Services:

Develop services, programs and collections that balance community demand and Ann Arbor District Library resources

Goal 1: Increase convenience in accessing existing services and materials.

• Install new automation system

[Update: Accomplished in July 2005.]

• Expedite materials handling and delivery between library locations

[Update: A delivery vehicle was purchased in January 2006.
Holds arriving at a location are flagged so they can be processed first.
Internal delivery begun with Library-owned vehicle. Deliveries are now made twice daily Monday-Friday and daily on Saturday and Sunday.
Cart delivery begun with internal delivery. Allows materials to be moved directly to delivery carts at check in and wheeled on and off truck for greater efficiency and quicker delivery of materials.]
[Update: An internal LEAN concept team developed a new process for sorting, checking and shelving materials returned or delivered to the Downtown processing area. The process was implemented on 1/08/2007, and is working to shorten the time materials spend in processing and hasten their return to the shelves. Statistics are being gathered now but anecdotal information shows that the process is working; materials on paging lists (requests from our patrons) are found more quickly and easily and public service staff report being able to locate materials for patrons readily. Parts of the process involving the shelving of materials has been implemented in the branches, also]

• Examine the feasibility of home delivery for fee

[Update: This will be considered as part of the larger delivery decision.]
[Update: UMSI Intern Winter 2007 – study focused on home delivery and deposit collections and is currently under review.]

• Replace current bookmobile with handicapped accessible vehicle to better serve seniors

[Update: This will be accomplished with the new delivery vehicle. Service in the current bookmobile will continue through fiscal year 05/06 (June 2006).
Bookmobile has retired.
New and better services to seniors are in the planning stages.]

• Reduce turn-around time for high demand materials

[Update: Bar-coding clerks are now aware of holds on new materials as they are processed and material is expedited accordingly.
Automatic clearing of In-Transit items begun in June 2006. Materials with holds are flagged at check in and sent to the pickup location with all non-hold materials. Only red flagged items are checked in at the pickup location. All other materials are sorted directly to carts for immediate shelving. The goal is 36 hours between check in and shelf.
Labelers installed at all locations to print self-sticking labels for all holds. Eliminates the need to hand-write hold labels and/or wrap holds for self pick up. Holds can go directly from the processor to the hold shelf and be ready for the patron before the hold message is sent.
Lowered the time holds remain available for pick-up to six days. This allows the materials to move through the hold queue more quickly.]

Goal 2: Ensure access to a balanced collection of materials, information resources and services for our community's rapidly growing and culturally diverse populations, with an emphasis on:

• Popular materials

[Update: Material funding allocation is primarily based on circulation data.
Expenditures for media are getting closer to the format's percentage of circulation. As of January 31, 2006 47% of the circulation was non-print material.
Purchase of multiple copies in sufficient quantities to satisfy patron demand at all locations across all formats continues to be an important objective.
Funding allocation is primarily based on circulation statistics for various collections. For the fiscal year ending June 2006, 57% of the Adult materials circulation and 30% of the Youth materials circulation represented non-print items.]
[Update: Relocate all new materials to first floor Downtown. Create new topical and seasonal displays to merchandise print materials on Downtown second floor.
Increase access by interfiling paperback and hardback fiction Downtown.
Increase ease of use by interfiling most oversize nonfiction into the regular collection Downtown.
Increase access of music CDs by having all CDs open to the public Downtown.
Creation of a Zoom Lends DVD collection that features the most popular feature films for a nominal fee systemwide.
AADL joined MeLCat (the Michigan eLibrary shared catalog system) on 9/18/2006. This system offers automated Interlibrary Loan to our patrons through any Michigan library participating in the system. Between September 2006 and March 2007 our patrons borrowed 11,585 items from other MeLCat libraries. AADL lent 12,326 items to patrons of those other libraries. Requests for materials are made electronically by the patrons and are tracked through the patron’s library card.]

• English as a Second Language

[Update: Staff attends AAPS ESL committee meetings held three times a year.
The budget allocation for this collection increased from 5k to 10k.
Established a separate ESL fund for 06/07.
The popularity of such materials, primarily in AV format, has led to the creation of an ESL fund so expenditures can be tracked independently of AV language materials aimed at English language speakers.]
[Update: Established partnerships with UM student organization PALMA to provide space for ESL tutoring to more than 120 non-English speakers twice a week. Free access to interactive ESL and basic literacy software via aadl.org to any account-holder.]

• Foreign Languages

[Update: The budget for this collection increased from 12k to 15k (in 2001, the budget was less than 5k).
The periodicals list for the coming year includes several new titles in foreign languages.
Two new languages added in 05/06.
Budget increased in 06/07.
The demand for materials in the FL collection continues to grow. These materials are transferred to the library location where the demand for each language is shown to be the greatest.]

• Adult Basic Reading (literacy)

[Update: Material collections are established in all agencies.
Established separate Adult Basic Literacy fund for 06/07.
Pittsfield Branch library opened in March 2006 with a separate designated collection of adult basic reading materials. It joins the Downtown Library and Malletts Creek as locations with separate collections, while the two smaller branches have adult basic reading materials integrated into their regular collections.
Washtenaw Literacy now partners with the Library to have introductory sessions for potential literacy tutors at the Malletts Creek Branch several times a year.]

• Local history digital collection

[Update: Picture Ann Arbor went live in July 2005.
The Making of Ann Arbor (moaa.org) project has had upgrades and improvements.
Ann Arbor Street Exhibit makes exhibit content available online.
The Making of Ann Arbor (moaa.org) received search field and content upgrades 05/06.]
[Update: The Ann Arbor Police Department Online History Exhibit Launched September 2006.]

• Seniors

[Update: All senior homes in the district are directly served by library staff via deposit collections or the Bookmobile.
Senior homes in the district are served through deposit collections. New and improved services to seniors are in the planning stages and will be part of the new Outreach/Circulation collaboration.]
[Update: Off-site remembrance programs offered by ONS staff. Withdrawn materials distributed to senior book groups.]

• Teens

[Update: AXIS relaunched to award-winning acclaim.
The programming budget increased with subsequent increases in participation.
AADL-GT tournaments are a new direction for libraries and are very successful.
Established partnership with Neutral Zone, 826 Michigan and Ann Arbor Art Center.
Summer Reading participation for teens grew to 1,174 in summer 2006.]
[Update: Launch of AADL MySpace page (though most of our “friends” are between 25 and 40.)]

Goal 3 Cultivate partnerships to develop programs and services that meet the diverse needs of the following communities:

[Update: Collaboration with the NEW Center has resulted in a new collection to assist nonprofits, job searchers, the enhancement of career skills, and small business start-ups.]
• School age students and educators (Homework)

[Update: Neutral Zone in-library tutoring sessions.
Therapaws introduced.
Landscape Explorers partnership with Nichols Arboretum at Malletts Creek.
Exhibit collaboration with Hands-On Museum for the Pittsfield Branch.]
[Update: Established partnership with Ann Arbor Public Schools Preschool and Family Center.
Expanded Library Songsters partnership with the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
Partnering with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum on Summer Reading 2007.]

• Local arts

[Update: Commissioned work by Paradigm Quilters to develop locally produced art work for Fiction area Downtown and the work was installed and dedicated in January 2006.
Commissioned work by artist Maxwell Davis to develop locally produced art work for Malletts Creek Branch and the work was installed in January 2005.
UM Art Department deaccessed art collection project placed art in library locations.
Established a partnership with the Ann Arbor Art Center.
Teen Graffiti Contest entries put on exhibit at the Library.
AADL now has an extensive partnership with the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair which includes summer exhibits and events. AADL also provides space and technology for art fair judging.
AADL now partners, via events, workshops and exhibits with a sizeable array of professional performance groups in the area including the University Musical Society, Purple Rose Theater, The Ann Arbor Summer Festival and the Performance Network.]
[Update:Established partnership with Kerrytown Artists Market.
Regular staff participation in local arts networking group Creative Connections.]

• Hobbyists

[Update: Services for videogame hobbyists developed.
First iPOD class in September 2005.
Classes for digital camera, photo restoration and iPod enthusiasts added.]
[Update: Added digital camera class for teens.]

• Low income

[Update: AADL has begun discussions with the IRS regarding how to provide free income tax assistance in the Library to individuals low-income individuals.]
[Update: Established partnership with the Washtenaw County Earned Income Tax Coalition offering free tax assistance to those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit.]

• Homeless

[Update: Security staff work directly with the AAPD and social service representatives at the Delonis center to direct library patrons needing assistance with shelter, substance abuse, and mental illness to appropriate agencies.
Facility upgrades Downtown have created a safer more inviting environment for all patrons.]

Goal 4 Promote intellectual freedom.

• Protect user privacy

[Update: III installed with only opt-in checkout history launched November 30, 2005.
Partnered with the ACLU on Patriot Act program at Quality 16 theater Fall 2005.]

• Oppose censorship of Library information and materials

[Update: We have had five titles reviewed due to patron initiated Reconsideration Requests. None of them were sent to the Board of Trustees for decision.]

• Promote understanding of the role of Public Libraries in American life

[Update: Staff at all levels speaks at universities, civic groups, and at library conferences on a regular basis.
Many operational choices of AADL receive positive statewide and national attention. Ex. Blogs, new website design, AXIS, GT Tournaments.]