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METROWEST FY2006 PLAN OF
SERVICE GOALS
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Metrowest’s mission is reflected in the
following service goals of the Regional Plan of Service.
I.
Delivery Services: To facilitate resource sharing by setting
in place an efficient and cost effective method for delivery of materials and
information for participating Metrowest libraries and between Metrowest and the
other Regional Systems.
II.
Supplemental Reference Services: A. To provide direct and
mediated supplemental reference resources and services to assist with questions
beyond the scope of member libraries individual collections, including expanded
web resources; B. To provide member libraries access to shared electronic
databases.
III.
Interlibrary Loan Services: A. To
provide member libraries with access to resources through regional interlibrary
loan services; B. To provide member access to resources through development and
maintenance of MassCat.
IV.
Continuing Education and Training: To
provide relevant continuing education and training opportunities that support
the professional development of member librarians’ skills and knowledge to
better serve their users.
V.
Advisory & Technical Assistance: To provide advisory and
technical assistance to member libraries.
VI.
Other Supplemental Services: To provide member libraries
supplemental services based on expressed needs within the region.
VII.
Regional Coordination & Administration: To maintain a
Metrowest regional office that coordinates, implements, and administers
programs designed to serve the needs of members.
Metrowest Services are provided through state funds
administered by the
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
FY2006 Plan of Service |
GOAL I: To facilitate resource sharing by setting in place
an efficient and cost effective method for delivery of materials and
information for participating Metrowest libraries and between Metrowest and the
other Regional Systems. Metrowest recognizes that the delivery volume has
increased significantly as a result of the new system in place at the Minuteman
Library Network (MLN) Metrowest will continue to carefully monitor the volume
of delivery at each library. To control costs, Metrowest may adjust the
delivery schedule as necessary.
Metrowest
will provide on-site delivery to member libraries of library materials and
official communications of Metrowest member libraries, in accordance with
Regional guidelines.
1.
Monitor the delivery service to maintain efficient movement
of library materials
2.
Review and revise standards for providing and receiving
delivery as necessary
3.
Review and revise delivery routes and schedules with
delivery company as necessary
4.
Facilitate delivery solutions for MassCat participants
5.
Provide updated delivery information through Metrowest
website
6.
Cooperate with other regions to facilitate statewide
delivery
Measures:
Member
satisfaction
Review
contract for compliance by delivery company
Random
Survey for turn-around time and/or effectiveness of delivery
GOAL II: A. To provide direct and mediated supplemental
reference resources and services to assist with questions beyond the scope of
member libraries individual collections, including expanded web resources.
through a contract with the Newton Free Library.
1.
Provide supplemental reference and referral service to all
member libraries
2.
Provide direct non-resident access to regional reference
center
3.
Provide reference contact information and forms on the
Newton Free Library’s website
4.
Coordinate training programs on supplemental
reference services through the Newton Free Library
5.
Review and revise protocols for use of the Newton Free
Library supplemental reference services as needed
6.
Assess current and future supplemental reference and
research needs of members
7.
Negotiate with the Newton Free Library for effective
reference and research services for member libraries
8.
Collaborate with the Newton Free Library to provide links
to useful web accessible reference materials
Measures:
Survey on
effectiveness of service
GOAL II: B. To provide member libraries access to shared
electronic databases.
1.
Work closely with MBLC, other Regions, and networks, to
evaluate and provide cooperative access to the most useful, cost effective, web
accessible electronic databases
2.
Provide help desk support for electronic database setup and
access
3.
Continue to provide support FAQs on Metrowest website
4.
Review the evaluation data, annual use statistics, and
recommend shared databases to be provided by the region
5.
Investigate and implement ways to actively promote the use
of electronic databases to member libraries and their end users.
Measures:
Usage
statistics databases
Website statistics
Evaluate databases to
determine the ones that best meet the needs of the membership
GOAL III A: To provide member
libraries with access to resources through regional interlibrary loan services.
1.
Provide mediated Interlibrary Loan services through a
contract with the Wellesley Free Library.
2.
Review and analyze the mediated interlibrary loan service
considering alternative methods for obtaining resources, i.e. MassCat, and the
Virtual Catalog
3.
Provide ILL contact information and forms on the Wellesley
Free Library’s website
4.
Review protocols and procedures, evaluate performance
criteria, and assess current needs of members
5.
Coordinate training programs on borrowing, lending,
and delivery policies and procedures through the Wellesley Free Library
Measures:
Contract
with the Wellesley Free Library (ILL Provider)
Usage
statistics
GOAL III B: To provide member
access to resources through development and maintenance of MassCat.
1.
Continue development and implementation of low cost
conversion of records to machine readable format (MARC) for MassCat (as part of
the MBLC’s continued development of a virtual catalog)
2.
Fund region’s share of the cost of MassCat
3.
Investigate and find external funding to support MassCat
4.
Provide ongoing training to member libraries on using
MassCat, including the ILL function.
5.
Publicize and promote MassCat
Measures:
Number of
MassCat participants and number of holdings
Number of
ILLs generated through MassCat
GOAL IV: To provide relevant
continuing education and training opportunities that support the professional
development of member librarians’ skills and knowledge to better serve their
users.
1.
Determine individual and group needs of member libraries
for professional development and develop training opportunities as appropriate
2.
Provide workshops as appropriate
3.
Sub-contract with instructors as necessary to meet
professional development needs
4.
Recruit members as guest instructors
5.
Promote use of training facility to members
6.
Provide information about regional continuing education/professional
development opportunities via newsletter, flyers, website, and electronic
discussion list
7.
Continue to develop web accessible training opportunities,
workshop content, and relevant links.
8.
Continue to coordinate the planning, scheduling and
promoting of continuing education programs with other regions and library
organizations
Measures:
Annual Survey of Member needs
GOAL V: To provide advisory and technical assistance to
member libraries.
1.
Determine individual and group needs of member libraries
for advisory and technical assistance
2.
Continue to develop, maintain, and circulate a collection
of professional materials including books (available through MassCat) and
periodicals
3.
Involve members in the region through personal contact
4.
Identify, develop, and publicize sources of expertise to
meet the needs of Metrowest members
5.
Provide advice and technical support via phone, e-mail,
site visits, website, referrals and training
6.
Identify opportunities for pilot projects that will
encourage member collaboration
7.
Sub-contract with consultants for advisory and technical
assistance as necessary
Measures:
Consultant reports
GOAL VI: To provide
member libraries supplemental services based on expressed needs within the
region.
1.
Participate in the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems
(MARLS) Purchasing Cooperative ― for Library Supplies and Materials
2.
Participate with other regions in cooperative programming
activities, e.g., the summer reading program
3.
Promote consortial sponsor membership in NELINET, so
members can use NELINET services at affiliates rates
Measures:
User
satisfaction survey
Usage
Statistics
GOAL VII: To maintain a Metrowest regional office that
coordinates, implements and administers programs designed to serve the needs of
members.
1.
Work with the Executive Board, advisory committees,
contracting libraries, and member libraries to assist staff in the development
of programs that meet member needs
2.
Maintain an efficient regional office (office space,
inventory and contracts) Review and revise office procedures as needed
3.
Maintain financial records and ensure accuracy through
annual audit. Comply with state and federal regulations (budget manual,
records, audit, filing of appropriate forms)
4.
Support competent personnel through regional staff
development opportunities (conferences, workshops, and continuing education),
salary and benefits, and job descriptions and annual performance reviews
5.
Coordinate development of the Metrowest Plan of Service and
Budget
6.
Continue implementation of The Strategic Plan – FY 2004 –
FY2006
7.
Plan and initiate a strategic planning process to develop a
new Strategic Plan – FY2007 – FY2010
8.
Develop, submit, and implement grant proposals and projects
as appropriate to support Regional goals
9.
Continue to develop advocacy programs with member
libraries, for the public, legislators and funding authorities to advance
funding for Regional and other library services
10.
Continue to provide value of service documentation to
members
11.
Provide an up-to-date and useful website and discussion
lists for communication, dialog, sharing ideas and notice of events
12.
Participate in activities of relevant professional
organizations, associations, networks, boards and committees
13.
Represent the region and its members in statewide planning
activities
14.
Initiate and implement cooperative activities among member
libraries and other regional systems, networks, and other organizations that
promote improved library service
Measures:
Evaluations
Successful
implementation of service programs
Successful completion of Plan of Services Goals and
Objectives