The Chemung County Library District is beginning a strategic planning process to guide services for the next three years. The plan will act as a road map for the library as it seeks to meet the needs of Chemung County residents now and into the future. As part of this process, the District is conducting a user survey to evaluate how we may improve upon the library’s services. The comprehensive process will develop the library’s long-term strategic plan to enhance the library’s services and programs.
“Changes since the last strategic planning process was completed are causing the district to refocus its efforts,” Library District Director Ron Shaw said. He said the information will “be useful in evaluating why patrons visit the library or why some don’t use its services or attend programs. Being able to utilize the strategic plan in making decisions will make a difference in providing useful resources to serve Chemung County residents.”
Input from the public is important to the district as it moves forward with efforts to evaluate and plan for the future. “We’re here for the community,” Shaw said. “We’d like the information about what the community wants. We know we can’t be all things to all people. Priorities will be developed based on the feedback about how best to allocate resources”
“We have a longstanding tradition of prioritizing the needs of the community. We welcome community input so we can continue that tradition,” said Planning Committee Chairperson Jennie Lewis. “The data collected is instrumental to the district board and administration and will help shape the roles of the district over the next several years.”
The District is asking community resident to take a few minutes to share thoughts and opinions. There are 47 questions on the survey and we estimate that it should only take about 10 -15 minutes to complete the survey, located at https://ccld.lib.ny.us/survey. The survey is anonymous, and data collected will be used for planning and informational purposes. Paper copies of the survey will also be provided at all library branches throughout Chemung County. Patrons who complete the survey will be entered in a drawing to win an iPad.
Results will be posted on the district’s web site. The final version of the Library’s Strategic Plan will be shared with the public once it has been approved by the Board of Trustees.