Ref Committee: Strategic Plan, 2010-2013

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MOBAC
Strategic Planning Process ~ 2010 – 2013
Planning Session with the
Reference Committee
February 23, 2010
Watsonville Library

ABOUT MOBAC

Strengths
  • Is multi-type.
  • Promotes information sharing among colleagues.
  • Promotes resource sharing: internal resources as well as external (e.g., databases)
  • As a group, members are able to explore topics and tools that individual libraries would not do alone.
  • Members work together to create tools such as bibliographies.
  • Provides a support group in challenging times.
  • By working together and serving the same patrons, the group has a more comprehensive view of the needs of those patrons.
  • Provides access to resources to serve underserved populations.
  • Can take advantage of opportunities as consortium: grants, vendor discounts.
  • Raise awareness among members of state mandates, requirements.
  • Opportunities to coordinate advocacy for the sector.
  • Access to advice from colleagues.

What Can Be Improved?

  1. Communication with/from the Administrative Council (AC) and other committees:
    • It is helpful to have an AC representative at committee meetings. It is recommended that AC committee representatives have backup person (another AC member) who can attend when the AC representative cannot;
    • Post committee minutes on the website;
    • Committee chairs could share minutes or brief meeting summaries;
    • Committee members could join lists of other committees;
    • Committee members could share minutes within their libraries (e.g., keeping minutes at the Reference Desk);
    • There is need for a centralized master calendar for all the committees;
    • Use social networking tools (open, with easy access), if everyone can agree on one. It may be best to improve the design and maintenance of the MOBAC intranet and to use it as the communication tool of all committees.
  2. Hold meetings at sites with wireless internet access;
  3. One card for patron access to all libraries;
  4. More information about MOBAC to patrons;
  5. Coordination around service schedules (closed days);
  6. Is it time to reconsider the name? (It is the Monterey Bay Area Cooperative Library System, but “MOBAC” excludes the word “library”).
 

Hopes for the Future

  1. Continue committee meetings / direct interaction.
  2. Continue to provide funding for committees and training.
  3. Continue:
    • CalCat
    • Resource sharing
    • Delivery service
  4. Reduce the cost of databases.
  5. Provide videoconferencing options for out-of-region and in-region training.
  6. Centralized reference service (local second level); more information about the PLS Reference service and their operation.
  7. A Local History Committee.
  8. A Circulation Committee.
  9. Shared digitized collections (opportunities through the California Digital Library – State grants?)
  10. Restored ILL services at all member libraries. Explore lending limits to control costs (e.g., 5 per year, per patron).

Concerns for the Future

  • Cost of participation (MOBAC fees).
  • Inconsistent attendance at meetings; attendance is declining.
  • Impact of the decisions by one library on others (e.g. closed days).
  • Staff reduction and increasing demands.

Priorities for Next Two Years

  • Improve communication
  • Resource sharing
  • Professional development
  • Maintain/ increase databases.

Resource Sharing

Most Valuable:

  • Staff knowledge
  • Shared costs (e.g., databases)
  • Print and electronic materials
  • Meeting space
  • Local training

Improve / Share in the Future:

  • E-books
  • Digitized collections
  • Local government resources (organize and share links)
  • Continue with what is shared now.

Efficiencies

  • Paper-less ILL system
  • Document delivery system
  • Video tape trainings (or capture in other ways).

Vision for Resource Sharing Environment

  • One regional ILS (possibly open source) / one card
  • Open communication; forums for staff of various libraries
  • Easy access to information
  • Shared resources created at each library
  • Same committee structure
  • Local MOBAC staff (?)

Professional Development – Interests of this Committee

  • More information about what PLS/PLP offer.
  • PLP/PLS staff to offer training and consulting locally.
  • Workshops on the future of reference services.
  • Technology training for library staff to enable them to help patrons use the technology in the library.
  • Technology training for library staff to enable them to help patrons use the technology in the library.
  • Training for library staff on how to advocate for libraries with the public; visibility with funders.
  • Fund raising, grant proposal writing, funding options, how to develop fund development plans for the library.

Mission of Committee

  • Share knowledge and provide mutual support.

Vision

  • Lead the communications improvement effort in MOBAC.
  • Be on the cutting edge of reference services.
  • Produce more materials to share.

Frequency of Meeting

Monthly (10 a year) is still valuable. Meetings are very effective for communications and resource sharing.

Communication with Administrative Council

  • More clarity needed regarding the timing and content of assignments.
  • Decide and publish assignments and calendar for the committees at the beginning of the year.

Communication/Relationship with Other Committees

  • More joint meetings with other committees.
  • Share minutes and reports.
  • Administrative Council and committees hold a MOBAC Committee Summit at the beginning of the year to present the vision and plans for the year.
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