Bushnell-Sage Library Long Range Plan 2014 - 2018 by Helen Baldwin

Bushnell-‐Sage Library 48 Main Street Sheffield, MA 01257 Long Range Plan 2014-‐2018

Nancy Hahn, Director

Acknowledgments Many thanks to our dedicated Long Range Planning Committee, who provided their time and ideas to the planning process. You accomplished a great deal! tĞ ǁŝůů Ɛƚŝůů ŶĞĞĚ ǇŽƵƌ ŚĞůƉ ĂƐ ǁĞ ǁŽƌŬ ƚŽ ĂĐŚŝĞǀĞ ŽƵƌ ůŝďƌĂƌǇ͛Ɛ ŐŽĂůƐ͘ Thank you to Mary King, from the Whately office of the Massachusetts Library System, for her leadership and support. Mary recognizes the special needs of rural libraries. Thanks also go to Kathie Dean for facilitating our SWOT meeting, and to Frances Roth for compiling/writing our meeting notes and for her work on the survey. Thank you to Consultant Mary Behrle for her help in writing the plan. We could not have done this alone! Warmest Regards, Nancy Hahn, Director

Long Range Planning Committee 2012 Joan Brooks Patrick O. Burns John K. Campbell Lesliann Furcht Molly Goodchild Frederic Gordon Betty LeGeyt, Chair Doug MacDonald Jane Nye Dick Richardson Frances Roth Annie Ryder Marcia Savage Gillian Seidl Photos: Cover photo from Bushnell-‐Sage Library website. Other photos taken by T. and M. Behrle.

Table of Contents Community Scan ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘ ϭ Library Scan ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘ ϯ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ DĞƚŚŽĚŽůŽŐǇ ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘ ϳ Mission Statement ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙.. 7 Needs Assessment ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙ ϴ Goals/Objectives ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘ 12 Action Plan FY ϮϬϭϰ͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘ ϭϱ Appendices͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙ 17 dƌƵƐƚĞĞƐ͛ ƉƉƌŽǀĂů͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͘͘ Ϯ3

Morning light coming into the adult stack area.

Bushnell-‐Sage Library Long Range Plan 2014-‐2018 Community Scan Overview1 Sheffield is a picturesque New England town located in the Housatonic River Valley of Berkshire County in southwĞƐƚĞƌŶ DĂƐƐĂĐŚƵƐĞƚƚƐ͘ ŽŵƉƌŝƐĞĚ ŽĨ ƚǁŽ ǀŝůůĂŐĞƐ͕ ^ŚĞĨĨŝĞůĚ ĂŶĚ ƐŚůĞǇ &ĂůůƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ƚŽǁŶ͛Ɛ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ƉĂƚƚĞƌŶ has been greatly influenced by its physical features: the Housatonic River and its wide floodplain; the Schenob Brook wetland complex and the steep slopes of the Berkshire Hills on the east and the Taconic Range on the west. To the north lies the town of Great Barrington; New Marlborough, to the east; Canaan (CT), to the south; and the town of Mount Washington, to the west. West beyond Mount Washington is New York State. The oldest town in Berkshire County, the township was purchased from Chief Konkapot and other Stockbridge Indians in 1724. The first English settler ƚŽ ĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ ͞ŚŝĚĞŽƵƐ ŚŽǁůŝŶŐ ǁŝůĚĞƌŶĞƐƐ͟ was Matthew Noble of Westfield who arrived in 1725. WƌŽƉƌŝĞƚŽƌ͛Ɛ ƌĞĐŽƌĚƐ ĂŶĚ Ă ƐƵƌǀĞǇ ǁĞƌĞ ƚĂŬĞŶ ďǇ ĂƉƚĂŝŶ :ŽŚŶ ƐŚůĞǇ͕ ďĞŶĞǌĞƌ WŽŵĞƌŽǇ, and Thomas Ingersoll. This Committee was to advance the settlement of the town by selecting persons who would become permanent residents. Home lots were drawn in three divisions, and the town was incorporated in June 1733. Early in its history, Mum Bett, an African-‐American slave, angered at her mistreatment by her owner, Mrs. Hannah Ashley, sued for her freedom under the newly-‐created Massachusetts Constitution (1780). She won her case in 1781, the first African-‐American woman freed under the new Constitution. In 1783, a Supreme Judicial Court decision abolished slavery in Massachusetts. /Ŷ ϭϳϴϳ͕ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ďĂƚƚůĞ ŽĨ ^ŚĂǇƐ͛ ZĞďĞůůŝŽŶ ƚŽŽŬ ƉůĂce in Sheffield. Noted for its deep agricultural soils, much of Sheffield remains open and in agricultural production. A combination of wide open river valley, mountain vistas and active farmland makes Sheffield one of the most scenic towns in the Commonwealth. Located on US Route 7, Sheffield is approximately one hour from Hartford, Springfield, and Albany, and two and one-‐half hours from Boston and New York City. ^ŚĞĨĨŝĞůĚ͛Ɛ ĞĂƐǇ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĐŝƚŝĞƐ ǀŝĂ ƚŚĞ ŝŶƚĞƌƐƚĂƚĞƐ makes it a desirable weekend and summer destination. Local Government2 The executive powers of the Town of Sheffield are vested in the elected three-‐member Board of Selectmen, which serves as the chief policy-‐making board for the town. The Selectmen appoint the Town Administrator. Sheffield has 2,213 registered voters. An Open Town Meeting takes place annually in May. The latest Town of Sheffield Annual Report cites these issues for 2011: wind siting legislation, opening of the new senior center, advocacy for a new water tank, and broadband installation. Statistics Sheffield is 48.54 square miles in area. There are 5,205 acres of open space. Of these, 2,084 are held by a private land conservancy; 284 acres are town-‐owned. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Sheffield is 3,257 down from 3,335 in 2000. (The 2011 Annual Town Census places the population at 3,438). The population density is 68.7 persons per square mile. 1

Town of Sheffield (MA), http://www.sheffieldma.gov/Pages/index (August 2012)

Town of Sheffield (MA), 2011 Annual Report.

The Sheffield population breakdown from the 2010 U. S. Census is: Age Group % of Population 0 -‐ 5 7.38 The age groups between 35 and 84 are all higher than state and national levels. 6 -‐ 11 8.27 The median age is 42.2, in contrast with 37.1 statewide and 35.6 nationally. 12 ʹ 17 8.64 18 ʹ 24 5.88 In 2009, the estimated median household income in Sheffield was $48,8263 (the 25 ʹ 34 8.99 estimated median household income in Massachusetts was $64,081). The 2009 35 ʹ 44 15.10 estimated median house or condo value was $284,582; it was $338,500 in 45 ʹ 54 16.36 Massachusetts. 55 ʹ 64 14.26 65 ʹ 74 8.17 Sheffield has 1,751 housing units, up from 1,634 in 2000. There are currently 200 75 ʹ 84 5.22 ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŽǁŶĞƌƐ͛ ƐĞĐŽŶĚ ŚŽŵĞƐ͘ 85+ 1.74 Employment The largest employers in Sheffield are: Berkshire School, Undermountain Elementary School, Massini Bus Company, Mount Everett Regional High School, Sheffield Plastics, Southern Berkshire Special Education, and Sun-‐Rise Program. According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development4, the Sheffield labor force in July 2012 was 2,061. The unemployment rate was 3.5%, compared with 6.6% statewide. Schools Sheffield is a member of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District (SBRSD), serving the communities of Alford, Egremont, New Marlborough, Monterey, and Sheffield. Sheffield students attend Undermountain Elementary School for grades pre-‐K to 6 and Mount Everett Regional High School for grades 7 to 12. Mount Everett serves 360 students from the five-‐town area and offers college-‐preparatory and occupational education programs. Voters from the five communities elect the ten members of the SBRSD. The Berkshire School, an independent college preparatory school, serves 380 day and boarding students from 30 states and 24 countries. Activities Cultural resources in the Sheffield area include the Berkshire Choral Festival, Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, the Berkshire International Film Festival, and the Norman Rockwell Museum. A destination for antique shopping, visitors to Sheffield also enjoy birding and hiking at Bartholomew's Cobble, a 329-‐acre nature sanctuary owned by The Trustees of Reservations.

City-‐Data.com, http://www.city-‐data.com/city/Sheffield-‐Massachusetts.html (August 2012)

Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Department of Unemployment Assistance, http://lmi2.detma.org/lmi/town_comparison.asp (August 2012)

Bushnell-‐Sage Library Scan History5 According to A History of the Bushnell-‐Sage Library by Martha Greene, the public library in Sheffield has moved all over town. In 1876, when the town meeting voted to institute the first free town library, the library committee housed it above 107 Main Street (ǁŚĞƌĞ ^ŝůŬ͛Ɛ sĂƌŝĞƚǇ ŝƐ ŶŽǁ). Three years later, the townspeople voted the library out of existence. The Sheffield Friendly Union took responsibility for the books until 1891, when interest in a tax supported public library revived and the public library shared space with the Friendly Union Library in the Dewey Memorial Hall. In 1901, the trustees of the library moved the collection to two rooms in the town hall. When a library trustee, Miss Alice B. Sage, died in 1921, she bequeathed $10,000 to the town for the building of a free public library. Two years later a library patron, Samuel Hopkins Bushnell, passed away, leaving another bequest of $25,000. With this money in 1929, the town erected a building on the corner of Main Street and what is now Berkshire School Road. When the space for 10,000 books became inadequate in 1936, an extra room was built onto the back of the building. The expanding collection soon crowded that building. Then, in 1993, the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring that all public buildings be made accessible to everyone, made the building obsolete. That same year, the last students left the old Sheffield Center School for the new Undermountain Elementary School. With grant money and generous contributions from local citizens, the building was renovated and converted to serve as the new library building in 1997. The most recent renovations took place in 2007. In the 130 years the Sheffield Town Library has existed, there have been very few librarians. Eugene Vosburgh acted as librarian for one dollar a week when the library opened above his store. Mary Leonard became the librarian for both the Dewey Hall Library and the public library when the collection moved to Dewey Hall. There have been only three librarians since the library moved into its own building in 1929: Willard French (1929-‐1973), John Campbell (1973-‐2000) and Nancy Hahn (2001-‐present). Library Governance6 Town voters elect the three-‐member Board of Library Trustees, whose authority is derived from Chapter 78, Sections 10 and 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The board appoints the library director and delegates the responsibility for library management, collection development, and the provision of library services to the director. The library director is an employee of the Town of Sheffield. Library Building and Grounds Set well back from Route 7 (Main Street), the 10,000 square foot Bushnell-‐Sage Public Library is a cheerful and vibrant place, full of light and bustle. Comfortable seating areas are scattered throughout the building. The circulation desk, public-‐use computer terminals, new fiction and non-‐fiction books, video sections, the periodicals, ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĚĞůŝŐŚƚĨƵů ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛Ɛ ǁŝŶŐ ĂƌĞ all located on the main floor. The other fiction and non-‐fiction books and audio book stacks are on the second floor. The basement houses a large meeting room and kitchen facilities. There is ample parking space in front of the library building. The library parking lot has space for 40 vehicles and features tree plantings, adding a welcoming touch to the outside of the building. The library participates in the Sheffield Tree Project, whose mission is to involve the community in planting and caring for the diverse population of trees in Sheffield.

Bushnell-‐Sage Library http://www.sheffieldma.gov/pages/sheffieldma_library/libraryhistory (August 2012)

Bushnell-‐Sage Library, Long Range Plan, 1996.

A new hosta garden is planted on the grounds next to the Marketplace Café. There is a patio and gardens adjoining a 3.5 acre park in back of the library. This outdoor space is used for childreŶ͛Ɛ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵŝŶŐ͘ The beauty of the library grounds provides endless possibilities for programming for all ages. The library is anticipating expansion needs in the very near future. There is room to expand behind the existing building. Additional meeting room facilities might also be pursued through a combination of state grants and donations from the Friends of the Library.7 Staffing8 The Bushnell-‐Sage Library is staffed by two full-‐timers and ten part-‐timers, who work a total of 150 hours per week. Their full-‐time equivalency is 4.29 staff members, which includes .29 custodial staff. Collections The collection strengths are: agriculture, landscape architecture, gardening, translated international works, classics, and poetry. Passes dŚĞ ůŝďƌĂƌǇ ŚŽůĚƐ ĨƌĞĞ ƉĂƐƐĞƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞƐĞ ůŽĐĂů ƉůĂĐĞƐ ŽĨ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ĂŶĚ ĐƵůƚƵƌĂů ƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ͗ ƐŚůĞǇ ,ŽƵƐĞ͕ ĂƌƚŚŽůŽŵĞǁ͛Ɛ Cobble, Berkshire Museum, Chesterwood, The Clark Art Institute, Hancock Shaker Museum, MassMoCA, Mission House, Naumkeag House and Gardens, Norman Rockwell Museum, and Ventfort Hall. Library Programming The library hosted 106 ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛Ɛ programs (851 attendance) and 322 adult programs (3,408 attendance) in 2012.9 All library programs are free. ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛Ɛ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ĂƌĞ ƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞĚ ŽŶ Thursday and Saturday mornings, during school vacations, and in the summer. In cooperation with Undermountain Elementary and Massini Bus Company, the library offers half-‐day programs on teacher professional development days. For adults, there are knitting and yoga programs. The Indigo Hues artists meet every week in the library; the Book Club meets monthly. . Read Arounds, Bushnell-‐^ĂŐĞ >ŝďƌĂƌǇ͛Ɛ ongoing poetry seminars, highlight both significant published poets and the work of participants. In 2011, the library hosted five book talks featuring Sheffield and Great Barrington authors. dŚĞ ůŝďƌĂƌǇ ƉĂƌŬ ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ǀĞŶƵĞ ĨŽƌ Ă ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ^ŚĂŬĞƐƉĞĂƌĞ͛Ɛ Cymbeline. A group from Columbia County (NY) performed, and a packed audience sat on bleachers to view the play. Library Holdings10 Print Holdings Audiovisual Holdings Miscellaneous Print Serials Total Holdings 37,882 6,536 11 453 44,882 7

Town of Sheffield (MA), Town Master Plan (Section 7: Community Facilities and Services), http://www.sheffieldma.gov/Pages/SheffieldMA_WebDocs/Master%20Plan/Facilities%20&%20Services.pdf (August 2012) 8

Bushnell-‐Sage Library, ARIS Report 2012.

Library Budget FY 2009 $152,664 Library Hours Sunday 2:00 PM ʹ 5:00 PM

FY 2010 $152,664

FY 2012

FY 2013

$154,937

$158,900

$159,665

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Closed

10:00 AM ʹ 5:00 PM

10:00 AM ʹ 8:00 PM

10:00 AM ʹ 5:00 PM

Circulation Snapshot 2005 2006 55,341

FY 2011

64,446

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

67,607

66,982

65,607

65,842

68,31211

January ʹ May 2012 28,218

Collaborations The library works with the Sheffield Historical Society, the Council on Aging and Senior Center, the regional school system and the private schools, local merchants, and other area libraries. The library has a good rapport with the local press, often suggesting articles for print. Some examples of recent collaborative efforts are: x Martin Luther King programs with the Sheffield Historical Society. x Senior citizens attending ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛Ɛ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ͘ x Oral history and senior citizens. x The Magic Fluke Company (ukulele merchant). x Green community training in the library. x Student intern from Mount Everett Regional High School. x Berkshire School Gracious Living Day projects. x Sheffield Tree Project planting and pruning of trees. x Sheffield religious groups͛ annual memorial tree planting. Quick Statistics x The Bushnell-‐Sage Library has 1,390 card holders from Sheffield. x The library has an average of 648 visitors per week. x Circulation in 2011 reached a new high of 68,312. x The library is open 41 hours per week. (The minimum number of hours required by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for a community the size of Sheffield is 15 hours.) x There are 362 Friends of the Bushnell-‐Sage Library. x The library has four public use computers. x During a typical week, 211 people use a public Internet computer. x dŚĞ ůŝďƌĂƌǇ͛Ɛ ĞůĞĐƚƌŽŶŝĐ ŶĞǁƐůĞƚƚĞƌ ƌĞĂĐŚĞƐ ϯϬϬ ƌĞĂĚĞƌƐ͘ x Volunteer help accounts for 36 hours worked per week. 11

January -‐ May 2011 circulation was 28,123.

The Friends of the Bushnell-‐Sage Library In 2011, the Friends dedicated the new patio outside the meeting room. They hosted the annual book sale in October, and sponsored the Local Authors Day on November 5. The Friends also donated thousands of dollars for the purchase of library materials.

A section of the patio and gardens outside the Meeting Room were made possible with the help of community businesses and the Friends of the Bushnell-‐Sage Library.

Planning Methodology A 14-‐member Long Range Planning Committee (made up of trustees, Friends, and volunteers) met four times on January 12, February 16, March 29, and June 28, 2012. Trustee Betty LeGeyt chaired the Committee. Summary of Activities January 12: Nancy Hahn presented an overview of the long range planning process and the benefits of planning for Massachusetts libraries. February 16: Kathie Dean facilitated a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) brainstorming exercise. March 15: Library staff participated in a SWOT brainstorming session at a staff meeting. March 29: Mary King, an advisor from the Massachusetts Library System in Whately, facilitated a community visioning exercise. The Committee discussed their visions (the best that Sheffield could be) in seven or so years. The group discussed those visions which the library could impact and voted on their top priorities. May 7 ʹ June 15: Community surveys were made available at the Town Meeting and at the library circulation desk. 157 respondents completed surveys. Volunteer Frances Roth organized the results and compiled a summary report. June 28: Frances Roth presented the survey findings to the Committee. August 14: Library Director Nancy Hahn met with BiblioTemps® Consultant Mary Behrle to discuss the issues facing Bushnell-‐Sage Library and the writing of the long range plan. Mission Statement The Bushnell-‐Sage Library is dedicated to informing, educating, and culturally enriching the residents of Sheffield, MA. To that end the library provides a comprehensive collection of books, magazines, video and audio materials, computers and Internet access, programming and activities designed for all age groups. First and foremost the library aims to be responsive to the needs of the community which it serves.

Cozy main floor reading area.

Needs Assessment SWOTs12 The Long Range Planning Committee and the staff participated in SWOT brainstorming exercises, identifying what the library does well and where it can grow opportunities for future library services. The committee and the staff agreed that the strengths of Bushnell-‐Sage Library lie in its staff and volunteers. Both groups voiced concerns about the lack of space, the level of staffing, and the need for a computer replacement plan. The committee saw opportunities for coordination of efforts with other community services and local merchants. The staff had ideas about bettering the existing library space. Each group cited the competition of television as the ůŝďƌĂƌǇ͛Ɛ ďŝŐŐĞƐƚ ƚŚƌĞĂƚ͘ Visioning for the Community of Sheffield13 The Planning Committee imagined a picture-‐perfect community. Ideas were consolidated into topical areas. The committee answered ƚŚĞ ƋƵĞƐƚŝŽŶ͕ ͞,Žǁ ĐĂŶ ƚŚĞ ƵƐŚŶĞůů-‐Sage Library help attain our visions for SheffielĚ͍͟ These were the top visions (the numbers represent the times committee members agreed with the idea): x Have cultural opportunities locally: literature, arts, music (9) x Local summer/vacation internships for youth (7) x dŚĞ ƐĐŚŽŽů ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ŚĂƐ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĂŶĚ ĐŽůůĂďŽƌĂƚŝŽŶ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ƚŽǁŶ͛Ɛ ŝŶĚŝǀŝĚƵĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ŐƌŽƵƉƐ ;ϳͿ x Benefit from town grants (6) x Have benefit of local food and farming education at school (4) Community Survey Analysis14 The community survey reached library users and non-‐users. It asked their opinions of library services and how the library can better meet their needs. Most of the 157 completed surveys were collected at the Town Meeting. Since those who attend Town Meeting tend to be older members of the community; the age of the survey respondents reflects that: x 74 over age 60 x 66 between ages 36 and 60 x 7 between 26 and 35 x 7 between 17 and 25 x 3 between 9 and 16 Of the respondents, 132 said they have a Bushnell-‐Sage Library card. The remaining 25 indicated that they have a library card from another town or that their spouse has a card. Respondents said they visit the library: x Once or more per week (79) x Once a month (36) x 2 or 3 times a year (25) x Only in the summer (2) x Only on weekends (1) 12

See Appendix A for the SWOT results.

See Appendix B for the complete Visioning Exercise notes.

See Appendix C for the 2012 User Survey.

x Do not visit the library (12)15 Library users said they come to a Bushnell-‐Sage Library to borrow: x Books (126) x Movies (83) x Audio books on CD (45) x Magazines (31) x Museum Passes (24) x Audio books on cassette (23) x Music CDs (21) x Large print books (14) x eBooks (5) Library users listed additional reasons why they visit the library: x Use a computer for Internet access (43) x View an exhibit (40) x Read/work/study/homework (34) x Conduct research (29) x Use Wi-‐Fi (21) x Volunteer (13) x Other: programs, photocopier, fish tank, yoga, book group, art group, book sale, knitting, Friends, story time When asked which adult programs they would most likely attend, respondents said: x Book sale (78) x Local author presentations (73) x Nature/environment presentations (63) x Book talks (57) x Travelogues by local residents (46) x Film showings (46) x Gardening lectures (45) x Yoga class (34) x Drawing/painting class (24) x Knitting group (21) x Poetry Read Arounds (19) x Book club (17) x Craft programs (16) Respondents with children said they would likely attend these programs with their child: (These lower numbers reflect the overall older age range of the respondents.) x Book sale (16) x Nature/environmental presentations (15) x Story time (9) x Film showings (9) x Lego club (7) x Summer camp (6) x Chess club (5) 15

Those who do not visit or visit only on weekends or in the summer said they buy their books or have their own computer and Internet access.

x x x

Scrabble club (4) Half-‐day program (4) Book club (1)

Respondents listed what they thought would increase their library use, including: x Specific additions to the library collection (18) -‐ more British mystery DVDs, more non-‐fiction science books, more current DVDs, and a larger selection of books on CD. x More convenient hours (16) ʹ later hours, Monday hours, longer Saturday and Sunday hours, earlier morning openings. x Different programs (11) x Reference assistance (1) x Better service (1) Those who responded to the question about what programs they would like the library to offer said: x Speaker series (46) x Movie showings (43) x Music programs (38) x Author visits (36) x Technology classes (32) x Writing workshops (21) x Book group (17) x Other: Talks by local farmers, OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) classes Survey respondents noted how they learn about library services: x Word of mouth (69) x Flyers/posters/brochures (64) x Newspaper (45) x Electronic newsletter (32) x Town website (15) When asked if they use the ůŝďƌĂƌǇ͛Ɛ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ĐĂƚĂůŽŐ, respondents said: x Yes (63) x No (48) x ŝĚŶ͛ƚ ŬŶŽǁ / ĐŽƵůĚ (22) An open-‐ended question asked, ͞What do you like most about the Sheffield library?͟ dŚĞ ĂŶƐǁĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ͗ x Great staff and great offerings x Home away from home x Everything x Excellent service/pleasant staff/cheerful place x Small and friendly staff x Willingness to borrow from other libraries x Computers and staff x Casual ambience/knowledgeable staff x The friendly people/the building/Nancy x The helpful and cheerful librarians and volunteers x Lovely place to browse/great place for meetings x ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛Ɛ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƐĐŚŽŽů ǀĂĐĂƚŝŽŶ x Child friendly x Nancy Hahn 10

x x x

The Sheffield library is a special place No mandatory fines Ease of reserving new books

The final qƵĞƐƚŝŽŶ ĂƐŬĞĚ͕ ͞,Žǁ ĐĂŶ ǁĞ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞ ůŝďƌĂƌǇ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ͍͟ ZĞƐƉŽŶĚĞŶƚƐ ƌĞƉůŝĞĚ͗ x You already do an excellent job x <ĞĞƉ ĚŽŝŶŐ ǁŚĂƚ ǇŽƵ͛ƌĞ ĚŽŝŶŐ x Another session on downloading eBooks x Would like to see a special mystery section with new books x More programs x Expand hours x Open more evenings and Mondays x ĂŶ͛ƚ ƚŚŝŶŬ ŽĨ ĂŶǇƚŚŝŶŐ x Keep thinking out of the box All of these methods ʹ the SWOTs, Community Visioning, and the Library Survey -‐ contribute to the overall assessment of library collections and services.

How we welcomed the Governor, April 11, 2010.

Goals and Objectives 2014-‐2018

Goal 1. At the Bushnell-‐ Sage Library, residents have access to a comfortable, welcoming facility.

Objective 1.1. Work within the boundaries of the present building to create the best space for library programs and services.

Action steps 1.1.1. Identify alternate uses of space. 1.1.2. Develop a maintenance plan that takes into account the historic nature of the building.

Time frame Before FY 2014 and continuing FY 2014

Responsibilities Director Trustees Staff Director Staff

1.2. Investigate expansion of the library building as proposed by the Town Master Plan, approved in 2004. Needs identified include staff, programming, and collections space. 1.3. Apply for a Planning and Design Grant under the Massachusetts Public Library Construction 17 Program. 1.4. Identify funders, e.g., MBLC and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grants, private funders. 1.5. Build upon the beauty of the library grounds as the first point of welcome to the library.

1.2.1. Evaluate community support. 1.2.2. Build an advocacy base. 1.2.3. Write a library 16 building plan.

FY 2014 FY 2014 FY 2014

Director Trustees Director and Staff Trustees and Friends Director Trustees

1.3.1. Form a Building Committee. 1.3.2. Write the planning grant proposal.

FY 2015 FY 2015

Director Trustees Director

1.4.2. Conduct data gathering and research. 1.4.4. Write grants.

FY 2016 FY 2016-‐2017

Director Trustees Building Committee Director Building Committee

1.5.1. Continue to take part in the Sheffield Tree Project. 1.5.2. Enlarge the library gardens. Engage the support of local businesses.

FY 2014-‐2018 FY 2014-‐2018

Director Staff Director Friends Volunteers

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) requires a library to have a building plan prior to application for a Planning and Design Grant. 17

A program of the MBLC.

Goal 2. Library users have access to the most current information technology.

Objective 2.1. Library has a technology plan that includes a cycle of hardware and software needs. 2.2. Town funds library technology upgrades.

Action steps 2.1.1. Write a technology and computer replacement plan.

2.2.1. Library advocates for technology budget support at Town Meeting. 3. The Town of 3.1. Town approves 3.1.1. Library Sheffield funds the a library position for develops rationale library at a level that technology/grants and advocates at reflects its changing writing and supports Town Meeting. service needs. additional staff hours for nights and weekends. 3.2. Library develops a management transition plan. 4. Library users of all 4.1. Expand adult 4.1.1. Continue ages have access to program offerings. collaborations with a wide range of organizations such as: programs and the Trustees of activities. Reservations, the Green community, and the Sheffield Historical Society. 4.1.2. Leverage community skills to develop new programs. 4.2. Increase the 4.2.1. Reach out to availability of both part-‐time and internships and full-‐time residents. volunteer activity. 4.2.2. Work with high school and Council on Aging to match a student with a high school senior for mentoring and technology assistance.

Time frame FY 2014

Responsibilities Director Staff

FY 2014

Director Trustees

FY 2014

Director Trustees

FY 2014

Director Trustees

FY 2014-‐2018 FY 2014-‐2018

Director Staff Director Staff Friends Volunteers

FY 2014-‐2018 FY 2014-‐2015

Director Staff Friends Director Staff Friends

Goal

5. Residents view the Bushnell-‐Sage Library as a community resource.

Objective Action steps 4.3. Continue the 4.3.1. Reach out to summer and after schools for summer school programming reading lists. for children. 5.1. Library 5.1.1. Identify preserves the important collections. history of Sheffield through its historical 5.1.2. Apply for collections. statewide assistance to digitize important historical collections. 5.2. Increase the 5.2.1. Continue to visibility of the seek out third-‐party library, its applications, e.g., collections, and Wowbrary, to programs through promote the library the website, and its collections. Facebook, and Twitter. 5.2.2. Develop a web template that staff can use to easily edit web information. 5.2.3. Create book review blogs.

Time frame FY 2014-‐2018

5.3. Increase library card membership.

FY 2014-‐2018

5.3.1. Use venues like Town Meetings and the Arts Festival to sign up new card holders.

Responsibilities ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛Ɛ ^ƚĂĨĨ

FY 2014-‐2015 FY 2014-‐2015

Director and Staff Volunteers Director Staff

FY 2014-‐2015 FY 2014 FY 2014

Director Staff Staff Volunteers Staff Volunteers Director Staff Friends Volunteers

Bushnell-‐Sage Library Action Plan FY 201418 1. At the Bushnell-‐Sage Library, residents have access to a comfortable, welcoming facility. 1.1. Work within the boundaries of the present building to create the best space for library programs and services. 1.1.1. Identify alternate uses of space. 1.1.2. Develop a maintenance plan that takes into account the historic nature of the building. 1.2. Investigate expansion of the library building as proposed by the Town Master Plan, approved in 2004. Needs identified include staff, programming, and collections space. 1.2.1. Evaluate community support. 1.2.2. Build an advocacy base. 1.2.3. Write a library building plan. 1.5. Build upon the beauty of the library grounds as the first point of welcome to the library. 1.5.1. Continue to take part in the Sheffield Tree Project. 1.5.2. Enlarge the library gardens. Engage the support of local businesses. 2. Library users have access to the most current information technology. 2.1. Library has a technology plan that includes a cycle of hardware and software needs. 2.1.1. Write a technology and computer replacement plan. 2.2. Town funds library technology upgrades. 2.2.1. Library advocates for technology budget support at Town Meeting. 3. The Town of Sheffield funds the library at a level that reflects its changing service needs. 3.1. Town approves a library position for technology/grants writing and supports additional staff hours for nights and weekends. 3.1.1. Library develops rationale and advocates at Town Meeting. 3.2. Library develops a management transition plan. 4. Library users of all ages have access to a wide range of programs and activities. 4.1. Expand adult program offerings. 4.1.1. Continue collaborations with organizations such as: the Trustees of Reservations, the Green community, and the Sheffield Historical Society. 4.1.2. Leverage community skills to develop new programs. 4.2. Increase the availability of internships and volunteer activity. 18

Action plan outline numbering is taken from the Goals and Objectives table, pp. 12-‐14.

4.2.1. Reach out to both part-‐time and full-‐time residents. 4.2.2. Work with high school and Council on Aging to match a student with a high school senior for mentoring and technology assistance. 4.3. Continue the summer and after school programming for children. 4.3.1. Reach out to schools for summer reading lists. 5. Residents view the Bushnell-‐Sage Library as a community resource. 5.1. Library preserves the history of Sheffield through its historical collections.

5.1.1. Identify important collections. 5.1.2. Apply for statewide assistance to digitize important historical collections.

5.2. Increase the visibility of the library, its collections, and programs through the website, Facebook, and Twitter. 5.2.1. Continue to seek out third-‐party applications, e.g., Wowbrary, to promote the library and its collections. 5.2.2. Develop a web template that staff can use to easily edit web information. 5.2.3. Create book review blogs. 5.3. Increase library card membership. 5.3.1. Use venues like Town Meetings and the Arts Festival to sign up new card holders.

Pine Knoll Park behind Bushnell-‐Sage Library.

Appendix A

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Exercises

Long Range Planning Committee Strengths x Our librarian, Nancy Hahn: open, energetic, and persuasive x Availability of new books x Strong collection of videos, books on CD, and magazines. x Welcoming environment. x ƵƚŚŽƌƐ͛ Day ʹ a unique offering. x After school and vacation programs. x Book talks x Book sales x Historical collection x Sunday hours that meet the needs of weekenders and students x Physical building ʹ gardens, gazebo, kitchen, and parking x No fines for late returns x Strong volunteers, craftsmen, and merchant support Weaknesses x Non-‐eligibility for grants x No management transition plan x Refreshment committee x Publicity ʹ on-‐going plan x Security issues, especially in the basement space x Limited access, awareness, space, and security for historical materials x General staffing ʹ additional staff needed for night and weekends x Inadequate budget x Underserved user segments ʹ high school students and seniors x Web presence, Facebook, and Twitter ʹ on-‐going updates to website (web template?) x Outreach to residents ʹ currently 1,400 patrons out of 3,400 residents x Ease of use of management statistics -‐ computer replacement x Lack of space ʹ storage, offices, and expansion (new wing) x Technology (3/year) x Capital fund campaign x New apps ʹ fee-‐based subscriptions x Understanding user needs

Staff Strengths x Friday hours until 8:00 PM x Staff and volunteers Weaknesses x Upstairs adult collection shut off from downstairs x Weed videos x More shelving for DVDs x Need management transition plan x Additional staff for nights and weekends x Storage space for supplies, boxes, etc. x Computer replacement plan (3/year) x Building maintenance program for our historic structure x Replace wood with synthetic materials at front of building (if historically correct) x Solar panels x Money for new positions and staffing Opportunities x Website (look at Guilderland, NY Public Library), Facebook, Twitter x Construction grant for a wing to include space for our historical collection of books, documents and artifacts, and a plan for its staffing and maintenance x Capital fund campaign x Outreach to part-‐time and full-‐time residents x Readings in the garden x Art exhibits x Best use of available space x Photography exhibits x Electronic books x Film programs x Book reviews on a blog for children, teens, and adults x More computers x ZĞĂƌƌĂŶŐĞ ŵĂŝŶ ĨůŽŽƌ͕ ĨĞǁĞƌ ƚĂďůĞƐ ŝŶ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛Ɛ section x Extend the library service counter all the way to the wall, rendering that whole end of the building to staff/library functions (more videos) x More DVDs x Make teen/young adult area attractive, one wall 17

Opportunities x Coordination with Senior Center and Meals on Wheels to reach home-‐bound residents x Coordination with schools to reach out to students x Leverage community skills for new programs ʹ lecture series x Leverage library assets for programs ʹ readings in the garden x Linkage between library programs and merchants ʹ bead store, art supplies store, Magic Fluke x Art exhibits x Grant money for archiving and renovations x eBooks x film programs Threats x Library is low priority in Town budget ʹ school comes first, then police; poor economy equals fewer funds x Rapidly changing technology x Competition from other media ʹ TV for example x Loss of low-‐tech users ʹ increase participation with webinars and a mentor program (senior citizen one-‐on-‐one with a high school senior)

painted with blackboard paint x Get high school students to help, try to get then credit x Try to coordinate with school on EXPO x Get summer reading lists from school x Host weddings Threats x Competition from other media ʹ TV for example, Kindle and Nook

Appendix B 19 Community Visioning

Residents x Have cultural opportunities locally: literature, arts, music 99999999 x Enjoy the river safely and easily ʹ Riverwalk x ŶũŽǇ ĂĨĨŽƌĚĂďůĞ ĨƌĞƐŚ ǀĞŐĞƚĂďůĞƐ Ăƚ ĨĂƌŵĞƌƐ͛ ŵĂƌŬĞƚƐ locally x All have gardens, their own or community garden Youth x Have face-‐to-‐face interactions for brain development and fun x Local summer/vacation internships -‐ $$$, town buy-‐in, experience 999999 x Find good local jobs, settle here on affordable land Kids x Have recreational tech lab for fun with computers x Have benefit of local food at school and farming education 999 x Place to skateboard ʹ their enjoyment and healthy x Activities that are fun and exciting ʹ stay out of trouble and feel good Farmers x Are appreciated and supported and are staying on the land 9 Everyone x Appreciates the Appalachian Trail x Benefits from ukulele/music attractions in Sheffield x Feels safe because speeds are enforced x Has local medical options All x Celebrate the arts and support local artists ʹ Festival? 999 x Enjoy local harvest dinner annually 999 x Have local grocery store x Can bike or walk safely for health and pleasure (sidewalks) x Feel pride in the Sheffield Town Green x Benefit from town grants 99999 x Have local transportation 99 x Have high-‐speed Internet and cable 9 x Recreational opportunities ʹ health, want to stay here 999 x Benefit from cooperation with Berkshire School (solar too) (Host Arts Festival?) 19

Check marks indicate the number of Committee members who agreed with the idea.

Seniors x Have benefit of caring neighbors and outreach School Community x Has support and collaboration from the tŽǁŶ͛Ɛ ŝŶĚŝǀŝĚƵĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ŐƌŽƵƉƐ 999999 x Has advisory committee for support and to communicate to wider community 9999 Local Organizations x Have central coordinating factor for wide communication

Main floor view from the cŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛s area to the circulation desk.

Appendix C Bushnell-‐Sage Library 2012 User Survey Dear Friends, Please take a couple of minutes to answer these 14 survey questions. Your response will help us to better serve you. 1. Which category below includes your age? __Under 9 __9-‐16 __17-‐25 __26-‐35 __36-‐60 __Over 60 2. Do you have a Sheffield library card? __Yes __No { { { {

{

{ { { { { { {

3. How often do you visit the library? Once a week { Two to three times a year More than once a week { Only in the summer Once a month { Only on weekends Never If you answered Never, which of the following apply? (Please check all that apply.) { I buy my books. { I have my own computer and Internet connection. { I go to another library. (Please specify which one.) _____________________________________ { The library is too noisy. { /͛ŵ ũƵƐƚ ŶŽƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŚĂbit. { Other (Please specify.) ____________________________________________________________ 4. What library services do you use? (Please check all that apply.) Borrow items __Books __Large print books __Magazines __ Audio books on cassette __Audio books on CD __Movies __Music CDs __Museum Passes __eBooks Read/work/study/homework Conduct research or ask a question View an exhibit Use a computer for Internet access Use WiFi for your own laptop computer or other device Volunteer Other (Please specify.) _________________________________________________________________ 5. Which of these adult programs are you likely to attend? (Please check all that apply.) { Knitting group { Yoga class { Book talks { Drawing/painting class { Gardening lectures { Poetry read arounds { Book club { Film showings { Craft programs { Local author presentations { Book sale { Nature/environmental presentations { Travelogues by local residents 21

{ { { { {

6. tŚŝĐŚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛Ɛ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ĂƌĞ ǇŽƵ ůŝŬĞůǇ ƚŽ ĂƚƚĞŶĚ͍ ;WůĞĂƐĞ ĐŚĞĐŬ Ăůů ƚŚĂƚ ĂƉƉůǇ͘Ϳ Story time { Half-‐day programs Book club { Summer camp Chess club { Film showings Lego club { Book sale Scrabble club { Nature/environmental presentations

7. Which of the following would increase your library use? (Please check all that apply.) Specific additions to the library collection (Please specify.) ________________________________________________________________________________________ { More convenient hours (Please tell us which hours would be better.) ________________________________________________________________________________________ { Reference assistance { Different programs 8. What programs would you like the library to offer? (Please check all that apply.) { Writing Workshops { Music programs { Author visits { Speaker series { Movie showings { Technology classes (computers, eReaders, etc.) { Book group { Other (Please specify.) __adult __children __family __________________ 9. How do you learn about library services and events? (Please check all that apply.) { Electronic newsletter { Newspaper { Flyers/posters/brochures { Word of mouth { Town of Sheffield Website (http://www.sheffieldma.gov/Pages/index) 10. Ž ǇŽƵ ƵƐĞ ƚŚĞ ůŝďƌĂƌǇ͛Ɛ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ĐĂƚĂůŽŐ ƚŽ ƌĞƐĞƌǀĞ ĂŶĚͬŽƌ ƌĞŶĞǁ ďŽŽŬƐ Žƌ ĐŚĞĐŬ ǇŽƵƌ ůŝďƌĂƌǇ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ͍ __Yes ͺͺEŽ ͺͺ ŝĚŶ͛ƚ ŬŶŽǁ / ĐŽƵůĚ 11. Please give us your email address if you would like to receive our electronic newsletter. ______________________________________________________________________________ 12. The library offers a service called Wowbrary that will inform you about the latest additions to our collection. You may reserve these new items directly from Wowbrary. If you would like access to Wowbrary please give us your email address. ______________________________________________________________________________ 13. What do you like most about the Sheffield library? ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 14. How can we improve customer service to better meet your needs? ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ {

Bushnell-‐Sage Library Long Range Plan 2014-‐2018 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Approved by Trustees Date Susan Young, Chair Jane Nye, Secretary Betty LeGeyt ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Nancy Hahn, Director Date