STRATEGIC PLAN
STRATEGIC PLAN
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Buck Memorial Library Mission Statement
The Buck Memorial Library benefits all patrons with a physical and digital collection of materials, programs and space, to learn and grow. We strive to be attentive to the needs of our community and be responsive to the ever-changing landscape of knowledge and how it is acquired. We believe there should be no financial barriers to anyone using a library, therefore we are fine-free and library card fee-free. We are committed to serving all who walk through our doors.
As a reflection of our mission statement, the library will focus on goals in four areas.
Finance and Development
Community Engagement and Partnerships
Facilities
Sustainability
Common themes we have identified through community engagement and surveys:
Community: A desire for people to be engaged, responsive to others needs, cultural, diverse, compassionate, cooperative, supportive.
Technology: The library is the only place with computers, printing & copying cheaper and closer, help with printing tax forms, rental agreements etc.
Space: Great space for working, desire for private meeting rooms, queries about putting an addition on.
Materials: Appreciate the books and hope for more, and more digital content, and more museum passes
Programs: Storytime, Book Club and Crochet are very popular with requests for more programs and authors.
Finance: Common misperceptions: Taxes, Municipality and Endowment fund the library
Objective: Increased and Sustainable Funding
Educate our patrons about our fiscal realities
Broaden our donor base with targeted appeals and fundraisers
Grow our Friends Group to increase advocacy and assistance with fundraising
Advocate for sustainable, predictable funding from our municipal partners
Develop operating budgets that do not rely on an unpredictable income stream from municipal partners.
Outcomes: Continued stewardship of our endowment
Predictable funding from monthly or annual donors
Annual Love Your Library Campaign
Larger Friends Group will naturally increase donations and fundraising ability
Predictable municipal commitments that take inflation and rising costs into account
Objective: Strengthen our commitment to the community and develop lasting partnerships
Engage in continuous dialogue with our community of patrons, through conversations and anecdotal observations
Seek additional business partnerships and strengthen our existing relationships
Partner with other nonprofits and Hancock County Libraries
Outcomes: Patrons more committed to the library, promote small business and other library partners.
Civic pride and commitment to Buck Memorial Library
Creating collections and programs that reflect the needs of the community
Mutually beneficial partnerships with businesses to promote each other
Cost savings as nonprofits or other libraries pool resources for materials or programs
Objective: Stewardship of our 1887 building and its contents Seek funding as appropriate to maintain and enhance our building.
Consider alternative energy solutions in any planning efforts
Develop and seek partnerships with local contractors as much as possible.
Outcomes: Buck Memorial Library and its contents are preserved for future generations
Bucksport and its surrounding communities will continue to benefit from a public library
As funding and need grows community advocacy may increase interest in a library addition
Objective: Use the Sustainable Library Framework to drive our Strategic Goals and all aspects of our operations
Reuse and Recycle rather than buy materials for programs
Seek donations from the community-for books and craft items
Partner with businesses for donated items or reduced cost for materials
Do an energy audit-seek grants for any improvements
Outcomes:
Sustainable Library Certification will open opportunities for grants we currently don’t qualify for.
Cost Savings for the library
Talking point as we advocate for funding from municipal partners and donors
Environmental impact
Community Engagement