Strategic Plan
Avoca Public Library Strategic Plan Fiscal Year 2023-2027
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2027, Updated 10/2025 SL
Tagline: Inspiring ideas, enriching lives, and strengthening community
Mission: The library serves the citizens of Avoca, its contracted cities, and surrounding rural area as a community center for information in various formats to enhance their lives and progress intellectually, economically, and culturally.
Provide excellence in service
Objectives:
Depend on courteous and knowledgeable staff
Work efficiently
Strategies:
1. Director attend State Library Director’s Roundtable annually and earns 45 CE credits as offered for re-certification -May 2023, May 2024, May 2025
2. Director works toward Director endorsement-silver coursework – Completed 12/23
3. Staff continues Public Library Support webinar trainings and Kernels
4. Program Coordinator working towards youth services endorsement
5. Children/Teen librarians attend Summer Reading workshop each year and STEM workshop – April 2024 virtual, April 2025
6. Staff evaluates and streamlines operations ILL/SILO procedures – new SOP 3/24
7. Staff contributes to operations manual – Pam continually working on SOP manual
8. Staff contributes to policy updates – Program policy, social media policy
9. Quarterly staff meetings to discuss issues informal- ongoing
10. Paige is running weekly overdue reports and calling patrons - ongoing
11. Look into using Baker and Taylor (state library contracted) for automatic author releases. We are currently using Ingram. It could save shipping costs. Amazon used books are still great for replacing books and purchasing requests made by patrons. – switched to Baker & Taylor June 2024
12. A book vendor is needed to replace Baker & Taylor as they are going out of business January 1, 2026. – Switched back to Ingram temporarily 10/2025.
13. Inventory of library and relabel books as needed for a more cohesive library – 2024
Provide quality service through use of technology
Objectives:
Strive to be a leader in technology services and resources
Strategies:
1. Consult Marne Elk Horn Comm about internet speed – as of 10/2025, no issues with internet speed.
2. Continue Bridges/Libby for downloadable audio and e-books
3. Look for updated technology/platforms for patrons – Increased subscription budget line in 2023
4. Keep stock of various power cables to charge multiple devices for patrons
5. Work with Barb Butcher and Pam Paulson for genealogy – access to County records and local records – archived newspapers are now available on the Historical Society website 8/2025
6. Overdue notices sent to patrons by auto email every Fri.
7. Weebly website - need to update new policy revisions – PLOW website provided by the state library in 2/2024
8. Brainfuse – market and give school presentation – Brainfuse is no longer available due to state budget cuts
9. Leased copier/printer/fax/scanner
10. Purchased new computer monitor for patron computer and switched to Chromebox –
8/2023. A new monitor was purchased for office computer-10/2023. A new computer was purchased for patron printing station-4/2024
11. Set up chromebook at front desk for extra check out use and zoom use - 7/2023
12. Install updates on AWE computer – Completed 11/2023
13. Utilize WHOfi – community calendar, attendance tracking, question sets - ongoing
14. Consult with area libraries to look for a new Circulation Software System (ILS) for enhanced use with Bridges and Hoopla; authentication of patron accounts – began trial process with Apollo 5/2024
15. Digitize/scan old library records for archives to eliminate file cabinets. State library has a scanner to borrow or check with Teresa where she rented one to scan at City office. Consult Misty Gray for what needs to be archived.
16. Digitize specialty collections like school yearbooks, etc. Contact:Grant Kaester @ Advantage, 319-721-5170 – may have grant monies to cover cost and he works with Avoca Historical Museum and Genealogy.
Library as a Community Center preparing citizens for a bright future and enhancing quality of life
Objectives:
Become the essential civic center for community gatherings, lifelong learning, workforce and economic development
Be community builders and leaders who are responsive to changing community needs
Improve services to seniors, teens, young children
Strategies:
1. Improve/Maintain Facility –
-ADA checklist
-Staff Tours of newer popular facilities in our area – Director toured Council Bluffs library 7/2023, Atlantic Library in 2024, Manning Library in 2025, Sabrina and Pam toured Altoona Library in 2025
-Replace the third of 3 A/C units
-Maintain outdoor seating area/garden
-Landscape improvements
-Work with City to add retaining wall/steps on southeast corner of lot, courthouse to change ADA access
-Research carpet replacement in children’s area
-Paint- touch up interior walls as needed
-Replace artwork on fireplace – Done 8/2025
-Replace Foggy windows in NW corner Omaha Window Door $1800 2023
-Skylight inspection
-Clean carpets – Done August 2025
-Obtain quotes for cleaning/insect services – Started 8/23
-Re-Design loft area into more useful space – in progress
-Research whiteboard walls for teen area – Too costly; will look for another alternative
-Repair shelving with water damage
-Add coffee bar in community area – 8/2023
-Spray and brush Algae remover on brick on north side of library. Mike Peterson said he has extra hoses to connect to spray down. – on hold due to water restrictions.
-Work on having Scott from Quality Roofing in Walnut repair caulking on steel roof to brick on upper window areas on north and south sides because water will leak down the interior brick walls by the Jr. nonfiction shelving and over by the fireplace. 8/2023, roof leaking badly 5/2024-Quality Roofing checked it and did some repairs, thinks the problem is the window above, city repaired/caulked – 4/2025
-Disaster Preparedness Plan
2. Collections & Programming
Transition summer reading program to all ages programming –
-Provide a Bingo Reading Challenge for all ages with prizes – 2023, 2024, 2025 (pool pass)
-Select adult book club book that is theme oriented to SRP
-Purchase Reader Zone App for SRP patrons - can track reading and earn prizes. --SRP 2023, did not continue due to lack of participation
-4th and 5th grade programming – added themed programming in SRP 2023, 2024, 2025
-Held 1 children’s storytime by Mason Greer of Farm Bureau 2023, 2024
-Base Friday club activities on summer reading theme - 2023
-Look into Patron Activity Pass for Omaha Zoo – These are not offered to libraries 2023
-Purchase Avoca Swim Pass to use for SRP bingo prizes 2023,2024,2025
-Look for other opportunities for activity passes for check out
-Maintain story times with home day cares – Lil’ Vikes Day Care opened in Avoca 2023
-Valentine’s Day
-National Book Week
-Senior Movie Monday – coffee/donuts for free will donation
-Offer senior/teen mentor program to promote learning (i.e., how to use google, e-mail, craigslist/ how to knit, play chess, career networking)
-Offer broad choices of all age’s classes, book clubs, author visits, etc.
Hygge program June 2023, author visits, fraud prevention 6/2024, adult craft classes 2025
-Implemented Weekly Senior/Adult craft/game Fridays 2023
-Keep book & movie sales ongoing – open every day, DVD sale outside at Farmers Market June 2023, annual sale 1/2024
-Maintain 4 Little Free Library boxes in City parks and Fairgrounds campgrounds
-Story walk at Buttermilk Flat Trail stories changed 4 times a year-removed 9/2025
-Host Community Wide Halloween Costume Party trick or treating on Mainstreet businesses and trunk or treat.
-Holidays on Main Community Event – Angel tree for gifts for school community youth, Parade of trees by local orgs, Memorial tree for local families
-Make Avoca City/Main Street information available for citizens newsletters, City Boards, Facebook, maps
-Provide family activities on Farmers Market nights
-Maintain relations with AHSTW admin and staff, library, teachers, classes
-Offer Bridges training to students
-Provide books for AHSTW teen book club – 5th grade novel study 5/2024
-Participate in elementary family literacy evening program – 4/2024, 4/2025
-Participate in elementary family STEM evening programs – 9/2023, 10/2024, 10/2025
-Offer story time services to PK-2 classes – Dr. Seuss Week, Stone Soup story time K classes-5/2024
-Friday Flix – movies for kids every Friday in June and July – SRP 2024, 2025
3. Community Health
-Visiting Nurse Assoc. – gave Flu vaccines at library 2023, 2024, 2025
Tell the Library Story
Objective:
Publicize the library’s programs and services which help to make Avoca a desirable place to live, work, and play. Share library successes!
Strategies:
1. Attend Pott. Co. Supvs. Budget Meeting – 7/2023, 1/2024, 1/2025
2. Print brochure of services/new library card pamphlet – Pam/Sabrina working on
3. Look for new opportunities to present library info – Jr Fed presentation 10/2023, PEO 9/2024, City Council Librarian Report-monthly beginning 5/2024
4. Avoca Main Street promotes weekly library activities - ongoing
5. May Day - Delivered treats to area businesses - 2023
6. Provide Teacher Gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week
7. Promote Webpage – new 2/2024
8. City of Avoca monthly Newsletter library page updates - monthly newsletter
13. WIDA Newsletter – Feature Events 2023
14. Facebook postings of events, and new materials – 2023 Instagram added
15. Director/staff participate in community events- 4th of July game 2023
-Sabrina – Mainstreet Design committee and Board, Farmer’s Market activities, Historical Society, Jr. Federated
-Jeremy – Farmers Market Activities
-Pam – Avoca Genealogy Society, St. Mary’s Liturgy Chair, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
16. STEM Fair
Funding for library projects and enhancements
Objective:
Continually build/maintain the financial resources of the library
Strategies:
1. Work cooperatively with City Manager and Mainstreet on availability of grants/awards, 2023
2. Work with partners in funding projects and programs –
3. Apply for local literacy grants (PCCF, Dollar General, Mt. Nebo, etc.)
Community Foundation for Western Iowa (formerly PCCF)
Iowa Humanities Grant
4. Publicize the library as an excellent institution for trust contributions
5. Promote the library as a community amenity for memorial donations
6. Promote community marketing by participating in Avoca Main Street which should help build population and tax base and economic growth of Avoca –
-Main Street Design Committee
-Main Street Board
-Hosted the Mainstreet Org Partnership Visit for tours
-Local Foods Summit location-11/2023
7. Continue contractual funding Hancock, Shelby and Neola – ongoing
8. Work with County Supervisors/Iowa West – requested updated contract (FY25) to a higher base amount and not focused on number of check outs 2023
9. Report to Pott. Co. Supervisors
11, Track growth of trust accounts PCCF and LPL – ongoing
12. City Clerk is now the Financial Officer on all Library Trust Accounts 2023
13. Petty cash now runs through city clerk for reimbursements 2023
14. Look into a 501c3 nonprofit status for the library.