Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System

FY2007-FY2011 Strategic Plan

Mission

Metrowest, a membership-driven organization of multitype libraries, provides access to resources and services that augment the capacity of individual member libraries. Mobilizing a small force of highly skilled employees and the cooperation of our members, we deliver continuing education and technological expertise, high level reference and consulting services, shared materials, and advocacy leadership to ensure the relevance and vitality of libraries in Metrowest Massachusetts.

Vision

Metrowest is known as the go-to resource for academic, public, school and special member libraries because…

Values

Strategic Visions and Goals FY2009

     =  Accomplishments
Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
Top priorities for the coming year. The bulk of staff time and energy. Maintenance and improvement of important priorities. Less staff time needed. May include previous Tier 1 initiatives that are now functioning smoothly. Maintenance of important but lower priorities. Least staff time required.
We design and deliver high quality continuing education workshops in response to evolving member needs and user expectations. We develop, evaluate, and deliver core services based on members' assessment of impact and relevance. We develop, evaluate, and deliver core services based on members' assessment of impact and relevance.

Goal 1: Provide continuing education workshops matched to evolving needs of member libraries

  • provided 28 workshops to 148 librarians in the first quarter of FY2009.

Goal 10: Investigate use of technologies for better efficiencies while maintaining a reliable, cost effective delivery service

  • continued work on LSTA delivery grant

Goal 19: Provide direct and mediated supplemental reference resources and services to assist with questions beyond the scope of member libraries individual collections

  • in cooperation with the Newton Free Library provided a series of reference workshops

Goal 2: Deliver continuing education workshops in ways that enable maximum participation and model new technologies

  • created online presence for Metrowest with Facebook and MySpace pages
  • provide access to WebJunction

Goal 11: Provide member access to resources through development and maintenance of MassCat

  • Migration of MassCat member records to Koha (open sources software) completed

Goal 20: Provide and promote an appropriate selection of electronic databases based on use statistics

  • in cooperation with the MBLC and other regions, provided funding for Literary Reference Center

Goal 3: Expand professional development for underserved members.

  • partnership with MSLA to offer workshops for library teachers in conjunction with tracks set up by the MA Department of Education.

Goal 12: Provide member libraries supplemental services and materials based on expressed needs within the region

  • provided statewide summer reading program materials
  • provided assistance for the planning and hosting of online surveys
  • Had 16,561 children, 729 teens, and 138 adutls participate in our summer reading program
Goal 21: Provide efficient and cost effective interlibrary loan services

  • in cooperation with the Wellesley Free Library, provided several workshops on resource sharing and interlibrary loan
We encourage and support the mastery of relevant, cutting-edge and emerging technologies. We advocate for member libraries by taking a leadership role on library issues. We build partnerships that cultivate cooperation among members and other organizations to maximize resources.
Goal 4: Increase members’ relevance through exposure to and implementation of new technology
  • participation of our public members in the online summer reading program jumped from 55% last year to 73% this year
Goal 13: Promote understanding of library issues and needs to local and state agencies and organizations
  • created Facebook group for the Youth Services Section of MLA for the Save our Libraries campaign
Goal 22: Develop communication and collaboration opportunities that facilitate library group discussions

Goal 5: Provide technology consultation and training to assist members in planning and implementation of new technologies

  • deliver training on databases and Web 2.0 for MSLA and member libraries
  • responded to questions about scanners, flat panels, wifi, and web hosts

 

Goal 14: Provide information in cooperation with partner organizations to support library legislative agendas

  • forwarded MBLC position statement on Ballot for Question 1 to membership

Goal 23: Collaborate with regional and statewide organizations and agencies to share resources and services to members

  • program swaps and collaborations with CMRLS
  • partnership with MSLA to offer workshops for library teachers on emerging technologies

 

Strategic Visions and Goals FY2009 continued...

Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
Top priorities for the coming year. The bulk of staff time and energy. Maintenance and improvement of importantpriorities. Less staff time needed. May include previous Tier 1 initiatives that are now functioning smoothly. Maintenance of important but lower priorities. Least staff time required.
We enhance our visibility to maximize members’ use of Metrowest services We maintain financial stability by strategically preparing for the cyclical nature of funding.

Goal 6: Define and promote the unique role of Metrowest.

  • explained role of Metrowest in the purchasing and supplying of Databases
  • held focus groups and conducted a members' survvey with 350 responses

Goal 15: Promote the value of Metrowest member libraries

 

Goal 7: Implement a marketing strategy for promoting the Metrowest mission


  • appointed Marketing Committee to work with Extra Mile Design on our branding project

Goal 16: Search for supplemental funding

Goal 8: Develop and promote the Metrowest Web Site as a central source of information

  • moved links from our Resources Page to del.icio.us

Goal 17: Evaluate current services for efficiencies and best value

Goal 9: Increase Metrowest visibility in members’ communities

  • continue visiting our members and their libraries

Goal 18: Routinely reevaluate member priorities of core services to maximize cost effectiveness

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