Polk County Library Cooperative Long Range Plan 2018-2022

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY COOPERATIVE

2018-2022

LONG RANGE PLAN SO EVERY INDIVIDUAL SUCCEEDS

THERE IS STILL ONE PLACE...

Where you can encounter new ideas Where individuality is honored and nurtured Where everyone has equal access to resources Where you can make new friends while learning, crafting, tinkering and playing Where issues are discussed respectfully in a safe place Where your views and your privacy are respected Where you can find the facts Where you can unplug, get lost in a good book, and reflect... FREE

THE LIBRARIES OF THE POLK COUNTY LIBRARY COOPERATIVE 1

Auburndale Public Library

11 Latt Maxcy Memorial Library

2

Bartow Public Library

12 Larry R. Jackson Branch Library

3

Dundee Public Library

13 Mulberry Public Library

4

Eagle Lake Public Library

14 Polk City Community Library

5

eLibrary South Lakeland

6

Fort Meade Public Library

15 Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library

7

Haines City Public Library

8

Lakeland Public Library

9

Lake Alfred Public Library

10 Lake Wales Public Library

16 Polk County Law Library 17 Winter Haven Public Library

14 7

1 9

12

8 17

5

3

4 2

13

10 15

16

6

11

VISION

WHAT WE ASPIRE TO

As the cornerstone of our community, we connect libraries, information and people so every individual succeeds.

MISSION

WHAT WE DO

To seamlessly provide outstanding public library services throughout Polk County.

VALUES

OUR PROMISE Polk County Library Cooperative staff and member libraries are driven by:

Trust Innovation Excellence Service

LIBRARIES: CORNERSTONE OF THE COMMUNITY “When it came time to build a new library for Winter Haven, there was both support and opposition to the downtown location. Change is hard and libraries are sacred in the eyes of many. However, the community leaders recognized they were building more than just a library. They were creating an initial spark that would ultimately ignite an inferno of redevelopment throughout the entire downtown. The Library created a destination for residents, and the private sector quickly followed suit by creating additional shopping, dining and professional service opportunities. Public investment begets private investment! Since the Library’s construction, the private sector has invested millions in the downtown core. And the City has continued to further its investment as well with revitalized parks, trails and streetscaping. In September 2017, the City will commence another $4.4 million park and streetscape project one block south of the Library to continue what the Library started 13 years ago.”

– T. Michael Stavres Assistant City Manager Winter Haven

Winter Haven Public Library

TO OUR FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES & NEIGHBORS: As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Polk County Library Cooperative (PCLC) on October 1, 2017, we are proud to share with you our plan for the next five years.

Our member libraries are steeped in the distinct history and traditions of 13 home towns across a vast county. The charming reading rooms and philanthropic women’s clubs of a century or more past have evolved into vibrant community hubs, offering the latest technology, maker tools, dedicated spaces for children and teens, professional meeting rooms, 24/7 online access, and creative programs designed for learning and enrichment at all ages.

Robots, drones and 3D printers are wondrous – but what really makes our libraries stand out is the personal touch. The librarians are passionate about helping each person who walks through the door. They know many patrons by name and quite possibly know their favorite authors, too.

They are trusted teachers, advisers and confidants who care. They are your neighbors.

Two decades ago, library and local leaders came together with one purpose in mind: to offer all Polk County residents access to library services. Thanks to their vision and willingness to cooperate, one card – your Polk County library card – now offers free access to physical and virtual resources across 17 member libraries as well as Books by Mail, a bookmobile, and a vending machine library at the Outpost 27 Visitor Center in Davenport. We hope you share our pride in this accomplishment for all of Polk’s citizens.

Looking ahead, we asked library directors and staff, governing authorities, and citizens from across the county: What do you need? How can we make access to library services easier and more convenient? What can we do, together, to help every individual in Polk County succeed?

The goals, priorities and initiatives outlined in this plan express the aspirations and voices of those who participated in the planning process – a tribute to the spirit of cooperation. We are most grateful to everyone who contributed your ideas and your time.

Gladys Roberts Cooperative Coordinator

Jennifer Kovac Outreach Services Librarian

Mary Ellin Barrett Governing Board Chair

Polk County Library Cooperative Staff Day, February 20, 2017 – Lake Eva, Haines City

PLANTING SEEDS

@ THE LIBRARY Polk County libraries are finding creative ways to promote self-sufficiency and sustainability, with a nod to our county’s rural heritage.

Beyond classes on composting, rain barrels and gardening, a few of our member libraries have established “Seed Libraries” – physical collections of seeds that patrons can check out using their PCLC library card. At the Auburndale and Lake Wales public libraries, patrons are encouraged to “borrow” seeds, plant, grow – and then, try to harvest the seeds and return some to the library for others, in turn, to check out, plant, grow and harvest.

Community gardens are sprouting up at PCLC libraries, too. At Lake Wales Public Library, a group of local volunteers, working with library staff (using resources and supplies funded by a grant from Bok Tower and the University of Florida IFAS Extension), created and tend a lovely ornamental garden just outside the children’s library. The garden attracts birds and butterflies, and provides a place to play, reflect and enjoy natural beauty in an unexpected place.

Even more, the community garden is growing new partnerships. Tina Peak, Library Director, reported, “Recently children whose parents participated in the Lake Wales Literacy Council’s ESOL program grew 20 sunflower seedlings and asked if they could transplant them in our community garden.”

CONNECT LINK PEOPLE, RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS ...SO EVERY INDIVIDUAL SUCCEEDS By their nature, Polk County libraries are connected. We are not only part of the community – we are the community. We connect people with the resources they need, provide a welcoming place for people of all ages to connect with each other, and enable universal online access through computers, free wi-fi and high-speed internet connections.

Our county is large and sprawling, with more than half of residents living in unincorporated areas and demand for library and other services rising dramatically in high-growth areas. The need is especially pressing at vulnerable points in people’s lives: job loss, divorce, illness, homelessness, legal problems, language barriers, or simply loneliness. And what about hopes and dreams, like starting a business, writing a book, changing careers, getting a diploma, becoming a citizen, learning how to read, launching a podcast, or passing that college entrance exam?

A whole constellation of agencies, organizations and initiatives is poised to help, but how do people connect with them? Libraries!

Lake Wales also created a “StoryWalk” with pages from big books posted every so many yards along the Rails to Trails path, inviting families to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and read a children’s story together at the same time.

Lake Alfred’s Secret Garden is tucked behind the library, offering shade, beauty and a quiet place to relax, read or have a picnic lunch. Established in memory of local civic leaders Iris Houlihan and Ruth Shinn, the Secret Garden has become a beautiful, shady outdoor space to host library programs and special events.

StoryWalk, Lake Wales Public Library

WE WILL...

CREATE A COMMUNITY RESOURCE CLEARINGHOUSE Conduct a countywide census of community resources and build a searchable online database, accessible to all county residents, with contact information for local, state and federal agencies, nonprofits and other communitybased organizations.

Raise awareness of the offerings of these organizations among the staff at PCLC member libraries and encourage information-sharing so that staff can more effectively connect patrons with the “right service at the right time.”

STEP UP COMMUNITY COLLABORATION Continue finding ways to benefit residents by collaborating with complementary organizations, such as Career Source, Polk Vision, the School Board, chambers of commerce, and local literacy and arts organizations.

Broaden our reach beyond traditional partnerships – including, for example, agricultural organizations and local colleges – to address unmet needs in our community; and to leverage the considerable value that libraries bring to the table.

STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS WITH FRIENDS Polk residents love the bookstores operated by the Friends of the Library, according to our community survey. These book sales fund library programs, special performers, lecturers and instructors; crafts supplies and technology; and so much more than tax dollars alone could ever cover. We greatly value our partnership with the Friends, especially their passionate advocacy for libraries, and will continue encouraging the Friends to share ideas, inspire each other, and celebrate together.

Secret Garden, Lake Alfred Public Library

EMPOWER PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE BEST POSSIBLE TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS, STAFF AND RESOURCES ...SO EVERY INDIVIDUAL SUCCEEDS We all aspire to be self-made – to succeed based on our own unique talents, ambition, effort and perhaps a little luck. You might know, or happen to be, someone who has achieved such success.

But many of us encounter roadblocks along the way. Consider the child struggling to learn how to read, a newly arrived immigrant applying for a job online, or a retiree whose vision is declining.

Access to current technology, which is vital for personal and professional achievement in the 21st century, is uneven across our county. While some areas lack access to any broadband service at all, others are on their way to becoming super-fast “Gigabit Communities.”

Libraries equalize opportunity, as the free, go-to place for the latest tools, technology and knowhow. Whether that means taking a computer class, finding online homework help, borrowing a wi-fi hotspot, signing up for Books by Mail, attending bilingual story time, or getting a referral to a social services agency, libraries help people overcome challenges and empower them to live up to their full potential.

CHANGING WITH OUR COMMUNITY Liz Ramos, who moved from the Bronx to Haines City, said her first stop here was the library. As the Online Services Specialist for the Haines City Public Library, she is determined to acquaint everyone in her community with the library and what it can do for them, especially the growing Hispanic community.

Liz is already in contact with the chamber, community groups, local businesses and even fitness clubs.

Far from expecting people to come to her, she meets people wherever they gather – and asks, “What do you need?”

In response, the library is launching a series of basic adult computer classes taught in Spanish that will help participants find and apply for jobs, take online courses and navigate the web safely to protect their privacy and security. Parents will learn how to navigate and use online school portals to help

their children with homework assignments. The library is also working with local teachers to identify quality series to add to its growing Spanish language collection.

The Lake Wales Public Library and Bartow Public Library partnered to provide a unique service, offering Odilo, an online provider of ebooks and downloadable audiobooks with over 2,000 titles in Spanish.

In Mulberry, Technology Librarian Jaynisse Paydin is introducing bilingual computer classes for adults and soon, bilingual storytimes for children. Jaynisse will tell you that she grew up in this library, attending story times and afterschool programs, then volunteering as a teen. Now, as she’s about to graduate from college, she is delighted in her new role, teaching STEAM classes for children and cool

“maker” programs for learners and tinkerers of all ages.

Linda Cima, a bilingual Library Aide in Auburndale, enjoys helping new immigrants fill out forms and fax important documents. One day she encountered several women at the library who spoke little English, and learned that they were newly arrived and homeless. She let them know that they were safe, and referred them to a resource at the Polk County Law Library, which also offers free family law clinics. Her goal is to spread the word in the community that libraries are indeed safe places, and that “everyone is equal in this building.”

YOUR STORY

IS OUR STORY When Carole C. noticed the call for community input during PCLC’s planning process, she reached out to Brenda Patterson, Lakeland Public Library’s Fine Arts/Adult Programming Librarian, and a published poet and essayist who keeps the community informed about happenings in the libraries through her Lakeland Ledger column.

“I know Brenda,” she said. “She’s always been tremendously helpful.” Referring to the Lakeland Public Library and the Larry R. Jackson Public Library, Carole discussed the many ways she has benefited from Brenda’s help and the libraries, especially “at times when I needed it.” Librarians and books, she said, helped her become debt-free, prepare for the GMAT and go back to college, learn how to make jewelry, explore foreign films, and develop the knack for baking “a very good loaf of bread to my husband’s delight.”

While she downloads free digital books, ebooks, audiobooks and movies from the library, she says that “there is no true substitute for a print copy,” because “it is so much easier to explore different books and get ideas from opening related books on a shelf than through an online search.” Libraries are social, too, she says – “a place to interact with people.”

Describing herself as a “bookworm,” Carole shares her belief that knowledge is power – adding that libraries uniquely provide access to quality knowledge.

We couldn’t be more proud to share Carole’s – and Brenda’s – story.

Brenda Patterson, Fine Arts/Adult Programming Librarian, Lakeland Public Library

WE WILL...

CONTINUOUSLY EXPLORE AND ADD NEW TECHNOLOGIES Upgrade our libraries’ shared network, hardware and software, as able.

Increase wi-fi access in member libraries. With expanded capacity, for example, Polk libraries will be better able to accommodate the business and professional community as coworking sites.

Explore opportunities to embrace “Gigabit Community” practices throughout member libraries.

SUPPORT EFFORTS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO BROADBAND Continue working with Polk Vision and other community partners to advance universal access to broadband service across Polk County.

PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS Explore opportunities to expand multilingual collections, programs and classes based on the languages spoken in our communities. Continue hiring diverse staff reflective of the communities we serve.

Add ADA-approved equipment and technology for patrons with disabilities.

FOSTER STAFF DEVELOPMENT Identify and offer the best opportunities for continuing education and training, including an annual countywide staff training day.

Develop a mentoring program for the librarians of the future, focusing on customer service skills.

Encourage each staff member to grow their unique, considerable and varied talents.

“Since my transition to the public library from school libraries, I now see what an integral part the library plays in meeting the needs of its citizens. The services that a library offers are much needed because of such a diverse population of citizens. Patrons come in for a variety of reasons from resume help, to help with navigation of websites, the best sellers, books on their newest hobbies, faxing, emailing and computer questions. The library is happy to provide assistance and our public libraries are much needed during these changing times. It has been wonderful to be a part of this ever-changing community and this profession.”

Jackie Rose Library Director Fort Meade Sight Reading Music Class, Bartow Public Library

DISCOVER EXPAND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR DISCOVERY ...SO EVERY INDIVIDUAL SUCCEEDS Libraries are magical for children – places to discover new characters, adventures and cultures, and to experience the joy of reading and creating. Places to try new technologies that are beyond reach for most households – robotics, drones, programmable toys, laser cutters, 3D printers, media production and graphic design tools, and the latest mobile device. Librarians are masters at creating “aha!” moments.

Over time, the daily demands of home and work can quash our sense of curiosity and wonder. But libraries offer everyone a third place, non-commercial and always free, simply for personal enrichment: to experience the joy of learning something new, creating a handmade object, delighting in a well-told story, discussing a book or discovering an unexplored passion.

Our community survey found that Polk residents want to know more about what’s happening in the libraries – and in their own communities, as well. At a time when all of us are flooded with information and everyone is competing for attention, libraries are challenged to get the word out about the many creative programs, resources, events and classes they offer. If we do this right, no Polk resident will say, “I didn’t know the library has that!”

Cracker Storytelling Festival, Homeland Heritage Park

PRESERVING

MEMORIES What is the value of an old newspaper, yearbook or map? Dorinda Garrard, Senior Library Assistant at the Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library, has seen firsthand the joy it can bring people to reconnect with their own past. She recounts a story of an 85-year old man who came into the library with his daughter, hoping to find articles about his softball and baseball career in Bartow back in the fifties and sixties.

“He was simply thrilled to read about things he did on the teams, some he had forgotten after all these years,” said Dorinda, who did the research and sent him articles. His daughter related how “his face lights up as he relives the excitement of these games.”

LuAnn Mims, Lakeland Public Library’s Special Collections Librarian, is passionate about helping people preserve memories. “People don’t realize,” says Luann, “that magnetic tape, like VHS, won’t last forever.”

She teaches classes on how to use library equipment to digitize materials, and then helps people work through their personal projects in the lab – including organizing the massive collections of digital photos that many have accumulated.

With expert help from library professionals like Dorinda and LuAnn, libraries link communities and individuals with the past as well as the future.

They offer unique Florida history collections; rare local histories, yearbooks and memoirs; and access to resources like ancestry.com, memoir writing workshops and tools for self-publishing.

Celebrating and honoring our oral history, the annual Cracker Storytelling Festival, founded in 1989 and supported by Polk libraries and Friends of the Library, pays tribute to the pioneer spirit of the Florida “Cracker,” exciting and entertaining thousands of students from schools all over central Florida. The four-day festival at Homeland Heritage Park features many fun and memorable activities to celebrate and preserve our rich cultural history, including storytelling from diverse traditions, local crafts and food, and a whip cracking contest. For many students, this is their first time experiencing the joy of storytelling, making for a long-lasting impression.

DEVELOPING DIGITAL LITERACY

@ WINTER HAVEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Libraries have always been passionate champions of literacy, because the ability to read and write is foundational to success in school, work and life. But in today’s world, digital literacy is just as important. We all face the constant challenge of trying to navigate new software, apps and devices. All of our member libraries provide one-on-one help and technology classes – and some even loan tablets and e-readers pre-loaded with quality reading and educational material – but the Winter Haven Public Library has taken tech learning to the next level.

For example, everyone shares what they know in the SEEDLab’s bring-your-own-device “Appy Hour,” a fun way to explore interesting new apps together. Teens learn instructional and team skills in “Teen Planning Group: Technology” workshops, where they work with librarians to develop tech learning programs for younger children.

Other classes are designed to build digital proficiency, from “Facebook 101” and “iPad Basics” to earning a certification or sharpening business, technology and creative skills using Lynda.com.

Offering ultra-high speed gig-per-second internet connections, Winter Haven’s Science, Education, Exploration and Design Lab (SEEDLab) is a 21st century learning space where people get together to explore the latest technologies. Featuring rows of sleek iMacs loaded with the latest productivity and creativity software, the SEEDLab is “a physical space as well as a philosophy of service and programming,” according to Library Director Jane Martin, bringing together community interests, social learning, and high-end digital tools and equipment.

Small groups, businesses and organizations can book the SEEDLab for collaborative thinking, working and creating.

Children have their own “Offshoots Lab” to inspire the joys of coding, taking things apart, building and inventing with other kids – teaching the tech, creative and social skills so pivotal to their future.

“The ultimate goal of the SEEDLab,” says Jane, “is that, with the right tools and connections, people can develop the literacies needed for the future. The SEEDLab gives the community a chance to learn how technology can enhance their creative lives or increase their skill sets for school or employment.”

SEEDLab, Winter Haven Public Library

WE WILL...

MAKE IT EASIER TO DISCOVER US Continue growing channels of communication about member library happenings: e-mail newsletters, social media, opt-in text reminders, beacons, apps and other avenues. Find ways to share local community news, as well.

Enhance the PCLC website, adding new pages and features, and integrate mobile-friendly platforms.

Raise public awareness about PCLC’s many free online digital resources, including downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, music and movies; databases for research; tutoring and homework help; languages; and online courses for school or business (including some leading to certification).

Explore the possibility of hiring a professional marketer to tell the library’s story, promote library events and educate the public on how to make the best use of our libraries.

CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO ACCESS LIBRARY RESOURCES Explore options for delivering library services to residents in high-growth areas of Polk County.

Find creative ways to bring books to people. Imagine boarding a Citrus Connection bus and finding “books on the go” – a selection of best sellers to browse and borrow.

Work with local authorities to ensure that all library facilities are located on a public bus route.

HELP PATRONS DISCOVER THEIR NEXT GREAT READ Upgrade tools and technologies for offering personalized reading suggestions – the website enhancement most requested by patrons in our community survey. For those who prefer a more personal touch, there’s still no substitute for a well-read librarian who knows you and your preferences.

“Libraries make a difference in the lives of our communities by being a scholarly resource for all ages. They are a pillar in the community, providing valuable information and programming that strengthens, encourages, and connects our diverse population and the needs of our community.”

Deena Ware Interim City Manager Town of Dundee STEAM Program, Bartow Public Library

LEARN CONTRIBUTE TO A CULTURE OF LEARNING ...SO EVERY INDIVIDUAL SUCCEEDS As partners in education, PCLC member libraries cultivate love for lifelong learning by encouraging learners of all ages to pursue their own passions and interests in a fun, social setting. Baby and toddler story times create joyful early learning experiences and contribute to school readiness, while library summer reading programs ensure students continue building vocabulary and proficiency during the long school break.

Far from simply consuming information, patrons learn – for example – how to create their own stories, edit videos, design a brochure, self-publish a book, code a robot, operate a drone, build something useful out of discarded items, or grow their own vegetables. And learning with others who share their interests builds social skills, community and friendship.

Literacy and libraries go hand in hand.

Books, our “brand,” are very much in vogue!

Whether the words are displayed in pixels or print, books are still valued, treasured sources of information, inspiration and entertainment – and reading will always be an essential life skill.

Adult Coloring Program, Haines City Public Library

LIBRARIES & ART: A PERFECT MARRIAGE

The tentacles of a giant red octopus hover ominously over the librarians behind the information desk at the Lake Wales Public Library, still on display from an earlier exhibit in the library’s Local Artist Gallery. His name is “Kraken” – a creation of the local artist known as Treefish, who makes all of his stunning art from tree fronds.

The library’s “art wall” features the work of one local artist each month – not for sale, jurying or prizes – but for the simple pleasure of celebrating personal expression. “The library had done this for years and years,” said Diane Lescard, a retired teacher and artist who volunteered to keep the tradition going after her predecessor’s passing about four years ago. “Art is my first love,” she’ll tell you, adding “my second love is books.”

The art is more folk than fine art, and some artists have never shown their art outside their home before, mainly because there are not a lot of places for lesser known or local artists to display their work.

Diane “discovers” artists through word of mouth or by attending little shows, and sometimes she just knows: “I called Grady Judd, the sheriff, because I knew he was a great nature photographer,” she said.

The library has featured the prize-winning artwork of local students “from throughout the Ridge,” following a student art competition sponsored by the Lake Wales Arts Council. Families shared their pride at a well-attended reception honoring the young artists at the library.

The arts thrive at all of our member libraries – whether it’s learning how to make musical instruments from recycled materials or “Come Art with Me” Tuesdays at the Mulberry Public Library and their LibrARTy Blog; teens meeting up every Thursday at the Auburndale Public Library to color together; exhibiting local art in Latt Maxcy Memorial Library’s Annual Art Show every February; painting rocks and hiding them around the Haines City Public Library; or attending a music camp for children at the Bartow Public Library, libraries are the perfect place to cultivate community art.

HANDMADE

@ THE LIBRARY People of all ages are rediscovering the joy of creating objects by hand. What’s old is new again: Sewing, knitting, upcycling and other crafting classes are offered at many of our libraries. “Making” is a powerful learning experience, combining imagination, self-expression and technical skill.

Quilting groups are commonplace at the library, bringing hobby enthusiasts of all ages together to quilt, share and learn from one another. At the Bartow Public Library, volunteer and master quilter Susan Carnley teaches the art of quilting, but with a special purpose: to send the finished quilts to group homes, where they spread a little cheer, comfort and coziness. In Frostproof, Threads of Our Community Quilt Group meets monthly at the Latt Maxcy Memorial Library sharing quilting techniques to help those new and familiar with the craft. What’s better than getting together with fellow quilters at the library, learning something new, and sharing what you’ve created to help your neighbors?

At the Fort Meade Public Library, sewing classes are offered twice a month by the generous talents of one of their volunteers. Participants enjoy this hands-on learning opportunity and look forward to sharing their creations.

Imagination and creativity flourished during the summer with a focus on “building a better world” by serving as good stewards of our environment. Polk City Library transformed recycled items into something new and useful, and displayed their new creations to spark new ideas. Recycled cardboard and plastic were used to create an eye-catching display at the Auburndale Public Library with a positive message of “reduce, reuse, recycle.” At the Winter Haven Public Library, the Family Mystery Bag Challenge inspired a little friendly competition recreating something extraordinary out of recyclables like newspaper, toilet paper rolls and egg cartons.

Families had a blast designing and building together and enjoyed viewing their finished creations on display at the library.

Come Art With Me program, Mulberry Public Library

WE WILL...

COLLABORATE WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO PROVIDE A LIBRARY CARD TO EVERY K-12 STUDENT IN POLK COUNTY Our libraries have so much to offer students, in addition to books: online access to research databases, live homework help, language lessons, test prep resources, and more. We will explore the possibility of equipping every student, including homeschoolers and charter school enrollees, with a limited-use library card to use during the school year.

CONTINUE ISSUING LIBRARY CARDS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS We will seek out new and creative ways to sign people up for library cards outside the libraries, such as town halls, festivals and cultural events.

CONTINUE SUPPORTING COUNTYWIDE LITERACY CAMPAIGNS We will partner with literacy councils and providers in the community to combat illiteracy by disseminating information, providing tutor space and collecting materials for adult learners.

REACH OUT TO VIRTUAL SCHOOLS AND HOMESCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS Explore ways to complement and enhance the learning experiences of students in non-traditional educational settings.

IDENTIFY INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND MAKE AVAILABLE TO ALL MEMBER LIBRARIES Through resource sharing and collaboration, learn about new program offerings and make available to communities countywide.

FIND WAYS TO OFFER SUMMER READING PROGRAMS IN MORE PLACES Our libraries do summer reading so well, but what if you live in a town in the growing northeast or northwest corridor, far from a physical library?

Working with partners who share a similar mission, we will work toward expanding summer reading to underserved areas of the county.

Our libraries will continue providing instruction to increase both information literacy and digital literacy across the county – essential skills for life and work success in the information age.

“Our library is a welcoming and friendly place and a critical link to the community. We are a lifeline for our older seniors, veterans, new residents and children.”

Rita Childress Library Director Eagle Lake Minecraft Program, Haines City Public Library

PCLC IMPACT SNAPSHOT BRINGING VALUE TO OUR COMMUNITY For every $1 spent, PCLC libraries returned over $8 worth of services Books and materials circulated Questions answered Computer and wi-fi sessions Program attendance Interlibrary loans Database uses

2,342,487 307,126 733,135 101,271 1,850 937,605

TOTAL ESTIMATED

MARKET VALUE

OF SERVICES

GROWING WITH OUR COMMUNITY Since PCLC

was formed on Cardholders Circulation Library visits Program attendance Books by Mail transactions

+307% (91,067 371,016) +92% (1,223,036 2,342,487) +98% (992,204 1,965,644) +74% (58,245 101,271) +268% (19,010 70,000+)

Started May 2006

ELEVATING OUR COMMUNITY In the most recent year...

12,261 library patrons received tech training or attended a computer class 347,761 computer sessions were initiated on 306 computers in member libraries 4,141 library events and classes were presented for children, teens and adults 1,391 Friends of the Library members raised $214,838 for library programs 23,654 hours of service were contributed by volunteers at PCLC member libraries 8,000+ residents met PCLC at special events, presentations and programs outside the libraries 726,783 print and electronic items were available for checkout or download to PCLC cardholders Note: Unless otherwise indicated, data are from 2015-2016.

“I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’D DO WITHOUT BOOKS

BY MAIL” Books by Mail (BMail) is available to all library patrons who reside within Polk County and have a library card in good standing. Not everyone has access to a computer, wi-fi or e-reader – and, in a county as large as ours, a library may not be within reach for residents who live in outlying areas.

BMail is also a lifeline for those who are unable to access the library collection due to a temporary or long-term medical disability. Consider the retiree whose vision is declining and can no longer drive, a person coping with a chronic illness or painful condition, a pregnant mother on bed rest, or even a child who cannot attend school while undergoing medical treatment.

THE

PLANNING PROCESS This plan was developed during the spring and summer of 2017, with input from across the community: Members of the PCLC Long Range Planning Committee, consisting of a broad cross-section of library stakeholders, shared their vision for the future of PCLC libraries in a session facilitated by Charlie Parker, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, on April 25.

A community survey was conducted between May 5-19, using identical online and print versions, to gauge community needs. The survey was distributed through the PCLC website and e-newsletter, and through member libraries. A total of 388 individuals participated in the survey.

Mylene, a Lakeland resident who uses a wheelchair, says she’s always been a reader, so she looks forward to receiving the bright red pouch filled with romance novels – and manages to read at least two books a week.

R.B., in Frostproof, loves medical mysteries, and says it’s not unusual to read a book a day. Sarah, a Winter Haven retiree, holds a portable CD player in her lap while listening to audiobooks. “If I didn’t have these books,” she says, “I would stay in a state of depression all the time.” After thinking about all her favorite authors and books, she added, “I would be absolutely lost if they stopped. These books are my life.”

PCLC invited input throughout the planning process from library staff, patrons, Friends of the Library, community organizations, local officials and members of the PCLC Governing Board via e-mail, social media and word of mouth.

Far from an impersonal mail operation, Angie, Christy, Lisa and Margie, the BMail staff based in Lake Wales, are much beloved by those they serve – not only for their reading recommendations, but especially for their personal service and kindness. “They send me get well and Easter cards,” remarked one patron. “BMail is on my speed dial,” said another.

Finally, the PCLC Librarian’s Advisory Council met on September 19, reviewed the proposed plan, and recommended adoption. At the PCLC Governing Board meeting the following day, the final plan was approved unanimously.

Whether the nearest library is next door or 20 miles away, every Polk County resident with a library card can access library services. In addition to BMail, PCLC brings Bookmobile service (operated by the City of Lake Wales) to over a dozen stops around the county, including parks, supermarkets, drugstores, a church and an arts center; and manages a vending library at the Outpost 27 Visitor Center, stocked with the latest titles in books and movies, with a book drop for returning items.

The PCLC Long Range Planning Committee reconvened on June 26 to review the results of the community survey and to refine the Cooperative’s vision, mission, values and initiatives.

PCLC’s Governing Board reviewed, discussed and approved the direction of this plan at its July 12 meeting.

Liselotte Eiseman, BMail Angela Fowler, BMail Margaret Battle, BMail Jeff Olson, Bookmobile Margaret Barthe, Bookmobile Christy Hassett, BMail

LONG RANGE PLANNING PROJECT TEAM

Gladys Roberts COOPERATIVE COORDINATOR, PCLC Jennifer Kovac OUTREACH SERVICES LIBRARIAN, PCLC Joan Zacharias COPYWRITER/CREATIVE CONSULTANT MityMo Creative GRAPHIC DESIGN Nesalie Igloso PHOTOGRAPHY

PCLC TEAM

Gladys Roberts COOPERATIVE COORDINATOR Jennifer Kovac OUTREACH SERVICES LIBRARIAN Linda Chancey ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT MaryAnn Sacry ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Rhonda Hawley LIBRARY IT SPECIALIST II Dominic Filice LIBRARY IT SPECIALIST I Sam McLeod LIBRARY DELIVERY SUPERVISOR Gary Piper LIBRARY DELIVERY

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PCLC is grateful to the many people who gave voice to this plan. In addition to those listed below, we also extend our gratitude to the hundreds of patrons, staff and friends who shared their insights.

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY COOPERATIVE GOVERNING BOARD Mary Ellin Barrett Chair of the Governing Board & Library Director, Haines City Bobby Green City Manager of Auburndale Kristal Holmes Library Director, Auburndale Roxanna Tovrea Library Director, Bartow & Chair of the LAC Deena Ware Interim Town Manager of Dundee Rita Childress Library Director, Eagle Lake Tom Ernharth City Manager of Eagle Lake Jackie Rose Library Director, Fort Meade Missy Hadden Library Director, Frostproof Auburn Taylor Haines City’s Parks & Recreation Director Linda Hitchcock Head Librarian, Lake Alfred Ryan Leavengood City Manager of Lake Alfred Tina Peak Library Director, Lake Wales Lisa Lilyquist City Librarian, Lakeland Myrtice Young Historic Preservation Manager Cheri Schisler Library Director, Mulberry Sheandolen Dunn Assistant to the City Manager of Polk City Patricia Jackson City Manager of Polk City Suzette Penton Polk City Library Mike Callendar Polk County’s Parks & Recreation Manager Derek Harpe Polk County’s Recreation Superintendent Jeff Spence Polk County’s Parks & Natural Resources Director LeaAnn Thomas Polk County’s Deputy County Manager Travis Edwards Winter Haven’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Department Director Jane Martin City Librarian, Winter Haven

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY COOPERATIVE LIBRARIAN’S ADVISORY COUNCIL (LAC) Roxanna Tovrea Chair of the LAC & Library Director, Bartow Kristal Holmes Library Director, Auburndale Rita Childress Library Director, Eagle Lake Jackie Rose Library Director, Fort Meade Missy Hadden Library Director, Frostproof Mary Ellin Barrett Library Director, Haines City Linda Hitchcock Head Librarian, Lake Alfred Tina Peak Library Director, Lake Wales Stephanie Brown Librarian, Lakeland Rivanne Chasteen-Futch Assistant City Librarian, Lakeland Christina Hielscher Librarian, Lakeland Lisa Lilyquist City Librarian, Lakeland Amanda Horton Library Manager, Law Library Cheri Schisler Library Director, Mulberry Suzette Penton Polk City Library Madonna Davis Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library Jane Martin City Librarian, Winter Haven

PCLC LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE Vic Nunez Librarian II, Bartow Roxanne Tovrea Library Director, Bartow Ernie Smith Friends of the Bartow Public Library Rukhsana Harper City Commissioner, Town of Dundee Jackie Rose Library Director, Fort Meade Mary Ellin Barrett Library Director, Haines City & Chair of the Governing Board Linda Kuchta Friends of the Library President, Haines City Linda Hitchcock Head Librarian, Lake Alfred Tina Peak Library Director, Lake Wales Rivanne Chasteen-Futch Assistant City Librarian, Lakeland Amanda Horton Library Manager, Law Library Suzette Penton Polk City Library Jane Martin City Librarian, Winter Haven Margaret Barthe Bookmobile Charlie Parker Facilitator, TBLC Elise Aiello Recording Responses, TBLC

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