Letter From the Board of Trustees
The Berkeley Heights Public Library Board of Trustees, Director and Assistant Director are pleased to be able to provide our Strategic Plan and Technology Goals.
The Director, Assistant Director and all of the Members of the Board were involved in putting the plan together. Interviews were conducted with a cross section of people from the community ranging from the current mayor, to business owners, senior citizens, school principals and others. With the diversity of books (many in multiple formats like large type, audio, etc.) we are outgrowing our current space. We have rearranged stacks and renovated the children’s room in an effort to make better use of the space we have, but we need more! The public agrees with us – answers to survey questions ranged from the unattractiveness of the building to the need for a larger facility.
The Berkeley Heights Public Library caters to people of all ages from children attending story time and then getting their first library card to senior citizens taking computer courses. In this day of tightened budgets, bestsellers can be borrowed in print or audio. Music and books can be downloaded. In addition to the “traditional” uses of a library, the Berkeley Heights Public Library is also a cultural center showing foreign films monthly, bringing in troupes to perform Shakespeare, having concerts and bringing in speakers from all walks of life for the public to enjoy at no cost to them.
We will continue dialogue with the members of the Berkeley Heights Town Council, will improve and expand our programs in light of the answers to the survey and will work closely with the Berkeley Heights Public Library Foundation Board so we can get “that little something extra” that won’t fit into our budget.
The future is here. As stated in our Core Values, we respect tradition while looking forward.
Hope Danzis
Karin Miller
Leslie Kaltenbach
Sheila Buthe
Naomi Rizzuti
Judith Rattner, Superintendent of Schools
Joseph Bruno, Mayor
May 26, 2011
Vision Statement
Berkeley Heights Public Library is an informational, social and cultural resource for the entire community.
Mission Statement
Berkeley Heights Public Library delivers information, social and cultural resources, serving all residents of our diverse community.
Core Values
Respect for the community
Respect for all entering the library
Respect for the highest level of service
Respect for staff
Respect for tradition while moving forward
Strategic Planning Committee
Berkeley Heights Public Library Board of Trustees 2011
Hope Danzis, President
Sheila Buthe, Treasurer
Karin Miller, Vice President
Leslie Kaltenbach, Secretary
Naomi Rizzuti
Judith Rattner, Superintendent of Schools
Joseph Bruno, Mayor of Berkeley Heights
Library Strategic Planning Committee
Hope Danzis
Karin Miller
Sheila Buthe
Leslie Kaltenbach
Naomi Rizzuti
Lavinia Boxill, Foundation President
Joseph Bruno
Elizabeth Rowe
Filippo Valli
Lois Densky-Wolff
Mary Mastria
Participating Staff
Stephanie Bakos, Director
Laura Fuhro, Children’s Librarian
Anne deFuria, Reference Head
Magdalen Wu, Circulation Head
Consultant for Focus Groups
James Keehbler
Planning Process
In 2004 and 2005 the Board of Trustees worked with Suzan Globus of Globus Design Associates to create and implement BHPL’s first formal Strategic Plan. The process included a Steering Committee (Board, Community Members, Staff), Focus Groups, a town-wide survey, and many meetings. The Strategic Plan had real results: a complete renovation of the Children’s Department and the formation of the Berkeley Heights Public Library Foundation. Board and staff also learned about the planning process.
Since that time, the Director and staff have benefited from the webinars and training sessions offered by the Library Development Bureau of the New Jersey Library, especially concerning marketing. The Director and a Board member also attended the Ivey Group’s first Strategic Planning Bootcamp session in April 5.
A new Steering Committee, again composed of Board member, Foundation members, and staff was created. James Keehbler was hired to conduct the focus groups Members of the Board and the Director conducted Leadership interviews. Also, a survey was placed on the website after clicking on the database link to capture more specific information.
Data analysis is part of the ongoing planning process taking place throughout the year. Monthly circulation statistics, program attendance, database usage, number of reference questions, etc. are all part of the data needed for the annual Per Capita State Aid report. Those statistics are then used for benchmarking BHPL against libraries in the same population and budget categories.
Strategic Plan 2011-2014 Executive Summary
VISION: Berkeley Heights Public Library is an informational, social and cultural resource for the entire community
MISSION: Berkeley Heights Public Library delivers informational, social and cultural resources, serving all residents of our diverse community
GOALS:
1. Members of the Board and Trustees and Staff will have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the highest level of service to the residents of Berkeley Heights
2. To design and implement a Marketing Plan to demonstrate to the residents of Berkeley Heights that BHPL provides the best bang for the tax buck
3. To create a positive library experience for after school students while integrating them into the larger library experience
4. To provide the technology resources necessary for all residents to achieve a high level of technology literacy
5. To maximize the building to best serve the changing needs and expectations of the residents of Berkeley Heights