Download our plan of service brochure below.
The Strathmore Municipal Library will provide opportunities for lifelong learning to the residents & visitors of Strathmore and District.
Consultation meetings were held as part of the launch of our new Strathmore and Area Adult Inclusive Learning program under the Community Adult Learning Program in January of 2020. Events were held for stakeholders and community partners as well as for the general public to gather input on community needs. The Town of Strathmore Municipal Library Board and staff provided their input. This was followed up with an extensive user survey online with many open-ended questions. Some major themes emerged from this consultation, including the need to reach non-users of the library; affordability and accessibility; and the library’s role in providing referrals and building community. These priorities are reflected in the goals outlined below.
This plan was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects the limitations, challenges, and opportunities the pandemic has presented. For instance, numbers of attendees at in-person programming is no longer something we can work to increase with physical distancing protocols in place. The pandemic has, however, given the library the push to explore what services and connections we can offer online and has opened up options in terms of modes of delivery. The pandemic has also emphasized the importance of specific library services including downloadable content, our Visiting Library Service, and Reader’s Advisory, services that we will need to continue to promote and develop. The plan was also developed under the assumption that due to financial hardship experienced by the province and the municipality, any funding increases are unlikely in the upcoming budget years.
Service Response |
Goal |
Time Frame |
Objective |
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Build a Community of Readers
Community members of all ages will have support and resources to develop their literacy skills and to access the reading materials they want in the format of their choosing. |
Children aged 0-5 will learn to love reading and will enter school ready to read, write, and listen. |
Ongoing |
Offer specialized literacy programs for children 0-5. |
June 2021 |
Partner with the Public Health Unit and Medical Clinics to provide literacy and library information to families of new babies and parents of young children. |
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September 2022 |
Circulation of children’s materials increases by 20%. |
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Parents and caregivers of children 0-5 will be equipped to support their child’s literacy development. |
September 2021 |
Early literacy programming is outcome-driven and include an educational component for caregivers. Programs will be evaluated and adjusted accordingly after each 6-8 week session. |
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June 2022 |
Program participants indicate increased confidence in supporting their child’s literacy development. |
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People of all ages are able to find books they enjoy in convenient formats. |
January 2021 |
Create one new guide or Reader’s Advisory resource for different ages, reading levels, and interests each month. |
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March 2022 |
Evaluate and update the international and French collections. |
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September 2022 |
Provide access to more copies of bestselling books in physical and digital formats. |
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The library’s collection and programs are accessible to all members of the community. |
May 2021 |
Implement a “Read Away Your Fines” program |
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January 2022 |
Issue free trial memberships (3 months) to anyone in the community without a library card. |
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June 2022 |
Increase the Large Print collection by 50 items. |
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September 2022 |
Circulation of the Adult Literacy collection increases by 30%. |
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September 2022 |
Total circulation increases by 20%. |
Service Response |
Goal |
Time Frame |
Objective |
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Visit a Comfortable and Functional Place.
The community will have safe, warm, and welcoming places to meet and interact with others or to sit quietly to read or study. |
Visitors will enjoy a quiet study space within the library’s facility. |
November 2020 |
Provide quiet space devoted to learners and tutors in our Strathmore & Area Adult Inclusive Learning (SAIL) program space for a minimum of 5 hours per day. |
Visitors will experience the library as a safe, welcoming, comfortable, and inclusive space. |
Ongoing |
Staff vigilantly uphold the library’s Code of Conduct and Code of Service to maintain a comfortable and safe environment for all patrons. |
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March 2021 |
A committee of library staff will develop protocols for handling escalating situations that ensure the safety of patrons and staff. |
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June 2022 |
90% of people surveyed indicate that the library is a welcoming, safe, comfortable place to visit. |
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September 2022 |
The library engages members of Siksika First Nation to provide input into making the library a welcoming place for Indigenous patrons. |
Service Response |
Goal |
Time Frame |
Objective |
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Satisfy Curiosity: Lifelong Learning.
The community will have access to collections and programs that support exploration and learning for all ages and abilities. |
Residents will enjoy programs and resources tailored to their interests and needs. |
September 2021 |
The library newsletter features a different e-resource each month with a link to an online tutorial. |
September 2021 |
Programs for children, teens, and adults are outcomes-based and promote creativity, learning, and skill development. |
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June 2022 |
90% of program participants are satisfied with their programs. |
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Residents will know what services, programs, and resources the library offers. |
Ongoing |
The library has a presence at community events to promote its programs, services, and resources. |
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Ongoing |
Pursue opportunities for outreach through partner agencies and the municipality. |
Service Response |
Goal |
Time Frame |
Objective |
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Connect with the Community.
The library will foster and promote connections between community members and between the community and the programs and services offered by other community organizations. |
Residents will use the library to learn about what is going on in the community and the supports and programs available to them. Staff will be well versed in what supports are available within the community. |
January 2020 |
Each month, a different staff member attends Interagency meetings to learn about local organizations and initiatives. |
November 2020 |
Each month, a different community partner is invited to be featured in our newsletter as well as in the library with a display. |
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June 2021 |
The library website provides links to local community agencies based on the Wheatland Interagency Resource Book. |
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The community will be strengthened by increased partnerships between the library and other local organizations. |
Ongoing |
Pursue partnering in some capacity with at least one new organization or on one new initiative each year. |
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The library will provide opportunities for community members to meet and get to know one another, combatting isolation and promoting connection. |
September 2021 |
Launch one in person and one new virtual book club. |
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December 2021 |
Offer knowledge-sharing opportunities for community members with armchair travel, human library, storytelling, or similar programs. |
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January 2022 |
Engage a minimum of 6 volunteers and serve at least 40 residents with the Visiting Library program. |