Bloomfield Library Has Strategic Plan For Patrons' Growing Needs

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Public Library’s 3-year strategic plan has been approved, providing the local center of learning with a blueprint for the future, staff reported Thursday.

According to Library Director Holly Martin Belli, from 2016 to 2018, the library saw “tremendous growth” in registrations, circulation of materials, and program participation.

“These successes have reaffirmed our standing in the community and raised awareness of our role as an invaluable resource to the township,” Belli stated. “It is upon this strong base that our strategic plan was built with an eye toward the future’s ever-evolving environment, driven by innovations in technology and shifting demographics in the community we serve.”

Belli said the plan will help library staff to respond to “the growing needs and expectations” of its patrons.

According to Belli:

“The library took a comprehensive approach to the development of the strategic plan, including: assessment of the facilities and collections; a comprehensive questionnaire for both residents and staff; a community leaders/stakeholders meeting, and a library open house for the community; all of which informed the final version of the plan.”

According to Board of Trustees President Tabitha Rice, the plan was built with input from Bloomfield community leaders, library patrons and staff.

“This plan is meant to provide guidance for the Board of Trustees to build upon and enhance the existing level of service to the community,” Rice stated. “It will help guide the Board of Trustees in setting priorities within the available financial resources and as new opportunities present themselves.”

Here are the key components of the strategic plan, which can be seen in full here.

• Strengthen the role of the library as a center for information and discovery in the township
• Support education and learning opportunities
• Foster community connections
• Build strong community relationships to ensure sustainable library service
• Develop a clear and consistent marketing plan
• Revitalize and rebuild physical spaces that are engaging, welcoming and inspiring
• Improve our technology infrastructure and services

What does this mean for library patrons and community members? Here are some changes that people can expect if the strategic plan comes to fruition:

• More public shows, and arts/cultural programs
• Increased outreach to teens and adults
• Closer relationships with local schools
• Programs that help residents with citizenship and ESL information
• Preserving and digitizing the library’s local history collection
• More programming for residents with special needs
• Looking at the library’s open hours to “ensure community needs are met”
• Making restrooms more “family-friendly” with changing tables and/or gender nonspecificity
• Upgrading desktop PC systems for staff and public
• Exploring the feasibility of self-checkout and RFID

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Bloomfield Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Google Maps