Council as approved by Grand Island Public Library Board of Trustees May 20, 2013 Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 22 / 93 2 I. Library Board in City Government & Community The Grand Island Public Library board of trustees derives its authority to represent the library to our community from Chapter 19 of our city code. Here are a few segments of city code: The library board shall consist of seven members, to be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. The members shall be residents of the city of Grand Island. Neither the mayor nor any member of the city council shall be a member of the Library Board. Terms of office shall be a four (4) year period, with board positions terminating on June 30 of the year their respective term expires. Among its powers are to establish regulations for the government of such library as may be deemed necessary for its preservation and to maintain its usefulness and efficiency and to exercise such power as may be necessary to carry out the spirit and intent of Neb. Rev. Stat. §51-201 through §51-219 and to carry out the provisions of this chapter in establishing and maintaining the public library. II. GILIBRARY 2020 Planning Cycle Various ongoing planning cycles have been in place at the Grand Island Public Library since before 1990. We consider this to be a continuous process with periodic refocusing efforts. Since 2011 we’ve been involved in GILIBRARY 2020. We appointed a citizen committee that met several times, making a recommendation for action that was approved a little over a year ago. Since then we have used GILIBRARY 2020 to produce our current fiscal year strategic plan and to develop long range strategic planning initiatives. This is a good time for us to update you on our process as we look into the future of the library by the year 2020. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 23 / 93 3 III. Planning Committee Work A. 2010 Census Part of the planning committee’s work centered around learning about our wonderfully unique community. We took a good look at the 2010 census data noting an increasingly diverse population with very diverse patterns for those under 18 years of age. Examples: • 28% are under 18 years old o Of those, 40% are Hispanic or Latino (of any race) • 13% are 65 or older • 27% of our total population are Hispanic or Latino (of any race) o 42% of Hispanic or Latino (of any race) are under 18 B. 2011 National Citizen Survey We were able to glean valuable information from this analysis done by the city pertaining to the: • High percentage of citizens making use of library services and their perception of our services • Need for additional opportunities to attend cultural activities • Need for enhanced sense of community • Need for enhanced openness and acceptance of the community towards people of diverse backgrounds • Need for enhancement of Grand Island as a place to raise children and for services to youth • Need for enhancement of Grand Island as a place to retire • Need for enhanced opportunities to participate in social events and activities • Need for enhanced reputation of Grand Island and rating of city services Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 24 / 93 4 C. Additional Measures We are different from other communities in a variety of ways, including: • Our percentage of college degreed adults o Hall County’s population 25+ years of age with a 4-year college degree or higher lags behind other counties • The needs of our youth o The “2010 Kids Count Data Book” for Nebraska indicated Hall County’s conditions related to poverty and basic living needs • And “County Health Rankings” for Nebraska noted significant needs in our county related to various health outcomes and factors D. Applications for Future Library Service Committee-inspired possibilities for future library services arose during discussions and were offered to us for our consideration. These were phrased in a “What If” format as in “What if the Discovery Center became Grand Island’s Children’s Museum?” and “What if every child REALLY entered school ready to read and learn?” Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 25 / 93 5 IV. Components of GILIBRARY 2020 Plan A. Mission Statement The Grand Island Public Library is the gateway for the people of our diverse community to achieve a lifetime of learning and literacy. B. Guiding Principles 1) Our Library as a Learning Center Facilitating Learning for All. Library users’ definitions of learning vary widely. For some, it is to study, for others to experience. Grand Island citizens learn through imagination, information, knowledge, curiosity, leisure, observation, serendipity, research, teamwork, fun, collaboration, stumbling upon, head, heart, gut, facts, opinions, absorbing, wisdom, attainment, opportunity, discovery, understanding, history, living in the moment, envisioning, diversity, community, and of course reading. Such definitions share attributes of joy of discovery and attainment of knowledge, and come to life in many of the library’s goals that relate directly to learning. Fostering Literacy in All its Forms. Our library’s role in literacy will always relate to our community’s need for citizens who can read and write. In addition, our library is essential in computer literacy, information literacy, visual literacy, health literacy, financial literacy, global literacy, multilingual literacy, cultural literacy and so many other 21st century skills that equate with successfully deciphering and making successful use of that which is deciphered. Providing Access to All Types of Materials, Information, Programming and Spaces. The library goes far beyond often-noted book checkout and story hour activities. We are uniquely qualified to assemble and provide an ever-increasing variety of “containers” the people of our community make use of to learn and grow throughout their lives. Among these containers are books, audios, videos, databases, digitized resources, eBooks and magazines, social media, library staff assisting users with information needs, and computer and mobile device use to access library information and databases. Literacy and learning enrichment can be accessed through the containers of library programming for children, teens and adults. And learning and literacy are assured through the very spaces within the Edith Abbott Memorial Library, out in the community through mobile outreach, online at our Internet branch, and through other present and future physical and virtual means. 2) Our Library as a Community Center Responding to Community Demographics. We live in a wonderful, unique community that is increasingly diverse and has needs that can and should be met through library materials, information services and programming. This includes ensuring service to all cultures, age groups, education or economic levels, locations in this city’s spreading geographic footprint, and obstacles of access to our services. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 26 / 93 6 Engaging in Community Development. At the same time we provide a distinct learning and literacy service, we also serve as a central gathering place for our community and a broader community betterment function including economic development, formal and informal educational partnerships, and community solution-finding with a variety of helping agencies. Enhancing City Government. The Library most directly touches on quality of life within city government’s priorities but also impacts stewardship, safe community and strategic development results desired by our city. And in examination of the National Citizen Survey conducted by the City of Grand Island in 2011, a very high percentage of citizens make use of library services and have a positive perception of our services. This survey also highlighted our community’s needs for additional or enhanced opportunities to attend cultural activities, sense of community, openness and acceptance of the community towards people of diverse backgrounds, Grand Island as a place to raise children and for services to youth as well as a place to retire, participation in social events and activities, reputation of Grand Island and rating of city services. Through effective library planning, much can be accomplished to meet these community needs as a valued component of city government. Practicing Democracy in Action. An informed citizenry and democracy have been equated with the American public library from this nation’s infancy. Nebraska State Statutes proclaim “that public libraries perform services which are vitally important for the maintenance of an educated and democratic society, including, but not limited to, providing information which stimulates thought, awareness, and involvement in issues of public interest and providing avenues for intellectual and cultural growth and enjoyment.” Our public library embraces democracy in action through our long- standing tradition of free services to community residents, equitable access to materials, protection of the privacy of citizens’ use of library materials and information resources, and the freedom to make use of the library without censorship. 3) Our Library as a Learning Organization Strategic planning is one of many ways our Library learns and grows as an organization in support of our mission. Other ways include but are not limited to: Putting Principles into Action. Through free and equal access to informational, educational, and recreational resources and services, our Library’s mission embodies the very significant role the public library plays in providing services to the entire community - one of active, pivotal participation in responding to community-wide needs. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 27 / 93 7 C. Library Service Goals [distinguished between Core and Supportive, each alphabetized by Service Response] Core Goal Service Response Statement Residents will have information to support and promote democracy, to fulfill their civic responsibilities at the local, state, and national levels, and to fully participate in community decision making. BE AN INFORMED CITIZEN: Local, National, and World Affairs Residents will have high-speed and mobile access to the digital world to ensure that everyone can take advantage of the ever-growing electronic resources and services available through the Library. CONNECT TO THE ONLINE WORLD: Public Internet Access Children from birth to age five will have programs and services designed to ensure that they will enter school ready to learn to read, write, and listen. CREATE YOUNG READERS: Early Literacy Residents will have someone to answer their questions on a wide array of topics of personal interest. GET FACTS FAST: Ready Reference Residents will have a central source for information about the wide variety of programs, services, and activities provided by community agencies and organizations. KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY: Community Resources and Services Adults and teens will have support to improve their literacy skills in order to meet their personal goals and fulfill their responsibilities as parents, citizens, and workers. LEARN TO READ AND WRITE: Adult, Teen, and Family Literacy Residents will have resources to identify and analyze risks, benefits, and alternatives before making decisions that affect their lives. MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS: Health, Wealth, and Other Life Choices Residents will have resources they need to explore topics of personal interest and to continue to learn throughout their lives. SATISFY CURIOSITY: Lifelong Learning Residents will find materials to enhance their leisure time and will have help to make choices from among the options. STIMULATE IMAGINATION: Reading, Viewing and Listening for Pleasure Students will have resources to succeed in school. SUCCEED IN SCHOOL: Homework Help Residents will know when they need information to resolve an issue or answer a question and will have the skills to search for, locate, evaluate, and effectively use information to meet their needs. UNDERSTAND HOW TO FIND, EVALUATE, AND USE INFORMATION: Information Fluency Residents will have safe and welcoming physical places to meet and interact with others or to sit quietly and read and will have open and accessible virtual spaces that support social networking. VISIT A COMFORTABLE PLACE: Physical and Virtual Spaces Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 28 / 93 8 Supportive Goal Service Response Statement Business owners and nonprofit organization directors and their managers will have tools to develop and maintain strong, viable organizations. BUILD SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISES: Business and Nonprofit Support Residents will have programs and services that promote appreciation and understanding of their personal heritage and the heritage of others in the community. CELEBRATE DIVERSITY: Cultural Awareness Residents and visitors will have resources to connect the past with the present through their family histories and to understand the history and traditions of the community. DISCOVER YOUR ROOTS: Genealogy and Local History Residents will have services and support to express themselves by creating original print, video, audio, or visual content in a real world or online environment. EXPRESS CREATIVITY: Create and Share Content Adults and teens will have skills and resources to identify career opportunities that suit their individual strengths and interests. MAKE CAREER CHOICES: Job and Career Development New immigrants will have information on citizenship, English Language Learning (ELL), employment, public schooling, health and safety, available social services, and any other topics that they need to participate successfully in American life. WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES: Services for New Immigrants Our Library strives to fulfill our mission and guiding principles by concentrating on these core goals and by learning how to better serve Grand Island through these supportive goals. D. Targeted Strategic Planning Initiatives by the Year 2020 (subject to revision) 1. Early Literacy Discovery Center in Children’s Section fully serving as Grand Island’s literacy-based Children’s Museum 2. More concentrated efforts and partnerships to ensure that all children are ready to read and learn by the time they enter school, and that library services match their needs as students Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 29 / 93 9 3. Enhancement of library technology integration and efficiencies, as well as additional training opportunities for staff and public 4. Thorough analysis of current and emerging physical and electronic collection usage, programming opportunities, patron card usage, community demographics and various partnerships to match this diverse community’s learning and literacy needs 5. Strengthening delivery of Library services relevant to community needs as expressed in National Citizen Survey for Grand Island 6. Reshaping Reference Area and other spaces to delineate specific Library Learning Center areas and expansion of Teen Area space 7. Improvements to meeting room spaces and technologies including expansion of videoconferencing capabilities for community distance learning 8. Expansion of programming opportunities for civic discourse, community building and a more informed citizenry in our democracy 9. Resumption of mobile outreach to our youngest and eldest within Grand Island and better means of transportation to the Library 10. Determination of need for Library branches/outlets and expanded Internet Branch 11. Determination of ability to provide tax-based Library services outside of Grand Island 12. Expansion of public information about Library services and their value Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 30 / 93 10 V. Next Steps To accomplish these strategic planning initiatives, we continue cycling through our planning process. Our board meetings include action items and discussion items. With the help of our library director we will be thoroughly researching, discussing and determining how to accomplish each initiative, we’ll phase each one in between now and 2020, we’ll work with our director and city administration/council on staffing and funding needs, and we’ll ratify our plans on an annual basis in accordance with city council approved staffing and funding budgets. To provide the GILIBRARY 2020 plan with a solid foundation for the benefit of our community’s citizens, we have started discussions of two important budgetary needs: 1) Staffing – filling the vacant Library Assistant Director position and providing additional after- school staffing for assistance to youth. This will have an impact on the city’s general fund budget. 2) Building Space Modifications – the Edith Abbott Memorial Library was especially designed to accommodate modifications as needs change and evolve. Several strategic planning initiatives may involve some modifications to better serve our patrons through use of donated funds. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 31 / 93 HELPING BUILD A STRONG COMMUNITY 12 WAYS @ YOUR LIBRARY GILIBRARY 2020 2014 Progress Report moving forward as this diverse community’s gateway for a lifetime of learning and literacy Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 32 / 93 2 The joy of lifelong learning and literacy starts soon aŌer birth in our Discovery Center. This area serves as Grand Island’s literacy- based Children’s Museum with interacƟve staƟons for children and parents to playfully learn essenƟal pre-literacy skills and pracƟces. Thousands of delighƞul picture books and sturdy board books along with CDs and videos are located in the discovery center to spur children’s imaginaƟons as they go from staƟon to staƟon: Forming and repeaƟng leƩers, words, stories and play-acƟon with string-drawn eggs, spinning pictures, P is for Puppet and other interacƟves Singing simple rhymes while pulling dancing ﬁgures up and down or spinning the clock Taking their turns with the ABC Whirligig Making themselves at home with kitchen, garden, dress-up dream wardrobe and tool bench CompuƟng away at toddler staƟons with fun educaƟonal soŌware And so much more! In 2014 new hands on staƟons were added for kids— chalk table, art table, & hands on science. 2014 was also a growing year for the Discovery Center’s updated ParenTALK secƟon, ensuring reliable resources for our parents and caregivers. As their schedules allow, library staff members provide tours and one-on- one consultaƟon to children and parents in the most effecƟve ways to enjoy the Discovery Center. With the help of our library’s new “0-5” focus group along with more community partnerships and growing use of our Discovery Center, preschool programming and services have expanded in keeping with our goal that every child enters school ready to read. AddiƟons to our programming include a rotaƟng schedule of Saturday sessions each month — Paws to Read StoryƟme (week one), Stories and CraŌs (week two), Hot Cocoa en la Manana in partnership with the MulƟcultural CoaliƟon (week three) and I Got Rhythm...SING, READ, and DANCE (week four). Building up our Discovery Center / literacy-based Children’s Museum Getting kids ready to read, and supporting them as students 1,000 board books 13,000 picture books 3,300 children’s DVDs & CDs 800 ParenTALK resources and much more to check out! FYI: This report has the highlights, come to the library for the full story! Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 33 / 93 3 These new Saturday programs ﬁt in well with our standard weekday offerings — Monday morning Play and Read Lapsit for children ages 1-2 years, Tuesday morning Rock and Read Baby Lapsit for kids from birth to age 2, Tuesday evening Family (Pajama Time) Story Hour for all kids, and Wednesday morning Ready to Read story Ɵme for children ages 3 to 5 years. Through books, music, craŌs, educaƟonal toys, and lots of FUN, we use the American Library AssociaƟon's Every Child Ready to Read iniƟaƟve. We encourage parents and caregivers to talk, sing, read, write, and play with their children and promote early childhood literacy. Special preschool programs throughout the year begin in January with our Bear Fair. Six fun sessions center around Bear Tales and emphasize your child’s health and safety with Bearobics and other staƟons for kids, their teddy bears and stuffed animals. Outreach to community events for young children also puts us in contact with many parents who might not know about our services while their liƩle ones are enjoying library craŌs. In 2014, our library began working with community agencies on a state early childhood Sixpence program. We’re also more involved with social service professionals who meet with parents and children at the library to take advantage of our resources. We again partnered with ESU 10 to conduct an Every Child Ready to Read workshop for parents, educators and caregivers. Our partnership with United Way’s Born Learning iniƟaƟve conƟnues and in 2014 we helped establish their four-county Dolly Parton ImaginaƟon Library program. Our work with youth conƟnues as they become students with out-of-school programming and services designed to conƟnue the fun of literacy and learning. Summer Reading 2014 was all about that “Fizz, Boom, Read” for 2,000 grade school kids enrolled to read. Many others joined them for the fun daily acƟviƟes that included professional performers, wriƟng and book clubs, craŌs, and weekly reading enrichment club. Other special programming during the year for grade-schoolers included our annual Edith AbboƩ birthday tea, school break programming, literacy days and other acƟviƟes. We also expanded to two 6-week sessions of our bilingual Prime Time Family Reading Time. Such programming ensures that our library conƟnues to develop its services to meet the needs of this increasingly diverse community. FYI: “More than half of Hall [County] kids under age 5 at risk educationally” - 11/2/2014 Grand Island Independent. Our library services help get children ready to read and eager to learn! 155 Preschool Story Times — 3,500 70 Summer Reading Activities — 5,000 75 Outreach and Other Activities—11,000 Total 300 Children’s Programs— 19,500 Attendees 25 Teen Summer Reading Activities — 750 30 Outreach and Other Activities—650 Total 55 Teen Programs— 1,400 Attendees Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 34 / 93 4 Just as the liƩlest ones enjoy craŌs, singing and talking as essenƟal pre- literacy skills, our school age kids are increasingly unleashing their creaƟvity thanks to fantasƟc literacy and learning-based programs at the library. In 2014 this developed into a “maker culture” intermixing library resources, programming, staffing, and the experiences and enthusiasm of our youth making things through high school. 2014’s Teen Summer Reading Program “Spark a ReacƟon” did just that for about 150 tweens and teens with roboƟcs, talent shows, terrarium building, teen art exhibit, Iron Chef compeƟƟon, and duct tape creaƟons. Teen book club/craŌ days, Anime Club, programs during breaks, Teen Tech Week — “Libraries are for Making…”, Teen Read Week — “Turn Dreams into Reality @ your library”, outreach and other acƟviƟes rounded out an amazing year of fun learning. One of many partnerships that grew in 2014 was with the Roots and Shoots team of students learning about problems in nature and then deciding how to help solve them. We conƟnued to partner with the city’s CYC (Community Youth Council) helping them out with their BedƟme Blessing Bags and Flicks For Kids projects. RepresentaƟves from Roots and Shoots and CYC were among the 65 volunteers who helped us plant our new rain garden this past fall. SupporƟng our students also involves resources and the library staff to deliver them. We serve all community students, whether enrolled in a public or private school, or homeschooled. Our resources support their curriculum and leisure needs in print, audiovisual and electronic forms. And with the increasing use of tablets in the schools, we partnered with GIPS and the city’s IT Department to make sure their devices work on our wireless network. Technology is one of many valuable library resources, not just for our youth but for all ciƟzens. The use of technology is infused through every part of this progress report. To take advantage of electronic resources and technologies, in 2014 we increased our Internet 7,000 children’s fiction 18,000 children’s nonfiction 3,300 children’s DVDs & CDs 5,000 Young Adult fiction 3,500 Young Adult nonfiction Overdrive downloadables Tumblebooks for kids & teens Grolier Online Homework Helper Tutor.com Points of View Reference Research databases and much more for our youth! Keeping pace with library technology FYI: “Libraries are key partners in efforts to provide community anchor-based public access to the Internet, access to E-Government services, and training on computer applications.” - Broadband in Nebraska: Current Landscape and Recommendations Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 35 / 93 5 bandwidth to 50 Mbps thanks to federal universal service discounts. We also increased access to the growing amount of downloadable resources and electronic research databases that provide highly authoritaƟve informaƟon. In 2014 we worked with the city’s Public InformaƟon Office to make improvements to our website at www.gilibrary.org. This is truly our Internet Branch with 24/7 access to searching our online catalog, requesƟng holds on materials, renewing items, downloading eBooks and audiobooks, subscribing to newsleƩers that highlight our book collecƟons, and conducƟng your own research. Facebook and TwiƩer remain signiﬁcant communicaƟon and interacƟon library forums. For example, www.facebook.com/gilibrary increased its “likes” by 90% and ended the year with nearly 2,400. Throughout the year, we conƟnued to implement technology improvements with the help of the city’s InformaƟon Technology division. We rouƟnely conducted “Book a Librarian” sessions to help patrons use their new mobile devices to borrow eBooks and other electronic materials. Our library is one of two represented on the Nebraska InformaƟon Technology Commission Community Council to recommend statewide technology advances. Library staff worked hard in 2014 analyzing and updaƟng our current collecƟons represenƟng many thousands of ﬁcƟon and nonﬁcƟon books, print magazines, and audio video materials. At the same Ɵme, we conƟnued to add downloadable eBooks and audiobooks, eZines and other new media. This translated to checkouts of electronic materials rising to 7% or 22,000 of total checkouts. Other changes to collecƟons represent the increasing cultural diversity of our populaƟon. Numbers of items in Spanish increased in 2014, and we conƟnue to study how to incorporate Spanish and other languages into our collecƟon. Prime Time Family Reading Time and Hot Cocoa en la Manana are two examples of our conƟnuing work to diversify our programming. We just went to baby lapsit for the first time and it was excellent! - from a 2014 Facebook comment Making changes in collections and programs to match our diverse community needs 800 Spanish adult nonfiction 600 Spanish children’s nonfiction 500 Spanish adult fiction 400 Spanish children’s easy readers 200 Spanish DVDs 150 Spanish children’s fiction 150 Spanish adult CDs 150 Spanish children’s paperbacks and many other Spanish items FYI from 2010 Census for Grand Island: 28% are under 18 years old. Of those, 40% are Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 13% are 65 or older. 27% of our total population are Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 42% of Hispanic or Latino (of any race) are under 18. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 36 / 93 6 GILIBRARY 2020 was dove-tailed with the city’s Grander Vision process during 2014. Future library planning will build on the prioriƟes of Grander Vision as we contribute to: an early childhood educaƟon plan arts and humaniƟes, entertainment and cultural engagement opportuniƟes improved public transportaƟon, pedestrian/ bicycle access to library outreach to neighborhood associaƟons, affordable and senior housing, and our most vulnerable populaƟons resources and programming to support career pathways and a culture of entrepreneurship modeling community beauƟﬁcaƟon and Highway 30 economic development, and serving as an anchor insƟtuƟon in community- wide economic development markeƟng efforts lifelong learning with 21st Century Learning Model library-service components storm water management via our rain garden resources for a healthy community The NaƟonal CiƟzen Survey conducted by the City of Grand Island in 2011 conƟnued to provide guidance to our library in 2014. The library funcƟons to help solve needs for addiƟonal cultural acƟviƟes and social events, services for youth, enhanced sense of community, acceptance towards people of diverse backgrounds, and enhancement of Grand Island as a place to raise children as well as to reƟre. RenovaƟon and expansion of our library was planned over ten years ago and completed in 2007. At that Ɵme, various services were already shaping up to be more collaboraƟve learning areas. The library is serving more and more as a community center for people engaged in learning and literacy. The library has conƟnued to build upon this focus. Some examples: devoƟng more space for the Teen area, rearranging reference shelves, providing computer class opportuniƟes, and making our Large Print secƟon into a senior lounge. In 2014 we built a rain garden — our ﬁrst outdoor learning center — and held our ﬁrst Friday Night Live(brary). We began a weekly genealogy assistance service in the Heritage Room in partnership with the Prairie Pioneer Genealogical Society. And we began work with an architect to develop a plan for future learning center changes. Building on our strengths as surveyed by the city RaƟng of our public library services excellent good from City of Grand Island NaƟonal CiƟzen Survey Reshaping reference, teen and other areas as library learning center areas Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 37 / 93 7 Every library area has the potenƟal of becoming a learning center. In 2014 we ouƞiƩed our Art Alcove with beauƟful and educaƟonal exhibits. And as part of a statewide Smart InvesƟng @ Your Library grant, an area in adult services was set aside for ciƟzens to discover new books and other resources on personal ﬁnance. Computer classes and public access compuƟng, Literacy Niche tutoring sessions, MulƟcultural Center Mango language database use, study room use, parents and children learning together in the Discovery Center, teens collaboraƟng at a booth, and informal gathering space in the lobby available to all—these are just a few ways in which the library was used as a learning center in 2014. Spaces within our library were used at least 1,000 Ɵmes — 400 uses of our lobby meeƟng rooms — during 2014 for public meeƟngs, library programs, study sessions, and informal collaboraƟon with an esƟmate of 30,000 aƩendance. With several instances of compeƟng use for our spaces and need for improved meeƟng room technologies, we began work with an architect to create a separate videoconference room. This work conƟnues in 2015. This goal took place outside our library in 2014 with the addiƟon of our rain garden. Many thanks to the city’s Community Development division and Public Works department, staff of Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Nebraska Forest Service, and 65 community volunteers. Matching funds came from the Nebraska Environmental Trust, a beneﬁciary of the Nebraska LoƩery. Later in the year we were thrilled to receive the Central PlaƩe Natural Resources District Community Award. Inside the library, community building and a more informed ciƟzenry were made possible through a variety of partnerships. We were involved in Affordable Care Act informaƟon sessions, tax preparaƟon, the Grander Vision process, plans for airport expansion, Hall County Community CollaboraƟve for child wellbeing efforts, public meeƟngs on resurfacing projects, Moonshell Arts and HumaniƟes Council Munch and Learn sessions, and other community collaboraƟons. Library programming also serves to build our community and beƩer inform ciƟzens. Improving meeting rooms and videoconferencing capabilities 30 computer classes 700 Mango language sessions 80,000 public access computer sessions 70,000 genealogy database searches 250 Tutor.com sessions and many other learning center applications! FYI: Public meeting room space is made available by the library "on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use." Expanding programming for community building and more informed citizens Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 38 / 93 8 Our Adult Summer Reading Program with 75 parƟcipants, monthly book club meeƟngs, visits from noted authors, and programs on history, art, and other informaƟve subjects were held. With our library’s 130th anniversary last October, the community’s Harvest of Harmony parade was aptly themed “From Pages to Parade … Making Characters Come Alive” and our Library Director was named grand marshal. Special ﬁrst-place honors went to our library’s team in the Literacy Council spelling bee with the winning word “pandiculaƟon”. Another wonderful community honor for our library in 2014 was the Spirit of Girl ScouƟng Community Benefactor award. Our library really does help build a strong community! Mobile outreach does conƟnue without a bookmobile. Volunteers made 230 homebound deliveries in the past year and preschools used our drive-up window to check out lots of crated children’s books. Outreach to community events kept us in touch with those who may not have adequate access to our facility. Discussions leading to 2015 centered around a future outreach van and improved transportaƟon to the library. Taking our services out to our youngest and eldest / better transportation to the library These were discussion items in 2014 and need to be addressed in 2015 for future acƟon. Through NaƟonal Library Week, NaƟonal Library Card Sign Up Month, Acts of Kindness Week, Friends book sales, community group presentaƟons and booktalks, tours, book displays, visits to classrooms, and a variety of other events, we worked hard in 2014 to get the word out. Many thanks to our city Public InformaƟon Office and the media for so many news releases and stories throughout the year. We were also on GITV three Ɵmes. Our own staff and board members, our volunteers and our patrons have been faithful messengers of the value of library services. We can always reach more and we invite you to help us. Make good use of the library in 2015, aƩend our youth and adult programs, and like us on Facebook. Encourage others to make use of library services and ﬁnd ways to demonstrate your support for your library as we all help build this strong community! Establishing library branch and expanded internet branch services Reviving tax-based library services outside of Grand Island Getting the word out more about library services and their value Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 39 / 93 GILIBRARY 2020 Update for 2015-2018 Approved by Library Board of Trustees July 20, 2015 Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 40 / 93 Contents Library Mission Statement and Guiding Principles 1 GILIBRARY 2020 Planning Team 1 Community Needs 2 Strategic Planning Goals and Objectives 4 Strategic Plan Evaluation 9 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis 10 Community Profile and Demographics 11 Additional Resources 12 Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 41 / 93 1 | Page Library Mission Statement and Guiding Principles Mission The Grand Island Public Library is the gateway for the people of our diverse community to achieve a lifetime of learning and literacy. A Lifetime of Learning Happens @ Your Library! Guiding Principles 1) Our Library as a Learning Center • Facilitating learning for all • Fostering literacy in all its forms • Providing access to all types of materials, information, programming and spaces 2) Our Library as a Community Center • Responding to community demographics • Engaging in community development • Enhancing city government • Practicing democracy and informed citizenry in action GILIBRARY 2020 Planning Team The planning team for the 2015-2018 update to GILIBRARY 2020 is comprised of the Library Board of Trustees, Library Director Steve Fosselman, and Librarians Celine Swan, Gerianne Pickering and Kathleen Nonneman. Citizen members of the GILIBRARY 2020 planning committee were gathered together in 2011 to produce the basic structure and 12 planning initiatives in place throughout the year 2020. GILIBRARY 2020 is also focused on a much broader planning effort now in place: Grow Grand Island / A Grander Vision for the Heartland. Library representatives have become partners in implementing several Grow Grand Island initiatives and GILIBRARY 2020 reflects the scope of this broader community plan. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 42 / 93 2 | Page Community Needs With the creation of Grow Grand Island/A Grander Vision for the Heartland, a rich matrix of community needs has been established and 2015 is its first year of implementation. The emphasis of GILIBRARY 2020 during the next three years will be to dovetail our twelve planning initiatives with the Grow Grand Island initiatives. Collectively, Grow Grand Island has produced the following five pillars representing the foundation of our community. Our public library is an essential partner in keeping this foundation strong as community needs are met. In large measure or small, our library services touch upon all five of the Grow Grand Island pillars. Following are the ways our community’s needs through Grow Grand Island and our library’s response through GILIBRARY 2020 most intersect in the next three years. 1.1 specifically target small businesses 1.6 launch ENGINE - Engaging the Next Generation of Grand Island, Nebraska that cultivates the next generation of business leadership 2.2 enhance existing and potential future entrepreneurs 3.1 develop a positive self-image, encourage the community's own residents to be its best ambassadors, and increase resident engagement in community improvement initiatives 3.2 promote positive stories about Grand Island 3.3 develop long-range Corridor Improvement Plans and signature gateway beautification projects to promote positive first impressions upon entering the community Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 43 / 93 3 | Page 4.1 optimize career pathways and programs offered in area schools 4.2 expand the availability of two-year and four-year degree options in Grand Island, with consideration given to the potentially catalytic redevelopment role of a higher education presence and accompanying student population 5.6 continue to advance the development and utilization of unique assets in the community 5.8 work with the City of Grand Island and all relevant partners in the community 5.9 implement the recommendations of the Community Housing Study for Grand Island 5.11 create an early childhood education plan 5.12 support the development of arts and humanities countywide and develop entertainment strategies for all of the communities 5.13 provide public transportation for all 5.14 encourage neighborhood associations to enhance community safety, host community activities, festivals, and reduce crime. 5.15 provide support for the region’s most vulnerable populations 5.16 enhance cultural engagement & understanding Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 44 / 93 4 | Page Strategic Planning Goals and Objectives Our public library is a learning organization with dedicated, quality service-minded staff, volunteers, and board members. Together we seek continuous improvement and efficiencies consistent with available funding and citizens’ needs. Our library’s longstanding commitment toward collaborative, cooperative and effective partnerships is also key to the success of GILIBRARY 2020. With a great many materials, programs and services already in place, this 2015-2018 strategic plan highlights new objectives within our 12 established GILIBRARY 2020 goals. Most of these goals and objectives are also related to Grow Grand Island priorities as noted below. Estimated timelines and measures are provided as known at this time. Responsibility for implementation of this plan will rest with the Library Director, with daily operational responsibility delegated to the Assistant Director in teamwork with our Librarians. 1. Building up our children’s section Early Literacy Discovery Center a) Update our children’s museum-quality area to highlight infant, toddler and pre-school areas with designated picture and board book resources that are linked to the different interactives [2015] b) Partner with Headstart Sixpence program in adding appropriate interactives to Discovery Center and Bookingham Palace programming room, funded by Sixpence grant [2015] c) Strengthen information to parents to encourage self-directed understanding of the Discovery Center and age-appropriate library story time classes for their children [2016] d) Increase attendance in children’s classes by 1000 each year by adding structured classes on the literacy elements of our Discovery Center and opportunities for various story time classes 2. Getting kids ready to read, and supporting them as students a) Work with United Way to strengthen the Imagination Library program in our children’s section [2016] b) Redesign Easy Readers area to encourage greater use of these materials by pre-schoolers and early elementary students [2015] c) Increase attendance in children’s classes by 1000 each year by adding a second Ready to Read (3-5 year old) story time for up to 25 children and parents on Wednesday mornings d) Increase attendance in children’s classes by 2000 each year by adding a music-themed afterschool story time on Wednesdays for up to 50 children through early elementary grades e) Provide drop-in story time services and non-class use of Bookingham Palace as time and circumstances allow f) Provide early childhood education training to selected library staff each year Grow Grand Island # 5.11 – create an early childhood education plan Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 45 / 93 5 | Page g) Partner with Hall County Community Collaborative and Grand Island schools to make library services known and available to help narrow the gap in learning and development related to economically advantaged families and children living in poverty [2018] h) Increase attendance in children’s classes by 1000 each year by creating a mobile interactive STEAM related center available to elementary students after and out of school [2017] i) Intermix makerspace/interactive learning equipment and STEAM elements with print and nonprint materials adjacent to teen section to support after and out of school learning [2017] j) Increase attendance in teen classes by 1000 each year through makerspace related classes k) Develop designated outdoor children/teen/parent programming and reading spaces [2017] l) Conduct at least two cooperative projects each year with our Teen Library Corps and other leadership groups such as Community Youth Council or Youth Leadership Tomorrow 3. Keeping pace with Library technology (Technology Plan) a) Finalize our projects for a new telephone/voice messaging system and an upgraded adult section print release services [2015] b) Make improvements to our website, social media presence, online catalog, efficiencies in processing and circulation of materials, and use of library services on mobile devices each year c) Digitize portions of our microfilm holdings and historical records each year d) Upgrade meeting room technologies including videoconferencing [2017] e) Add technologies for mobile device exploration/makerspace technology and increase attendance in classes by 1000 each year Grow Grand Island # 1.6 - launch ENGINE - Engaging the Next Generation of Grand Island, Nebraska that cultivates the next generation of business leadership AND Grow Grand Island # 2.2 - enhance existing and potential future entrepreneurs Grow Grand Island # 4.1 - optimize career pathways and programs offered in area schools Grow Grand Island # 5.15 - provide support for the region’s most vulnerable populations Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 46 / 93 6 | Page 4. Making changes in collections and programs to match our diverse community needs a) Supply library resources and conduct at least two classes each year assisting citizens with post-secondary learning opportunities b) Provide library materials and co-sponsored classes on housing choices, financial literacy, and home ownership responsibilities as our community ensures that ample, affordable, and attractive housing is available to meet the diverse needs of existing and potential future residents [2016] c) Partner with community groups to create a Citizenship Corner in the library’s Multicultural Center and to co- sponsor at least 15 diversity-related, multi-lingual programs each year d) Increase culturally diverse identifying library card ownership and use of library services by 10% each year e) Increase mobile-device identifying library card ownership by 10% each year and checkout of library eBooks, eAudios, eZines and other downloadable library materials by 20% each year f) Increase turnover rate (average checkouts of all library circulating collections per year) by 25% each year g) Adjust collection sizes, locations and signage to reflect patrons’ changing needs 5. Building on our strengths as surveyed by the City Note: In examination of the National Citizen Survey conducted by the City of Grand Island in 2011, certain positive indicators pertaining to library operations were: • the high percentage of citizens making use of library services and their perception of our services • need for additional opportunities to attend cultural activities • need for enhanced sense of community • need for enhanced openness and community acceptance towards people of diverse backgrounds • need for enhancement of Grand Island as a place to raise children and for services to youth • need for enhancement of Grand Island as a place to retire • need for enhanced opportunities to participate in social events and activities • and need for enhanced reputation of Grand Island and rating of city services Grow Grand Island # 4.2 - expand the availability of two-year and four-year degree options in Grand Island, with consideration given to the potentially catalytic redevelopment role of a higher education presence and accompanying student population Grow Grand Island # 5.9 - implement the recommendations of the Community Housing Study for Grand Island Grow Grand Island # 5.16 - enhance cultural engagement & understanding Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 47 / 93 7 | Page a) Contribute to the work of at least three Grow Grand Island committees each year and coordinate efforts with partners on these committees as well as with the other committees intersecting our services b) Strengthen efforts to inform community agencies, governments and Grow Grand Island leadership of the vital role our library plays in community betterment c) Along with our many youth-related activities, continue to build upon literacy and learning opportunities for general audiences, including: a. at least four Friday Night Live(brary) concerts or open houses with extended-hours library service each year b. at least four statewide/regional art exhibits each year c. at least three programs featuring well-known authors d. at least two cultural/historical programs each year e. and community partnership in celebrating our community’s involvement in Nebraska’s sesquicentennial [2017] 6. Reshaping Reference, Teen and other areas as Library Learning Center areas a) Expand teen spaces and resources [2016] b) Provide classes and spaces each year for digital literacy learning, financial literacy, job seekers (in cooperation with NEworks), health information, and other learning center activities c) Work with U. S. Small Business Administration on a series of classes on small business development [2016] d) Develop informal group study areas (collaborative learning spaces) so that groups can meet and learn together with immediate access to needed technologies and collections e) Work with United Way to create a self-guided 211 information and referral section at the library 7. Improving meeting rooms and videoconferencing capabilities a) Realign existing space to build a separate videoconference room and update the current meeting room space [2016] b) Increase public meeting usage by 15% each year through fewer booking conflicts that result from the separation of spaces c) Realign lobby spaces to reduce lounge and increase library programming functions [2016] Grow Grand Island # 5.8 - work with the City of Grand Island and all relevant partners in the community AND Grow Grand Island # 3.1 - develop a positive self-image, encourage the community's own residents to be its best ambassadors, and increase resident engagement in community improvement initiatives Grow Grand Island # 5.12 - support the development of arts and humanities countywide and develop entertainment strategies for all of the communities Grow Grand Island # 1.1 - specifically target small businesses Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 48 / 93 8 | Page 8. Expanding programming for community building and more informed citizens a) Expand hours open to the public [2015] b) Provide at least three opportunities each year to increase individuals’ capacities to engage in community building conversations through TED Talks, Humanities Nebraska or other initiatives c) Host Grow Grand Island meetings and other community building entities each year d) Complete our rain garden with interpretive signage funded by city’s stormwater program to inform citizens of waterwise projects e) Continue developing community uses of outdoor library spaces adjacent to the rain garden that enhance the Highway 30 corridor in keeping with our role as community anchor institution and as a major cultural/public space on the west anchor of the core downtown/civic area 9. Taking our services out to our youngest and eldest / better transportation to the Library a) Make use of a library van or small bookmobile for city-wide delivery and checkout of materials and programs to neighborhoods, child care facilities, senior care facilities, the homebound and community outreach opportunities such as Neighborhood Night Out [2017] b) Partner with GIAMPO and City Public Works Department on public transportation to/from the library and a Highway 30 pedestrian crossing [2018] 10. Establishing Library Branch and expanded Internet Branch services a) Partner with City of Grand Island and community organizations to determine the feasibility of planning a library branch or co-located library services for our expanding community [2018] b) Convert library website into a full-fledged Internet Branch with seamless, multi-platform 24/7 access to digital media and electronic databases [2017] Grow Grand Island # 3.3 - develop long-range Corridor Improvement Plans and signature gateway beautification projects to promote positive first impressions upon entering the community Grow Grand Island # 5.14 - encourage neighborhood associations to enhance community safety, host community activities, festivals, and reduce crime Grow Grand Island # 5.13 - create a regional transportation plan to serve the local communities and beyond, provide public transportation for all Grow Grand Island # 5.6 - continue to advance the development and utilization of unique assets in the community Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 49 / 93 9 | Page 11. Reviving tax-based Library services outside of Grand Island a) Increase non-resident household cards by at least 40 each year through a partnership with Wood River Rural School District 21st Century Community Learning Center grant for after-school library programming and access to library materials and databases b) Work with City of Grand Island, Library Board of Trustees and County Board of Supervisors to determine the feasibility of resuming an interlocal agreement providing free library cards to Hall County citizens residing outside the corporate limits of Grand Island [2018] c) Explore state law and desirability of other tax-based library service arrangements in line with our multi-county Metropolitan Statistical Area [2018] 12. Getting the word out more about Library services and their value a) Work on at least three GITV video productions each year b) Develop cross-promotional efforts with at least five partner agencies each year c) Provide ongoing public information about our Early Literacy Discovery Center, the value of obtaining a library card, availability of digital library materials, various programs and services, and the learning center and community center roles of our library d) Partner with Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation and other business leaders each year to educate and promote library programs and services for our community Strategic Plan Evaluation Our library’s Assistant Director will track quarterly progress toward completing objectives, and will establish baselines for any measures indicated. These quarterly reports will be shared with the Librarians for any follow-up action needed, and will be forwarded to the Director for review and distribution to the Library Board. An annual evaluation and progress report will be produced for distribution to the Library Board, City Administrator, Mayor/City Council and media. Grow Grand Island # 3.2 - promote positive stories about Grand Island and Central Nebraska Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 50 / 93 10 | Page Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis Internal Environment Strengths Weaknesses HR friendly, knowledgeable, helpful staff; well trained; director with years of experience; existing staff are well focused on community needs and library responses understaffed due to lack of funding; need to regain staffing for GILIBRARY 2020 implementation; time for advanced staff training Facilities new building w/some room to grow; very adequate parking; high traffic location; easy to use layout; new waterwise garden main entrance heat and late sun; handicap parking perceived as far from library; decreased hours with funding; it’s time for facility changes Technology good number of computers and wifi access; Network Nebraska membership for internet and potential videoconferencing; expanding digital collections; easy to use website with a lot of services; strong social media presence mobile device access to all library services; aging videoconferencing and meeting room equipment; need Assistant Director for current technology supervision and future technology planning Funding maintained adequate service and made internal adjustments to strengthen library priorities that were not city program-budget priorities; fair non-resident household library card fee; e-rate funding for internet access loss of funding over the last few years; not enough to fully staff, have more hours; lack of county financial support of library services to non-city residents Collection wide variety; staff knows needs; expanding digital collections not always a wide selection of books for digital checkouts; current collections do not always match patrons’ needs - we need an Assistant Director to supervise this critical function Services, Programs & Outreach a wide variety of services for all different ages and segments of our community; library considered a model of community diversity; all ages enjoy interactive learning (maker culture); very strong partnerships with community agencies lack of outreach vehicle and its connection to neighborhoods, child care, senior care, and homebound; need more programming to get every child ready to read; more cultural programming needed Operations learning organization approach to making continual improvement; organized, creative staff Daily operations has been more of a struggle without an Assistant Director; lacking more time to identify and resolve issues Governance strong library board; City supportive of the value of library services despite assigned program-budget priorities quality of life priorities needs to be rebuilt External Environment Opportunities Threats Economy improving economy after great recession; Grow Grand Island outlook on increasing business and educational opportunities poverty-level indicators, low percentage of educational attainment for adults; higher levels of low paying jobs and lower levels of white collar employment Technology expansion of digital content and patron use; information broadcast via social media; collaboration with Pioneer Consortium and Central Nebraska Digital Coop; more bandwidth and video possibilities with Network Nebraska expensive to upgrade and maintain equipment and technology services; increasing reliance on networks for always need infrastructure improvements Social Climate diversity is part of our community and all segments appear comfortable using our library; learning and literacy have high value ever-changing demographics; perceived as homeless hangout; community building work ahead for Grow Grand Island Community Relations working side by side with Grow Grand Island community individuals, businesses, and agencies to build a stronger community; Wood River 21st Century Learning Center grant Continual struggle with informing the public of library services and programs Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 51 / 93 11 | Page Community Profile and Demographics Grand Island is Nebraska’s largest city outside of the Omaha & Lincoln Metropolitan areas. Grand Island’s 2010 U.S. Census population count was 48,520. In 2013, after our community’s census population estimate exceeded 50,000, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget announced the designation of the Grand Island Metropolitan Statistical Area which includes the counties of Hall, Hamilton, Merrick and Howard. Grand Island’s census population estimate for 2014 was 51,236. Incorporated in 1872, the vital city services of fire, police, gas/electric and public library were carved out during the town’s first decade and by 1884 the formal establishment of the Grand Island Public Library took place. As recounted in “History of Hall County Nebraska” by A. F. Buechler, “A board appointed by the city took charge and the service and equipment were gradually improved from year to year”. From its humble beginnings without a home but with a committed group of visionary board members, its first home within a law office above a bank building, a long term home as a Carnegie library, on through dedication of the Edith Abbott Memorial Library in 1974 and expansion/renovation in 2007, the Grand Island Public Library maintains a vital role in serving our community through continual improvements. According to Buechler’s work, a party of thirty-five persons were engaged for the settlement of Hall County. Thirty in this party were “Germans from the Schleswig-Holstein territory, who had been a few years in the United States”. This immigrant heritage continues today with Grand Island as a wonderfully diverse place with its own unique demographics and community development prospects. As an example, between 1990 and 2010 the composition of our community has changed considerably and we have become much more diverse. Most notably, our city’s Hispanic/Latino (of any race) population has increased from 4.79% in 1990, to 15.8% in 2000 and up to 26.8% in 2010. In comparison for Nebraska cities with more than 30,000 population, Bellevue has 16.3%, Hastings 9.8%, and Kearney 7.3%. The percentage of Black/African American population rose just slightly between 1990 (.34%) and 2000 (.4%) but has since increased to 2.1% in 2010. Those who declared “some other race” increased from 9.6% to 13.1% of our city’s population. While 27.6% of our total population is under 18 years of age, a much larger proportion of the Hispanic/Latino (of any race) population, 41.8%, is under 18. Another unique aspect of our community is educational attainment. The percentage of our county’s population 25+ years of age with a 4-year college degree or higher is 15.95%. That compares to Hamilton County at 18.64%, Adams County at 19.86%, and Buffalo County at 30.22%. While Hall County’s percentage is lower than others, it represents an increase from past years. In 1990, 14.6% of Hall County citizens 25+ years of age had attained a 4-year college degree or higher. The “2014 Kids Count Data Book” for Nebraska shows significant needs among Hall County’s youth related to poverty, food stamp and WIC participation, participation in Free and Reduced Lunch programs, births to teenagers, dropout rates, etc. And “County Health Rankings” for Nebraska show significant needs in our county related to various health outcomes and factors. More detailed demographic information about our community can be found in the Additional Resources section. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 52 / 93 12 | Page Additional Resources This section is a work in progress. Resources will be added as time allows. Key Results from the 2011 National Citizen Survey Conducted for the City of Grand Island Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 53 / 93 13 | Page Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 54 / 93 14 | Page Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 55 / 93 HELPING BUILD A STRONG COMMUNITY 12 WAYS @ YOUR LIBRARY GILIBRARY 2020 2015 Progress Report Getting kids ready to read, and supporting them as students This is a big goal as we make conƟnual improvements to our Discovery Center and help children be successful readers and students. Our community partner Sixpence Head Start Child Development and Family Program supported this goal in 2015 with their donaƟon of addiƟonal furniture and interacƟves for a new Baby Zone, a new Music Center area, more science interacƟves, baby toys, a new dress up area, improvements to our mother’s nursing room, enhancements to Bookingham Palace, new book bins and gliders, and much more. Grand Island’s Sixpence works primarily with children through age three and their teen parents. Building up our Discovery Center / literacy-based Children’s Museum AddiƟonal regularly scheduled programming : In response to community needs, in 2015 we added a Wednesday Baby Lapsit @ 6 p.m., Wednesday StoryƟme @ 11 a.m., Wednesday AŌer-School Bookbop @ 2:30 p.m., Clean Community System StoryƟme on recycling 2nd Saturday of each month @ 11 a.m., monthly homeschoolers program, monthly Wood River Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant programs, and a MinecraŌ /Coding Club. Check out our regularly scheduled kids & teens programs online Summer Reading Programs for kids and teens: CongratulaƟons Shoemaker Elementary for winning the coveted children’s Summer Reading Program Trophy! 2015 Super Hero programs included a FantasƟc Future Me interacƟve display from Omaha Children’s Museum, NEST 529 partnership; expanded programming including MinecraŌ/Coding, Super Kids Club for 3rd-5th grade, Superheroes StoryƟme for preschoolers- 2nd Grade; Summer Art Contest for Teens, and our Library aŌer hours teen program ﬁnale. Many thanks to the super support of community schools, businesses, agencies, volunteers and the Library FoundaƟon for making Thursday Enrichment Club, Mighty Monday programs and other Summer Reading acƟviƟes a success. This report has the highlights, come to the library for the full story! Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 56 / 93 2 Rounding out the year we had: another fantasƟc Bear Fair with dozens of community partners; ESU 10 Every Child Ready to Read Workshop; Hot Cocoa en la Manana with MulƟcultural CoaliƟon including presentaƟon by Linh Quang Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe from Lincoln and HumaniƟes Nebraska / Nebraska Cultural Endowment program on culture of India; Grand Island Public Schools Literacy and ELL Nights at the library, FAST Program outreach and library visits; ongoing work with Hall County Community CollaboraƟve; Grand Island LiƩle Theatre “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” acƟng workshop; partnership with Central Nebraska Reading Council for “No Pirates Allowed: Said Library Lou” guest author Rhonda Gowler Greene; another fun Edith AbboƩ Birthday Tea Party with special thanks to Stuhr Museum; lots of outreach programs to Early Learning Center, school and daycare classes, community events such as Healthy Kid’s Day at the YMCA and Kid’s Day at Fonner Park; many teen volunteers from schools, churches, CYC, etc.; library out of school programming during spring break and winter break; special events such as Dr. Seuss Day, Teen Read Week, Teen Tech Week; ongoing partnerships with too many organizaƟons to list in this space and MUCH MORE! 205 Story Times — 4,800 attendees 65 Summer Reading Activities — 6,900 attendees 75 Outreach and Other Activities—6,800 attendees Total 345 Children’s Programs— 18,500 Attendees 35 Teen Summer Reading Activities — 1,350 attendees 40 Outreach and Other Activities—1,650 attendees Total 75 Teen Programs— 3,000 Attendees Keeping pace with library technology A redesign of our library webpage at www.gilibrary.org greatly improved access to 24/7 services. New services in 2015 included One Click Digital with access to thousands of downloadable audiobooks; Newsbank access to full text of Grand Island Independent, 38 Nebraska newspapers, and thousands of papers from across the U.S. and around the world; Value Line Digital Plaƞorm to help evaluate investments and make smarter, more proﬁtable decisions. NebraskAccess databases provided by the Nebraska Library Commission expanded during the year, thanks to an increase in state appropriaƟons. At end of 2015, work was underway to add another downloadable service—Hoopla, for checkout of movies, TV series, music, audiobooks, eBooks and comic books. Hoopla, Overdrive, One Click Digital and Zinio represent our “fantasƟc four” so far for online downloadable services that complement our “physical” collecƟons. Our online resource center is a big part of a 21st century public library. As more and more patrons obtain mobile devices, our staff members are providing one-on-one assistance in using the fantasƟc four and our other 24/7 online services. 90,000 public access computer & wireless sessions 110,000 uses of selected databases 30,000 downloadable checkouts 270,000 Online Book Club accesses and much more! Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 57 / 93 3 We had another very successful year of bi-lingual Prime Time Family Reading Time sessions; conƟnued growth in Spanish language materials; conƟnued expansion of downloadable collecƟons as well as increasingly popular physical formats such as Playaways and Playaway Kits; collaboraƟon with MulƟcultural CoaliƟon with Hot Cocoa en la Manana and Day of the Dead Building on our strengths as surveyed by the city Improving meeting rooms and videoconferencing capabilities Reshaping reference, teen and other areas as library learning center areas Expanding programming for community building and more informed citizens Making changes in collections and programs to match our diverse community needs A previous City survey provided insight into the strengths of the library in helping build a stronger community. The library became even stronger in 2015 with addiƟonal City funding for staffing and increased hours. The change in hours was part of the reason our library received gold-level accreditaƟon from the Nebraska Library Commission in 2015. As the Grow Grand Island community visioning process developed, we folded the library’s GILIBRARY 2020 strategic plan in with all ﬁve of Grow Grand Island’s pillars and 17 of the plan’s iniƟaƟves. The library was also involved in several commiƩee meeƟngs during the year. Planning conƟnued in 2015 toward future redesign of library spaces as a community center ﬁlled with collaboraƟve learning and literacy areas. In the meanƟme, we conƟnued weekly genealogy assistance service in the Heritage Room in partnership with the Prairie Pioneer Genealogical Society and held two Friday Night Live(brary) aŌer hours events including a Heritage Room open house. As computer coding, roboƟcs and other “maker” library uses ﬂourished in 2015, we started to reﬁne our concepts of future spaces. Children, teens and adults all parƟcipated in these acƟviƟes. The Adult Summer Reading Program offered opportuniƟes for growth through authors, arƟsts, veterans and other heroes, and even an outdoor vintage auto show next to our rain garden. Other learning opportuniƟes for adults delved into a six-week Smart InvesƟng @ Your Library course, Small Business AssociaƟon classes, Health Insurance Market Place navigaƟon, even more author events, book clubs, art exhibits, AARP income tax preparaƟon assistance, and a regular stream of text proctoring. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 58 / 93 4 Two addiƟons to our computer class offerings in 2015 were Social Networking and Google Docs, and we partnered with Nebraska Works to offer Job Seeking classes. Community building happens inside and outside the library. Outdoor venues for our services included the polyhedron exhibit on the south side of the building in cooperaƟon with Jerome Dubas and Grand Island Public School’s art students, and our annual appearance at the Harvest of Harmony parade featuring the Summer Reading Program winning Shoemaker Elementary students. Inside the library, community building took place during library-hosted Grow Grand Island commiƩee meeƟngs and community input meeƟngs of the City’s long range transportaƟon plan “Journey 2040”, part of the new Metropolitan Planning OrganizaƟon. We have dozens of community partners, and one in parƟcular to highlight in 2015: the Grand Island Public Library FoundaƟon & Friends. Your book sale purchases and foundaƟon donaƟons make their way back in the form of program sponsorships and other ameniƟes not covered by the city’s budget. Thousands of hours of labor are saved every year thanks to our volunteers under the FoundaƟon’s coordinaƟon. Thanks to all of you great community builders for your conƟnual support of our public library! Please know how much we appreciate you every day! Thanks to a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, Wood River schools has funding to support the purchase of about 40 nonresident household library cards and we have designed a monthly educaƟonal program for these students! No other changes were made in these areas in 2015 and need more study in the next few years. Taking our services out to our youngest and eldest / better transportation to the library Establishing library branch and expanded internet branch services Getting the word out more about library services and their value GI Library Journal is our new monthly newsleƩer, highlighƟng the past month’s acƟviƟes as well as coming aƩracƟons. You can see that our staff, board, and volunteers work Ɵrelessly not only to serve you but to inform you of all our services. Every book display, library week celebraƟon, brochure, website update, Facebook post, TwiƩer feed, column in the newspaper or PSA on the radio or TV, and everything else maƩers. We are especially thankful for our City Public InformaƟon Office and the media for so many news releases and stories in 2015. Encourage others to make use of library services and ﬁnd ways to demonstrate your support for your library as we all help build this strong community! Reviving tax-based library services outside of Grand Island Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 59 / 93 Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 60 / 93 LIBRARY Presentation and Discussion Concerning the Grand Island Public Library By Steve Fosselman, Library Director and Alan Lepler, President, Grand Island Public Library Board of Trustees Grand Island City Council Study Session January 17, 2017 Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 61 / 93 LIBRARY Library Board in City Government & Community Seven Grand Island citizens appointed by mayor and confirmed by city council establish regulations for the government of the library for preservation, usefulness and efficiency exercise power to carry out State Statute §51-201 through §51- 219 First Library Board appointed prior to 1884 library establishment Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 62 / 93 LIBRARY Access of Demonstrators, Solicitors Circulation Policy Code of Conduct Collection Development (Materials Selection) Confidentiality of Library Records Distribution of Tax Forms Eating and Drinking Edith Abbott Memorial Library Projects Fund (Donations) Emergency and Safety Library Funds Policy Library-Initiated Displays Marketing and Advocacy Meeting Room Patron Concerns Personnel Public Access Computers Smoking Staff and Board Development Youth Safety Appendix Fees Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 63 / 93 LIBRARY Library Funds Policy Library Board authority over all money collected or donated to the credit of the library fund(s) established within the City of Grand Island Conformance with standard operating procedures of the City of Grand Island Donations from the Myrtle Grimminger estate in the Edith Abbott Memorial Library project fund of the city’s Special Revenue Fund for projects outside the scope of the Library’s general fund budget Abbott Trust fund for purchase of nonfiction books No other funds are administered, controlled or accounted for by the Library Board Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 64 / 93 LIBRARY GILIBRARY 2020 PLAN Mission Statement The Grand Island Public Library is the gateway for the people of our diverse community to achieve a lifetime of learning and literacy . Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 65 / 93 LIBRARY GILIBRARY 2020 PLAN Guiding Principles 1) Our Library as a Learning Center Facilitating Learning for All Fostering Literacy in All its Forms Providing Access to All Types of Materials, Information, Programming and Spaces 3) Our Library as a Learning Organization Strategic Planning Plus … 2) Our Library as a Community Center Responding to Community Demographics Engaging in Community Development Enhancing City Government Practicing Democracy in Action Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 66 / 93 LIBRARY From 2013 Report to Council Building Space Modifications – the Edith Abbott Memorial Library was especially designed to accommodate modifications as needs change and evolve. Several strategic planning initiatives may involve some modifications to better serve our patrons through use of donated funds. Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 67 / 93 LIBRARY GILIBRARY 2020 PLAN 2016 Highlights Restoration of County funding Establishment of uniform year-round hours of operation Nebraska 150 programming partnership with Stuhr Museum and Hall County Historical Society Nebraska Warrior Writers Project partnership with Humanities Nebraska Partnership with Moonshell Council Munch and Learn sessions ~4,000 participants in three Summer Reading Programs Preliminary work with City PIO on library web sub-site Progress on implementing advanced technologies for more efficient patron services Participation in UNL Innovation Campus satellite makerspace grant application Work on design concepts for needed facility renovations Continued improvements to Children’s Area in partnership with Sixpence program Staff reorganization Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 68 / 93 LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 69 / 93 LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 70 / 93 LIBRARY 25.0 FTE Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 71 / 93 LIBRARY Library Budgets, Staffing and Hours Comparisons Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 72 / 93 LIBRARY GILIBRARY 2020 PLAN 2017 Preview Registration of additional County patrons Additional Nebraska 150, Nebraska Warrior Writers Project and other community programming partnerships Roll-out of library web sub-site Full implementation of advanced technologies for more efficient patron services and examination of other technological efficiencies Improvements in collection development and utilization Continued improvements to Children’s Area including designated Ready- to-Read area and after/out-of-school programming space Moving forward with current project for needed facility renovations and development of a multi-faceted long-range facilities master plan Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 73 / 93 LIBRARY Major Components of Needed Non-Tax Supported Facility Renovations 1) Meeting Rooms / Friends-Internet Cafe 2) Admin Area Flip 3) Teen / Makerspace / Study Rooms 4) ADA Parking and Patron Walkway Access Current Layout Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 74 / 93 LIBRARY Our process has involved Board and staff examination, and professional assistance, of needed changes to library spaces for greater efficiency in our highly adaptable layout, changing needs and patterns of library use, and to meet building project goals with non-tax resources that were not available during the 2005-2007 expansion project (however, that project did include approximately $1.6 million in non-tax resources). This café proposed in 2005 but not constructed due to lack of funding can now be developed to accomplish three key elements of public library design – procession, services & flexible space Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 75 / 93 LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 76 / 93 LIBRARY 419 uses of these meeting rooms in 2016 – 60% for the full room CURRENT ADMIN AREA AND FRIENDS BOOK SALE STORAGE WOULD BE ‘FLIPPED’ Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 77 / 93 FLIPPING SPACES TO BRING ADMIN AREA INTO WORKROOM - NEW ADMINISTRATION RECEPTION, OFFICE AND CONFERENCE ROOM - ADDITION OF TWO STAFF BATHROOMS - ADDITION OF TWO PROCTORED STUDY ROOMS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 78 / 93 THE MEETING ROOMS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 79 / 93 NEW LOBBY SPACE USING COLORS AS A WAY TO HIGHLIGHT DONOR WALL, COFFEE BAR, MEETING ROOMS, STUDY NOOKS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 80 / 93 “OPEN” CONCEPT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR VENDING AND ALLOWS LOBBY TO BE MONITORED CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 81 / 93 ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS RETAIN AND REPEAT EXISTING COLUMN AND ARCHITRAVE CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 82 / 93 STUDY NOOKS PROVIDES SPACES FOR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLABORATIVE WORK CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY 46,000 wireless sessions in 2016 Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 83 / 93 SIGNAGE LARGE LETTERS IN BOLD COLORS AND PLACED STRATEGICALLY CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 84 / 93 RECONFIGURED BOOK SHELVES FRIENDS COUNTER TIES INTO COFFEE BAR IN LOBBY FOR SALE OF BOOKS AND COFFEE CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 85 / 93 THE TEEN / MAKER SPACE - SMALL COLLABORATION AND GROUP STUDY SPACES ROOMS SERVE AS ENTRY POINT - FLOOR TREATMENT AND CEILING ELEMENTS CREATE VISUAL INTEREST AND INCORPORATE CURVILINEAR FEATURES - ADDITIONAL PROCTORED EXAM ROOMS - MAKER SPACE TO ADD ADDITIONAL AMENITIES TO LIBRARY - SLIDING GLASS PARTITION FOR VISIBILITY AND SOUND CONTROL - SPACE TO DISPLAY OBJECTS CREATED IN THE LIBRARY CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 86 / 93 LIBRARY A Lifetime of Interactive Learning @ Your Library for all ages, with growing emphasis on STEAM Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 87 / 93 SMALL STUDY CUBES PRIVATE STUDY GROUPS SPACES FOR COLLABORATION VISIBILE TO STAFF MOVING GLASS WALL ALLOWS FULL VISIBILITY & BLOCKS SOUND TRANSFER CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 88 / 93 SMALL STUDY CUBES PRIVATE STUDY GROUPS SPACES FOR COLLABORATION VISIBILE TO STAFF MOVING GLASS WALL ALLOWS FULL VISIBILITY & BLOCKS SOUND TRANSFER CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 89 / 93 WINDOWS INTO TEEN SPACE ALLOWS FOR INTERACTION AND INSPIRATION GALLERY DISPLAY CASES OPPORTUNITIES TO DISPLAY OBJECTS MADE IN THE LIBRARY CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 90 / 93 CEILING ELEMENTS CREATES MINI-SPACES WITHIN INCORPORATES CURVILINEAR ELEMENTS ADDS VISUAL INTEREST CITY OF GRAND ISLAND EDITH ABBOTT MEMORIAL LIBRARY Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 91 / 93 LIBRARY ADA Parking and Patron Walkway Access – concept still being developed Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 92 / 93 LIBRARY Preliminary Costs and Next Steps Interior renovations estimated at $850,000 + contingencies and architect/engineering to be determined ADA Parking and Patron Walkway Access – preliminary costs to be completed soon Issuance of RFP for Architectural Design & Build and presentation to Council for approval to proceed with non-tax funding sources fully secured Implementation of long- range library facilities master plan beyond 2020 Grand Island Study Session - 1/17/2017 Page 93 / 93